Chapter 39

Nikolai paced anxiously as he waited. They'd been alerted to the fact that the twins and his uncle were in a trap. Gregori sent word he and the remaining hunters were racing back to defend the Prince while everyone else was ordered to stay where they were for their own protection. Nikolai and Raven were safe in Mikhail's home, yet he was sorely tempted to find a way and help.

"No," said Raven firmly, "you need to stay here. Mikhail would be worried about you."

"You mean he doesn't need a distraction such as me," said Nikolai.

"That's not what I meant." Nikolai stopped pacing and looked at her. For the first time, Raven felt a chill as his eyes were black as midnight, as if the darkness within the young Carpathian was struggling to break free. Raven drew a deep breath. "I need you here, Nikolai."

He frowned as she suddenly avoided his eyes and went over to pick up her infant son. "The safeguards would protect both of you."

"Please don't argue. I want you to stay here."

"Do you?"

Raven walked toward the kitchen, her hands tightening their hold on her son. She couldn't help herself. There was something about him that was making her nervous. "Of course I do."

"What is wrong?"

"Nothing." She could hear his footsteps behind her. Raven reached the kitchen and busied herself with taking out a few things. Gary would probably be stopping by later for an update and may want some food.

"You seem to be avoiding me."

Raven tried to hide the frown that was forming. "I'm just occupying myself. You're not the only one worried about everything."

"It's not that. It's something else." Nikolai reached out to touch her arm. To his dismay, she jumped and pulled away. "You're frightened."

"Yes! Why wouldn't I be? Mikhail has blocked me from his mind. I can't concentrate."

"And that's why you can't look me in the eye?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Admit it, Raven. You're also frightened of me."

She turned to face him, as if proving there wasn't anything wrong. But Raven was dismayed to find Nikolai's eyes as black as before. The young boy who she once knew now was gone. Nikolai had grown even more in height over the last few weeks. And while she never knew Nikolai's father, she had to believe he was now looking just like him. True, he had features of Mikhail and Jacques, but there was something else…like a sharpness to his jaw and cheeks. He was as handsome as any adult Carpathian, but in other ways he appeared almost domineering, as if his power was meant for controlling others.

She raised her chin. "Nikolai, why don't you reach out to some of the families and check on the children. You know most of them sense what is going on, and I'm sure you could reassure them."

He raised an eyebrow. "Like I am reassuring you right now?"

"Their innocent children."

"Like your son."

Raven shifted uncomfortably.

"You're worried that I am turning into something dark," said Nikolai softly. "I can feel it. I can see it in your eyes."

"You are our nephew. You have Mikhail inside of you…"

"And my father, Draven." He continued to stare at her. "Who had little regard for women. He used them, even raped them."

"Stop it," whispered Raven.

For a moment, Nikolai felt something shift inside of him, as if some unknown power was eagerly surfacing due to Raven's fear. It was the same feeling he had when his hand plunged into Josef's chest. It made him feel invincible, no longer an insignificant fledgling among Carpathians.

"Nikolai?"

He blinked, realizing what he was feeling and that it was wrong. "I'm sorry…I need to go."

"No!" Despite her fear, Raven worried that if he left, Nikolai might be lost forever. "You need to stay here."

He raked a hand through his hair and spoke in such a deep voice, Raven actually took a step back. "I am leaving and you cannot stop me. No one can."

"Please, you need to think. If you go out there, you could be-"

"Killed?" A slow smile formed. "I think we both know I am not leaving to hunt vampires. It's for the safety of you and your son."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tyrell watched as Gregori closed the earth over the twins and Carissa. The Dark One slowly stood, his silver eyes now turning toward him. The other hunters were still close, too close for his comfort. Tyrell bared his fangs as the golden warrior took a step toward him.

Mikhail's voice interrupted what might have been another confrontation. "Julian, back away."

"He's a traitor."

"That traitor saved the life of myself and the twins."

There was complete silence, as if the hunters were trying to decide if their ears were working properly. Finally, Darius stepped forward, shaking his head in disagreement. "I have known him too long, Mikhail."

Tyrell could not help but give a low laugh. "You are a mere boy in comparison to me."

"And yet I managed to wound you a number of times during our encounters in the United States."

"But never win," replied Tyrell.

"I can take you down this very moment."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Enough!" snapped Mikhail. He sighed as he looked at Tyrell. "You are not helping the situation."

He gave a mocking bow of his head. "I was unaware you needed help with having your hunters obey your command."

Vikirnoff snorted. "There are times the protection of our Prince comes before anything else."

"Ah yes," replied Tyrell, "he is a young Prince. That ego of yours most likely needs to say such things to make yourself believe you are of any use."

"Keep it up, vampire," growled Vikirnoff, "and I'll show you just how much use I can be."

Mikhail crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Tyrell, do you want them to extract that heart out of your chest? Because it seems as if you are baiting a tiger."

Tyrell gave a smirk. "Can I help it if he needs to be put in his place?"

"I believe that is my responsibility, not yours," replied the Prince in a low voice. "You may have saved my life, but it will only grant you so much leniency."

"Oh? Do I get granted anything else?"

"Such as?"

Tyrell looked around at the assembled hunters. "To leave me alone so I can get on with my vengeance."

Darius narrowed his eyes. "We cannot trust him."

"Was I speaking to you?" asked Tyrell.

"He doesn't know you like I do," persisted Darius. He took a step forward. "Mikhail didn't see the crimes you committed. The innocent men you killed while feeding, the women you used. You deserve death and you know it."

"Death is not on my agenda for today," replied Tyrell, "however if you insist, I could certainly arrange for yours today."

Mikhail held up a hand as Darius scowled. The Prince patiently looked at Tyrell. "I can see your so-called emotion does not allow for alliances."

"I have no need for any alliance; only to be left alone."

"I cannot pardon your crimes," replied Mikhail in a low voice.

"And so there is a death sentence on my black heart. But I want time."

Vikirnoff frowned. "As a vampire, you've had far too much time alive already."

The Prince ignored the remark. "Time. And what exactly will you do with this time?"

"I will find the master vampire, destroy him and any evidence of Morrison I can find."

"How noble," said Julian in a mocking tone. "A vampire who tries to regain honor by hunting down his own kind."

"I don't know what I am!" snapped Tyrell. "And as I am condemned to death, I hardly think regaining my honor even matters."

"How can we trust him?" asked Vikirnoff.

"Agreed," said Gabriel, now joining in. "If we let him go, he could harm other innocent lives. Just because he says he will do what is right, doesn't mean he won't give into temptation to continue his ways."

The SongMaker finally spoke. His voice was soft, but firm. "Then he shall swear an oath."

"Are you mad?" asked Lucian. "We are questioning if he can be trusted! He is not loyal to the Prince."

"But he is loyal to Carissa."

Tyrell's eyes narrowed at Armando.

The SongMaker gave him a knowing look. "When Carissa rises, you will swear to her that you will not harm any innocent lives."

Inside his head, Tyrell said every curse word he knew. The damn SongMaker had pinpointed his exact weakness. For whatever reason, and maybe it was because she helped to save him, he would not be able to look into Carissa's eyes and lie. He would carry out whatever oath he swore to her.

Oh hell, not that it mattered. He had no intention of killing anyone else except the master vampire and Morrison. Right?

"You're very quiet," observed Lucian. "No snappy remark for the SongMaker?"

Tyrell clenched his jaw but then simply shrugged. "If Carissa is the only answer to give me more time, so be it."

Gregori glided forward. "And your blood."

Tyrell curled his hands into fists. "To hunt me down whenever you wish? How do I know I have your word that you will give me time?"

The Dark One gave no expression. "And is my word any less than yours?"

"If I have to swear an oath to Carissa, then you must swear on the lives of your daughters."

Gregori growled. "Do not test me."

"My very life is at stake and I can demand nothing in return for you to keep your word?"

"Five years," said Gregori in a dark voice. "I give you up to five years to hunt down the master vampire and whatever you find of Morrison. Succeed or not, I will hunt you down once the time period has ended. That is what I swear on the life of my daughters."

Tyrell moved directly in front of Gregori and held out his wrist. "So be it."

Author's note: My apologies everyone; I was taken away due to business travel and being heavily involved in creating seasonal videos with my daughters' color guard shows. Things have calmed down a bit so hopefully I can get back to writing. This story is almost finished with the next story being about Tyrell and Nikolai. -Anne