Chapter 22

Carissa gasped as Samuel and Pierce pulled her deeper into the crowd. "Wait, what's wrong?" The twins did not answer and she had the feeling their protective instinct was in overdrive. She was trying to keep up with them, but they were going too fast. When she stumbled, Pierce cursed and Samuel scooped her up into his arms.

She blinked and suddenly found herself being carried through the air. She clung to Samuel as darkness surrounded them. They were flying at an unbelievable speed, making her feel dizzy. And then warm light glowed as candles came to life all around a room where Samuel set her down. She didn't trust her balance at first so she didn't let go of him.

"It's okay, Carissa. You're safe."

Safe? From what? What just happened? She noticed both were visibly upset. Pierce was pacing the room. Samuel's mouth was in a thin line, his jaw clenched. "Where am I?" she finally managed to ask.

"In our secret lair," replied Pierce. "We built this place over one hundred years ago. We are deep underground. No one will find us."

"And I've set safeguards as well," added Samuel.

Carissa let go of him and stepped away. "What is it? I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"

The twins immediately answered in unison. "No!"

She looked between them. "Okay. So care to explain what happened?"

Pierce narrowed his eyes at Samuel. "We were seen. We were careless!"

"It's my fault," replied his twin. "I should have never even suggested taking her blood like that."

"Neither of were thinking straight."

"This is not good."

Carissa felt her fear surface. "What are you talking about? There were tons of people there! You said everyone would think you were only kissing me. Did they see you taking my blood?"

Pierce sighed. "No, but someone else did."

Carissa gave him a puzzled expression.

"The prince," volunteered Samuel in a rough voice. "Mikhail was there. He saw us from a distance."

"Okay so obviously that wasn't the way to introduce me," Carissa said, "but I'm not sure us running away helped things either."

Pierce raked a hand through his hair. "Mikhail doesn't understand. All he knows is that two of his hunters were taking blood at the same time from a special female."

"We couldn't help ourselves," added Samuel, "we felt his anger and Gregori was there too. We didn't want to take any chances with you being taken from us."

"Or at least not until we have a chance to explain," said his twin. Pierce glanced at Samuel. "It wasn't like we were thinking logically when we were running away either."

"We weren't running away," said Samuel defensively, "we were protecting our lifemate."

Carissa shook her head in confusion. "But your prince has to find out sooner or later."

"Later is definitely better, especially with Gregori."

"Gregori?" she asked. She remembered the name from Tyrell, but couldn't recall what he said.

"He's our greatest healer," replied Pierce. "But he is also known as the Dark One. He is Mikhail's second in command."

Samuel frowned. "The SongMaker is the advisor now."

"Mikhail listens to both," replied his twin. "We can only hope the SongMaker will defend us."

Carissa was tired and the twins sensed it immediately. A soft oversized couch suddenly appeared and she was grateful for once that they could in fact read her mind.

"Dawn is only a few hours away," said Pierce. "You need to rest."

Warily, she sat down and looked up at both of them. "Why is Gregori called the Dark One? And why would this SongMaker defend you even if he recognizes we are lifemates?"

"Gregori has been the top hunter to carry out justice on behalf of our people. He does not hesitate to uphold what he believes is right for protection of our race and our prince. He is Mikhail's protector and has power like no other when it comes to enforcing what he believes is right. If there is even a hint of any potential danger to Mikhail, you can bet Gregori will be right there to take action."

"All the more reason we need the SongMaker," explained Samuel. "We have never met him, but it is said that he is very patient and extremely wise, especially as he is the oldest. If his gift recognizes that the three of us our lifemates, he will bring us more credibility before judgment is passed."

Carissa swallowed. "What do you mean by judgment?"

"That we are touched by something evil," replied Pierce gravely. "It is unnatural for two males to have the same lifemate. Given the Carpathian history with vampires other types of dark forces, Samuel or I could be seen as a threat."

"And that means?"

The twins looked at each other, but Carissa caught the fact that one or both could be hunted down, while Carissa was taken into protection.

"Is your prince that cruel?" she cried.

"Mikhail is fair," replied Pierce. "But one cannot blame him or any other Carpathian for thinking this is some type of new attack upon our race. Even I would think this is impossible and that the only explanation can be one of us is a vampire or setting some type of trap. I know it is hard for you to understand, but our race has been betrayed far too many time. We are skeptical when it comes to anything different or unknown to us." He paused. "And the thought of two males, sharing the same female…"

"It is inconceivable," interjected Samuel. "Our males are too dominant and possessive of our females. Look at what happened just a little while ago. We cannot tolerate even the thought of you being taken with us. Hell, I can't even think about any other male even touching you!"

"Well, except for your brother," Carissa said with a slight blush.

"Exactly. Usually our males can barely handle their lifemate being around other males at all."

"That's not completely true," Pierce tried to assure her, "or at least not after our males get used to their emotions."

"Speak for yourself," huffed Samuel. "Think about an unattached Carpathian male even touching her hand. There is no way I could handle that."

"Unattached males are different," pointed out his twin. "They are at more risk of turning, some barely hanging onto their honor."

"Yeah, well you better not think that I can tolerate Gregori even touching her. And he's mated to the daughter of the prince."

Carissa looked away. "Which Tyrell thought was too convenient."

Samuel's voice grew harsh. "All vampires think that, Carissa. They think the prince somehow can selectively choose females for others, which is impossible."

"He doesn't think that now," she protested. "He admits looking at me makes him have second thoughts about what he used to believe."

"He's no different. Sooner or later, his hate for Morrison will consume him and he'll start taking it out on innocent humans."

"Why do you hate him so much?"

"Why do you like him so much?" shot back Samuel.

"Enough!" said Pierce, trying to keep the peace. "Carissa, Samuel's reaction is just a perfect example of what he was saying when it comes to our males. Just you even caring about another male makes us react negatively."

"You mean make us insane," muttered Samuel.

A deep voice suddenly echoed in Carissa's mind, startling her while the twins visibly stiffened. Pierce and Samuel Falkland, commanded the voice, you will come to my home now.

"Is that…"

"Mikhail," said Pierce. He responded on the common Carpathian link. I thought you wished to see us tomorrow evening.

Your prince has summoned you, said a different voice that sent chills down Carissa's spine. And I will find your hiding place if you do not comply.

We understand, replied Pierce.

Samuel hissed. "There are only a few hours left in the night. We cannot rush this!"

"We have no choice."

"Why not?" asked Carissa. She was afraid. "Let's leave. If there's only a few hours left, Gregori might not find us. We can leave as soon as possible tomorrow."

"Carissa," said Pierce in a gentle voice, "it is not right for us to run. Do we hide that the three of us are together for the rest of our lives?"

"As much as I hate to admit it," said Samuel, "my twin is correct. We have to face this." But he narrowed his eyes at Samuel. "With only a few hours left, Carissa needs to stay safe. She stays here."

"You want to leave her here unprotected?"

"My safeguards are in place. It's better than bringing her with us."

"Samuel, the prince has to see her. And it's the only way the SongMaker can identify the three of us belong together."

"Even if he does, there are only a few hours left! That's not enough time to discuss this issue. There is still a risk she could be taken from us. She stays here. We'll explain what's happened. It is our duty to see to her safety first."

"We are sworn to the Prince!" snapped Pierce. "I understand your concern, but this won't help our case, either."

"And rushing things in a few hours will? Especially with Gregori right by his side when he witnessed both of us taking Carissa's blood? It's better to give the Prince advance notice and give us more time so we can discuss this reasonably. There will be too much reaction with emotion when we reveal all of this to them. You know I'm right."

Pierce sighed. He was extremely worried. The Prince and Gregori were angry, so they weren't getting off to a good start. With only a few hours left, time was short. He looked at Carissa. "I just can't leave you here alone."

Mikhail stood on his balcony, looking out into the night sky. Gregori stood behind him, impatient as usual. "They will come."

The healer grimaced. "You have more faith than I do."

"The twins have been loyal to me for a long time. They have grown the Carpathian fortune substantially over the last several decades. We owe them every opportunity to answer for what has happened."

"And what of the one business which they suddenly dissolved? What of the news where a computer virus attacked most United States business computer systems? A great deal of fortune could have been lost."

"But it wasn't," answered Mikhail. "I have always trusted them."

"Trust means little when the years go by without having a lifemate. These twins lost their emotions at an early age. That female should have been brought to us immediately. What if their temptation for emotion overcame their discipline? They may be turning, Mikhail."

The Prince frowned as dawn was not far away. He turned and walked back inside to the great ballroom area where many others had gathered. Unfortunately, a few other hunters had been guarding Mikhail at the concert. As a result, most of the council was already here as the news spread far too quickly about the twins. Most believed the brothers had turned vampire. If they did not arrive soon, hunters would be dispatched the next evening to bring about justice, while hoping to still find the female alive.

The council was already displeased with Mikhail as he had not immediately allowed them to search for the twins. But the Prince commanded no harm shall befall the twins unless he gave the order. At this point, Mikhail felt obligated to give them a chance in return for all they had accomplished in safeguarding and growing the Carpathian fortune.

Yet as Mikhail made his way to the center of the room, he himself could not help but feel anger at the situation. If they'd found this special female, why didn't they contact him sooner? And why would both feed from her? It was not as if they'd been in some serious battle with no other source for blood. They were surrounded by humans. Both fed from her neck at the same time. And he couldn't deny there was a sexual intimacy as he watched them feed. Vampires were known to try to illicit any type of emotion they could when possible. Had the brothers turned and been working together?

Even if that was not the case, their treatment of the woman was unacceptable. Sometimes Carpathians were known to take blood from humans to track them. But both of them feeding from her neck at the same time? Mikhail shook his head. His lifemate Raven and the other Carpathian women who had heard the news were extremely concerned.

And so was he. His anger grew as the hour passed and dawn approached.

Finally, with his acute hearing, he heard a flutter of wings in the distance. Everyone in the room became silent as a large brown owl flew onto the balcony and transformed into human form. Mikhail knew instantly it was Pierce as he had a blood connection to him. There was no sign of his twin and the Prince could feel tension building from those in the room. Gregori moved closer to Mikhail, a subtle reminder that if necessary, his second in command would not tolerate any danger to their Prince.

Pierce entered the room and stopped short as he saw the number of hunters in the room. The Carpathian appeared as Mikhail remembered him: Strong yet sophisticated, with eyes that illuminated extremely high intelligence. No one knew more about the business world except for his twin.

With so many Carpathians in the room, Pierce obviously hesitated. His eyes met Mikhail's gaze and he bowed his head. The Prince never changed his expression, instead waiting for Pierce to address him.

Gregori broke the silence. "Where is your twin?"

Pierce straightened. "He needed to stay behind."

"And why is that?" asked Gregori, in a low voice. "Both of you were ordered to appear before the Prince."

Pierce clenched his jaw, clearly uncomfortable with so many eyes on him. "It was necessary for the safety of Carissa."

Mikhail raised an eyebrow while Gregori frowned before speaking with obvious censure. "And what safer place could there be for a female special with psychic powers? Do you dare to challenge the fact that she would not be in danger if kept with Mikhail?"

Pierce did not answer, instead looking around the room, searching through the various faces. Mikhail noted many of those in the room had never met Pierce or Samuel. The twins spent most of their lives in the United States after losing their parents. Before Gregori could sharply reprimand Pierce for not answering, Mikhail spoke in a hard tone. "Are you looking for someone in particular?"

"Who here is the SongMaker?"

Gregori and the Prince exchanged surprised glances. "He is not here," answered Mikhail. "The SongMaker left a few weeks ago, traveling to the United States with his lifemate."

Pierce gave a shocked expression. "Why?"

"It is not your concern," Gregori quickly replied, his silver eyes showing obvious disapproval for even asking the question.

"When will he return?"

Before Greogori could snap again, Mikhail intervened. "We do not know. His journey was a personal one with his lifemate. It may be at least a few more weeks before he returns home." The prince tilted his head, clearly now puzzled from the look of despair on Pierce's face.