Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Really listening and suspending one's own judgment us necessary in order to understand other people on their own terms…This is a process that requires trust and builds trust."

- Mary Field Belenky

___

Gregori stared down at Parn in silence for several minutes. Then he slowly shook his head. "That's not going to happen."

"Serenity will accept no one's blood but mine." It wasn't a threat; Izzy could feel the truth in his words. "I have done this to her, and I will rectify it by saving her life."

"I do not trust you," Gregori said sternly. "And I do not trust your blood. Something is different about your blood, yes. Your blood is not mutated like a vampire's, yes. But there is no denying the fact that your body was mutated by the darkness. It matters not that she cleansed you," he added when Parn tried to interrupt. "And it matters not that your soul was restored to you. Darkness inhabited this body, though it no longer does, and I won't risk you hurting her further."

"Please." Parn was pleading now, and he nearly reached for Gregori before he stopped himself. "Let me save her, please. She has cleansed me. I cannot hurt anyone with my body as I was able to before. My blood is clean, Dark One."

"What do you know about being clean?!" Destiny suddenly surged forward, but Nicolae restrained her. "Do you have any idea what this girl has suffered because of you?! Because of your choice?!" she spat out the word. "Vampires can turn woman, and I am living proof of that! What you risk by making this stance is more agony on her part!"

"I know. But she…" Parn winced slightly. "I can feel her heart. She feels so strongly for me, even now. Even after everything I've done to her. But she won't let anyone else take her blood. She's made this clear to me—"

"Don't act so suddenly concerned, vampire!" another shouted. "When you give her blood, you will bind her to you in a way that cannot be erased! It will be bad enough repairing the damage to her when we kill you!"

"STOP IT!" Izzy screamed, running back over to her sister. "Please, just stop it!" more tears spilled out as she looked at Parn. She believed him in Serenity's determination. Serenity's faith in Parn had never wavered, and now she was surely choosing Parn for this task because of this. But still…"Parn, I do agree with them. Even if your blood's different, I think the risk is too high. Let Gregori convert her. His blood has already healed so much of her. Just…" she sniffled and shook her head. "I can't lose her, Parn. Please, just follow them in this!"

"Izzy."

Izzy jerked as she heard Serenity's voice in her head again. "Serenity, this is too risky! His blood might kill you!"

"Without him Izzy, I'm already dead."

"Don't talk like that! How will I ever get along without you?! You're the only sister I have!"

"I know, Izzy. But Parn is mine. And I trust him…oh Izzy, don't you trust him? You saw everything he went through, didn't you? How can you doubt him now?!"

"I don't doubt him! But Gregori believes something is wrong with his blood! There might be a complication!"

"I'm willing to take the risk. They already speak of killing him, Izzy. If…if he can change me successfully, don't you think that will help him when they condemn him?"

Izzy hadn't thought of it that way. If Parn could convert Serenity completely, it would prove he'd been truly saved. It probably wouldn't change the Carpathians' minds, but it would work well for him.

But…she could lose her sister. Nothing looked promising in the end.

Then, Gregori surprised all of them. "Fine, I will allow this."

Protests immediately rose up, especially since this was technically an unclaimed woman in question. Izzy herself was alarmed. "Gregori, you can't!"

"I will allow this test," he told her. "And this will prove whether or not he has been cleansed."

Izzy realized Gregori had heard their entire "conversation" and her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Nothing is sacred, is it?!"

"Of course he would eavesdrop," Marach told her. "This is a very serious matter!"

"Of course it's serious! My sister's life is at stake!"

"But," Gregori added. "If anything goes wrong, I will take over and give Serenity my blood. And I assure you." He looked directly at Parn as he said this. "You will be taken care of."

Parn nodded resolutely. "I understand."

"I won't let my sister's life be used in an experiment!" Izzy shouted. "If you won't do it, Gregori, then I will!" she raised her wrist to her mouth.

"Iubita mea, stop." Marach grabbed her wrist. "You don't know what you're doing, and you've just recovered blood. Please trust us in this. I swear to you I won't allow Serenity to die."

"Marach—"

"If I have to will her to live, I will do so. But she won't die on my watch, that is certain."

Izzy swallowed thickly and looked down at her prone sister. She couldn't help but cry again as she hugged her tightly. "I love you so much, Serenity! Oh God, I'm so sorry!"

"I love you too, Izzy. And don't apologize; none of this has ever been your fault."

Izzy leaned back and kissed Serenity on the cheek. She didn't know what more she could say. Her hands trembled violently as she helped Parn roll Serenity onto her back. Despite the clarity of her mental voice, Serenity gave no outward reaction to them. She moved where they put her, and her head rolled around on her neck. She looked so peaceful, though; as though she were asleep, or…

"Dragă." Marach's comfort washed over her as he knelt by her side. "Everything will be all right."

"…I know." Izzy looked at him. "I trust you, Marach." She couldn't hide the pain from her voice, though.

Gregori stood over them, his position right over Parn. The hunters around them converged close, keeping Parn under close scrutiny. Parn didn't look at any of them; his eyes were only on Serenity. "Sívamet…" he caressed her cheek lightly. "I know that for every sin I have committed against you, putting you in this position is my most grievous. But I will save you. Even if I have to die for it." He lifted Serenity up into a sitting position, cradling her in his arms. He raised his wrist to his mouth and bit deep.

"Wait."

They all started with Serenity's mental outburst. Izzy grabbed her sister's hand. "What is it?"

"Izzy, I don't want you to be here for this."

"W-WHAT?!" Izzy cried out. She squeezed her fingers harder around her limp hand. "Why?! I want to support you, Serenity! This conversion is so awful…I can't leave!"

"I don't want you to see me this way."

"But I've been there before! I can handle it, believe me—"

"No, you can't. I want to spare you the trauma of witnessing this. I saw what had happened to you, and it hurt me enough to try and attempt suicide again."

"But I won't attempt suicide!" Izzy pleaded with her. "Marach wouldn't allow it in any case! Please, just let me be with you!"

"No, Izzy. Please…leave me to this."

"But I can't!"

"Marach," Gregori said suddenly. "Take your lifemate away. Serenity will resist Parn's blood until she's gone."

Marach gritted his teeth. He hated that it came to this. He agreed with Izzy; he didn't want to leave Serenity alone to this conversion. But he knew the determination in his lifemate's sister. She would resist, until she got her way. "Iubita mea," he said quietly. "We must go."

"But…" Izzy felt like her heart was being ripped out. It wasn't enough that Serenity had to go through with this, but to not want Izzy around?! How could she not want her around?!

"Sisar," Parn said softly. He looked at Izzy. "I will take care of Serenity. That is my duty to her."

Izzy stared back at him blankly. She looked at Marach, who was trying to pull her to her feet. All of a sudden the tears welled up in a frightening gush. She began crying loudly, and uncontrollably, and buried her face into her hands. It was too much…too much! If she hadn't dragged Serenity to Europe, none of this would've happened!

"Exactly," Marach told her soothingly. "Parn would still be a vampire, and we would've never met."

It hardly made Izzy feel better. Marach consumed her in love and comfort, but the pain was still there. Serenity…oh, Serenity! Izzy felt like a failure, that her sister didn't want her by her side at this most pivotal time! Didn't she saved Serenity from death twice?! She'd seen the absolute worst of her sister…why did it matter she not be there for her then?

"This is for your sake, little sister." Serenity spoke to her again. "I have burdened you so terribly with my problems. All this time you've carried the load of trying to save me, keep me alive…I've hurt you so terribly, and yet you continue to love me. I must give you release, Isabel. Please, go to ground and relax. Don't worry about me. I will be saved…please trust in me."

Serenity had a soothing effect on Izzy, even though Izzy couldn't stop crying. She didn't fight Marach when he pulled her away and towards the entrance of the cave. Two hunters were immediately upon them to escort them to ground. It was night outside, but daylight was approaching. They flew a short distance to a clean patch of earth. The rich soil opened up to them, and Marach laid his lifemate inside. As he slid down into the soil beside her though, he noted with dread that the hunters were bedding down on either side of them, watching them closely. It was only a grim reminder of the crime he'd committed. His actions led to the restoration of Parn's body and soul, but he betrayed his Prince in the process.

I must fight this though, he thought to himself. Even if it costs me my life, I will keep Isabel safe!

"Marach, please don't think like that!" Izzy's grief was fresh in his mind again, and he poured his love over her once more. "We'll live! We must live!"

Marach wish he could be so confident. Mikhail was a very kind man, but so had Vlad been. And Vlad had made many, many costly mistakes that cost Marach his parents, and nearly brought the extinction of their race. Mikhail couldn't surely afford to show them mercy, even with Xavier dead.

Izzy began to calm down the two curled up together beneath the earth. It felt so intrusive to sleep sandwiched between two hunters, and Izzy was embarrassed by it, but Marach knew nothing could be done. They must deal with it…and hope for the best.

A scream ripped through both of their minds. Izzy wailed, and grabbed at her head, and Marach sat up, ready to burst through the soil. "Serenity!"

"It is daylight out, you will be still," one of the hunters chastised him. "The human woman's conversion is happening. The vampire's blood must have worked."

"Serenity…" Izzy cupped her hands over her ears as Serenity screamed once more. "Marach, something's wrong! Help me; I must get to my sister!"

"Isabel, we cannot move." Marach tightened his arms around her. He could feel Serenity's raw agony in his mind, and he knew it was tearing Izzy apart. "I will mute the pain—"

"No!" Izzy snapped. "I will shoulder it because nobody's muting it for her!" she groaned in pain. "Something must be wrong…"

Marach reached out with his mind, through the blood connection he had with Serenity. He sucked in a breath at the horrible pain that vibrated through her body and straight into his. He saw Serenity's blood; it was everywhere, all over the dirt, and all over Parn. Parn held onto his lifemate tightly, whispering soothingly to her even as he sobbed through her pain. Guilt and grief rumbled through Parn over this. He'd hated that Serenity must be forced to do this, but nothing could be done otherwise.

Marach could see Gregori speaking, but he couldn't understand him. He held onto Serenity's legs, holding her down, but he made no indication that he was offering blood. Marach retreated back into his own body, Serenity's pain pulsating through him. "Parn's blood has worked. But the conversion is incredibly painful for Serenity." Marach then felt that sending them away had been useless. Izzy was living through the conversion, even beneath the earth. "Iubita mea, I will put you to sleep—"

"Don't, Marach." There were tears in her voice, but Izzy's resolve was strong. "I won't let Serenity be alone in this. I can handle it."

Her bravery moved him deeply and he held her tighter. Despite her protests, he tried to mute Serenity's pain as best as he could as they rode out those long hours together, shouldering Serenity's pain every step of the way. Serenity seemed very intolerable of the pain, but her fragile mind was intact all throughout it. Parn seemed to have a tight hold upon it, as if willing her to survive it all.

And…she did. After those long, horrible hours Serenity was put to sleep. Izzy and Marach were raw and exhausted by that point, and they allowed themselves to find slumber as well. A slumber very deep…and full of vindication.

___

Marach and Izzy slept for days, in conjunction with Serenity and Parn. It was unknown whether the long sleep had been imposed upon all of them, or if they were truly tired after everything they suffered up to that point.

They were both awoken though several days later, still under close watch. Izzy immediately asked about her sister, but she was given no answers. All the hunters who'd watched them did was provided each of them blood. They wouldn't even allow them to hunt.

Then one of them spoke. "Come with us."

Knowing they could do nothing else, they complied. They took off into the air and flew a great distance, far away from those horrible ice caves. Just remembering them made Izzy shiver. What a terrible place…who would live there voluntarily?! Certainly not her.

They were taken inside a cave and inside a channel of caverns to a small room. Izzy was surprised to see Razvan in there, in addition to Ivory and several others from the Dragonseeker clan. "Hello," Razvan greeted sincerely enough. "Are you both rested now?"

"Is something wrong with Serenity?" Izzy asked quickly.

"Not that I'm aware of. But there's something else we'd like to discuss with you." he indicated the two empty chairs at the table. "Please, sit down."

Both of them complied. Marach saw the many aging texts on the table and realized what all of this was about. "Have you discovered something about Isabel and Serenity?"

"Something?" Izzy asked. She looked at Marach and then at Razvan. "Then…you guys found out something about us?"

"Not just something," Natalya said. She pulled out a long piece of aging paper and slid it across the table towards Izzy. "You girls are mages. Or rather, you were mages before you were converted. The Carpathian blood will cancel out your mage traits."

"But I can still heal," Izzy said. "Just not as quickly as I was as a human. And I…" she floundered for a moment. "Well, I raised winds against Neve. Does that count?"

"It might be in relation to your blood," Razvan said. He pointed to the paper Izzy realized it was a list of names. "You are of the Craneous clan."

"Craneous?" Izzy squinted her eyes at the paper, but the writing looked incredibly faded. "What does that mean?"

"Craneous was a clan of mages from the northeastern part of Europe," Ivory said. "They migrated to this region several thousand years ago, led by their leader Rothelmi." She looked at Izzy briefly. "Rothelmi is your family ancestor."

Craneous…Crane. Izzy felt light-headed at this connection. "But how did they end up in America?"

"Before that though," Razvan said, his tone suddenly quiet, and…dark. "Rothelmi came to Romania, more so to the Carpathian mountains, to meet Xavier."

Izzy stiffened, and quickly looked at Marach. "Then…he was aligned with Xavier?"

"Rothelmi was a powerful mage, obviously not in the same league as Xavier or even the Carpathians, but still a formidable foe. Apparently they migrated here because of the persecution they faced in their homeland. By that point, Rothelmi and all Craneous hated anyone who was not mage. After meeting Xavier though, the hate translated to the Carpathian people."

"Oh my God!" a horrible chill overtook Izzy. "Then…my ancestor participated in the genocide against you guys?!" she looked at Marach, who looked equally stunned. "Marach…your parents, I…"

"You didn't kill my parents, dragă," he told her softly, taking her hand.

"But, I…"

"It is unclear whether or not Rothelmi had a hand in the genocide," Razvan interjected. "Although what was left of his clan did flee the region with other mages. In the ensuing centuries his descendants must have migrated to the United States, where they apparently lived in solitude without using their magic."

"There is more though," Ivory added.

"What?" Izzy asked.

"It has to do with your blood. As you already know, Xavier experimented constantly through the centuries to find immortality. He of course didn't succeed very well, but he introduced many horrible dark arts upon the world."

"What about my blood?"

"The Craneous's clan mage color was lilac. This is what their eye color turned to when they used magic. This is your natural eye color, in addition to Serenity's and your father's. We believe Rothelmi may have conducted experiments on his own body as well. However, unlike Xavier he'd seem willing to use Carpathian blood as part of his experiments."

"Carpathian…" Izzy looked down at her herself. "I had Carpathian blood in me all along?!"

"Rothelmi would've never used enough Carpathian blood to alter his mage blood," Razvan said. "He would've experimented with Carpathian blood, vampire blood, and possibly a host of other species. He would've used his magic as well to achieve this. The end result for him was regenerative blood in his descendents, but all of them had lilac eyes. It were as if to say their bodies continued to conduct magic to keep the blood flowing."

"But my eyes are still the same color," Izzy said. "So does that mean I can cast magic?"

"It proves the regenerative antigens are still active inside you," Natalya said. "And they probably always will be, despite the Carpathian blood."

"There's a chance though," Razvan said. "That any children you bear will NOT have these traits. So…Serenity and yourself will be the last in Rothelmi's line to have this blood. Unless your parents have another child, that is."

Izzy leaned back and closed her eyes. It was all too much to take in at once. Mages?! And not just mages, but allies of Xavier? Had her ancestors been anything like Neve?!

But Marach spoke up suddenly. "If you speak of us having children, does that mean Mikhail has pardoned us?"

"I don't know what Mikhail is planning for you," Razvan said softly. "But I know that your hearing will happen once the others wake up."

'The others'. That had to be Serenity and Parn. Izzy could see the pity in Razvan's eyes, but the others were not so sympathetic. "I'll vouch for Parn if I must, but I know he didn't intend to become a vampire!"

"He is not a victim," Ivory said coldly. "There are hunters who walk our path who have suffered the fires of hell, and are still whole. Parn chose to give up his soul rather than die—"

"How many other hunters were tortured and tormented by other vampires?!" Izzy shouted. "Including a sibling?! Were they forcibly infested with rabies?! Were they denied blood for over two weeks?! Were they brainwashed?! You don't have any idea what he suffered! We both lived through it!"

Ivory suddenly stood over Izzy, her eyes cold and hard. "I had nothing," she hissed at her. "I was ripped to pieces by a vampire. I had five brothers I loved and they all turned! You are the one who doesn't have a clue!"

Marach stood up and glared at Ivory. "All of these pains you speak of, Ivory Malinov, were of YOUR own making!"

Ivory snarled, and drew a dagger. Razvan jumped up and Marach shoved Izzy behind him.

"Excuse me."

A new hunter appeared, dispelling what could've been a potential fight with his mere presence. Izzy vaguely recognized him, though. He'd been the one Neve had stabbed with an ice spear when she tried to invade the lab.

"The vampire has awakened," the hunter continued. "And they believe the female is ready to be awakened as well."

"Serenity!" Izzy cried out. She nearly rushed out of the cave room, but the hunter stepped in her path. "I will escort you."

"That's not necessary—" Marach began.

"I will escort you," he repeated coldly.

There was no use arguing with him, Marach knew. Without saying anything to Ivory, Marach looked at Razvan. "Thank you for your hard work."

"Yes, thank you," Izzy said distractedly. She was obviously eager to get to her sister.

Razvan nodded to them, and smiled sadly. "It was no problem."

___

Parn and Serenity had been laid to rest in the same cave. The hunter led them down many twists and turns, but Izzy knew immediately they were there when she saw a group of hunters near a hole in the wall. She broke from Marach and the hunter and took off running. "Serenity! Is she all right?!"

None of the hunters said anything to her. She hardly bothered with them and pushed herself to the front of the group. Parn was awake, though he was still lying in the hole, curled up at Serenity's side. Izzy swallowed thickly and looked at her sister.

Her complexion was very pale, but so was the rest of her skin. It was so strange, though. The color of her hair was very alive, and the hair itself looked fuller and thicker. Her skin looked very smooth, too; Serenity always had good skincare, but now it looked as smooth as marble. Izzy was almost jealous of her sister's now very apparent beauty.

"You are beautiful, iubita mea." Marach came up to her side. "Nobody is more beautiful than you."

"You would say that." But she was flattered by his feelings. Slowly, Izzy leaned into the hole and over her sister's prone body. "Is she all right?"

Parn glanced at her briefly. "I feel her soul is intact, as well as her mind. We will see if everything is perfect with her." He leaned over and brushed his lips against her temple. "Kidü, päläfertiil."

Serenity moaned, and her brow knitted together. Izzy cried out and jumped back. She was conscious! She was reacting to her surroundings! This surely meant she was no longer brain-damaged!

Serenity's eyes fluttered open. Izzy choked on a sob and her own eyes filled with tears. Marach slid an arm around his lifemate's shoulders, unable to suppress his own smile of relief.

Serenity looked at everyone with great confusion for several moments. Then she looked at Parn, who was still laying at her side. All at once…she relaxed. "Parn…" she raised a trembling hand and pressed it to his cheek. "It's you. You're really here…"

Parn gasped out a sob and pressed her hand harder against his cheek with his own hand. "Päläfertiil…my lifemate, my love…you have saved me! I'll never understand how you could go to such lengths for me, after all the horrible things I did to you!"

"Horrible things?" Serenity shook her head. "You never hurt me."

"Yes, I have. I have hurt you in ways that are inexcusable…unforgivable. What I have done…" he shuddered violently. "I do not deserve you."

"But I deserve you," she told him. "Isn't that enough?"

Parn said nothing to this. Izzy inched closer to her sister, and her hands shook as she reached for her. "Serenity…"

Serenity quickly turned to look at Izzy. "Izzy…" her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Izzy…"

"Are you all right?" Izzy could barely get the question out. "Serenity, you…you're not human anymore. You're Carpathian, like me. Are you okay?"

Serenity slowly nodded. "Yes, I feel fine. And…I feel happy that I made this choice. For so long I've thought of nothing else but death, but then…I wanted to live. And I'm so glad I'm alive now. But Izzy…"

"What?"

"Oh, Izzy…" the tears leaked out now. "I'm so sorry! I've put you through hell all this time and you've never complained! All you've ever asked of me is to live, and to try to live, but I didn't even try!" she sniffled and scrubbed at her face. "I'm such a horrible sister! I'm supposed to be the protector, but I've done nothing but burden you and you've done everything you could to protect me? Can you forgive me, Izzy?"

"Forgive you…" Izzy couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into the hole and hugged Serenity for dear life. "Of course I do! I love you! No matter what, I've never blamed you or stopped loving you! And…oh God, I'm so GLAD you're alive!"

Serenity squeezed her eyes shut and sniffled. "I love you too, little sister."

The two sisters lay there for what seemed like a long time, clinging to each other tightly. Both knew that not everything was said and done, and that so much more laid ahead for them. But for that time, they came together as sisters for the first time in so long. Theirs was a bond that couldn't be broken, and everyone present couldn't help but be moved by their love, not even the emotionless hunters.

Of course, their solitude had to be broken.

"The Prince requests their presence!" a new hunter announced. "Get them fed and bring them to the council immediately!"

"The trial will happen now then?" another asked.

"Trial?!" Marach shouted, aghast. "But they just woke up!"

"The timing is perfect then."

"Trial?!" Izzy quickly crawled out of the hole. "B-But Parn is hole again!"

"He is vampire. And you two." The hunter indicated Marach and Izzy. "Are to be tried as well."

"What?! Why?!"

"We chose to save the life of a vampire," Marach told her. "It is by the decree of the Prince that all vampires die. We violated that decree when we didn't kill Parn."

"I was born a human, Marach! I don't have to answer to Mikhail!"

"Yes, you do. You are Carpathian now, and that makes you under his domain." Marach sighed shortly. "I am sorry for this. I had tried to warn you this would happen, but…"

"Why did they let us save him them?!" Izzy demanded. "If they were just going to kill him anyways?!"

"Because they didn't think we would succeed," Marach said quietly.

Parn crawled out of the hole, and the hunters were on alert. "Would it make any difference if I said I forced them to save me?"

"The Dark One has already told you he knows such a notion is false," another snapped.

"My lifemate…" Serenity was crawling out of the hole as Parn spoke. "Do not punish her. Kill me if you must, but don't make her suffer. She's gone through so much as it is."

"You're hardly in a position to make such a request. But we have it on good word that the woman is exempt from the trials."

"Exempt?!" Serenity cried out in horror.

"Exempt?" Izzy spoke the word in relief. So Serenity was going to be pardoned in any case.

But what would happen to Marach and her? And Parn?

"I can't be exempt!" Serenity cried. She grabbed Izzy's arm. "They only acted to save me! It's my fault they're in trouble!"

"What they did was of their own free will, and they will be tried as such. Now." The hunters rounded on them. "You will feed. You will be in the full of health to gain the Prince's judgment."

___

Izzy felt so violently sick to her stomach. It hadn't occurred to her that this would happen. These people had helped her so much, and had given her protection…but now they were treating all four of them like they were the enemy. It relieved her that Serenity would most definitely make it out of this, but knowing she very well might die today filled her with fear. And her parents…she'd wanted to call them and try to talk to them, but this was forbidden. Was she going to die without saying goodbye to them?

No, stop it! Don't think this way!

"That is correct, Isabel," Marach told her. "I won't allow them to hurt you in anyway."

His words gave her comfort, but she held onto his arm. "Take care of yourself, too."

Her other hand was on Serenity's arm. Serenity had been uncertain about drinking blood, but she had proven to be a quicker learner than Izzy. As they were escorted to meet the Prince, and the other warriors, Parn had waved his hand at Serenity and her appearance abruptly resembled a fairy. White flower petals had been woven into her dark blonde hair and she was dressed in a bright white dress that seemed to flow and float delicately as she walked. She was beautiful; this had to be a representation of how Parn saw his lifemate, and Izzy thought it was almost cute.

Of course, it had inspired Marach to dress Izzy in similar clothing. Though Izzy was amazed, she felt she didn't quite shine as brightly as Serenity.

"You are more beautiful than her," Marach said wryly. "And I do not mind showing off my lifemate to my people. Especially…"

Especially if the worst happened to them. Izzy felt anxious all over again and dug her fingers into Marach's and Serenity's arms.

"You both have nothing to be worried about."

They all stopped walking and looked at Parn. His face looked very gaunt, but he had no fear. It had relieved Izzy to see the hunters stunned at Parn taking very little blood as opposed to ripping open skin and sucking bodies dry. It gave her some hope, too.

But Parn didn't look hopeful. "They won't kill yo two," he said. "You've contributed enough to the Carpathians that they will surely show you mercy."

"But they are angry with us," Izzy said. "Anything can happen—"

"They won't kill a bonded couple, Sisar. I, however, will not be so lucky."

"Parn—" Serenity began.

"I will surely be sentenced to die."

"Parn, don't talk like that!" Serenity cried, tightening her own hold on him.

He looked away, unable to look at her. "I cannot change that I am a monster, sívamet, even though I appear to be Carpathian again. I didn't simply defy orders, as Marach and Isabel have done. I turned on my own race, and I've killed people. The Prince cannot afford to show me mercy."

"I will fight on your behalf! I won't let them kill you!"

Izzy also wanted to encourage him, but she didn't know what to say.

Parn finally looked up and touched Serenity's cheek. "Sívamet…"

"We must keep going," a hunter told them coldly. "The Prince is waiting."

They continued walking, escorted closely. Izzy's heart was hammering in her ears and she tried to keep her breathing even. Anything could happen. Mikhail could very well show them mercy, but the implication was that he couldn't afford to. But if they killed Parn…Serenity would be devastated. Izzy wasn't certain she couldn't save her.

But…then there was Marach. A new wave of terror struck her. What if they spared her but killed Marach? She'd sampled a small margin of Serenity's half-life pain, as well as Neve's. She could never live with it every single day…especially without Marach.

"I am with you, dragă. No matter what, I am with you."

"Stop," the hunter commanded.

They were halted in front of giant ornate doors, and the hunter went inside the room. Izzy held onto Marach's arm and she reached for Serenity's hand. It was comforting to see that her sister wasn't frightened by what might happen to them, but Serenity didn't know the Carpathians the way Izzy did. And she had a feeling that the newfound knowledge of their heritage—of Rothelmi—wouldn't work in their favor.

The hunter resurfaced in front of them. "They're ready. Go in."

Without a word to each other, the four of them filed in. Izzy gasped, and nearly stumbled backwards. The chamber was full of people! She'd never seen so many Carpathians in her life, not even at the meeting prior to rescuing Serenity!

Fear suddenly jumped into Serenity's face, and she grabbed Parn's arm as though to stop him. But he simply held onto one of her hands and kept going forward. Conversations around them ceased as they drew further into the room, but Izzy could see them openly pointing at Parn and speaking of the "vampire". She sighed, and tried to stay calm.

At the far end of the chamber, surrounded by many familiar warriors, stood Mikhail. He'd always seemed like such a welcoming person to Izzy, but now he looked very much like a tyrant. She knew it was necessary; having such authority came with the trade of being a Prince. But it didn't stop the shivers from wrecking her body.

"I won't let them hurt you," Marach told her. He squeezed her hand. "I love you, Isabel."

Izzy swallowed thickly and closed her eyes. "I love you too, Marach." The confession that she'd suppressed for so long suddenly just rolled right out of her. Marach visibly started, not having expected it.

But he didn't have time to answer her. "You four," Mikhail's voice boomed out. "Are here today on the charge of conspiracy and treason. However, we have recognized Serenity Crane's mental state and emotional trials, as the result of her lifemate turning. Therefore, Serenity." He addressed her solely, holding her gaze with his own. "You have been acquitted of wrongdoing."

"But none of this would've happened if it hadn't been for me!" Serenity protested. "Izzy would've never tried to save Parn if it hadn't been for me!"

"Isabel made the choice to follow you over following our codes. You were a human when this happened, and the vampire in question is your lifemate. We cannot hold you accountable over acting upon your natural bond."

"Then what about Izzy's bond as my sister?!" Serenity demanded. "She wanted to save me! She did what she had to because she wanted me to be happy!"

"And she put your happiness over the wellbeing of mankind."

"Parn isn't a danger! I swear to you he—"

"Parn gave up his soul and chose to betray us."

"It wasn't his fau—"

"We are aware of his ordeals leading to his turning, Serenity." Serenity stiffened, and Izzy quickly looked at Mikhail. "But that doesn't excuse the crimes he committed after he turned."

"But—"

"You will speak no more."

Serenity abruptly stopped talking. Tears filled her eyes, and she hung onto Parn tighter. Izzy swallowed, and edged closer to Marach. She could feel the anger, the coldness throughout the room, and she knew many of these warriors. She hung onto the belief that maybe they would spare her, but now this didn't seem likely.

"They won't kill a bonded couple, Sisar. I, however, will not be so lucky."

Mikhail suddenly motioned his hand forward. "Parn."

Serenity clung to Parn, but he slowly shook his head. He whispered something to her, and she choked on a sob. But he removed her hands from his arms and gave her a soft kiss. Just before he left her side, he relayed something to her.

"I love you."

Parn stepped away from her and walked towards Mikhail. Serenity wheezed out a sob and tried to follow him. Izzy rushed over to her and wrapped her arms around her sister, holding her back. Serenity choked, and dug her fingers into Izzy's lower arms.

Parn didn't seem afraid by the open hostility he received from the warriors. It reminded Marach took greatly of Razvan's interrogation and trial. But this was very different. Razvan had been innocent of his crimes, and he had the support of both the Dark One and the Prince behind him.

Parn wasn't innocent, no matter that he'd been forced to give up his soul. And he had no one to support him other than his lifemate, and two other people who were already on trial.

Parn stopped several feet from the Prince. He suddenly swept down into a full kneel before Mikhail, displaying his subservience and compliance. "My Prince," he greeted respectfully. "I turn myself over to you and in full acceptance of my fate. I only have one request of you."

The room seemed to shift in outrage that a traitor like Parn would dare to ask anything of the man he turned his back on. Mikhail abruptly raised his hand, demanding silence. "What is your request?"

"Take care of my lifemate."

"Parn!" Serenity cried out.

Mikhail quickly nodded. "Of course we will take care of her, Parn. It is our duty to make sure that she is able to go on with her life."

"But I don't want that!" Serenity cried. She struggled against Izzy's hold. "Parn, just tell them! Tell them how—"

"Stop, Serenity," Parn cut in sharply.

And she did. Her knees trembled and she nearly fell to the floor. But Izzy held her upright and she buried her face into her sister's neck. "No…please no…"

Izzy's throat tightened as Serenity began to cry, but she hid her tears away. She looked at Marach, who'd stepped even closer to them, but his eyes were on Parn.

Mikhail swept out a hand to Parn. "Parn, son of Narvin and Sarni. You are a first in the history of Carpathians. For all our years of living, we have never had a known instance of a vampire gaining salvation in life. But, that doesn't matter. You are not the only hunter to have suffered at the hands of vampires. Many men and women who stand in this room suffered grievously, but they are still whole. You are here because you betrayed me, and our race. With your choice to turn, you have endangered us and hurt mankind. We will ask of you your crimes, and you will answer honestly. Understood?"

Parn faltered, but he quickly nodded. "I understand."