6

Tariq made a sweep of each perimeter, the house, the garden wall, the stone circle and then the trees. He searched the meadow for anything that didn't belong, for the picture Zoe had drawn worried him. The meadow had been full of vampires and evil fairy creatures. It was while he was searching that he noticed the lights. They looked almost like lightening bugs skimming above the grasses and wild flowers, but they were bigger and all different colors. He moved closer, appearing as a stream of mist above the grasses. As he neared, he could see them, little tiny people with insect wings. They looked like fairies as depicted in children's books. As he neared, it was clear they were aware of him.

"Luna, don't get too close to the mist," a little green man warned a little blue woman. "That is Zoe's new friend, I don't like him."

The little blue woman, shrugged, landed on a flower and put her hands on her hips, "He can't see or hear us, so what does it matter?"

Tariq was intrigued, so he materialized lying on his stomach and elbows in the grass with his chin on his hands. "Actually, I can see and hear you, little one. My name is Tariq, and I mean no harm to you."

The little blue woman leapt from the flower and flew around him warily looking him over. The others drew back. "What sort of creature are you, you're not at all human, but definitely not of the In Between like us."

"I am of the Earth, I'm Carpathian. Are you fairy?" he asked.

"Oh, no, we're Pixies. Most Fairies hate us. They think we are like bugs. Zoe and her dad let us come here for protection if we want to. We like the meadow. Zoe's my friend. I'm Luna," she said as she flew up to within a foot of his face. She wore a little blue dress, a little like Tinker Bell's, and made a graceful curtsy. "Why are you here?"

"I am also Zoe's friend," Tariq said. He didn't want to be too free with information until he knew these little creatures were truly friendly.

"Zoe isn't allowed to have friends; she's a princess and has to be protected. You seem a little suspicious to me, sneaking around the meadow like that," she accused. Tariq noticed the green man remained close, but the others had left.

"Who is your protector? He isn't doing a very good job of keeping you from danger, letting you get so close to me," he said. This Luna was brave, but he didn't like the green man much.

"Lucky isn't my protector, I'm able to protect myself. He's just making sure you behave. If you don't, he'll alert the others to assist me in taking you down," she boasted. "Then we'll tell Zoe, and she'll have you ejected from the circle. You won't like that at all."

Tariq smiled, "So, you're another of her guardians."

"Of course. Some day, she may take over and we'd be well treated by the Fairy. She is in direct line for the throne, you know. The queen they have now is stuck up and mean. Zoe's mother hates her," Luna confided conspiratorially.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Luna, but I must be on my way. I am helping Zoe's father protect her, and we believe danger is coming soon. Be cautious little one." He rose to his feet gracefully and bowed to the little pixy before turning and taking to the air.

He needed to feed, and he needed to get in touch with André and the brothers. He knew there were others of his kind nearby, but they were all mated, with little ones either on the way or newborns. He would never risk hunters with families in a battle against unknown enemies. He headed back to town, knowing that the others may still be near, ferreting out their enemies. Near the University campus he found a group of young men in the park. He found a place in the trees, obscured by shadows, and called his prey. He fed deeply; taking only what each could afford to give, drawing strength from them so that he may better protect his lifemate. He left them and took to the air in the form of an owl, searching for signs of the undead. After making a sweep of the campus and surrounding area, he perched in the tower of a cathedral.

André, are you still in the area? He sent the inquiry on their private path, lest the undead be listening. He waited before trying the brothers, Mataias, Lojos, and Tomas, he had not exchanged blood with them and would be forced to use the common Carpathian path to call them. They had been pursuing their own leads but had assisted with the lab the previous rising. They may yet be close. André…

Tariq, how are you faring with your lifemate? André finally sent back.

Zoe does not understand our kind or our ways, but she is trying to learn. She and her father have accepted me, though she is too young to claim for another two weeks. I have promised her father to wait to claim her until her eighteenth birthday, Tariq answered.

This wait will be difficult; do you have need of me? I will come to you. André was a true friend. Tariq worried for him, for he was also close to turning. He hoped this list they had captured would aid the other single hunters to find their mates.

Zoe is only part human. In truth, the explanation is complicated. She is in danger, and not just from our enemies, but from her own. She has foresight, and saw her enemies joined with vampires coming for her in force. I think I will need assistance to protect her, Tariq admitted reluctantly. Are the brothers still with you?

No. They are searching for another lab we believe is used for experiments on captured victims. These barbaric people actually torture the women for their own amusement before murdering them. I stayed here to monitor this lab and offer you my aid if it was needed, André informed him.

I am grateful for your aid, but two of us may not be enough. This enemy is unknown to me, Tariq admitted with annoyance. We should meet to discuss this.

I am close, André answered even as he circled high above in the form of a raven. He landed on the tower ledge and both hunters took their human form.

"You are troubled about your lifemate's safety," André stated the obvious. "You said the explanation of her heritage was complicated."

Tariq sighed, "She's half fairy. Apparently, these fantasy creatures are indeed real, and powerful. Their society sounds complicated, and my lifemate is in danger because fairies are forbidden to marry and produce offspring with humans. Her mother broke their laws, and if Zoe is ever found, they will take her to their home, called the In Between."

André was silent for a few moments while he processed that bit of information. "So, her gift is foresight?"

"She sees people's souls, and has foresight," Tariq corrected. "It's how she saw the shooter; he was pure evil, touched by the undead."

"What is this enemy?" André asked.

"Evil fairies, they are her fairy family's enemies. Zoe's fairy family knows nothing of her, save her mother who keeps her secret. Apparently human and fairy children are more powerful then the fairy. They fear such children and seek to control them," Tariq explained.

André sighed, "It all sounds very complex, but interesting. I can do no other than offer my aid. I know where we can get more help close by. The Dark Troubadors are playing nearby. That's four powerful hunters to…"

"No. We will not call them. I will not risk Hunters with families to protect," Tariq protested.

André frowned, "Well, it is a little late, I have already called Julian. He and Darius are on their way. They are pleased with our success with the lab, and that you have found your lifemate."

Tariq sighed, "You should not have called them. They are meant to be guarding their own lifemates, and they have children to protect."

Two owls circled the tower, swooping in and shifting into human form as they landed. Of course it was Darius and Julian, the hunters they were talking about. Julian was blonde with golden eyes, rare for a Carpathian, and Darius was dark and menacing like the rest of the Daratrazanoff men. Julian was the first to speak, "Our lifemates and children are well guarded, and I am glad André called us. Too long have our hunters walked alone, distrustful of each other. If our people are to survive we must work together to protect our women and children. Your lifemate is in danger, and you need help. Here we are."

Tariq sighed, "I can do no other than thank you."

Zoe hated waiting for anything, but what she hated more than that was being told what she can and can't do. She couldn't believe he told her to stay inside like a toddler or punished child in time out. She wanted to walk in the garden and maybe get the Sióg gossip from Luna. Actually, that was a very good idea. That would completely justify blowing off Tariq's annoying command. It was necessary to know what the enemy might be up to. The pixies always knew what was going on. She smiled at her cleverness and then frowned with worry. Just what was going on? Why was everything happening in her tiny world all of a sudden? She'd had seventeen years of boring and now all of this; assassins, Carpathians, one of which apparently was now her boyfriend, vampires, and dark fairies. Was all of this really written in her fate, or was that a bunch of crap her father and grandfather made up to get her to do what they wanted? She needed to know what was happening in the In Between.

Zoe walked to the back door and paused. Was Tariq still in her head? She wondered if she could see what he was up to. She wondered just how you looked into someone's mind. She thought of Tariq, his deep sapphire eyes and devastating smile. She tried to be quiet in her mind; she didn't want him to know she was trying to look. He was feeding. It was strange, he held a young man in a trance as he drank. He was conscious of how much he could take without harm. He closed the wound and left his prey with no memory of the event. She could actually feel the strength his body took from the nourishment. She stayed there with him, watching. His thoughts were on her, he worried over her protection. He suddenly changed into an owl and flew high, circling the campus. It was amazing! He landed high in the cathedral bell tower. Then she heard him call his friend. She withdrew softly. He was busy, so he wouldn't know she was totally not listening to his domineering edict to stay indoors.

Zoe opened the door and boldly stepped into her moonlit garden. She smiled as the various floral scents hit her nose. Then the smell of the various aromatic healing and cooking herbs joined the floral and she breathed deeply. This garden was her haven, her peaceful place. If it were still light out, she'd be weeding and dead heading, but for now, she searched for the tell tale lights of her pixie friends. Often they would be in the meadow, but as she searched she could see they were not. She suddenly felt overwhelmingly lonely and didn't know why. She was often alone, but just now she felt a painful emptiness that nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Zoe, are you well? I will come to you if you have need of me. A sudden welling up of warmth and comfort accompanied Tariq's words. She could feel him hug her close and place a kiss on her head. It was what she needed.

No, I'm okay now. I was feeling a little lonely, but hearing your voice helped, and it did. She felt the impression of a smile from him, and then he withdrew. She was starting to get the hang of this mind to mind talking. She smiled, and strolled around the gardens, still hoping to talk to Luna. As she came around the side to the front of the house she saw her friend's bright blue glow racing toward her. She could hear the frantic chatter as she approached but couldn't make it out yet.

"Luna, what's wrong?" Zoe asked, suddenly wary.

Luna stopped her flight right in front of Zoe's face and hovered as she anxiously reported her news, "The Mísióg have escaped the Dorcha Idir! They have declared war on all the Sióg. They are trying to leave the Idir and enter the Anseo!"

Zoe gasped, the dark fairies escaped the Dark In Between, and were trying to enter the Here. "How long ago, and what is happening with the Royals? Is my máthair okay?"

"I don't know; the palace is under siege. Rumor is that Merlin freed them, for he has left the Idir and no one knows where he is…" Luna accused.

The front door opened and Merlin was scowling at the pixie, "I have been here, preparing for an imminent attack, little busybody. If you want to know how they got out, talk to your friends. There was pixie dust everywhere near the Dorcha Portal." Merlin didn't look down on pixies as so many of the Fairies did, but they could be annoying. But if pixies did release the dark ones from their prison, there would be hell to pay. He wondered if they were rogues, or if their interference was sanctioned by their annoying little pixie queen.

Luna gasped, "No, surely it is a set up. Pixies aren't well treated by the Fairies, but the dark ones are far worse. I can't believe one of ours would do such a thing."

"It would take more than one to leave that much dust behind, and definitely more than one would be required to open the portal," Merlin said flatly. "Zoe, come inside. The dark ones are seeking all the earth born for their powers. That is why they will come for you, and for me. They think they can easily take one as well trained and powerful as me, but they will find they are wrong."

Merlin held his hand out to her, and Zoe reluctantly let her grandfather draw her inside. She hated that this nightmare seemed to be coming true. When would they come and how on earth were dark fairies joining vampires?

Their home is protected and I'm not sure if I am able to invite you, or if it must be one of them. Wait just outside the tree ring while I find out. Tariq swooped down near the garage and shifted back into a man. He sighed with pleasure at the sight of his lifemate's home. She would be waiting with that kiss.

The others joined him standing and staring at dense forest. "Tariq, what ring of trees?" Darius asked. "I see lots of trees, but nothing like a ring."

Tariq frowned, "It must be part of the protection, it's not visible unless you're invited into the ring. Zoe invited me into the protection of the trees, then I could see beyond the camouflage. Let me go inside and let Russ know I brought reinforcements. I'll return in a moment." As he was about to step into the ring, he heard Zoe's worried voice.

Tariq, something has happened in the In Between. The Dark Fairies have escaped and are laying siege to my mother's home. They are looking for all the earth born half fairies like me. Grandfather said they want our powers to help in their war. I know this home is hidden, but my dream… Zoe couldn't tell him she was afraid.

Zoe, I have brought help, but they need to be allowed past your protections. We are here, at the entrance. Tariq wanted to go to her now, but this had to be done. He slipped into her mind and found her talking to her grandfather, Merlin. He radiated power, and Tariq knew Zoe was turning down the brilliance of the light that surrounded him.

"Yes, he said he is outside the trees with some of his friends. They came to help us," Zoe pleaded.

"Carpathian hunters are not all like your protector, Zoe. Some choose evil. How can I know we are not inviting our enemy inside?" Merlin asked pointedly.

"Let's go talk to them," Russ said. "So far, Tariq has shown himself to be honorable. He would not bring an enemy to us."

"Very well," Merlin sighed, "I'll go. Russ, stay here with Zoe. She is the one they desire most for her gift is… never mind." Merlin didn't want to tell her what he'd learned of the rare Soul Seer's powers. Seeing was only the beginning of the power she would wield. She was not ready to know the rest yet. He stepped outside and took two steps, bending reality to bring himself where he wanted to go. Such tricks were convenient, but the little burst of power could give them away if not for their shield. In less than a blink he stood between the entrance trees and looked at Tariq with scrutiny.

"You are him then?" he asked Tariq. "My granddaughter is swift to defend you, though she knows little of you or your people. She believes I should trust these hunters because you bring them. I am not so easily convinced."

Tariq knew a moment of diplomacy would go far with this man, "Merlin, I am honored to meet you. I am pleased that you so carefully guard my lifemate from every possible danger. Her safety is my first priority. It is for that reason that I have asked for help, a most humbling thing for any Carpathian hunter to do, for we pride ourselves in being able to face any challenge alone."

Merlin looked at him closely, a scrutiny few men could stand without flinching. Tariq showed no outward sign that his stare affected him. Finally Merlin gave a curt nod as if coming to a decision. "You will do, Tariq Asenguard of the Carpathians. I believe you may indeed be worthy of my granddaughter." He glanced at the others, but his gruff expression had eased, "Best introduce your friends so we can make a formal invitation into our home."

Tariq introduced each of his companions, "André Vlad, Darius Daratrazanoff and Julian Savage. Darius and Julian have families to return to, so they will need the freedom to leave and return."

Merlin sighed, "You will all have that freedom. Once you enter the circles, you may return at will, however, you may not invite another inside. Only Russ, Zoe, Tariq or I have that power."

"I did not know you gave me that honor. I thank you for your trust," Tariq said.

Merlin gave half a smile, "You were accepted into the family, though you are no doubt older than I am by a few centuries, you are now my grandson. When you welcome your friends inside, use their names, never invite saying 'you' or anything vague. You must be specific or a hidden enemy may use it to gain entry. If taunted by enemies outside the ring, never dare or taunt back, lest anything you say be twisted into an invitation."

Tariq nodded, "I understand."

Darius, Julian and André just stared a little awe struck at Merlin. Darius always joked about being Merlin's teacher, but now he felt foolish. "Are you mage?" Darius asked.

Merlin looked at the large man and smiled, shaking his head, "No, not at all, though legends and such call me magician and sorcerer, I am in fact half fairy. I do little with true magic, my power is sight. When I look at you, I see a great family among your people. Long have your men protected your prince. How is Mikhail these days?"

Julian answered, for Darius was truly speechless, "You know him?"

"We've met, some centuries ago. I have to be careful of my meddling here on earth; it gets me into trouble among my father's people," he confided conspiratorially. "Tariq, invite your friends in, this discussion is better held in a protected place."

Tariq performed the invitation ritual at both the tree ring and stone circle just as Zoe had for him. He contained his smile at his fellow hunters' wonder over the seemingly enchanted place. He still hadn't quite gotten over his own wonder either. As they reached the front steps, Zoe opened the door and looked at Tariq with concern in her eyes.

"I'm glad you're back," she said quietly. "News from the Idir is not good."

"Zoe, stop confusing them by speaking sióg. It doesn't make you sound smart, it makes you sound snobby," Merlin said firmly. "You can't expect these ignorant earthbound creatures to understand the divine language," he added, barely containing his mirth at the insult meant as a jest.

"Russ did warn me of your ego," Tariq said dryly.

Darius just glanced at Julian, "I can't believe we are being insulted by Merlin."

"We seem to live in strange and exciting times," Julian said with a smirk.

André just shook his head. It was all a bit weird, but he was here to help Tariq. Once this was concluded, he would start seeking the women on the list until one brought him back his soul. He looked at Zoe and the hope she represented and she turned and locked eyes with him. It was a strange moment, almost a compulsion made him stare into those kind but powerful eyes. He could feel the others looking on, and knew that Tariq didn't like it, but he couldn't look away. Finally, Zoe blinked and the spell was broken.

Zoe looked at André pointedly, "I will sketch your portrait while you all talk of your plans." Then she turned and disappeared into the house without another word.

"What was that?" Julian asked.

Merlin's brow creased, "That was my granddaughter feeling the pull of her gift. If she wishes to do your portrait, make no mistake, it is a great honor. She sees things when she draws or paints people. She has refused to do so for a long time." He turned to André. "She wishes to show you something about yourself that she feels will be important. I cannot explain to you what this gift sometimes costs her. She honors you for saving her father."

André didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.

As they went into the house, no one saw the shadows hidden in the garden.

Lucky frowned and turned to Saffron, "We'll probably have to report this to his majesty." It was unusual for pixies to hide their glow, but these two managed to elude Merlin. Not an easy feat.

"I don't trust him," Saffron said bluntly. "Let him find out when he gets here to try and take her."

Lucky slowly smiled, "I agree. I don't think I saw anything out of the ordinary tonight."

Saffron laughed, "Me neither." And the two meddlesome pixies flew off into the forest.

Irish Gaelic Translations

anseo - here

ar aghaidh - next

athair - father

athair céile - father-in-law

banphrionsa - princess

daid - father

dorcha - dark

dubh - dark

dúghorm - dark blue

idir - between

le do thoil - please

leasathair - Step father

máthair – mother

mí- (prefix) - evil

Mísióg – evil fairy

ná - do not

scoir - quit

seanathair - grandfather

sióg - fairy

Carpathian Translation

csitri - little one (female).

o köd belsö - darkness take it.

päläfertiil- mate or wife.

päläfertiilam – my lifemate.

sívamet - my heart.

Story Notes

Tariq Asenguard (Minor Character: Dark Curse, & Dark Slayer)

André Vlad (Minor Character: Dark Curse, Dark Possession, & Dark Slayer)

Lojos, Mataias, and Tomas (From Dark Slayer)

Darius Daratrazanoff (from Dark Fire; Minor Character: Dark Challenge, Dark Melody, Dark Celebration,& Dark Curse)

Julian Savage (From Dark Challenge; Minor Character: Dark Desire, Dark Fire, Dark Melody, Dark Guardian, Dark Celebration, & Dark Curse)

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