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Darius circled again, searching for any evidence that they were being followed. He couldn't detect the undead, or any voids that might indicate a clever hidden foe, but he felt uneasy. Julian, do you feel it, a dread as if we are being hunted?

I can detect nothing, but I am reluctant to go directly to the circle. I fear we are being followed. There was no other explanation for the gut feeling. They would have to lose their stalker, wherever he was, before returning to Tariq's new family. I will try to draw him out.

No! Wait, I can feel three shadows approaching. Let's lead them away before engaging them. At last, an enemy to fight. They were clumsy and not adept at stealth at all. He and Julian would be able to destroy them easily.

Do you need assistance? André asked from some distance away.

No! Darius and Julian both nearly shouted at the same moment. Darius didn't want to lessen the guards at the Soul Seer's home. She was too precious to the Carpathian people to be left undefended. Stay there and guard Tariq's lifemate. She is too important to be left unguarded. We will destroy these intruders and then join you there.

André didn't acknowledge the order. He simply dropped contact, trusting them to dispense justice to the undead. He turned to Tariq who was in deep discussion with Merlin. "They have encountered three Vampires trailing them. They are leading them away before they kill them. They will join us once the evil ones are destroyed."

Merlin shook his head, "It's too easy. I expected them to be more clever."

Tariq agreed with the assessment, "A distraction to divide our forces."

André frowned, "What of the fairy enemies we are to expect? Will we be able to detect them before the attack begins?"

Merlin sighed, "Likely not, for they have dark magic, and apparently they have enlisted the aid of one who knows me rather well. I must deal with her, perhaps this night is still ours. I don't think the attack will be this soon. Perhaps I can persuade her to switch sides."

Tariq didn't like the sound of that. "This Lady of the Lake, old tales all portray her as very untrustworthy. She was said to have betrayed you before. How much of the story is medieval romance and how much is true?"

Merlin grimaced, "Oh, well… a lot of legend has a basis in truth, Tariq. I was betrayed by her, but not in the way the Arthurian legends state. She didn't trap me in a stone or a tree or anything like that. She was unfaithful… often, and with those who were enemies. She also tried to learn all my secrets. I allowed her to see very little of what I was capable of. I fear our relationship was all a lie, and I am ashamed to have been so taken in by her."

"Grandfather, you must stop allowing her this power over you. Let it go. She was very clever and beautiful. I believe she had help in gaining your affections, magical help," Zoe said as she entered the living room. Her eyes sought out Tariq's and she could feel the heat of his stare like a caress. He smiled and held his hand out to her. It seemed so natural to go to him and allow him to pull her into his arms. The comfort she felt was immediate.

Merlin cleared his throat, "What makes you believe this, Zoe? Or are you just trying to lessen my guilt and feelings of foolishness?"

"I believe it because I can see the pain in your soul, and there is a taint of magic in it. I wonder if I can determine the source from it?" Zoe speculated.

André just stared at her, lost in thought. She seemed far too young to be so powerful. But despite her power, she was vulnerable to her enemies. Chasing power could be dangerous, chasing magic would be dangerous too, he was certain of it, "That sounds like a very bad idea."

"No, Zoe, you will not do this thing. It could alert your enemies to your location," Tariq decreed it.

Merlin said nothing; he considered the possibilities, and the ramifications. "It could be done safely, but it must not be her. I can do it, now that I know it is there." He paused, considering, "Actually, I think I need to pay a certain wet woman a visit."

Zoe pulled out of Tariq's arms and put her hands on her hips. She was about to throw down with her grandfather once and for all, "Absolutely not! She is working with Carthach, I'm sure of it. Wasn't he one of her… um, her …" she couldn't say it out loud. The look on his face answered the question. He looked horrified. Her tone was immediately contrite, "Oh, grandfather, I'm so sorry. You can't think to find her anyway. She will be hiding, or she'll be with them."

"Don't apologize, you are likely right," Merlin sighed. "I'm going to go see what I can learn. I'll be in my office," he said flatly and stalked out of the room.

Zoe instantly deflated, her shoulders sagging in guilt, "I shouldn't have brought it up. Their history hurts him very much."

Tariq drew her back into his arms, "Your wish was to protect him, not hurt him. He knows the difference. Come into the kitchen with me. I will make you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry," she said as she hugged him tighter. "I just want this to be over. The waiting is horrible."

André looked away from them, toward the window, "I'll do a sweep of the forest. I want to be sure we are still hidden."

Tariq nodded. Go cloaked. I believe they are searching for any hunters in the area to follow here. The three Darius and Julian are dealing with may not be the only ones out there.

Agreed. And with that, André turned to mist and seeped out under the door and into the night.

These were obviously sent as a distraction, Julian said as he started to call down lightening to incinerate the evidence of their battle. They were all recently turned vampires. Their skills were weak, their attack patterns simplistic. They were sacrificial pawns.

Darius agreed, I agree. We must be cautious when we return to the circle. I believe we should make it difficult for any to follow. A smile crept over his face as a plan formed. He knew these three had not been alone. Their clever enemy was not the only one who could be sneaky. As he conveyed his plan to Julian telepathically on their private path, he continued their conversation out loud. "They won't be following us now," he said with a smirk.

Julian shook his head, "True, but it was too easy. I believe we should get back to the others quickly. I think they were sent to separate our forces."

And with that, both hunters shifted into large owls and took to the skies. They circled around again, doing active searches of the surrounding terrain, making a show of insuring they were not followed. Then they took off to the east with great speed. As the owls disappeared into the horizon, there was a stirring in one of the trees, a very subtle spike of power, brief, but detectable before it vanished. A slight ripple of deflected light could be seen following the hunters to the princess. His triumph was so great, his control was slipping. He never noticed the mist streaming off to the south, or that the owls he followed never wavered in their flight, almost as if they were a movie clip, set on repeat.

Tariq set the omelet in front of Zoe and watched as she looked at it skeptically. "I told you I wasn't hungry. Are you going to hypnotize me into eating again?"

Tariq smiled at her sass, "If I must, then I will. You need nourishment, and you know it. I am sorry that you are caught between your world and mine, but I cannot regret the intimacies we have shared that have caused your eating difficulties. I will aid you in eating, and you will be able to keep it down."

At the use of the term intimacies, Zoe blushed, "I wish you would not say things like that," she whispered.

Intimacy? The word embarrasses you? I intend to share so much more intimacy with you until you can speak of it without embarrassment. Until you crave it as I do. His eyes were on fire and Zoe was drawn into them as he whispered into her mind. He was a sorcerer. There was no time, no thought of anything but Tariq; his power, his beauty, his charm and the magic spell he weaved around her when they were together. The heat in his eyes cooled slightly and she was able to look away, down at her empty plate.

"You seduce me with thoughts of intimacy while you force feed me eggs? Seriously?" Zoe couldn't believe he had done it again. It disturbed her that he could take control of her like that. She slowly raised her eyes to his again and Tariq saw a flash of fear in their depths. Am I so easily led? Just a doll to be played with?

Tariq moved so fast she couldn't even see it as one moment he was across the counter and the next he was wrapping his arms around her from behind. Never sívamet, my heart, you are everything to me just as you are. It is not my wish to lead you or control you, but you needed to eat. For such a small thing I can aid you. You know I cannot let your health suffer any more than I can leave you unprotected. You are a gift to me, mine to cherish, mine to protect. He nuzzled her hair, breathing in her scent and then placing a kiss on her temple. She was so young, so innocent, yet she carried much responsibility. He knew he had overwhelmed her from their first meeting, but for him there was no question that she was his. His heart opened to her upon his first glimpse of her. Carpathian males insure their lifemate's health and happiness above their own at all times. I know you could not be happy if I controlled you, but more than that, I would not be happy controlling you. I love who you are Zoe, everything about you. It would be abhorrent to me to change anything about you, or control your responses.

Zoe was trembling slightly in his arms and he knew she was turning his words over in her mind, searching for their truth. And then he felt her in his mind, reaching for him, searching for the truth in his thoughts. He held his breath, waiting, opening himself completely to her. He'd waited for her to come to him, desired it, craved it with a longing he could barely stand and her touch was so soft. A gentle search, timid, but determined. She wanted to know him. The feel of her presence in his mind was so overwhelming it brought tears to his eyes.

I'm sorry I accused you like that, I was so wrong. You've lived so long, seen so much. You've met amazing people throughout history. How is it that such an amazing man is whispering words of love to me? She turned on the stool so she could face him and looked up into his eyes. How can you call me your everything when I am little more than a child to you?

Tariq's eyes searched hers even as he searched her thoughts for the source of her insecurities. To her he was a worldly man with much experience, and she was a prisoner all her life, with no experience. He smiled at the foolishness of her fears, "Don't you know what men with darkness in their souls crave more than anything in the world? Criminals and vampires and any creature that has taken that first step into darkness to become evil, can you guess what it is that they desire?"

Zoe slowly shook her head, held her breath, and waited.

"Innocence," Tariq said simply and then lowered his head and kissed her tenderly. You are my innocence, Zoe. You are the brightest of lights and the purest of hearts. When you dwell in my heart, my soul and my mind I no longer feel so dark inside, I have peace and joy and hope.

She wrapped her arms around him and leaned into his kiss. Tears leaked from her closed eyes. What is it that you hope for, Tariq?

Your love. He said it simply, matter-of-factly, but she could feel his vulnerability in that simple confession.

Something inside Zoe broke; the wall she'd tried to build against him gave way. This immensely handsome and powerful and brilliant man was vulnerable to her. In that moment she knew she never had a chance to protect her heart from him. She was lost to him. It is already yours, Tariq. I think it has been from the start, I was just too afraid to admit it.

Tariq broke the kiss, drawing back so he could gaze into her eyes. "Are you brave enough to say it out loud?"

Zoe smiled shyly, "I love you, Tariq." She felt his joy so strongly it was almost painful. He kissed her again and his passion was almost violent. He swept her up into his arms and she thought she would drown in his kisses. There was an odd feeling of displacement, of moving, but all she could really concentrate on was his mouth as it moved over hers. Then suddenly she felt the softness of her bed beneath her and he was above her, raining kisses all over her face.

"I love you, Zoe, only you. All my centuries of waiting are worth even one moment in your arms," Tariq said between kisses. "I need you."

Zoe reached up between them and started unbuttoning her shirt, "I am yours," she gasped in a husky voice.

Tariq growled his pleasure at her surrender and rose up on his knees, straddling her waist. He brushed her hands aside and ripped her shirt open sending buttons flying. He lowered his head to the swell of her breast and kissed her reverently. You're so beautiful, Zoe. Her hands cradled his head as he sucked a nipple into his hot mouth right through the lace of her bra.

Please, I need… she needed the restricting fabric gone.

Tariq heard her plea and read her thoughts. He couldn't agree more. With a thought, he removed his clothes and hers in the way of his people, baring them both. Her skin was heavenly in its softness. He nuzzled her breasts and then began a leisurely trail of kisses down her body. Zoe buried her fingers in his hair and tried to pull him back up to her, but he growled a warning. Zoe laughed out loud. Tariq glanced up, meeting her eyes. I'm the one with the experience, remember?

Not in this, Zoe smiled brilliantly. She had been his first, he had waited centuries to be with her. I saw no others in your life. You actually waited for me. She was in awe of him, to have walked alone for so long because he refused to share himself with anyone but his true lifemate. It was a priceless gift.

Perhaps I have no practical experience, but I studied everything to do with sex, every technique so that I could be the perfect lover when I finally found you. So in this, I have the experience. He returned his attention to his kisses, then licked over her hipbone as he meandered his way to the treasure he wanted most. But Zoe had apparently decided to challenge him here, in their bed.

And how am I ever to learn if it is always you that chooses what we do? Zoe pouted.

Tariq smirked at her blatant attempt at manipulation. He glanced up, meeting her eyes as his tongue licked over her clit. Don't you like my choices?

She gasped, grabbed the blankets in both fists and threw her head back against the pillows. "But I want to touch you as you have me. I want to do this to you and watch you lose your mind just like this." She panted as he mercilessly used his tongue to bring her pleasure.

He caught the echo of her thoughts, the images of what she desired and knew he was going to let her have her way. You want to command me?

Just for a little while? She was still shy, but finally feeling brave enough to ask for what she wanted.

She pleased him with her desire to touch him. He rose up and then fell back on the bed beside her. Turning his head to look at her he smiled, "I'm all yours, baby."

Zoe moved faster than he'd expected, climbing on top of him then straddling his hips. She looked down at him with a grin of pure delight. Then her smile turned almost wicked before she lowered her head and sucked hard on his nipple. His head fell back and he groaned in pleasure. She explored his body aggressively, stroking his muscles with her fingers, her tongue and sweet kisses. He was gripping the blankets in his fists, forcing himself to remain still so she could learn his body, but it was killing him. Her little sighs of delight as she moved sown his body nearly broke his control. She blatantly avoided his groin, working down one leg, and then coming back up the other. He held his breath, eyes closed tight, waiting. Her breath was warm on his shaft, but she still hadn't touched him. Zoe, please.

And then a kiss, so light he might have just imagined it, brushed over the tip. Then a slow warm kiss and a lick. Then a hand gently gripped him and her mouth enveloped the tip and her tongue stroked him in lazy circles. Is this what you wanted? He could hear the smile in her voice. She knew what she was doing to him. He wanted her to feel it. He merged his mind with her, letting her feel everything she did to him, every sensation, every emotion. She gasped, and then began stroking him in earnest, her hand setting an urgent pace. Her mouth took more of him with each stroke, sucking and licking and teasing him. Her other hand gently explored his sack as she worked his shaft lovingly with her mouth. Tariq grit his teeth and tried to hold back the tide of pleasure as long as he could.

"Enough," Tariq growled and pulled her up into his arms and kissed her aggressively as he rolled her beneath him and settled himself between her thighs. His body was posed at her entrance, straining to join with her, but he paused and reached between them, gently stroking her heat with probing fingers to assure himself that she was ready for him.

Zoe felt the driving need in him, and it moved her deeply that he could still force himself to wait to assure her comfort. "Please Tariq, I need you now," Zoe pleaded and he gave her what she wanted, slowly sinking into her in one long relentless thrust until at last he was buried deep. She moaned her pleasure even as he sighed his deep contentment.

"I never thought to be so blessed as to have my very own fairy princess," Tariq whispered in her ear as he began a slow sensuous rhythm. He kissed his way from her ear to the corner of her mouth and then kissed her deeply, stroking his tongue over hers in time with his languorous thrusts. Do fairies grant wishes like in the storybooks?

What wish do you want granted? Zoe asked.

Tariq gripped her hips gently but firmly as his strokes increased in strength if not tempo. He felt her arms holding him tightly, desiring the closeness. He wanted to stay with her forever, just like this. He wanted to taste her, and have her taste him, but he could not. Not yet. He felt her then, in his mind, searching out his wishes, the ones he would not speak of. She turned her head, offering her throat.

I offer freely, she said formally. She had learned much of Carpathian ways in the short time she had started sharing his mind. She was a seductress, offering him temptation in decadence.

He couldn't stop himself from licking over her pulse even as he protested. We cannot exchange blood again until we are sure it is safe to convert you. He kissed her throat gently, unable to stop himself from lingering ever her pulse.

Your wish was a taste, well one of your wishes. Have your taste; your fairy princess wants to grant this wish. Her hands cradled his head, holding him at her throat, but he had other ideas. He kissed his way down to her breast, drawing it deep into the hot cavern of his mouth. His tongue teased the nipple and he heard her moan of pleasure. His teeth lengthened and he bit firmly, drawing on her, drinking her essence. It was ecstasy. His body lost all control and he drove into her hard and deep, craving the violent storm of passion. He wanted her pleasure, the feel of her body gripping his in the throes of her climax.

His mouth was like fire, the unbelievable bliss of his taking was so erotic. She tried to meet his thrusts, but he held her firmly, driving into her with such power, and yet she craved more. The orgasm came so swiftly she had no warning as her head thrashed back and forth on her pillow. She felt Tariq close the pricks on her breast, but then he took the other into his mouth and sucked hard. Her pleasure seemed to go on forever, she wondered if someone could die from such a thing. Tariq's thrusts slowed, but the power behind them was increasing. She felt his body stiffen even as he spilled himself deep inside her. He released her breast and captured her lips in a tender kiss. She wanted him to stay like this forever, deep inside her body, holding her in his arms.

And that is my other wish, Tariq admitted. With a long sigh of regret he kissed her one last time and drew away, breaking their intimate connection. "The others are on their way. We should get dressed so we can prepare.

Zoe nodded. Their little interlude was over. Reality had returned.

Luna watched the hunter creep along the garden path and out into the meadow. She didn't trust them, but Zoe couldn't stop the dark fairies alone. She watched him change shape, becoming a mouse, running out through the circle and into the woods. She wanted to follow, but once she left the circle, she would be easily detected by any fairies on earth that might be searching for Zoe's sanctuary. She was just as trapped as Zoe if she wanted to protect her. She took up the job of sentry, making long circuits of the larger circle, watching the tree line for anything unnatural. It was all she could do to help.

On her third sweep, she saw the mist returning from a different position, but something was different about it. It was not the same hunter, she was certain of it. She made a move to intercept and as the mist crossed near the stones, she blew pixie dust on it and flew backwards out of reach. The mist suddenly rippled and formed into two bewildered looking hunters. One was very broad of chest and shoulders and had long black hair like Tariq. The other was of a little slighter build and had blond hair and gold eyes. They both stared at her a moment before anyone spoke.

"You do not belong here, be gone!" Luna shouted as her blue glow flared bright with anger. "This is a sacred place."

"We have come to help guard this place from enemies, little one," Darius said, trying not to underestimate the tiny creature because of her stature. She obviously had some power if she could force them back into their human form against their will.

"We have already been granted an invitation to this place, we mean no harm to anyone here," Julian said carefully. Is she another Pixie?

Luna flew closer, right up to face Darius in the eyes, "You had better not be lying, Carpathians. I won't let my friend be hurt, and I don't trust your kind. Your vampires are hurting my people," she said flatly.

Darius' eyes softened with sympathy, "We are here to destroy those vampires and protect your friend. We want peace between Carpathians and your people."

Luna hung her head, "If this is true, you will not have difficulty entering." She looked up, a clear challenge in her eyes. "Prove it." She backed up and watched as the two hunters walked between the stones and stood just inside the circle. The dark one's eyebrow lifted, but his expression never wavered. Luna frowned, and turned to fly away, but a comment from the golden haired hunter stopped her.

"I am Julian, and this is Darius. I would be honored to know the name of a being whose power and courage are so much greater than her stature," Julian said formally.

Luna turned, staring at them, trying to determine if they were mocking her or not, "I am Luna."

Darius studied her carefully, "You are pixie?"

Luna puffed a little, "Yes I am." It was almost a challenger the way she said it, as if to see if they would treat her with the disdain that most fairies did.

Julian smiled, "You are very brave to take on two hunters so much larger than you."

Luna slowly smiled, "You're not so tough. You are like most fairies, thinking our size makes us weak. You underestimated me, admit it."

Darius had the good grace to look sheepish, "I'm afraid we did," he admitted.

Luna looked at them both seriously, "Don't make that mistake again. Fairy magic is unknown to you, so I understand that you would think we are weak. Fairies use illusion and magic, curses and spells, and they like to charm you with glamour. Beauty can be used to disarm your defenses, or looking insignificant, like something that should not draw notice. Beware." And with that she flew off, resuming her position as sentry.

Julian watched her retreat, "What have we gotten ourselves into?"

Darius looked at the charming little cottage surrounded by gardens. It was every bit as deceptive as Luna described, so unassuming, yet shielding great power. "I believe we will find out soon, and no amount of speculation will prepare us for these fairies' powers."

As they approached the front door, André materialized beside them on the stoop. "I can detect nothing unnatural in the wood."

"Let's hope it stays that way," Julian said. "I'm certain they are searching for this place." The three entered the house together, ready to talk strategy and make their plans.

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

Ruslan Malinov (Minor Character: Dark Secret, Dark Possession, & Dark Predator. Mentioned In: Dark Peril)

The Ritual Words

Te avio päläfertiilam. -You are my lifemate.
Éntölam kuulua, avio päläfertiilam. -I claim you as my lifemate.
Ted kuuluak, kacad, kojed. -I belong to you.
Élidamet andam.-I offer my life for you.
Pesämet andam. -I give you my protection.
Uskolfertiilamet andam. -I give you my allegiance.
Sívamet andam.- I give you my heart.
Sielamet andam. -I give you my soul.
Ainamet andam. -I give you my body.
Sívamet kuuluak kaik että a ted.-I take into my keeping the same that is yours.
Ainaak olenszal sívambin.-Your life will be cherished by me for all my time.
Te élidet ainaak pide minan.-Your life will be placed above my own for all time.
Te avio päläfertiilam.-You are my lifemate.
Ainaak sívamet jutta oleny.-You are bound to me for all eternity.
Ainaak terád vigyázak.-You are always in my care.

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