Chapter 25

Arianna paced back and forth in the large, open room. She felt suffocated, as if the walls were closing in on her. Her throat felt tight, like she couldn't breathe. She tried to calm herself down by taking another walk in the garden, or even reading to Isabella.

But nothing worked.

Janelle helplessly watched as Arianna went back to pacing. "You need to sit down and try to clam your mind."

"I can't," she protested. "It's almost dawn. I haven't heard from him. There's been no communication. What if something happened? What if he died?"

"You would know," replied Janelle in a quite voice.

"I didn't know it would be like this. I can't concentrate. All I can think about is him."

"It is your bond with him." Armando's deep voice was thick with an Italian accent. He had disappeared for a while, and she heard Janelle saying he was working on lesson plans for the children. But he was now leaning against a nearby door, his glittering eyes looking at her with concern.

"I'm fine," she muttered, as she began to wring her hands.

"Arianna," the SongMaker said softly, "I can help you. Allow me to give you rest."

"I just don't understand. Where is he? He said he would return."

"You must calm yourself. Worrying will only make the feeling grow worse."

"Of course I'm worried!" she suddenly snapped in anger. "Do you really even care? Does anyone? What if he's been captured? I highly doubt any of Mikhail's hunters would try to rescue him. Admit it, they think he's worthless. But he isn't to me! I know he is worthy, no matter what you think!"

Armando straightened. "I know what he did." Before she could attack him again, the SongMaker held up his hand. "I am not speaking of his persona as vampire. I am referring to the countless Morrison laboratories he destroyed. He was relentless in seeking out those who experimented on our species. Or perhaps, unconsciously, he was looking for you."

. Arianna turned away as her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry. I-I don't know why I lashed out like that."

"It's okay," said Janelle getting up and walking over to her. She put an arm around Arianna. "This is normal with what you're feeling. Lifemate bonds are very intense, even more so over time. I can barely breathe if Armando doesn't connect with me every few minutes. I can't even imagine what you are going through."

Arianna wiped away a few tears, grateful for Janelle's comfort. She'd never had any friends, of course. It felt nice to have someone actually care about her. She glanced at Armando who was still looking at her with concern. Men always made her nervous. But the SongMaker was far from any of the cruel human men she'd known. And what if he was right about Tyrell's memories? If anyone could try and help them, it was him.

There was suddenly a loud crash near the front door. In the blink of an eye, she saw Armando turn to mist and was gone. Arianna began to tremble. "What's happening?"

"We need to stay here," said Janelle, her arm tightening around her.

Arianna.

Immediate relief flooded her when she realized the voice was Tyrell in her mind. And then she was running to the front door with Janelle calling out after her. When she got to the entryway, she gasped when the door opened and Armando was helping a bloodied man into the house.

Dear God. It was Tyrell! His face was so badly beaten she didn't even recognize him. Arianna gasped and immediately went to him. But she was stopped short when he bared his fangs at her.

"Get back!" he hissed.

Armando shook his head. "Arianna, do you mind waiting in the other room? Let me attend to him."

"No! He's my lifemate! He called for me in my mind."

"He was trying to ease your separation," replied the SongMaker in a quiet voice as Tyrell struggled to remain standing. "Please, Arianna, give us a moment so he can…recover."

It was then she realized Tyrell wasn't just hurt, he barely made it here alive. She knew instantly he was too fearful to take her blood and his anger was not at her but himself. And of course, he most likely hated how she was seeing him in such a weakened state. She wanted to yell at him for being so stubborn but of course that wasn't going to help anything. Biting her lip, she turned and walked back into the other room where Janelle was waiting for her.

Janelle tried to reassure her. "Armando is giving him blood."

Arianna crossed her arms, hugging herself. "I don't think that will be enough," she murmured. "He looked so badly hurt." Damn. Tears were stinging her eyes again. Would she ever stop crying all the time?

"You're right. Armando says he needs a healer. But the sun is rising, so it's not possible." She smiled a little. "Not that it matters. Armando doesn't think Tyrell would let Gregori even be in the same house with you."

"But if he doesn't get help…"

"Armando will give him enough blood to sustain him. He needs to go into the ground so he can heal more on his own."

A chill went through Arianna. She couldn't bear to be separated from him again. But she wasn't Carpathian yet so she couldn't be with him in the ground. She cleared her throat. "Can Armando put me to sleep?"

A deep growl broke through the air. "I will be the one to make you sleep."

Both of them turned to see Tyrell standing by the fireplace in the room. As usual, he was dressed fully in black, his long trench coat almost touching the floor. But the dark color only brought out the disturbing paleness of his face. As she walked toward him, Arianna realized there were still scratches on his face. She froze. There was nasty wound on the side of his neck, like something had viciously bit into him.

Tyrell's face hardened. "Seeing me now for what I am, my dear?"

"What happened?"

Before he could answer, the SongMaker appeared, swaying slightly as he entered the room. Janelle hurried over to him, and he pulled her close. "The sun is rising. Tyrell, take Arianna down below where she will be safe. Once night falls, I will be able to feed and supply you with more blood. Although I still think Gregori needs to look at you."

"I am quite capable of healing myself," replied Tyrell in a low voice.

Armando sighed, his eyes now weary. "We have much to discuss. Mikhail wants to speak with you again. If you want to earn trust, you will first need to trust me."

"I am in your debt, SongMaker. But my trust in you does not extend to others. I must return to the Albino once night falls."

"No!" Arianna's throat tightened. "Look what happened to you! How can you go back there?"

For a moment, she swore Tyrell's black eyes softened. "The situation is much more complex than I thought. I need more time." He looked away for a moment. It wasn't just finding the vampires the Albino and wizard controlled. Tyrell now realized what he was from his past. The Prince would never accept him. And Arianna may hate him for eternity with what he had done.

"Time," said the SongMaker in his mesmerizing tone, his eyes watching Tyrell closely, "is what you need with your lifemate. You need to fulfill your promise to her."

"I promised to return and discuss the matter. Nothing more."

Arianna looked at the floor. Once again, she felt like he constantly rejected her. She was shocked when he suddenly reached for her hand. She looked up at him, and found his face hard to read. He formally thanked Armando for his blood and watching over her. Then they were descending a spiral staircase, the steps made of a cool, grey stone. It seemed to go on forever and Arianna sensed they were now deep inside the mountain in some type of secret lair.

When they reached what appeared to be the lowest level, Tyrell led the way down a long hall. At least it didn't feel scary as everything was well lit with warm textured, walls. She noted they passed by a few bedrooms, but he didn't stop. They were headed to the end of the hall where she saw a set of French doors. Tyrell waved a hand and they automatically opened.

Arianna's eyes widened as they walked into a luxurious bedroom. There was a large fireplace with overstuffed chairs. The carpet was soft and plush, while the walls were covered in silks and tapestries. It was strange with no windows, but it was still beautiful. An enormous canopy bed was in the middle of the room. The bed posts were made out of beautiful cherry wood. She walked over and touched one of them.

"I thought you needed to sleep in the ground," she murmured.

"I do."

Arianna turned to face him. "So this bed is just for me?"

He waved his hand and a rug near the bed lifted up, revealing a secret door. It opened, and Arianna could smell the rich earth. "I will not be far," he said.

Her chest tightened. "Take me with you."

"You are human. It is impossible."

"You could change that," she whispered. He was silent for a moment and she was very aware how small she was in the room compared to him. Despite the size of the room, Tyrell was still huge, his shoulders and chest wider than she even remembered.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low. "I cannot say the words, Arianna. I do not want you to transform if I cannot fully bind you to me. Go to the bed. You need rest."

She trembled. "Are you going to put me to sleep?"

"Yes."

"Tell me what happened first. Why were you injured?" she demanded.

Tyrell's eyes darkened. "They tested my skills."

"They?"

"An Albino and a wizard."

"You fought them?"

He gave a soft laugh. "They control vampires, my dear. There is no need for them to risk their own lives."

"So you were forced to fight a vampire?"

He scoffed at her, and his voice was gruff. "You actually think one vampire would give me such extensive wounds? Obviously you still do not have faith in my skills."

"I-I didn't mean to insult you."

"Then I suggest you think before you speak."

Okay, that was a little harsh, she thought. She tried to shrug it off, telling herself he was probably just tired. "I'm sorry. I was just very worried about you."

Tyrell glared at her. "I do not need your concern. I have outlived most vampires. I am an ancient, not some mere fledgling."

"Like me."

"What?" he asked with a weary tone.

"Well, that's what you mean. You've lived far longer than me so I must be a mere child in your eyes." She couldn't help sounding hurt as her throat grew tight. She was not going to cry in front of him.

Tyrell drew a deep breath. Maybe it was meant to calm himself. "That was not my intent."

Arianna let out a slight laugh as she held back her tears. "Well, I guess we're even then. So just how many vampires did they make you fight?"

"Ten."

Arianna gasped. "That's horrible! They must have been testing if you were telling the truth. I'm betting they didn't trust you completely to be under their control due to your age."

Tyrell actually looked impressed. "Very good, Arianna. The Albino knew I saw in color when I first recognized what he was back in the cave with you. While they were intrigued with the possibilities of what a master vampire was capable of doing, I believe they suspected I could be a spy. I told them that I killed you. However, it would not make sense to them that I could see in color. They hoped it was due to my age or power, but they were not going to take the chance. They knew no attached Carpathian male would place himself in such a position which would endanger his lifemate."

"But hunters have lifemates, right?"

"Yes. But this would be considered a possible suicide mission. Mikhail would never place a pair at such a risk. The wizard and Albino just wanted to be sure, given the Carpathians are so desperate to find them."

"And if you were completely bonded to me…"

"You would have felt every blow, Arianna."

She swallowed hard. "You can't block it from my mind?"

"For a while, perhaps. But ten against one are not exactly the best odds."

"I think what you did was…honorable. I don't care what Mikhail or the hunters think, you are more worthy than any of them."

He turned away, his jaw clenching. "I do not deserve your words." If she knew what he recalled in his mind, she would never forgive him. He was a monster for what he had done in his past. If he told her, what would she think?

Tyrell flinched when he felt her hand on his arm. He gently removed it and led her over to the bed. Pulling back the covers, he waved a hand and she gasped as she was suddenly in a silk night gown. It was ruby red, with a low neckline outlined in lace. Despite how drained he felt, he could help his body's reaction when his eyes looked over the outline of her body. He ignored it, and motioned for her to get into the bed.

When she was finally tucked in, Arianna trembled. "I'm scared."

He dropped his voice an octave. "You are safe with me, Arianna."

"Promise?"

Tyrell issued a command and she was asleep before she could hear him whisper, "Always."