Chapter 23

Tyrell did not need to wait long before he received the call. He felt waves of power created by the minerals, intended to lure him to the secret location. The Albino was hidden in a distant part of the mountains, known for unexplored caves which were considered dangerous. A number of them went underground for miles. There were also numerous springs which blocked off some of the various tunnels. Anyone who ventured into these caves could easily become lost in the darkness.

He transformed from mist into a large owl so he was able to fly faster. The night was cold with clouds that blocked out the moon. He found himself thinking about Arianna, hoping he would be able to return to her. When he thought about the unconditional love she gave him, Tyrell began to doubt if he could seek the dawn. Not because he wanted to live, but because he did not want Arianna to die. She would follow him whether she was converted to Carpathian or not. The SongMaker was right. He could no longer use the rationale of her starting a new life to justify his death without her. The bond was too strong. It was too late for them to be separated now.

But now what? He was no honorable Carpathian male. As a traitor, he was condemned to death. The only option was to take Arianna far away. He grimaced at the thought. They would constantly be on the run, forever hiding from hunters. And even if they did manage to survive, Tyrell could not say the words to bind her completely to him. It was an impossible situation. He did not hold much hope for even the SongMaker to find a way to help them.

As he flew closer to one of the mountains, the night became silent. There were no sounds from animals and the air was completely still. He landed at the base of the mountain where there was solid rock walls. Tyrell felt the power of the minerals and although he knew they no longer had any effect on him, he was still sensitive to their pulse. For whatever reason, the minerals had woken him over five years ago when he was captured in one of the Morrison labs. But he had a feeling it was not just the minerals, as Carissa instilled a feeling he'd long forgotten: the urge to protect the innocent.

Who or what was he now?

When he rescued Carissa, it felt as if he'd emerged from some dark dream. He had memories, some too horrific to even think about now. He felt the darkness still within him. And it was that darkness which made him turn and choose a life of a traitor seeking only power. There was a deep memory of his darkest hour in which he was betrayed. He had been entrusted to watch over someone, but that individual was tortured in front of him, sending Tyrell over the edge. The details were not all there and when he tried to dwell on it, his head ached with pain.

He walked alongside the rock walls, searching for an entrance but found nothing. Frustrated, he focused on the ground, wondering if there was a hidden tunnel.

"For an ancient, you appear to lack patience."

Tyrell turned around, startled that he didn't sense the Albino right behind him. Despite his surprise, he simply smiled, making sure to show his teeth. "Vampires are not known for patience."

The Albino simply nodded. "Indeed. It shows how the darkness within you has taken over the logic." There was finally some light wind, and it blew the Albino's snow white hair around his shoulders. His eyes were an eerie light shade of pink. "Where is the female?"

"I found she was more fragile than I thought."

The Albino frowned. "What have you done with her? Don't tell me she is-"

"Dead," finished Tyrell. "I have already failed in my first bargain with you. Pity. And here I thought we might have a beneficial relationship. But the girl was more to your benefit and not mine."

The Albino's eyes narrowed. "She would have been a great value to me. You will learn your place, old one. The power of the minerals may not have the same lasting effect on you, but you still crave the emotion. It is why you came here. You could have easily fled."

Tyrell laughed. "Fled? Perhaps I am here to take over your little band of vampires."

The Albino smiled. "Ah, now there is the attitude of a true ancient vampire. Power." He shook his head. "It is something all vampires crave. I suppose power comes with emotion which only I can provide."

"Power is control," corrected Tyrell. "And I highly doubt your little vampires are satisfied without being able to control someone like you."

"Perhaps," replied the Albino, "yet I am the one still rules them. And you will be a very good addition, given your age."

"I am certain your young vampires do not compare to someone like me."

The Albino leaned against one of the stone walls. "Do you really think you are the only ancient I have?" He laughed, with an odd high pitched sound. It was more like a delighted giggle. "Wait and see, ancient one. I have more than a few master vampires."

Tyrell grew still. If what the Albino said was true, then he could be in a dangerous situation. Tyrell had anticipated weaker vampires, ones that easily fell to the minerals. But if there were other ancients, he could be in danger if they found out he had true emotion. Keeping his face expressionless, he gave a curt nod. "Then I look forward to my introduction."

The Albino raised his eyebrows. "Oh really? Not jealous there are other master vampires?"

"I am still most likely the oldest. Regardless, if what you say is true, it will take more than a few master vampires to defeat Mikhail's hunters."

"Unless more of those hunters belong to me. There are many unattached males, longing for emotion. Without a lifemate, they lose hope. They are quite vulnerable." His eyes glanced at the sky. "The night will not last forever." He waved a hand toward one of the rock walls. A door, hidden so well that none could see how it blended into the rock, opened and revealed a passageway leading to a dark tunnel. "Come and meet your new family."

Arianna fiddled with a pillow on the couch as she sat with Janelle. The SongMaker had politely excused himself shortly after Tyrell left. She assumed it was probably to privately communicate with the Prince about the latest events.

Janelle set down some vegetable soup in front of her on the coffee table. The aroma was slightly appealing. "It's full of nutrients. It's important to keep up your strength."

Arianna hadn't had anything since being with the Falkland Twins. Even then, it was only tea. Her stomach turned at the thought of any solid food. "I'm not hungry."

"Armando says that's normal. But you should still try. Otherwise you'll become very weak."

Arianna took a spoonful and tasted it. It was very good, but her she immediately felt sick. With her hand over her stomach, she put the spoon down. "I'm sorry, I just can't."

Janelle looked at her with sympathy. "I'm sure Tyrell usually helps you."

"No, he doesn't help me with anything. I've been a constant pain to him…literally."

"All males go through this when they find their lifemate," replied Janelle with a smile.

"I don't think so. How many have turned vampire? How many experience pain when she touches his mind?" She suddenly felt alone and lost again. She desperately wanted to reach out to Tyrell but was fearful it would hurt him. What if he died? What would she do? There was no way she could go on without him. "He doesn't even want me."

She jumped when Janelle placed a hand on hers. "You miss him. The bond is very strong even though he hasn't been able to say the words."

Arianna sighed. "We've had two blood exchanges."

"And?"

She blushed in response. "Well, I'm sure since Armando knows so you also know…well, that Tyrell and I were, um, intimate."

"That doesn't sound like someone who doesn't want you. I think you are feeling his frustration more than anything else. He wants you, but can't have you. And what about his pride? If there is one thing I've learned about Carpathian males, they always want to take care of their females. He can't say the words to complete the bond."

"But he always tells me he can't provide my happiness. He rejects me constantly."

Janelle tilted her head. "I saw how protective he was of you. And whenever he looks at you, those black eyes turn brown. I think deep down he's more afraid that even if gives you his heart, eventually you will reject him for his past."

Arianna shook her head. "I wouldn't do that. I don't care about his past."

"You say you don't care, but do you really know everything? Have you fully seen into his mind?"

"Well, no. It causes him too much pain and he's constantly blocking his mind from me anyway."

"I didn't understand what Armando had gone through until I actually saw it. And if Tyrell turned vampire long ago, I'm not sure I would want to know some of the crimes he's committed. But the only way to show him your true unconditional love is to fully experience everything he did."

A child's voice came echoing down. "Mommy, can you read me the story now?" Arianna looked up and realized there was a balcony far above to the upstairs. A small, little girl was peeking through the banister rails.

Janelle laughed. "In just a little bit. Why don't you come down to meet our guest?"

The little face quickly disappeared and within minutes, the girl was running into Janelle's arms. When she shyly looked up, Arianna was shocked to see the girl had Armando's eyes. The irises were different colors and appeared to glitter.

"Isabella, this is Ms. Castillo."

The girl's eyes widened. "Are you really going to be the lifemate of a vampire?"

"Sorry," said Janelle, "but she is already in our minds constantly. I'm finding it very challenging as a parent to hide anything from her. And she is constantly asking questions."

"The connection is that strong?" asked Arianna with surprise.

"Definitely. And here I thought the other children Armando teaches were challenging. Isabella is constantly seeking information."

"And she is far too intelligent for her own good," said Armando entering the room. He looked down at his daughter and winked at her. Isabella ran to him and he easily lifted her into his arms. As her arms went around Armando's neck to hug him, the girl's long hair, the color of chestnut flowed down her back. It matched the same color as Armando's hair, with the exception of red highlights. It was also nothing but curls, the ringlets soft and natural.

"She looks just like you," said Arianna, still mesmerized by the girl's beautiful features.

Armando grinned. "The day her lifemate finds her will be a very challenging time for me. She and Janelle are my world. I cannot imagine being without either of them." He glanced at Janelle. "Isabella, why don't you go with your mother to read the story? I would like to spend a little time alone with our guest."

As soon as they were alone, Armando sat down on the opposite end of the couch. Leaning forward, he motioned to the soup. "Do you need assistance?"

Arianna's stomach flipped again. "I guess so. I-I don't think I can keep it down."

"If you allow me, I will help you."

She nodded and then was astonished to find the bowl suddenly empty. When she looked at the SongMaker, he smiled at her. "Did you just-"

"You agreed to let me help you. I saw no need to wait."

Her stomach felt full, but not sick like she thought it would be. "Thank you."

"Would you care to take a walk with me into our garden?"

She actually needed some air as once again, she was feeling lonely without Tyrell. "Yes, I'd like that." A short time later, Arianna found herself walking next to Armando in the most amazing garden she'd ever seen. High up on a mountain, she'd never imagined so much could even grow in this climate. But the moon cast a beautiful glow on numerous plants rich with life. "It must be beautiful when this blooms." She stopped, realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry, I forgot you can't go out in the sunlight."

"We can actually go out in the early dawn or when the sun is beginning to set. So yes, I have seen a number of these plants flower. But it is good for you to remember our gifts come with a price." Placing his hands behind his back in a thoughtful manner, the SongMaker began to walk again and she followed. "Each of us has our own challenging path in life. Carpathians are a different species, one which has struggled to survive."

"But there is hope. The Falkland twins told me of the children you freed."

"Indeed. But they all are growing at much different rates. Some are now young adolescents, while others appear to still be children, growing at painfully slow pace."

"Why?"

"We believe it had something to do with the types of spells used on them when being trapped in time. The wizards changed over the years and some perhaps had better skills than others."

"Is there anything you can do to help the ones growing so slowly?"

Armando stopped in front of a small pond with a fountain. "Patience," he answered. "When one cannot find an answer, patience is always required, especially within our species. Carpathians outlive humans and have by far more time to use when seeking solutions. Patience is the first critical lesson for any of us to survive."

"I'm uncertain I have that patience when it comes to Tyrell," Arianna said softly.

"On the contrary, it is Tyrell who is impatient. He is quick to jump to a solution which he sees best without seeking input from others."

"Well, it's not like he's been part of a community. He's been on his own for a long time."

"All of us have choices, Arianna. And he now has you. He does not ask what you want. And I am thinking he also did not ask your opinion when it came to his plan to bring you here. Yet you are persistent, refusing to give up on him."

"You are said to be the oldest. Did you," she paused, feeling awkward in asking the question. "Did you know him before he turned vampire?"

"I am afraid I only recall him as a young child before I left. He did not have the opportunity to be one of my students at his age. But I do recall he was a child full of laughter."

Arianna was surprised. "Really?"

"I never saw him without a smile. He stood out among many of the other boys simply because he always saw the good in everything. He was only a toddler, yet I never saw him angry or even sad. Other children wanted to always be around him because of his nature.

"That is hard to imagine," murmured Arianna.

"Indeed. He is definitely not the same today. And yet he remembers my departure with some bitterness."

"You don't think his betrayal had anything to do with you leaving, do you?"

"No, it is simply a symptom of the darkness which is strong within him. He is quick to blame others for his choices."

Arianna grew a little irritated. "He doesn't come across that way to me." She drew a deep breath. "He feels ashamed and responsible for his choices."

"I actually agree with you."

"But you just said-"

"I said he is quick to blame others, yes. But when he does, my instinct tells me he is doing so to carry on a façade. As if he is playing the part."

"I don't understand."

The SongMaker's eyes glittered as he looked down at her. "You have not been able to see the full extent of his mind. But with what little you have seen, what do you feel?"

She hesitated. The truth was she couldn't understand any of the mixed images in his mind. She thought it was simply because there was not enough time to even dwell on anything because of the pain it brought him. But there was something else…

"Say it, Arianna."

"I-I feel confused."

"Go on."

She shifted in her stance. "It's like, it's not always him which is hiding things from me. I mean, he keeps his mind tightly closed around me most of the time. But the few times I have seen glimpses of his mind, the memories aren't very clear."

The SongMaker nodded. "I have a gift when I look upon Carpathians to see images of major events in their lives. But Tyrell's memories are ghostly images to me. They are not crisp and clear as I so often see with others."

"What does that mean? Are those memories just simply buried too deep?"

"Perhaps," replied Armando in a thoughtful tone. "but I did not experience the same phenomenon with Jacques, the brother of the Prince. He was held captive in a coffin within the soil for many years. The torture of such an event left him with damaged memories, many buried so deep they were lost. Despite this, I could still see clear glimpses of those memories. It is not the same with Tyrell."

"So, what do you believe it might mean?"

Armando was quiet for a moment, before he turned and looked up at the moon. "There are memories hidden in his mind." He looked back down at her with serious eyes. "While other memories may have been created by someone else."

Author's note: Hmmmm, so many possibilities... -Anne