A/N Sorry I haven't been updating any of my stories but I just haven't had the time, my dad is suffering from cancer and I'm struggling with work, school and home, I will update when I can so please be patient and I apologise for the delays.

Chapter 12

I stretched my arms and rolled over onto my side. I was guessing I'd slept for a whole day. It didn't matter, I mostly operated on a nocturnal schedule anyway. The sky out of my window was overcast with grey clouds, rain was waiting over the horizon and a strong breeze buffeted against the window. Dimly I realised I was in my room at the inn. Call me judgmental but I had expected Zacarias to hole me up in a cave somewhere. But hey, I wasn't going to complain, the feather down cushions and thick duvets were heaven. I snuggled deeper into my pillow and yawned. I needed to get up and figure out what I'd missed.

Heaving a sigh, I tossed the covers off me and felt the immediate chill of the temperature difference. Glancing down at my body I frowned. Typical male. He had undresses me for bed. I steeled the blush that crept over me at the thought of Zacarias slowly stripping my clothes off. Next time I saw him, I was so hitting his huge kumquat head.

In record time I dashed out of bed and into the bathroom, flicking the shower on to as hot as it could go, I sighed and let the steaming water encase and relax me. To soon I turned it off and dashed back into my room wrapped in a towel. My clothes were put in my draw, and the act of getting dressed and washed just seemed too normal for my hectic life. I ended up throwing on warm black leggings, a snug black wool jumper and my fingerless gloves. I brushed my hair for what felt like the first time in centuries, and secured it in a ponytail. I had never worn makeup since my life had turned upside down, so I wouldn't start now. I hid my weapons on my person and grabbed my leather coat to take with me in case I decided to brave the weather and go somewhere. My phoenix tattoo on my shoulder throbbed slightly and I glanced back at the mirror. Staring at my reflexion as though it would tell me what was going on. Either my elemental tattoo was warning me a fallen or another elemental was nearby, or it was just another twinge of paranoia. Because even I suffered from paranoia from time to time.

Shaking my head to clear my mind I walked out of my room and down to the inn's restaurant. It was definitely too late for breakfast but I was certain I could get food still. The restaurant was packed full of people some eating and chatting away, and music played as some danced on the dance floor. Not what I needed first thing I woke up. I managed to snag and empty table in the back corner all by myself and ordered a pasta bake.

The music changed to a slow tempo and I turned my head away from everyone in the room to look out the window. There were Carpathians here, no doubt who and what I was had circulated as the main topic for gossip. I should be used to it by now, but it still irked me and I felt snappish. When my food was placed in front of me I didn't start eating straight away. My mind was caught on something.

Through the years of working for the council, then working to annoy them, I had never really focused on what ha happened the night my family had been killed. True, they were alive now, but I couldn't interact with them, I could see them and watch them, but hey didn't know I was there. That was nearly more painful from them being dead and unable to see. But they were in my sights and they were just out of my reach. It had only been a year or two since I had woken them, they were still grieving over my 'death', they hadn't even thought about going after Creed. I had grieved for them, perhaps it was time I sought Creed out and made sure he couldn't do the same thing twice. Was there any other reason for me to stay in this country? I could move on now and start my search for Creed.

"Are you going to eat that?"

I looked down at Mary who was leaning into my legs. with a smile I pulled her up on the seat next to me.

"Well, I'll eat as much as I can, but I'll need your help. Can you stand up to that task?"

Mary nodded eagerly and we both tucked into the food on my plate. Of course, I wasn't finished in this land. I came here with the intention of killing Siena's husband so she'd be free of him, that was done. Yet the other night someone had shot at her children, there was another threat to her and her family, after all I owed her I couldn't leave yet. I ignored the voice that whispered someone else might also be a reason for me to stay.

"Come on you can manage one more bite." I urged as I twirled the last piece of pasta bake onto my fork. I zoomed it around like it was alive, Then it headed straight for Mary's mouth. "Hurry up, if you don't let the bat in t cave he'll land on your face."

She quickly bit at the food and giggled as she chewed and swallowed. I looked down at my plate in feigned shock. "Wow you ate all of it, are you trying to make me starve?"

Mary shook her head but little giggles bubbled up out of her. I drew her onto lap and we sat there together looking out the window and drawing faces on the condensation.

"Ciara, I was getting worried, I haven seen you in a while since…" Siena's voice trailed off as she approached me and saw a nearly asleep Mary on my lap. He voice softened and she sat down opposite me. I tried to ignore the curios Carpathians that watched us.

"I know Siena, but you know how things can get. You're all safe aren't you? Tim?" I was slightly nervous that Tim wasn't with us but for all I knew he could be asleep or having dinner. I still couldn't stop my overprotective urges toward Siena and her children, they were the only family I had and could see and talk to. I would still be in the ice asleep if it wasn't for her compassion.

"He's playing with Sara's children, you know what, after talking with them, the Carpathian's don't seem nearly as scary as I thought. I mean I know how bad the vampires are, just like our Fallen, but they are good people."

I read the words she weren't saying in her eyes. She wouldn't say things she'd think were crossing the line but she still wanted to say them.

"You think I should work with them, help them." I sighed and shifted Mary into a comfortable position as her head dropped as she fell fully asleep.

"Well you helped Skyler, you have respect and worry about them, even that Carpathian, Zacarias, cares about you."

I leaned my head back to look at the ceiling, but Siena leaned closer and spoke in a softer more determined voice. "And I know you care about him, you trust him and you let hi close to you. So if you stayed, you could stay with us, with him. You could be a part of something here, a community, a family. I know they would accept you Ciara.

Now my eyes snapped back to her, behind her I caught some of the Carpathians who were watching and listening to our conversation, they weren't doing it openly but I knew the signs and they were so busted.

"Do you really think the Council would just let me walk away, leave peacefully? I'm a threat, a danger to every living creature, I could fall at any moment, they know that and I know that. I wont fit in anywhere, I have a duty to do, and if I left, we both know the Council would send every dog they had to put me in the ground or turn me to ashes. They wont put me back in kryostasis a second time."

Her gaze dropped to the floor. We both know my words were true. A long time ago, I had accepted the fact that the Council would have control over what I did and where I went, but only until I decided to end everything, for permanently.

I do not like these thoughts of yours. Zacarias's voice was sharp with warning. I did the mental equivalent of a shrug.

Blame yourself, if you don't like my thoughts then you shouldn't have made a blood exchange. Before it was fine we heard only what the other wanted to say, but now there are no walls. If you go to deep into my mind I will geld you, and as you can see I'm doing to polite thing and staying out of your head. SO WHY DON'T YOU DO THE SAME!

The Carpathians in the room jumped as I screamed at Zacarias, Siena's eyes widened slightly, even Mary stirred in her sleep. Maybe I was a bit too loud.

You're mind is addictive, you think so much, so many different things, it is unique and intriguing. It is like you are inviting me to have a look. But I will only stay on the surface so to speak. I will be there soon, draga, no need to get anxious.

I was not getting anxious. And if I was it would certainly not be because he wasn't here, or that he hadn't been there when I woke up. Now I would be anxious for another reason, I just hadn't decided on what it was yet. I chose to ignore the male amused laughter in my head. Oh lord, I just realised how that sentence sounded. At this rate I'd be submitted to a psychiatric ward.

I looked at Sienna more carefully, the bruises that seemed to have been permanent over the last few years she'd been married, had slowly started to fade to nothing but smudges. She looked happier, she was positively glowing, she was also wearing a witnessing outfit. I started chewing on a peanut from the bowl on the table, my mind running through a hundred thoughts as I looked at her more carefully. I had been so stupid.

"When did you start working here then?"

She smiled. "Since last night, Slavica offered me ajob here, she even helps me with the children and watches them while I work. I'm so grateful because I know it wont be easy with…him gone."

Her smile was soft, not sad over her husbands death, in all honesty he had been a bastard, in every sense of the word. I would have killed him sooner if I had been able to.

"So you'll be able to cope on your own?"

"Of course." She nodded frantically. "Of course I will, it wont be easy but I have help. Not from the Council of course, they ignore me ever since I woke you up, but Mikhail and Raven said they'd help anyway they can, They're good people."

I took the plunge with my next words. "What about when the baby is born?"

Her face dropped, her features going slack with shock. I saw Zacarias enter the room from the other side and slowly walk over to us. He took his time, knowing we were in a serious conversation.

"Well…Well….I.. How'd…" She was stuttering.

"I only just realised, you forget I was there when you were pregnant with the other two, I know the signs to look for, and the other night….when the Spirit Guardian's I gave you activated, yours worked twice as hard to protect you, I didn't realise until just now, but that was because it was protecting two lives."

He face settled into a serene smile. "I was just surprised, I only found out myself a couple of days ago. I'm glad that he's dead so he wont be able to hurt my child, but I feel as though I'm wrong to feel glad of that. It'll be harder but, I know I'll cope."

I passed her Mary as I got up to leave. "I'll help you, I have some money and we'll get you out of that house. You know I wont leave you."

I started walking around the room in the opposite direction of Zacarias. He didn't stop instead he just cut through the dance floor and his long strides matched every two of mine. couldn't he take a hint?

I felt my phoenix tattoo twinge, as though fiery wings were spreading across my shoulder. I stopped midst ride and my eyes became distant. I focused on Batu's mind, he was agitated, snarling at the storm coming, he was crouched out by the inn in the bushes. I stepped out the French window onto the porch and watched the skies with him.

I focused on Kesa and found her soaring above the sky, tracking numerous SUV's moving along the roads with efficiency and purpose. She too was agitated.

I focused on Adeta. She was an elemental stallion, a horse of the shadows and night, she was in the world between life and death, she was trapped, yet she was trying to find a way through the smoke and mists back to my world and to me. She was agitated and was beginning to feel fear.

It was odd having three animals linked so intimately with me. I had been told by a shaman when I was passing through a country, that they were my spirit guides. I had laughed at that and muttered that I didn't need my fortune told. Now though I wasn't so sure I should have dismissed his words. Not many people, with or without psychic abilities connected with animal in such a way.

I was confused and I felt worn out, I was just worrying, the animals were just worried about me, I was being paranoid.

Strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me to a hard chest. I leaned against Zacarias and closed my eyes. I completely forgot that I was mad and avoiding him. It must've been because he smelt like the rainforests in a monsoon. It was fresh and addictive.

"Everything will be alright." Four simple words that I doubted would ever be true. Something always happened to make things not alright.

"You seem so sure, if you can control the future I'd believe you. But I doubt even you can do that Mr. Big Bad Carpathian."

"You are so charming, just like your mind." His amused voice whispered in my ear.

I ignored that as well, I didn't want to focus on the fact he could go walk about in my head whenever the fancy took him. I curled my hands around his forearm that rest around my waist, gently rubbing his smooth muscles as I watched the wind slowly blow the churning clouds our way.

"How did you protect Sienna and those children from the bullets the other day?" His voice was full of curiosity.

"An old charm. Some items, like the necklaces they wear can be charmed with a spirit, there are certain ones that protect people, its where the guardian angel myths came from. They can protec you from threats and magic, but sometimes they can be overpowered. For some reasob though it didn't protect Sienna from her husband or the children. I made them and charmed, I implemented spirit at a price to myself, it took me a long to recover. But it was worth it."

I rested my head against his shoulder. "With a baby on the way, I'll have to start working on a new one."

I felt his lips run across my shoulder through the fabric of my jumper. "Perhaps you should consider making some for when we have ours." He murmured.

That got my attention. To have a baby we'd have to do the deed, and don't get me wrong he was as hot as Mexican sauce in summer, but that didn't mean I would jump into bed with him. Even if it crossed my mind a few times, I had restraint….and I had never seen a baby in my future, certainly not with a Carpathian.

"We aren't having that conversation, because that wont ever happen."

His lips smiled as he pressed a kiss to my neck. I felt a shudder run up my spine. "The future holds many surprises, you never know."

"I know what my future holds." I certainly did. A lifetime of watching my family from a distance, not being able to be part of that life ever again. If my heart could ache any more, I'd have thought that squeezing feeling in my chest was it.

His arms tightened around me. "It will work out, I wont let you go."

I wanted to believe him, so much. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying something I couldn't take back. I knew I was the type of girl who longed for a family, I was in my element in a large family, I fit in perfectly, as a little girl I couldn't wait to have my own. To raise children and teach them all about life, it was why I enjoyed being with Tim and Mary so much, because that was as close as I ever could get to having a child of my own.

I turned in Zacarias's arms to rest my head on his chest and hide my face. I could feel the prickle of tears, I was falling apart lately. It was ridiculous. Another thing I appreciated about Zacarias was he didn't say anything, he just held me and stroked my back, ran his hand through my hair, he was even murmuring comfortable words in his language.

I must've been ill, or delusional, or there was drugs in my food. Because I had no reason for what I did next. Which was to raise my head and gently kiss his lips. Gently, turned into demanding in moments, the kiss becoming heated and passionate, lips parted, tongues colliding, heated breaths fogging the brain.

I wound my hands into his hair and dragged him closer as he pulled us as tight as we could get with clothes on. You couldn't fit even a piece of paper between us. There was only a slight height difference between us, I was thankful I didn't have to stretch on my tippy toes to kiss him, it was just perfect. We fit.

His hands travelled over my body, gripping my hips with tight fingers. Okay, maybe I was being presumptuous earlier saying I would never do the deed with him, because I was getting very tempted right now.

This moment would be perfect, any moment he would scoop me up and fly me away to some romantic location where we could continue exploring each other. Only that insistent heat wave from my tattoo was growing in heat and frequency.

I pulled away from the kiss, breathing heavy, my eyes were shining violet. Batu was pacing impatiently in front of the bushes now. I was glad no humans had seen him, his tail was twitching in agitation, nasty little snarls escaping his throat.

The tattoo had turned into a constant burn, beating at my body and mind. I focused on Kesa, she was still following the convoy of SUV's, they had just turned down the road heading to the inn. Where I was. I saw a glimpse of a mans jacket in the SUV, he had a tiny emblem stitched to the lapel. SHIT!

I turned around and pulled Zacarias inside before he could ask any questions. I wasn't sure how late it was, or how long we'd been outside, but it was long enough because all the humans were in bed, at the very least they had left.

Sienna had been in the middle of cleaning a table, now she was frozen her eyes wide. She looked at me and panic flooded her features. "Oh no. Ciara, they're here." She had just felt the shift in power as the SUV's got closer.

"I know." I said as I walked around the tables, Zacarias tailing me. "We don't have time. Zacarias, tell your people to prepare the Council are here. Sienna get Mary and Tim and stay with the Carpathians."

I went to turn away, ironically both Sienna and Zacarias grabbed my arm to stop me walking away.

"What about you?" Zacarias asked his dark eyes boring into me.

"I'll have to present myself to the Council, explain I became known to you by killing a Fallen who had harmed one of your own. I cant tell them about Sienna's husband, I bet you Jacob reported me for kicking his backside. I was treading a thin line with the Council before this." I turned to Zacarias and the few other Carpathians who had gotten closer and were listening intently. "Do not react when they say or do anything to me, treat me as a subject, not a friend or ally. That will be really bad."

Ciara…...

I didn't hear Zacarias, I was too busy focused on the sound of tyres breaking outside. Car doors opening and slamming shut.

"Ciara, your mask!" Sienna whispered in a panicked voice.

It took me a while to realise what she was on about. The Council were here. My family was part of the Council, and since they had been woken I had been forced to wear a mask before them so they didn't recognise me. If I faced Council without, they wouldn't just recognise me, but the others would punish me….severely.

As quick as I could I spun around and ran up the stairs to my room, my foot had just left the top step when the front door to the inn opened. My feet made no noise and I treaded carefully as I entered my room and pulled out the half face mask that I would need when the Council summoned me. I would be surprised if I got through this thing with my head still attached. I was in so much trouble. And through my new blood bound with Zacarias, I could feel his hatred and anger already at the Council for what he already knew through me about them. For the first time in centuries, I prayed for a miracle. I prayed for Zacarias to not react to the Council.