Chapter Two
AN: New characters that belong to me:Timothy Aramis. All other characters and related Carpathian ideas belong to Christine Feehan. The Bible reference here was for informational purposes only. I was actually looking in the dictionary list of Biblical names and found Eranites, which appealed to me. I am not promoting religion through this. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Keep it up!
The screams grew closer and Eranites was able to discern what she was saying.
"But Ari, it hurts! I can't believe I broke another one! We have to go in here, or I might diieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Her voice was shrill and sounded like a young child whining to her mother.
"Shhh Beth, it's just a nail, everything will be fine, don't worry. We'll go see a doctor if that's what you want." This girl's voice was smooth and calming, like cool water or velvet.
"I told you, I already broke two this week! My hands are ruined!" the voices grew closer and Eranites could tell that the whiney girl must be Beth and the calm one, Ari. Apparently, Beth had broken a nail and was overreacting.
Eranites heard footsteps and felt the girls' presence near him. They were walking into the clinic that he had just left. Suddenly, with a shock, he was angry, something he hadn't felt in a long time. He stiffened and sat up straighter in his chair; one of these girls was his lifemate.
"What's wrong son?" His mother had seen his reaction and was worried that it might have been a reaction to the bite.
"I have found her mother. My lifemate."
"Oh Eranites how wonderful! Who is she?"
He realized he didn't know. Blind as he was, he couldn't tell which person in the vincity was his lifemate. He shook his head bitterly.
"I cannot tell mother. I heard those two girls and suddenly I knew, but how can I ever truly know and be with her. I am but half a man."
"Oh son…" She trailed off. "Don't worry, your father and I will see that you find her."
Eranites nodded his head, a dark expression painting his handsome features. He felt helpless, not even able to find his lifemate. He was a burden and a cripple.
Ari sighed, but tried to be patient with her twin.
"I know it hurts Beth, but really, it's just a nail and it will grow back."
"But what will guys think of my hands? They're so ugly now!" Beth stared critically at her hands and made a face. The girls were walking from Arianna's car to the clinic. Beth had broken her nail when she had closed the car door on it. She was extremely distraught.
Ari sighed again. Serves her right for having such ridiculously long nails, she thought. The doctor wouldn't be happy to see her. Every month, Beth had a few unimportant visits, for various reasons, and the only reason the doctor saw her was that Timothy Aramis, the twins' father was such a bank.
Ari glanced at her watch and groaned; she was supposed to be at the shelter by now. Just because the girls didn't have to work, didn't mean that they shouldn't; that was Ari's opinion. She volunteered three days a week at the homeless shelter and spent the rest of her week as an amateur novelist. She had yet to get anything published, but she had just sent her latest work off to her agent.
"Beth do you think could go in here by yourself and I could come pick you up in town later?"
"Well…ok, but don't forget, I have to get my car from the shop in two hours."
"Yeah I know. I have to go to the shelter to help with dinner. I'll pick you up in front of the movie theater around seven ok?"
"Ok"
Beth and Ari were almost at the clinic doors, and Ari was turning to leave, when a woman said,
"Oh your sister, is she alright?"
Ari grinned and opened her mouth to reply, but Beth slid in front of her, always eager to talk about herself.
As Beth prattled about how awful it was that she had broken another nail, Ari studied the woman and her family. The woman was petite and slim, with short black hair and fiery brown eyes. She emanated power and strength, as did the imposing man standing behind her. He had dark brown hair and lighter brown eyes than his wife. "Why are they here?" she mused. They look perfectly healthy… Then she noticed the man in the wheelchair. She gasped. He was sinfully gorgeous. Even in a wheelchair, no one would call him frail. His thick chestnut locks waved over muscled shoulders. His strong jaw and straight nose were clean cut and smooth. His hands were beautifully long fingered and graceful as he brushed hair out of his eyes. Oh and his eyes! How beautiful! Arianna could tell he was blind, but even unseeing; his eyes were a gorgeous golden color with bronze flecks. They reminded her of her favorite stone, tiger's eye.
"Oh I am so rude! I haven't introduced us yet!" The woman interrupted Beth. Probably trying to save herself thought Ari wryly.
"I am Aristes, this is my husband Hadriel and our son Eranites. A snake bite has left him blind."
"Oh how sad" Ari murmured as she shook Aristes and Hadriel's hands, introducing herself. After doing likewise, Beth slid over to Eranites.
"Oh Eranites, what a beautiful name!" she gushed.
"Yes it's an ancient name from the Bible. It was a clan of people descended from Ephraim." Aristes explained. She watched, amused, as the louder girl, Beth, fawned over Eranites, who didn't speak. She also watched as the quieter girl, Arianna, cringed in silence at Beth's flirting. Yes her son was handsome, that Aristes knew. Even so, Beth was taking an extraordinary interest in him. Maybe she was his lifemate…
"Oh you know, I have a nursing degree, so if you ever need me to help take care of Eranites, I can." Arianna groaned inwardly at Beth's lie. What was she getting herself into now? Ari sent a subtle mind push to make her quit it.
Eranites sat up straight and alert. He had felt Ari's mind push, even though he didn't know it was from her. One of these girls had mental power.
Aristes and Hadriel felt it too. They also did not know who it had come from, but knew what it meant.
One of these girls is his lifemate. It is proved by the fact that one has mental power. Aristes focused her comment to Hadriel.
I know, and we must take action.
Don't worry I have a plan. Aristes sent an evil smile to Hadriel.
I trust you love he managed through his laughter.
"Oh Beth, that's so kind of you!" Aristes gushed believably. Ari's mind push had made Beth hesitate, but it was too late now.
"Actually, we were looking for someone who would take care of him while we went camping. He hates camping you know."
"Oh I would love to! He could stay at our house. It's big enough for him to have his own suite."
What do you think son?
I'm not a bloody invalid mother!
I know darling, I'm just trying to help.
Thanks, but I'll handle it from here. I don't need my lifemate thinking that I am weak.
Well maybe you should first show her that you can talk Aristes said sweetly.
Yes mother!
"Actually, that sounds wonderful." Eranites spoke for the first time. Ari shivered. His voice was like his eyes, all smooth and golden honey, but with sparks that seemed to prickle her delightfully. He took Beth's hand that had been resting on the wheelchair and kissed it. Ari turned away, sickened, and dug in her purse for something to write with.
"Here's our address," she said, handing a piece of paper to Aristes. "You can bring him by around eight."
"Oh this is so nice of you! Of course we will pay you for this."
"Oh no! I wouldn't dream of accepting payment for this. It's my pleasure!" Beth said. Ari groaned. Beth would not be doing any of the work to take care of this guest, so of course it was her pleasure.
"Well, we will see you around eight then. Again, thank you." Ari and Beth turned to go, and with one last look at the wildly handsome Eranites, Ari shook her head and strode away.
