Chapter 35

Carissa could hear the most beautiful female voice as they approached the SongMaker's home high in the mountains. Landing on the wrap-around porch, she transformed from owl to human with the twins. Glancing around, Carissa noted the most spectacular view. The luxurious, yet rustic mountain style home appeared to be recently built. They walked up a number of steps to the front double doors with stained glass windows.

The female voice faded and returned in strength. Carissa looked a the twins. "Is that Armando's lifemate singing?"

"I don't know. I sent a call out to him we would be arriving around this time," said Pierce.

Suddenly one of the front doors opened and a small woman appeared. She was obviously pregnant as the long, floral dress she had on clearly outlined her condition. Her brown hair fell past her shoulders and it whipped around her face from the wind.

"Hi," she said with a shy smile, "I'm Janelle, Armando's life mate. You must be Carissa."

Carissa nodded and noted the female voice was still singing. She wondered who it was. Janelle welcomed them inside and Carissa found herself standing in an enormous entryway. The floors were a beautiful cherry hardwood leading to a large room with a stone fireplace. Carissa was amazed as it looked like something out of one of her travel magazines.

"This is beautiful," Carissa murmured.

We definitely need to build her a home, said Pierce.

My city days are limited, agreed Samuel. We can work virtual. Whatever makes her happy. Realizing what he just said, Samuel looked at his twin. We are in so much trouble when it comes to her.

Huge trouble, agreed Pierce.

Janelle looked at the twins. "You both really are identical. I can't tell either of you apart."

"In physical looks only," said Samuel as both of them formally bowed to her at the same time. When they straightened, he continued. "Pierce is the one who likes boring classical music, never wears jeans, and has no fun."

"And Samuel prefers loud music, would never wear a stylish suit, and takes nothing seriously," added Pierce.

Janelle laughed. "How perfect for Carissa."

"Is that sarcasm?" asked Samuel with a smile.

She touched Carissa's hand. "No, of course not. Think about it. She can turn to whichever one fits her mood!"

"I hadn't really thought of it that way, but you're right," laughed Carissa. "So, when are you due?"

Janelle placed her hands protectively over her stomach. "In just a few months. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you earlier. I've been rather tired since our trip to the United States."

"Oh, that's right. How was your visit?" But then Carissa could sense something was immediately wrong as Janelle's smile disappeared. "Um, I'm sorry…"

"No, it's okay. And actually, I should have reached out to you earlier. I'd like you to come to the ceremony."

The twins looked at each other, suddenly realizing why the SongMaker had visited the United States. They tried to quickly reach out to Carissa, but it was too late.

"What ceremony?"

Janelle blinked. "You weren't…told?"

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, told what?"

Janelle took Carissa's hand and led her over to the fireplace. The mantel had a number of burning candles. In the center, there was a small, bronze urn. Janelle squeezed her hand. "This is Anna."

"Anna?"

"She was a child Armando knew a long time ago," said Janelle quietly. "She was one of the servants for a cruel wizard who controlled him. Armando was used to entertain the wizard's guests at lavish balls."

"How awful. So Anna was human?"

"Yes, but psychic, like us."

"Did she never find her lifemate?"

"Carissa," interjected Pierce, "perhaps we can talk about this later."

Janelle turned around and gave them a gentle smile. "Obviously she doesn't know. It's alright." She looked at Carissa. "Under the control of the wizard, Armando was forced to…feed from Anna when he was injured by a vampire. He was dying."

A horrible feeling spread in Carissa's gut. "And Armando…I mean, she…"

"Died," finished Janelle softly. She looked at Carissa with sad eyes. "Armando's purpose has always been as a teacher to the Carpathian children. They sense this and are naturally drawn to him. Anna…she didn't understand that Armando was an unattached male with no anchor to keep him from the darkness. Armando of course would have rather died first than take Anna. But the wizard…he built an undeniable hunger which called out that darkness. For years, Armando thought of himself as a monster and vowed never to be near children again."

Carissa felt awful. "I'm so sorry."

"He is obviously different today because of you," Pierce said with sympathy.

"And because of the children. It's really them who bring his spirit back time and time again," she replied with a smile. "And now we have brought Anna back here to the Carpathian Mountains, where she belongs. We plan to have a proper burial ceremony later this evening. It would mean a lot to us if you were there."

Carissa hesitated, realizing this would mean she and the twins would once more need to face a large audience. "Well, I'm not sure…"

Janelle's eyes were all too knowing. "You're worried about the others; what they will think when they see you."

"We haven't been exactly welcomed," muttered Samuel.

Pierce nudged his twin. "However, we are honored by your request."

"I'm so sorry the others haven't accepted you," replied Janelle, "I hope you know Armando and I don't agree with them."

Samuel held up his hand. "The SongMaker has been very open to us. If not for him, even Mikhail may not have known we spoke the truth about our bond with Carissa."

The female's voice in the background suddenly stopped and it was quiet for a moment. "Who was that?" asked Carissa.

"Oh, that's Desarai. She shares Armando's gift of song. She's still learning how to use her voice."

Carissa shook her head. "How can she still learning? It's simply beautiful."

"I'm not sure if you've witnessed all that Armando can do with his voice," Janelle said with a bright smile, "His power can pull images from minds and re-create past events. He can even use it to unravel spells."

"I also heard it was the SongMaker who created some of the original healing chants," added Pierce.

"What's a healing chant?" asked Carissa.

Janelle laughed. "You'll see. They'll soon be drilling it into you all the time. It helps with any serious injuries."

"Really?" She looked at the twins. "I want you to teach it to me. That way I can make sure and protect both of you if it's ever needed."

Pride swelled within both of them. "We are undeserving of you as a lifemate," said Pierce.

Carissa reached up and kissed him. "Just don't forget that during our next argument."

"Never."

A deep voice suddenly interrupted them and Carissa almost gasped as a new song emerged. She knew instantly it was Armando. She could simply feel so much power in his voice, that it practically shook her.

"They're out back in the garden. Why don't you go see him?"

"We don't want to disturb his lesson to Desarai," said Carissa. In truth, she was remembering how Julian made it a point that Desarai was his lifemate and sister to the dark twins. "We can wait until he's finished."

"But he's been expecting you." Janelle paused. "In fact, he's telling me right now you are welcome to join them."

Samuel reached out and squeezed Carissa's hand reassuringly. It will be fine. Janelle has been extremely kind. She and Armando truly accept us.

But not Desarai.

I'm not so sure about that, replied Pierce as he remembered their conversation with the Prince.

Hesitantly, Carissa followed Janelle to the back of the home with the twins closely behind her. French glass doors opened to the outside where a beautiful garden area was lit by the full moon. Although still cold, Carissa could clearly see the landscaping of various trees, rocks, and even a small pond. Walking over a small bridge, she saw Armando and Desarai in the distance. He stood tall and strong as his voice echoed across the mountains. Desarai listened intently, her long dark hair blowing softly around her.

As they grew closer, Armando's voice faded away and Desarai gave a large sigh. "I just can't create the images you do. If I do, they're transparent, not solid like the ones you can create."

"But you can control objects with your voice. Have patience, Deserai. You are doing very well."

"You mean I'm doing well for someone so young," she complained with a disappointed face.

The SongMaker smiled. "Youth means very little when it comes to power. It is experience and skill which matter."

"It's the same thing. Someone young is always inexperienced."

"I disagree," replied Armando with a glimmer in his eyes, "I have seen children as young as only a few years of age master skills an older Carpathian never obtained. And what of your brother Darius? He saved you and others as a very young child." He turned and looked briefly at the twins. "Our ancients tend to become arrogant in their belief that only long years in battle can mean developed skill. But they forget one thing."

"And what's that?"

The SongMaker crossed his arms over his chest. "That I am the oldest ancient and therefore am always right."

Deserai laughed. "Somehow I think your argument only reinforces ancients are just arrogant."

"Exactly."

The twins smiled. Armando was indeed a great teacher. They could learn so much from him. Then again, so could the ancients. When Deserai looked over at them, Pierce and Samuel both gave her an elegant bow. She walked right up to Carissa and they immediately stiffened. But they were surprised when she simply embraced their lifemate.

"I'm so glad to see you again!" Deserai said as she hugged Carissa. She pulled away and looked down at her. "I'll have you know that Mikhail paid a little visit to me in front of Julian. I was not at all pleased with the fact that he inferred I agreed with his distasteful opinion. I think your union is wonderful. It's not everyday us women can have such power over two males! I think they're just fearful it could happen more often and then we'd be in control of everything."

Carissa stared at her for a heartbeat, before breaking into a smile, and then laughing with her. Armando nodded in approval as the twins gave a sigh of relief. After chatting for another few moments, Deserai bid them farewell, while Armando ensured Janelle returned inside with Carissa to rest.

"It is good to see you again," said the SongMaker once he returned to the garden. "Mikhail mentioned you may be leaving soon."

"Yes," replied Samuel in a firm voice. "It is time for us to return…home."

Armando tilted his head. "Home," he repeated, "is an interesting word. What is the expressions humans use? Home is where the heart is?"

"Well, that's not been here," muttered Samuel.

"Indeed. You have had a challenging time. You should stay for a while longer."

Samuel looked at him in surprise. "If you just admitted we've had a challenging time, why the hell would we want to stay?"

"Because sooner or later, you must still face it."

"We want time alone with our lifemate."

"That," said Armando in a low voice, "is just an excuse."

"You're not us," snapped Samuel defensively. "You haven't been through what we have."

While Pierce winced at his twin's tone, he still agreed. "She hasn't had a family. Her best friend was murdered. While there have been a few who have welcomed us, many have not. There is nothing you or Mikhail can do to prevent the fact that most treat us as outcasts."

"And so you run."

Samuel turned away. "I don't have to listen to this. Come on Pierce, let's just go."

Pierce expected Armando to say something to stop his twin. But the ancient remained silent. Pierce turned and called out after his twin. "We came here for a reason."

"Yeah, well I don't care anymore," said Samuel walking back to the house.

"Fine then. You tell Carissa once more we failed to discuss Tyrell."

His twin whirled around and narrowed his eyes. "What does it matter anyway? He'll be killed either by our hunters or the vampires. Maybe she just needs to prepare herself."

"Come on, we may not get this chance again."

Samuel grit his teeth and slowly returned to Pierce's side. When Armando still said nothing, he realized he had to say what he was feeling and he hated it. Crossing his arms, he spoke in a rush. "I am caught between craving my home and here and our lifemate's happiness. I hate the ancients for thinking we still somehow manipulated our union with her, or that it was caused by some type of evil. I don't want to run. But I also don't know what else to do other than to place Carissa first."

The SongMaker slowly nodded. "The only way to let go of your anger is to acknowledge it," he said softly. "It is not a matter of solving the issue, but accepting it."

"Easier said than done," grumbled Samuel.

"Indeed. But you will never find happiness for your lifemate, until you find your own."

"But her happiness comes first."

Armando's blue silk shirt rippled with a gust of wind. "The first thing I had to learn as a lifemate was to remember my own happiness also makes her happy. You are home here and have much to show her. Instead of thinking only about those who do not accept the three of you, focus on what brings you happiness in the Carpathian Mountains. Focus on those who accept you and show her you are not bothered by the others."

Samuel knew the SongMaker had a point, but wasn't going to own up to it. "I'll think about it."

"Good," he replied with a gaze which spoke volumes as to knowing what Samuel was all about. "Now, who is Tyrell?"

Pierce spoke up before his twin could snap again. "Although we hate to admit it, Carissa was captured by Morrison and held prisoner. While there, she met Tyrell who was a vampire."

Armando raised his eyebrows. "Was?"

"Apparently, he was being controlled by something. They found a way to give him emotion." He was about to press on, thinking the SongMaker was going to have a hard time believing their story, but when Pierce saw the look on the ancient's face, he stopped dead. "What is it?"

Armando was staring at him. "Emotion."

"Yes."

"You are certain."

Pierce shifted in his stance. "He saved Carissa. When we told a few of the ancients this information, they only believed it was for some evil purpose, such as trying to try and get close to us for the purpose of murdering Mikhail."

"And your lifemate," continued Armando, "she saw how Morrison controlled him?"

"She said it was some type of minerals. Wait," said Pierce as the SongMaker swiftly turned and made his way back to the house. "Where are you going?"

"I must talk with her." Within moments, he was inside with the twins right behind him. They found Carissa talking easily to Janelle while both sat on a large sofa in front of the fireplace. She looked up in surprise when Armando stood directly in front of her. "The vampire, Tyrell," he began.

She stiffened and stood up. "He's not a vampire. Not anymore."

"You saw him change?"

"Yes. He likes for everyone to think he's cruel, but he's not. He's different now."

The SongMaker looked at her with serious eyes. "Because of these minerals?"

She nodded. "I saw the guard hold them up in front of Tyrell. He had no choice. It was as if he had to obey them; like his emotions overwhelmed him."

"When you escaped, did Tyrell take it with him?"

"No." She shuddered for a moment at the memory of the guard burning alive. "They were destroyed so he could be free."

"Describe the minerals," he demanded.

Carissa was clearly surprised as the sharp tone in Armando's voice. "Um, they were tiny rocks. Kind of clear and well, they looked as if they glowed."

"How so?"

"Well, I mean they actually glittered or sparkled when they were held in front of Tyrell. Whoever was holding them seemed to know how to make it work." When the SongMaker remained silent, she grew frustrated. "Look, I know you probably think I'm crazy, but you have to believe me! He's not evil."

"I believe you," replied Armando in a grim tone. "And I want to meet with this former vampire as soon as possible."

Auhtor's note: Starting to feel better again... -Anne