Chapter 36

Pierce and Samuel arrived at the secret location arranged by Gregori. It was deep within the earth, among a maze of healing underground caves. Only a handful of hunters were selected to attend this meeting. And the twins could already see the ancients here were looking at them with resentment. Their eyes tracked Pierce and Samuel as if they were marking their prey.

Things certainly haven't changed, grumbled Samuel on his private link to Pierce.

Remember what the SongMaker told us. Why should we care? There are others who do believe us.

Only a few.

Jacques is Mikhail's brother. Armando is the oldest. And of course our Prince has recognized our union with Carissa. It matters more as to who believes us, not the number.

The SongMaker arrived next, his eyes looking far too tired. The burial ceremony yesterday evening had clearly worn on him. Anna was laid to rest in her rightful place, and every Carpathian here in their homeland had attended the event. Armando sang with so much emotion, most of the women couldn't withhold their tears. The SongMaker himself had a challenging time making it through the song as his haunting memories of the little girl appeared before all of them. He'd selected a tranquil area near a small river with a waterfall for her final resting place. It was a fitting tribute to a small child who deserved to be in her beautiful homeland.

Armando immediately walked over to the Falkland twins and gave each of them a warrior greeting before acknowledging any of the other ancients. The Dark Twins were clearly annoyed by this, but wisely remained silent as the Prince soon arrived. Gregori was closely guarding Mikhail and it obvious he was clearly not going to let him stray anywhere out of his reach. Of course, this was understandable with who they were expecting to arrive next.

Pierce and Samuel uneasily glanced at each other. They had no idea if Tyrell would keep his word and come to this meeting. When they sent the call to him last evening, they sensed he was truly surprised the SongMaker wanted to meet with him. But the twins soon found they had something else to give them concern.

The dark, deep voice came out of nowhere and they instantly recognized it as Tyrell. I do not sense Carissa. The former vampire spoke openly, ensuring all the hunters within the cave heard him.

We never said she would be here, replied Samuel with a biting tone.

Tyrell made a clicking sound, as if he were mimicking a disappointed parent. You should know better.

There is no pleasing you, snapped Pierce in irritation. You want us to protect her, so she is somewhere safe.

Rather than being safe with you, mocked Tyrell.

Mikhail looked at the twins. "Is he always like this?"

"Worse," muttered Samuel.

"And yet he believes in your union with one female?"

"He stopped questioning it once he realized we were serious about bringing her before you."

Tyrell gave a soft laugh. As a former vampire, I'd never even think to do such a thing. So they must be her true lifemates.

"Enough of this," said Gregori in a low voice. "Show yourself or we will easily hunt you down."

Oh really.

Pierce frowned at the Dark One. "I should have warned you. He still maintains the arrogance of a vampire."

Oh, it's not arrogance. It's a fact.

Samuel rolled his eyes. "You agreed to come to this meeting."

I want Carissa with you.

"Why?" Samuel demanded.

It is clear these ancients give you little credibility. So why should I show myself without a little insurance? Bring her now or I will simply leave. And Gregori, you will not find me no matter how hard you search.

Gregori gave a low growl and was about to snap at Tyrell when Mikhail placed a hand on his shoulder. The Prince slowly shook his head and spoke to the twins. "Bring your lifemate. She will be well protected with all of us here."

It took time, but Pierce and Samuel agreed for Jacques to bring Carissa. When she entered the cave, she looked around with uncertainty at all of the males. Samuel reached for her hand, and she gladly went to embrace him. When she turned and gave Pierce a quick kiss, the ancients in the cave simply shook their heads in disgust as they watched her open display of affection with both brothers. Mikhail narrowed his eyes at them, ensuring they remained silent.

There was a stream of mist which entered the cave. It circled near the Falkland twins, before transitioning into Tyrell's human form. The former vampire towered among most of the other males. Dressed in his full-length, black trench coat, he took on a menacing appearance. As usual, his long dark hair was tied behind his head, the smooth waves falling down his back. His watchful eyes scanned the males in the cave before looking at Carissa. He extended his hand toward her.

The Falkland twins grew tense. "She stays with us."

Tyrell smiled. "Than I shall leave."

Carissa pulled herself away from Samuel. "It's okay."

"No, it's not," he hissed back at her.

Carissa used her private link with the twins. I'll be fine, I promise. He already communicated with me privately. He's just doing this for his own protection.

And how often have you talked with him on your own?

Let's not get into that right now. She turned and looked at Tyrell, feeling like even though she agreed to this, she should still trust her lifemates.

I will not harm you, he said softly in her mind.

They don't know that.

Tyrell laughed. Exactly the point.

She took his outreached hand and found herself suddenly whipped around. His arms were like iron, completely heavy and immovable around her. She faced the twins helplessly and for a brief moment, she was truly frightened until Tyrell whispered once more into her mind.

I will not hurt you, Carissa. You have my word.

Is it necessary to scare my lifemates like this? She could see Samuel and Pierce were clearly about to lose it.

Absolutely.

She almost smiled at the mocking sound in his voice. I think you're enjoying this too much.

Gregori's silver eyes marked him. "If it is true that you are no longer a vampire, where is your honor in holding this female?"

Tyrell's laughter was low. "Ah yes, honor. It is everything to a Carpathian. But I am neither vampire nor Carpathian which none of you believe. So having her for a little protection in the event you decide to take me out isn't beneath me."

"Either that or you're just a coward," said Julian as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Or maybe she and the twins are really part of whatever plan you have," said another hunter from somewhere.

"That's enough," said Armando in a deep voice. His eyes flashed with gold, a simple gesture of his power and reminding all the ancients he was the oldest.

Tyrell looked at him. "SongMaker?"

Armando came forward and gave one nod. "Tyrell, son of Anton and Elena Pankov."

For a moment, Tyrell lost his arrogance. He'd heard the stories of Armando having returned. But the reality of now standing before the teacher of Carpathians was hitting him harder than expected. Tyrell was an ancient, but only a few remembered him. As a child, he could remember how disappointed he was when he learned Armando had left their homeland to travel with a wizard. His was younger than the Dark Twins, but could still remember even as a toddler, the feeling of awe he had when Armando was anywhere near him. When he was an adolescent, he felt angry and cheated with the fact that he never had the opportunity to learn under the SongMaker. Perhaps his life would have turned out differently…

Armando seemed to look at him with knowing eyes. "It has been a very long time."

"You never knew me," he snapped.

The SongMaker did not even blink. "I knew every child."

"You abandoned us."

Lucian spoke in a gruff voice. "He was taken by a wizard."

"You mean he freely left us. It matters little what the wizard did." Tyrell's eyes darkened as he looked at the SongMaker. "If you had not left your rightful place, you would not have been under his control."

"If I had not been taken by Javier, I would not be standing here today."

"You lie."

"I never lie. I was on the verge of turning. Each of us have our own journey to take in life. Even your path has a purpose."

Viktor frowned. "I respectfully disagree. Vampires have no path in life. They abandon their soul for emotions, even if the only feeling is the sick pleasure of destroying innocent lives."

Tyrell tightened his hold on Carissa. "I am not a vampire."

Carissa spoke in a soft voice. "I believe him."

But most of the hunters in the room scoffed or laughed at her. "I am uncertain you can place such trust in someone who is clearly threatening your life, little one," said Vikirnoff with a smile.

Pierce glanced at his twin. He called her little.

Should we stand back? asked Samuel.

Carissa did not disappoint them. "How dare you!" she snapped. "Wasn't it me who told all of you that Pierce and Samuel are my lifemates? But you refused to believe the truth! And now, once again, you won't listen to me."

Lucian sighed. "You being a lifemate with two males was hard enough to believe. Now taking your word that this male is no longer a vampire is even harder."

Her eyes grew heated. "Tyrell, let go of me." When he hesitated, she connected with him on their private path. I'll throw myself in front of you before I'd let them do anything. Do you hear me?

Tyrell was truly baffled by the thought of her actually risking her life for him. Slowly, he let go of her and stepped back. He felt completely vulnerable now in this cave, surrounded by hunters. By every right, they could sentence him to death.

Carissa looked at Armando. "I don't trust a lot of the men here, but I trust you. Ask him what you want to know and then let him go."

Darius came forward. "This vampire has committed a number of crimes against humanity and our own people."

"Or you're still sore at the fact that I beat you more than a few times back in the United States," interjected Tyrell with a mocking smile.

But Darius did not even look at him. Instead, he looked directly into Carissa's eyes. "Ask him. Ask him what he did as a vampire."

She trembled, but raised her chin. "I don't care about his past. I only care about who he is today."

"So you do not care about the innocent lives he took?"

Pierce and Samuel's grew tense when they felt her heart beat faster. "That's enough," said Pierce.

"Does she know about the cruelty he inflicted on others?" He continued to gaze intently at Carissa. "This included women. He used them, Carissa."

Tyrell lost all sense of his self-worth when the color drained from Carissa's face. His mouth went dry as her innocent, pure soul saw right through him. He was not even worthy enough to be standing in front of her. If she asked him about what Darius said, Tyrell knew he would simply crumble. He tried to grow angry at this thought. He was more powerful than any of these males!

But he couldn't escape those damn angelic eyes. She was everything he was not. And he found himself longing to please her, even beg for her forgiveness. If he had any honor left inside him, he'd seek the dawn.

Her voice was surprisingly strong. "He saved my life. He should get the chance to redeem himself."

After a moment of silence, a faint smile touched Armando's lips. He looked at Tyrell. "I can see why you saved her. She is strong, is she not?"

"She is," he murmured. He diverted his eyes away as the SongMaker was watching him far too closely.

"This emotion you have," Armando said slowly, "when did it return?"

"Morrison." He was not going to humiliate himself by retelling how they'd fooled and captured him. How the hell would he have known a handful of little glowing rocks could have such power?

"They controlled your emotions. How?"

Tyrell's hands curled into fists. "They had some type of mineral…it was like a power I've never known."

"And what happened when they took away that emotion?" Armando asked softly.

"Pain. So much pain I would have sought the dawn to stop it. I had no…choice but to do what they wanted."

Armando nodded. "The same was for me."

"So this is due to a wizard?" asked Julian.

"I don't know," replied Tyrell in a rough voice. "I never saw a wizard. But no common mortal could penetrate minds like we saw with the executives at Logtech. It has to be the only explanation. Someone with inherit powers somehow obtained these minerals and then partnered with Morrison."

"It is interesting," said Lucian in a low voice, "that you just happened to save Carissa and follow her all this way. How convenient are the circumstances that now you stand before us telling such an interesting tale."

Tyrell stiffened. "Someone from Morrison traveled here. I followed but quickly found rumors had spread to other vampires of these minerals. If there is one trait I still retain as a vampire, it is the fact I seek revenge for myself."

"Of course. How could something like you even think to care for anyone else."

As Tyrell hissed and Lucian grew ready to defend himself, Mikhail held up his hands between the two of them in a peaceful gesture. "Tyrell is here at our invitation." The Prince stood tall and powerful, clearly indicating his final word on the matter. But he was also keeping things short with Tyrell. "Thank you for the information. You have my word you are free to go."

Surprised at the dismissal, Tyrell watched as Mikhail turned to leave with Gregori protectively close behind. An overwhelming feeling, somewhere deep inside surfaced. "I know what they are planning," he suddenly said hard and fast.

Mikhail stopped and slowly turned back toward him. "They?"

"The vampires."