7

Russ didn't like having a home full of Carpathian Hunters, even if they were here to help protect his daughter. He kept his guard up, and watched and listened to the plans Merlin and Tariq were discussing with the newcomers. Zoe was conspicuously quiet as she sat in the corner and sketched. He knew it was sometimes comforting to her to withdraw into herself and just draw, but he was afraid of what she would see with these Carpathians as her subjects.

"It's not as simple as just waiting for them to show up. The moment a vision is acknowledged and prepared for, the future is already altered. We don't know a timetable, we only know that the Mísióg have escaped and are attacking the Queen's palace," Merlin said with annoyance. "You can't expect to just sit here and wait, these two here have wives and kids to look after."

Julian cocked a brow, "Everyone here seems to be worried about our families, Darius. It is almost as though they believe mated hunters forget how to fight."

Tariq interrupted, "Not at all, it is simply that I would not ask anyone to leave their lifemate unprotected to help me protect mine."

"You are getting ahead of yourself, Tariq. You still haven't asked me if I want to be your lifemate," Zoe reminded him. "I'm not so sure I won't tire of you and order the circle to toss you out on your arrogant ear." She never looked up, just continued to sketch. There was the barest hint of a smirk on her face.

Darius liked her; all that sassiness reminded him of Tempest. "If the circle is that powerful, why are you so worried?"

Merlin frowned, "The Dark ones have had help getting out of their prison. Zoe's vision shows them attacking with the help of Vampires. And then there are the crazy people that tried to kidnap Zoe and murder my grandson. I'm sure they aren't through either. Right now, I'll take any help I can get. They must not get their hands on Zoe's gifts." Merlin cringed at his Freudian slip. He'd meant to say Zoe, but his fears fell off his tongue before he could catch them. He hoped no one noticed.

Zoe slowly looked up at her seanathair, "Explain yourself grandfather."

Merlin sighed and hung his head. Of course she would notice, "Your gifts are growing. I believe your powers will surpass mine in time. If they wish to overthrow the Queen, they need power that she cannot fight."

"Why not take you then? Aren't you the one who helped trap them in the first place?" Russ asked. "Why Zoe?"

"Zoe is a Soul Seer, a Soul Caller and a Soul Healer. She could be forced to use her powers to also harm a soul," Merlin said delicately.

Zoe frowned, "Even if such things were possible, I can't imagine doing something so horrible."

Tariq knew it would not be possible for her to harm another, but these new titles intrigued him. "Soul Caller and Soul Healer?"

Merlin turned to look at André, "Zoe, show this hunter his portrait."

André met his gaze and felt the hair on the back of his neck raise. Carpathians were powerful people, but these Fairy people were intimidating. They absolutely reeked of power.

Zoe sighed, "It's not finished yet, I have to add color…"

"It won't matter to an unmated hunter, Zoe. He can't see it," Merlin said bluntly. "Show him, show them all."

Zoe stood up and walked to André and shyly handed him her sketch pad. She couldn't bring herself to look at him. She hoped that this was a good thing she had drawn and not some painful memory.

André stared in wonder at a picture of himself holding a woman in his arms. She was beautiful. She seemed to have that just kissed look, pouty full lips and dreamy eyes. His heart skipped as he realized the implications of the portrait. This was his lifemate, whom he had yet to find. The background looked like a skyline, seemingly vague or generic until he spotted a distinct shape, the Empire State Building. "Who is she? Where can I find her?" His voice was raspy, thick with emotion.

Zoe finally looked at him and could see the portrait had significance. His jaw clenched and it seemed to her, he was trying to hold himself together. "I'm sorry that I don't know who she is, but it looked like you were with her in New York City. It was Times Square actually; I didn't have time to finish that part of the picture."

Tariq, Darius and Julian crowded around to look over his shoulder at the picture. They all had the exact same thought; Zoe could find lifemates for the single hunters. She carried a gift that was priceless to the Carpathian people. Darius was absolutely fascinated by this gift.

"Zoe, when you look at us, what do you see?" Darius asked.

"You are all different. Tariq and André have dark souls, with shadows in them. You have a brighter soul that looks like gold and red woven together, like fire," she said to Darius, then turned to Julian. "And you have many shades of blue, like the sea."

"If you were to draw me…" Darius started, but Zoe just knew where this was going and interrupted.

"She's a redhead, and you met in a forest," Zoe said quickly.

Merlin looked smug, "Does that explain it for you?"

Julian turned to Darius, "We have to eliminate the threat to her and take her to the Carpathian Mountains to meet our prince."

Zoe stepped back from them and just shook her head, "Oh, no. I think you all are getting way ahead of yourselves. I'm not going anywhere with any of you." She looked pointedly at Tariq, "You are very close to being tossed out on your ear, and your friends with you."

Merlin wasn't in complete agreement, but he understood her anger, "My granddaughter is more than a power to be exploited. Perhaps you all should leave. I am not without my own resources."

Tariq knew he had to get a handle on the situation immediately. "No one is taking Zoe anywhere she doesn't want to go. I understand your wish to help our people find their lifemates, but now is not the time for such talk." He whispered comfort to Zoe in her mind, They meant no harm, they only wish to help their friends to find what they have found. If you choose to meet our Prince, he would be honored, and you would be cherished and protected by our people.

Zoe frowned at all of them, still feeling pushed. "I need a little space. Right now you all look just as dangerous as the creatures in my vision. I'm outta here." And with that she backed out of the room and disappeared upstairs. And stay out of my head for a while. I'm not happy with you and your pushy friends.

Russ shook his head at the lot of them, "Not good, Tariq. Not good at all… And you, grandfather, you're no better. How could you drop all that on her right now? We talked about this. She wasn't ready to know…"

"To know what, that she's so powerful?" Julian asked, "It's a fairly benign gift."

Merlin frowned, "There is nothing benign about it. What happens when a human is separated from their soul?"

"They die," Russ said flatly, not waiting for the Carpathians to get it. "And a Carpathian without a soul?" he prompted.

"Vampire," said Julian, his face grim.

Tariq didn't want to leave her alone, not with all this new and frightening information to process. I'll never let anything happen to you, Zoe. No one will make you use your power against your will. He needed to hear her voice.

Go away, Tariq. All of you just go away. Zoe was done talking, done cowering and done trusting. She threw up a mental block, like before, at the party. She was leaving. Zoe went to the window, opened it and looked at her garden. It was one of the few places she was at peace. She knew the trellis would hold her; this wasn't the first time she needed to get out of the house.

Tariq tried to reason with her, Zoe, I thought you trusted me. Do you believe I would treat you as your enemies, exploiting you for your gifts? He got no response, and suddenly realized she had blocked him from her mind. He could not touch her at all. A feeling of dread gripped his heart. He had to see her, now. He turned to the stairs with determined steps when Darius called to him.

"Let her cool off a little while," Darius said. "Women like their dramatic exits."

"She is young, Tariq. I think we overwhelmed her," Julian agreed.

Tariq paused on the bottom step and frowned at them, "She has blocked me from her mind and I can't get through to her. I have to talk to her." He turned away and continued up the stairs.

Russ sighed, "I'll check the garden. If she's pissed at Tariq she's probably outside."

"I told you to take down that trellis," Merlin called after his grandson as he strode through the kitchen to the back door. She needs to stay inside until we figure out what to do about…"

Russ wasn't listening; he stepped onto the path and followed it around to the side of the house Zoe's window was on. It was then he saw the pixies hovering in the bushes watching the trellis. It was suspicious for they hid their glow. He froze, and watched. Zoe was halfway down the trellis when all hell broke loose.

"Now!" shouted one of the pixies, and a dozen pixies burst out of the foliage and flew right at Zoe.

Russ ran to the base of the trellis to block the attack of the traitorous creatures. He knew they probably didn't mean to hurt her, but take her to the Dark Fairies. He shouted to draw their attention as he lunged for the swarm of pixies. He managed to swat three of them out of the air, stunning them, and landed on two others. He tried to get to his feet, but the rest of the pixies turned their attack to him.

Zoe gasped in shock as the attack started and clung to the trellis, unsure of what to do to help her father. Suddenly she felt Tariq wrap her in his arms and lift her from the trellis and deposit her back inside her room.

"Close this and stay inside," he ordered her.

"But…" Zoe meant to protest, but the window slid closed and he was already gone.

Tariq had just stuck his head out her window as the attack was announced. He knew his heart had stopped when he saw the tiny fairies flying right for Zoe. Russ moved swiftly for a human. He'd distracted the attack and taken out five of them before Tariq could get Zoe inside. With her safe, he went to help Russ. The little creatures had him pinned somehow and were attacking his head. Tariq sent a call to the Carpathians inside as he created a wind to blow the pixies off Russ. The little creatures were relentless, ignoring Tariq and continuing to try to bombard Russ with their violent attack. Tariq gathered Russ up and put a shield around himself and Russ. By then, Merlin and the other hunters had joined him.

Merlin was furious. He began chanting in an unknown language and all the pixies froze where they were. Merlin's eyes glowed and the anger in his words was unmistakable, even if the words were a mystery. One by one the pixies dropped from the air to the ground, dead. Merlin spat on one and then turned to Tariq, "Bring him inside," he turned back to the house without another thought for the attack. He was about to lose his grandson.

Tariq laid Russ on the couch and examined his injuries. His head was covered with blood, but head wounds could look worse than they were. He prayed that was the case.

Darius crouched down beside the couch, "Please allow me, I have experience with healing humans." Tariq nodded and gave him room.

Merlin waited while the Carpathians did what they could for Russ, but knew what they would find. When Zoe suddenly burst into the room, Merlin caught her and held her. "No, Zoe, let them help him. Carpathians are great healers, especially this one."

"But the pixies were using dark weapons, I saw them…" Zoe cried. "I can't believe they would betray us like that."

Merlin looked over Zoe's head to Tariq who was obviously anxious to comfort her. Merlin just nodded and then turned Zoe toward Tariq who wrapped her in his arms. Merlin turned his attention back to Russ and tried to see if there was any hope. It would not be the physical injuries that would kill Russ, but the spells that were upon the weapons. He spoke quietly, "I wish I had seen this. I knew he was to be taken from me soon, and that it would happen while protecting Zoe… But this I did not expect."

Julian tried to offer comfort, "Darius can heal him."

"It won't be the cuts; it'll be the evil spells on those weapons. Those pixies were working with Carthach, the Mísióg king. He dimmed their glow for stealth, and gave them dark weapons. They are spelled to kill, and there is no counter spell," Merlin said gravely.

Zoe sobbed in Tariq's arms as he comforted her. He held her firmly, stroking her back with his hand, grateful she had let her barrier down. Zoe, sívamet, I am so sorry I did not reach him before the attack. It will be alright, Darius is a great healer. Please don't cry, you break my heart with your tears…

It's too late; the weapons they used kill with the slightest cut. He was cut so many times… Zoe knew it was useless.

Darius, who had separated his spirit from his body to heal Russ from the inside out, returned to his body. He frowned, "He should wake, he is fully healed."

Merlin frowned, "Russ, wake for your daughter," he ordered. There was the slightest stirring, but Russ' breathing was labored. His eyes opened slightly, and looked around the room.

Tariq released Zoe immediately, Make your goodbye, päläfertiil.

Zoe fell to her knees beside her father, "Athair, please fight this."

"You know it is too late," Russ wheezed. "I knew it would happen, and I'm so happy to have saved you. I will be with your máthair, and we will watch over you from the Idir." He coughed a couple times and looked past Zoe to Tariq, "You will do as I have said, you cannot wait."

"Be at peace, I will take care of Zoe," Tariq said.

Zoe hugged her father, but he was too weak to hug her back, "I love you, Zoe…"

Russ stopped breathing and Zoe drew back to look at him. She gasped as she saw his soul separate from his body. He hovered a moment longer in the room and then vanished. "Athair don't leave me," she cried as she stared at the space his soul had vanished from.

Tariq drew her up from the floor and wrapped her in his arms. "You should return to your families, they will not return this rising," Tariq said to Julian and Darius.

Darius nodded, still too stunned by the loss of a man under his care. Julian was the one to answer, "We will return on the next rising."

"I'm staying," André said firmly. "I'll take my rest near here so I can return quickly if needed."

The hunters all left, leaving Merlin just staring at his grandson. "I'll take care of the vermin in the garden, and then prepare for what must be done. Zoe is in your care now, Tariq. You have my trust, don't break it."

Tariq knew what Merlin was saying to him. If he ever hurt Zoe, he would have Merlin as an enemy. Tariq gave Merlin a nod of understanding and then lifted Zoe into his arms and carried her to her room.

"Tariq, please just leave me alone," she whispered. "I just want to be alone."

"I cannot, csitri, you know I cannot leave you alone. I cannot let you grieve alone, let me comfort you," Tariq said in that velvety voice that melted her when she heard it. She burst into tears again, unable to hold them back now. Tariq laid her on the bed and then lay beside her, pulling her into his arms. She didn't want his comfort, but she needed it. Tariq ached for her. He wanted to take her pain away, but could only hold her and let her cry. It was some time before Zoe cried herself out.

"You knew, I saw it in your mind," Zoe accused.

"Your father spoke to me of a time he would die with honor. He said it would happen soon, and that I should not wait to claim you when it happened. He wanted you protected, then made me swear not to tell you," Tariq said. "He did not know how or when, only soon."

"No one could have saved him, it happened too fast," Zoe admitted sadly. "Thank you for trying."

Tariq felt broken inside. She had lost her father, and he failed to save him, yet she comforted him. He didn't deserve such kindness. "I am sorry I couldn't save him."

"I know, Tariq. I watched you. He was cut before you ever came to the window," she said. "It's really my fault for sneaking out."

And there it was, the one thing he didn't want for her, for her to blame herself. He had to turn her thoughts to the true blame, "These little creatures have always been able to enter the circle?"

"Yes, we have always had them in the garden, since I was a baby. Mother protected them," she said. "Why would they turn on us?"

"I do not know, perhaps your grandfather can answer that," Tariq paused and then added, "They would have attacked sooner or later no matter what. They were waiting to do it. They may have even entered the house to do this."

Zoe sighed heavily, "You try to take my guilt, but truth is, I gave them the opportunity."

Tariq looked down at her face buried against his chest. He lifted her chin to look at him and met her eyes, "Zoe, listen to me now, and believe what I tell you. This was not your fault." He gave her a strong mental push, and touched her mind to ease the pain of so great a loss. She thought she was alone now, for in her mind she still thought of them as being two separate people, not lifemates. She didn't understand that they shared a soul, that she would never be alone again. He poured his comfort into her; let her feel his love and she trembled in his arms.

He was making her believe it was all going to be okay, she knew he was, and she wanted to believe it so much that she let him succeed. His arms tightened around her and he held her gaze and she felt… Love, oh, god, she felt that! Zoe shivered at the overwhelming feeling of love he flooded her with. She touched his mind, just to see what he was thinking and feeling. He felt love for her so intense it was bordering on pain. He wanted to ease her grief, and he wanted to bond with her like his people did, like he promised her father. But he didn't want to rush her, to intrude upon her grief. He was not insensitive to her loss, but he was in need of her. The realization staggered her. Why are you hurting so? I feel it, you hurt here. She put her hand over his heart and he immediately covered it with his.

I feel the pain of your loss, and the anger at not preventing for you. I am also a man who desires his lifemate, but she is not ready. How could he explain his need? How could he even allow himself to think of his needs and desires while her father's body still lay on the couch downstairs? She was in his mind, a curious and quiet shadow, reading his thoughts, but not delving into his life. She was too shy, but she was trying to help ease his pain as he had done for her.

I am right here with you, so what is it you need for the pain to go away? Zoe asked, afraid of the answer, but unable to stop herself from asking it. He was centuries old and had been looking for her most of his ancient life. He'd already waited so long, and here he was, still waiting. She could feel what he wanted, needed.

I need you to be with me as my lifemate, I need to claim you in the way of my people, Tariq finally admitted.

Zoe sighed, then claim me already. You already promised my athair, and it is what you need. She was afraid, but she also trusted him. She'd been putting off the inevitable since they met, might as well get it over with.

Zoe, the claiming is very intimate, there are words to be spoken, a blood exchange and sex, lots of very hot sex. Tariq was deliberately blunt, but he had said it in his most persuasively sexy voice. I will claim you tenderly, pleasuring you with extremely slow gentleness the first time. Then I will take you in the Carpathian way, and make you scream your pleasure again and again with the strength of my passion until you are too weak to walk. I want you, Zoe.

She was on fire, his words were making her tremble, but was it fear or anticipation? She saw all the erotic things he wanted to do to her floating around in his head. He deliberately showed her several things he wanted her to do to him as well. Zoe was starting to pant. She could feel the evidence of his desire straining against his jeans. He held her, but made no other move. He was waiting for her decision. I want you too, Tariq, but I'm…nervous. He was so big and strong… and powerful. He could easily hurt her if he was not careful.

We will take it slowly, Zoe, as slowly as you need, but your father…

He is already gone; his body would have faded not long after he passed. He is with Mathair now, Zoe said. She leaned up and kissed him shyly on the lips. I want to be yours, Tariq. Teach me how to please you.

That was what he needed from her. Zoe chose him, and he would have her.

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)

Carthach: the Mísióg king