Wanted to Thank the following people for the wonderful reviews ... Tigerlillie1984, Carly Jo, Chrissienuil and NotSoSweet. Here is the next chapter I hope you enjoy ... x
...Your insane.
And however attractive you make yourself,
I could never see past the pure ugliness of your soul...
Chapter Twenty
Nya was being stared, at as if she had sprouted a second head. What? All she had asked was if they had a plan. Because, she sure as hell didn't have one.
Her plan didn't go beyond getting Nicholas and his brothers out of the rainforest. But she had no idea how, or even where they were.
And yet the look she was receiving from the others in the lobby made her blush unexpectedly. They have me blushing?
The way Riordan was looking at her, made her realize he was sizing her up, seeing if she could handle what ever was going to lie ahead. Instinctively she straighten her back and held her head a little higher.
She remembered feeling this way when an ex lover had taken her round to visit his family, the disgusted glances they always gave her, as they looked her up and down. She bristled slightly at the memory.
But not any more, this wasn't going to be like before.
She wasn't ashamed, or naïve anymore. She looked everyone straight in the eye, spoke her mind and made her own rules.
"We do need some sort of plan. We cant just leave them out there by themselves. Look at the amount of trouble they have already got themselves in" She watched as Violet nodded before leaning against the door with her head bent low.
Nya's heart went out to the petite woman. She knew what that felt like.
To not be trusted or believed in.
No one had ever believed in her either.
Nya no longer flinched as red tears fell down Violets cheeks, her heart ached instead.
She gentled her voice as she spoke next, unwilling to add to anyone's grief. "Do you know where they are?"
Nya kept her eyes glued on Riordan as he seemed to go inside himself to answer that question, and she guessed he was connecting with his brothers minds.
"Rafael and Zacarias are at the far end of the river, and Nicholas is on the move to the west."
"Moving? Moving where?"
"To a cave"
Nya nodded. It must be the cave they had stayed in, at the beginning. Good. He would be safe there.
"That's good, he can rest there and then come back tomorrow night"
"No, he has to interrogate the human"
"The woman?"
Riordan just nodded.
Nya gapped.
He was taking that woman to their hide away! For more than a few heart beats jealousy and betrayal consumed her, but a gentle sniff from the corner of the room, from a now crying Violet, made her remember more was at stake than her own feelings.
Crossing to Violet, she laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering friendship. Violet offered her a sad smile and squeezed her hand.
"So what are you planning to do?" She asked Riordan, who once again seemed to be inside himself, and not fully focused on the happenings within the lobby.
When Riordan made no sign of answering, Nya shouted his name. But still nothing.
She looked over at Juliette and saw, she also wasn't moving. They looked like statues.
Side by side, unmoving.
The far away look in their eyes was disturbing.
"Riordan? Juliette?" Nya's voice became quiet with fear.
Something wasn't right.
Something was very wrong.
Leaving Violets side she walked over to the couple.
They weren't breathing either, it was like they were sleeping in the way of the Carpathians, but with their eyes open and standing.
Unusual.
Nya waved her hand in front of Riordan's face and got no recognition he saw it at all. Nothing.
It was like they were dead...
Nya backed away from them, slowly. Something had happened to them.
Quickly she surveyed the lobby. Checking all windows. The door.
Nothing.
Nya continued to back her way across the marble floor to Violet.
"Violet?" Nya whispered her name, as she continued to back towards her. "Violet?"
Violets dark head lifted, her cheeks had red tracks of tears and her dark eyes held confusion.
"We need to get out of here"
Nya didn't know why but she knew something was seriously wrong.
She turned her head and watched as Violet shook her head and began to contradict her.
"Nya, we are perfectly safe inside the –" Her words died, as both their hearts picked up a pounding rhythm. A scratching noise, was coming from behind Nya. The silence was deafening, the only sound was the scratching.
Nya could see Violets eyes. The main door to the ranch was highlighted within the dark depths.
Nya swallowed painfully on the lump of fear and turned her head towards the door. Even the small puppy in her arms had stopped yelping and bouncing around, instead it keened in fear.
Nya turned and watched as the door knob was scratching, as it was turned and opened…
Nicholas watched as Crina surveyed the cave. Her eyes everywhere, taking in all the details.
Nicholas had his own reasons to look at the cave again. He had blushed against his will as he had walked through the vines, remembering clearly his time here with Nya.
He could swear he could still smell her scent here, hear her laughter and teasing echoing through the cave. He closed his eyes and just felt all the emotions rush through him as he thought over their time here.
He could pick out each emotion now. He had finally began to put names to the intense feelings he was feeling whenever he thought of Nya.
Hunger. Like a fire, igniting his entire body until he ached, burned for her.
Fear. He held so much fear of losing her, he sometimes found it difficult to breath. The thought of her leaving him was unbearable. But most of all, he felt love.
Not the pale human emotion, he had seen in many workers among the ranch or in the towns.
This was a pure emotion. Unblemished. Perfect.
Its strength was undeniable, just thinking of her made his heart turn over, just looking upon her could make him melt.
He opened his eyes and breathed in her scent again.
No hunger rushed through him this time, only love filled him.
He was brought back to his situation by a seductive laugh from the other end of the cave.
"Umm… I can smell sex" She drawled out the last word, making it more of a purr aimed at seducing him. All it incited in him was vague annoyance, and a roll of his eyes.
"The only thing your going to be smelling soon is blood" He gave her a meaningful stare, allowing his eyes to flicker red, before returning to their normal black.
Nicholas walked towards the pool chamber, and was once again bombarded with memories of Nya. God, he could still picture her bathing here. Maybe bringing the human here was a bad idea.
It didn't bother him, he now knew her games and tricks to snare him, so was no longer going to be fooled, but what would Nya say if she found out. Would she be upset? Jealous? Angry? Hurt?
Nicholas thought of what he would feel like if the situation was reversed, and snarled aloud at the thought. Nya alone with a human man, who had touched her. Bringing him to their secret place. His hands became fists, white knuckles showing the intensity of his rage.
Yes, Nya wouldn't be happy about this situation.
Once again Nicholas chastised himself.
He had only been thinking about finding somewhere to stay, sleep and then return to Nya as soon as possible. He had only brought the human woman with him so he could keep an eye on her games. He had only been concerned with getting back. Not how he did it.
Nicholas shook his head. He was still learning how to be a life mate and so far he had failed miserably. No wonder she will no longer talk to me.
Nicholas bent down and dug his fingers into the dark soil beside the pool. His hands digging deep to feel the healing agents of the soil in his palm. He scanned the soil checking there was no poisons or traps, and when he found none, he rubbed the soil together between his thumb and forefinger. Enjoying the feel of the soil after so long.
He had been sleeping above ground with Nya recently, and although they had slept as Carpathians most of the time, he still missed the healing agents present in the soil.
It was comforting, and soothing.
His entire body began to ache from the exertions of the last few days, as if it knew how close it was to the soil, and just wanted to rest.
Standing up he turned to go look for Crina, he would secure her and then set up safeguards. He turned and found her leaning her hip against the entrance to the pool chamber, a sinful smile on her red lips.
"Want me to tuck you in?" She tilted her head towards the soil, and raised her eye brow in question.
"Woman, do you ever stop?!" Nicholas growled at her. He was beginning to get annoyed with her constant advancements. He turned from her, ignoring her again, as he opened the soil. The hole was deep nearly ten foot deep, and about six foot wide. Deep enough for his tall, broad frame, and many safeguards. He didn't trust Crina or Joseph not to sneak up on him somehow while he slept.
He growled as he felt Crina behind him. Her arms wrapped around him as she pressed herself into his back. She racked her nails down his chest as she nuzzled his neck.
"Leave me!" He snarled to her over his shoulder. He had had enough. More than enough. She was now a pure irritation, he could no longer ignore.
"You didn't answer my question. And you didn't understand what I meant" Nicholas frowned and then sighed.
He could only imagine what she truly meant. He didn't bother to ask her, he knew she would no doubt tell him.
"I didn't mean tuck you into the soil, as a bed" She growled against his throat seductively as she said, bed. Her nails rising back up his chest as if to rack down it again "I meant as in a grave" Her voice went guttural, and evil as she dug her nails deep and clawed large rivets down his chest.
Nicholas growled as he broke her embrace around his waist and jumped from her body. She was surprisingly strong, and Nicholas realized she was definitely not human. Her eyes were wild as she surveyed his every move, his blood dripped from her nails.
Nicholas didn't bother to check his wounds he could feel the extent of the damage. She had dug deep and the wound was quite substantial, blood was pouring freely to the floor. Using his hand, he wiped healing saliva on some of his chest. He could see a fight ahead and he didn't need the blood loss.
He allowed his eyes to go a flickering red, as he took up the stance of a predator, his fangs large in his mouth as he eyed her across the chamber.
"You're a werewolf" It was a statement not a question.
A chilling laugh filled the chamber. "You finally noticed. Carpathian men may be cute but your so slow" She drawled out the word slow, and gave him a wink and a smile.
Nicholas only growled. The sun was rising and this bitch now knew his sleeping chamber, he would have to find somewhere else to rest, if, he killed her before the sun had risen. He needed this over fast, the sun was rising quickly, and at this height it wouldn't be long before the sun lit the outside of the cave. Shit.
Nicholas circled Crina. Usually he would stand immobile and wait for the fight to come to him, but in this instance he needed this over fast, and he couldn't remember the last time he had fought a werewolf.
"Why?" He couldn't say more than that, the beast was fast taking over, with the need to survive, not only for himself, he cared not for his own survival, but for Nya. He needed to live for her. And this woman was trying to stand between them. Foolish.
"Why what? Why am I killing you instead of screwing you, or why did I do any of this?" She crossed the points off on her fingers and watched him closely for the answer.
"Why all of this"
"Well" She said to get his attention, she was speaking as if she was about to tell a fairy tale "Werewolves are dying out. I don't want to die. I want power. I want to be strong. So, naturally I …. Well lets just say I diversified. Found new boys to play with" She held her hands up and twirled as she said "And don't I look good on it"
"Your insane. And however attractive you make yourself, I could never see past the pure ugliness of your soul"
Her smile disappeared and was replaced with the wild look of a pure animalistic predator. "Well that wasn't very polite"
He watched as she shifted into a wolf. Her skin and bones contorting almost painfully to give way to glossy white fur. Nicholas changed as well. Shifting into a jaguar.
Black, sleek, short cropped fur replaced his tawny skin. The only part of his body that remained the same was his eyes. Pure, black gems shone from the feline muzzle, which watched the female wolf closely.
Crina's conversion took a few minutes more than his, but he didn't attack her until it was complete. She circled the pool, snarling at him. The jaguar remained motionless, but bent his back legs slightly, to make itself more agile when the attack came. As he knew it would.
The white fur covered the wolves sinewy frame as it stalked Nicholas around the pool chamber. Its eyes locked on its adversary, its powerful legs poised for action.
Suddenly, Crina sprang at Nicholas, going for a surprise attack. Jaw open, teeth prominent as it aimed for his throat.
Both animals collided and rolled to the floor, the wolves teeth had missed the jaguars throat but was clutched tight within his shoulder, trying to pin the cat to the floor. Nicholas rolled his body, bringing the wolf to the ground and brought his own claws down hard along the wolves exposed underbelly. Teeth came free of his shoulder, as a yelp filled the chamber.
The wolf pulled away and began to circle the jaguar once more, blood marring the white fur, saliva dripping from its muzzle. A promise of retaliation glistening in its eyes.
Nicholas could feel the sun rising and didn't have time for these back-and-forth games, he needed to get this over with. With that thought in mind, he sprang for the wolf, leaping over the pool using his powerful hind legs, before slamming into the wolf.
Paws and claws sliced through muscle, as they fought. Teeth snapping with powerful jaws trying to get the death bite. Both were desperate to get to the throat.
Crina charged Nicholas unexpectedly and they both rolled to the floor, before separating.
Nicholas cursed his luck, if only he was outside he could send a bolt of lightning or used the terrain to his advantage, here they were locked together in a chamber with the sun rising outside.
Both of them were bleeding heavily. Werewolves were respected fighters. Tough. Enduring.
Nicholas watched as Crina sprang for him again, but before her white body could smash into his own, he changed, flying into the air as an owl. White and brown feathers on powerful wings kept the bird in the sky, deadly claws ready for fighting.
The owl swooped down upon the wolf, taking advantage of the wolves surprise at his change of tactics. Going straight for the eyes.
Powerful wolfen jaws snapped at the poised claws, but it was too late, the claws dug deep and came away victorious.
A pitiful yelp filled the chamber as the wolf backed away, before it began to snarl like the animal it was, snapping wildly. Blindly.
Nicholas flew to the floor and shifted back to being a man.
His body was assorted with different wounds from the fight, a vicious bite wound in his shoulder, claw wounds and scratches.
He watched as the wolf back to the corner of the chamber and was blindly snapping its jaws for an attack.
Nicholas tilted his head and knew the sun was all but risen, he needed to leave now if he was going to leave at all. Waving his hand he closed off the soil bed he had made and left the pool chamber.
He came to the vines and suddenly was caught by surprise.
Crina had jumped at his back, the impact hard, knocking both of them through the vines, and hurtling them through the air to the ground.
Nicholas should have known. Even blind, a wolf has superior senses and could have tracked him to the entrance of the cave.
But Nicholas didn't have time to complain to himself, right now he was flying through the air, with a wolf snapping and biting wildly at his back, whilst sunlight blanketed his skin.
He grimaced as the sun hit him, it was only weak, not yet strong enough to kill him, but it was still enough to burn him.
His body collided with branches and trees as they smashed to the floor. Nicholas hit the floor and rolled, but still the impact was enough to knock the air out of him.
Steam rose from his slumped figure in the shadows, from the suns rays. Nicholas lay upon the dirt floor exhausted. His wounds stung, and the fatigue he felt from the last few days lack of rest where all too much. He needed to rest.
Nicholas took in a deep breath and slowly pushed himself up from the floor, once on his knees he surveyed the area for Crina. Who was conspicuously disappeared. He growled low. Brilliant, he had lost her.
Pulling himself to his full height, ignoring the complaints from his body, Nicholas walked under the thick canopy blocking out the sun, in search of a place to rest.
"Zacarias? I lost the woman, Crina. She is a werewolf. How is Rafael?"
"Burning!"
Zacarias hissed in pain as the sun finally rose above the trees previously protecting him and his brother. He had been working on this damn safe guard for hours and it was not fully unraveled. Blocking his mind from everything else, he was focused on it once more. Ignoring the blistering heat of the sun as it gained height and intensity.
Zacarias knew he must of missed something here. He had done everything, utilized all his mage and Carpathian knowledge and yet there was still something he hadn't done.
Zacarias pulled back and looked at the pattern once more.
Complex, long and a mixture of words and symbol, it was similar to many safeguards but yet there was something different.
He looked closely at the centre of the safeguard pattern and began to see …. Zacarias squinted in the bright light as he peered closer. Was that a message?
He started on removing the pattern blocking his view.
"Hurry, brother" Rafael hissed, although Zacarias knew time was imperative.
He could feel the effects on his body from the sun, but he wasn't going to get distracted, he needed to focus, for his own life and for his brothers. Too much was at stake to lose focus.
Zacarias removed the last remaining text and patterns from his view and finally saw the message.
It was written in ancient Romanian. And upon reading it Zacarias lost his focus completely. His sudden stillness alerted his brother something was wrong.
"Zacarias?" Rafael squinted through the sunlight down at his brother, who's face was deathly pale.
"Oh, brother. We have been fools" Rafael frowned at Zacarias cryptic words and worried face.
Looking down to his legs, he saw the swirling pattern, at the centre were words, old words. God, how long had it been since he had seen this language? He then read the message…
By the time you are reading this message, Your precious Lifemates will be dead.
... Joseph
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you liked it.
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Take care
xemmalisax