Chapter 31

Mikhail was completely stunned. The sight before him was a floor full of blood with Josef looking extremely pale. The Prince reached out and grabbed Nikolai's arm as it was also covered in blood. But to his astonishment, Nikolai had no trace of injury.

Nikolai pulled away. "I'm fine," he said quietly.

Josef struggled to stand. He swayed and Armando came forward to steady him. Mikhail narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice. "What happened here?"

"Yes, what happened?" snapped Byron who suddenly appeared. Apparently, Armando sent out a message to him. Seeing Josef's white face, Byron pierced his own wrist and held it to him. "Take what I offer."

As Josef lowered his head to accept his uncle's offer, Nikolai slowly looked up at Mikhail. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you?"

Nikolai's jaw clenched. "About my father. You told me Xavier betrayed him."

Mikhail glanced at the SongMaker who was looking at him with knowing eyes. Armando had told him months ago that it would be best to reveal everything about Draven. Mikhail disagreed, fearing any information could make the boy believe he was destined to following in his father's footsteps. He wanted to wait until Nikolai adjusted to his new world.

The Prince carefully answered. "My brother, like many of us at one time, were allies to the wizards."

Nikolai's eyes darkened. "And Xavier somehow convinced him to overthrow the previous Prince? My grandfather?"

Mikhail glanced at Byron who in turn frowned as Josef pulled back from his wrist. "And Josef told you this?"

"Does it matter?"

Byron glared at Josef. "We are leaving. Right now."

"Why is everyone suddenly mad at me?" asked Josef. "He's the one who almost killed me!"

"And you'll be lucky to still be alive when I'm through with you," growled Byron. "Now get going."

Josef scowled at Nikolai before shape shifting into an owl. He flew off into the night with Byron quickly following.

Mikhail turned back to his nephew. "I planned to tell you more about your father."

"When?" he demanded.

"When you had more time to adjust, Nikolai. Not only were you kept imprisoned by a wizard, you are now discovering all you have missed. And you are unexpectedly physically changing, as well. All of that was quite enough for you to handle at the present time."

A rush of wind was heard and then Gregori appeared next to Mikhail. Nikolai's face hardened. "Now I know why they all look at me with such distrust. My father was the one who betrayed everyone. And therefore, I am just as dangerous."

Mikhail shook his head. "I will not believe such a thing."

"No? Is that what your bodyguard thinks? Or maybe he thinks differently which is why he keeps such a close eye on me whenever I'm near you."

Gregori's silver eyes narrowed. "It is my duty to protect our Prince at all times."

Mikhail sighed. You aren't helping, he told his old friend on their private connection. "Nikolai, it was wrong of me not to tell you everything about Draven. I was trying to give you time."

"To find out I was born from a monster who had a sickness? And now that same sickness is in me?"

"No!" exclaimed the Prince. "You are not the same as your father. There is goodness within you, Nikolai. Look at all you did for the children. Without you, they may not have survived."

His nephew stared at Gregori's cold, silver eyes. "And yet," said Nikolai, "I am weak when it comes to the most basic Carpathian gifts. But when I became angry at Josef, it seemed as if in that moment, no one would have been able to overpower me."

"I would have," said Gregori in a soft and dangerous tone.

"Like you did with my father?"

"Josef told you."

"He didn't need to," replied Nikolai in a low voice. "Your eyes tell me all I need to know."

Pierce lit another fireplace in the guest cottage and took some pleasure in the look on Carissa's face. She was wandering around the home, touching the various lamps and decorative flowers on the tables. It occurred to him she never had the opportunity for the finer things in life. It was obvious she took pride in the fact that she'd gone to school and then found a partnership in owning a business. Money mattered little in comparison to how she was treated as an orphan growing up in various foster homes. Yet that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate the splendor around her.

We must give her a real home, not just an office building in the city, said Samuel on their private link.

Pierce almost laughed. Never thought I'd hear you say that.

We have a lifemate now. Things are different.

I don't think a home will be the only thing she needs.

She has us. What else is there?

Samuel…

His twin thought for a moment. She will someday have our children.

Pierce winced a bit, not wanting to think about how they would handle such a situation. Which of them would have the first child? Like it or not, the thought of Carissa carrying Samuel's child made Pierce feel a sense of…pride.

God, this was still sick when he thought about everything. He had to let go of his damn logic in this new life. Pierce sighed. Perhaps it is better to let her focus on something else first. Give her the opportunity to help us run some of our businesses. Let her feel like she has earned the luxuries she deserves.

She doesn't have to do that. We can provide her with everything.

That's not the point. She needs more.

"Why do I get the feeling both of you are arguing again?" called out Carissa from another room.

Samuel rolled his eyes. "She already knows us too well."

And I also felt you roll those eyes, Carissa said in their minds.

Pierce laughed at the look on Samuel's face. "As you said, my brother. We have a lifemate now and things are different."

Samuel was about to say something when both of them grew completely still. They sensed another presence immediately. Without a word, Pierce went to find Carissa. Keep your thoughts only in our private link, he warned her.

What is happening? Why do I feel so cold?

There are vampires in the area.

Carissa moved closer to him. Are they after us?

The twins paused. And then the air shifted back to normal, the icy chill leaving the cottage. "They did not sense our presence," Pierce answered softly. "You did very well in masking your thoughts."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Because I don't know. It is not unheard of for vampires to still be within our homeland. Unattached males turn."

"But what is disturbing," said Samuel walking in the room, "is some vampires are forming alliances. Or at least, that's what we have heard."

"Did you send out a warning to the Prince?" asked Carissa, clearly worried.

"Yes," Pierce assured her. "Gregori and others are out hunting them now."

"We should have gone after them," muttered Samuel.

Pierce shot his brother a glare. "Drop it."

"Drop what?" asked Carissa. "You can't be serious in actually wanting to hunt them!" But when she looked at Samuel, his expression was as if she'd just slapped him in the face.

"I need some air," he said. He quickly transformed into mist and left the cottage.

Pierce sighed and gathered Carissa in his arms. "He'll be okay."

"I don't understand. What did I say wrong? There are others here who can hunt those vampires. I don't want either of you to get hurt."

Pierce couldn't help taking some offense to her remark even though he knew Carissa didn't mean to insult them. "We were born as hunters," he replied.

"But you don't hunt vampires. I mean, you are both brilliant business men. The Prince clearly values your expertise."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean we don't crave our natural instinct. Some are born to be artisans or teachers. Others like Samuel and I were meant to be hunters. Unfortunately, we were assigned to the United States where there are fewer vampires. You met Julian while we were at Mikhail's home. His twin lives in the United States and has been a very skilled hunter far longer than we have."

"And so I bruised Samuel's ego," Carissa said. She sighed and stepped away from him. "I don't doubt you're abilities, I just want you both safe. I mean, I just met both of you. I don't think I can take it if something were to happen." She paused. Did you hear me, Samuel?

Yes, he answered. And it does help to know you care so much about me. But please understand that sometimes we need more than just contributing wealth to our people.

"We want to protect them in other ways," explained Pierce.

"So I need to let both of you chase a vampire once in a while."

He gave a light laugh. "Something like that, yes."

We have a guest.

Pierce grew still and sensed another approaching fast. "Stay here," he warned.

"But it's Tyrell." He gave her a dark look and she tried not to roll her eyes. "I gave him blood. We have a connection."

I'm going to tear his heart out.

"Samuel, that's not funny. He saved my life."

We would have saved you.

You wouldn't have gotten there in time to stop me from being raped, she shot back. Tyrell saved my innocence. She heard Samuel growl in response. Shaking her head, Carissa brushed past Pierce and walked outside the front door. She looked into the night sky. Tyrell, where are you?

Hiding.

She almost smiled at that. Are my lifemates that fearsome to you?

He gave an indignant snort. They wish.

This time Carissa did laugh and Pierce frowned as he joined her on the covered porch. She held his hand reassuringly. Please show yourself.

Tyrell suddenly shimmered into view. He was completely dressed in black, his long hair tied neatly behind his head so it cascaded down his back. His shoulders were wider than she remembered, as if he'd grown in strength and size.

We could defeat him easily, interjected Samuel.

She bit her lip for a moment as she tried to keep her patience. Her lifemates were still sore from the fact that Tyrell saved her. And they didn't trust him since he'd already once betrayed their people. But Carissa wasn't afraid of him. She sensed a change in him ever since their captivity when he'd been exposed to those strange minerals. "How are you?"

Tyrell bowed low to her. "I am still alive, much to the dismay of your lifemates." He looked at Pierce. "Where is your other twin lover, hmm?" A fierce wind suddenly pushed Tyrell back and the former vampire actually stumbled. He quickly recovered just as Samuel appeared in front of him. Tyrell gave a soft laugh. "Impressive. I did not even sense you."

"You'll find we are just full of surprises," replied Samuel in a low voice. "What are you doing here?"

"Following my enemy of course."

"Don't you mean our enemy? Oh wait, that's right. You're just seeking personal retaliation on Morrison. Given your vampire background, you'd never go after them on behalf of our people."

Tyrell ignored Samuel's sarcasm. "Others have arrived here."

Pierce crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you said you had been the first vampire they ever captured and controlled."

"Yes and no. Apparently a powerful wizard does still exist, although he poses as a human. He has a connection to Morrison. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who gave Morrison those minerals to begin with."

"So you think this wizard was the one who controlled the executives at Logitech?"

"It is possible, yes. Unfortunately, word has gotten out to other vampires about these strange minerals. There are rumors of a white albino somewhere here in our homeland which may be this wizard."

Pierce felt his chest grow tight. "And these vampires are now on the hunt for him."

"Indeed." Tyrell warily looked at Carissa. "The sun is rising, my dear. Given that you are new in the Carpathian world, I would not want to take the chance on you getting burned."

The twins looked at each other and took the hint. "Although I loathe to admit he's ever right," said Pierce, "we are far older than you, Carissa. Will you let us put you to sleep?"

It was clear she wanted to stay, but as she looked at the first rays of sun coming into view, the twins could see Tyrell's story had worked. She reluctantly agreed and Pierce had her asleep and in the ground in a matter of moments.

Facing Tyrell once more, Pierce noted the temperature felt colder, no doubt because of leaving Samuel alone with him. "She's asleep. Now, what else?" he prompted.

Tyrell gave a slight smile. "Tell me, has the Prince accepted the twin lovers?"

"Use that expression one more time and I'll make sure that mouth never opens to speak again," snapped Samuel.

"The Prince has accepted us and will announce his decision tomorrow evening," replied Pierce in a calm voice.

Tyrell raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. And tell me, what of the other hunters? Have they accepted it as well?"

"One does not question the decision of the Prince."

"Hmm, or at least not in front of him."

Samuel glowered. "We don't have to listen to this."

"You know I have a point," said Tyrell. "She will not be accepted here with both of you. Do not go tomorrow evening. Go home, where it is safe."

"We will not disobey Mikhail. And you are wrong."

"Am I? You cannot change the fact that over thousands of years, there could be only one lifemate for each male. You will not be welcome." Before Samuel could snap again, Tyrell softened his tone. "I do not say this to be mocking or to torment you. I respect your lifemate and do not wish for her to be hurt. Like it or not, I am an ancient with far more experience. They will never understand nor accept the situation, especially as you are quite young."

"Like we've cheated the system," said Samuel in a biting tone.

Pierce had enough. "Advice from not only an ancient, but a male who betrayed our people and was vampire." He was surprised as Tyrell appeared to wince. "You say you followed vampires here. Then worry about yourself trying to regain your honor. But let me remind you, Tyrell, no Carpathian who turned vampire has ever been forgiven and accepted by our people."

Tyrell hissed. "I do not need any of them."

"Then why do you care about going after vampires?" challenged Samuel.

"As you said earlier," said Tyrell turning away, "I do so for personal revenge."