Chapter 26
Someone was crying. Tyrell could hear the sobs coming from a female.
Prince Vlad was standing in front of his hunters, several of them with darkened faces. "The loss of a pair is always difficult. But they are in a better place."
Tyrell saw they were standing under the night sky, a gathering to mourn the sudden loss of a hunter and his mate. As he looked over at their only child, a daughter called Marina, Tyrell recalled his own lost feelings when his parents died. However, she was at least older than he was when a master vampire murdered his father. Marina was around one hundred years of age. With their female numbers beginning to dwindle, an attempt had already been made to find her lifemate. But either the one she was destined for had turned or already passed into the next life, for none of the males were able to claim her. Prince Vlad held out hope that her lifemate hadn't been yet born. Tyrell found this a little hard to believe as he'd never known a pair where the female was older, but he had faith in his Prince.
"She will need a guardian," someone said.
Prince Vlad nodded. "Agreed. And she must be taken elsewhere for protection. Further threats are being made against her. The vampire who murdered her parents had somehow received information about their mission."
"Which is why females should never be allowed to hunt," hissed one of the ancients.
Prince Vlad frowned. "Female hunters are rare, but I admit, as our numbers continue to dwindle, we can no longer take more risks."
Marina spoke in a broken voice. "But I am destined to be a hunter."
"Never," spat one of the unattached males.
Prince Vlad glared at him and the male bowed his head. The Prince looked at Marina with sympathetic eyes. "In time, we will prosper one day again. Until then, we must think of the survival of our species."
"It is unfair. I must avenge my parents!"
"No, Marina. You will not. Others will seek and destroy our enemies. You must think from a broader perspective with making sure you have a future with your own lifemate."
Tyrell's closest friend, Ramirez spoke up. "Your parents were like my own, little one. They would have designated me to be entrusted with your care." Many of the ancients murmured in agreement, but surprisingly, Prince Vlad did not respond to the suggestion.
"I do not need any male to look after me," Marina protested. She actually backed away from Ramirez. And for a moment, a shadow of fear flickered in her eyes.
"Ramirez is one of our strongest," said another male.
"He is also unattached," Marina whispered.
"Do you dare question his loyalty to the Prince?" growled another male. There were further voices in agreement.
Until Prince Vlad spoke.
"I believe another to be a better choice."
The statement was met with complete silence. Shock registered on most of their faces as the Prince continued to look at Marina.
"Who then? The Dark Twins?" asked one of the ancients.
Prince Vlad slowly shook his head. "They are not here, serving their future purpose another way. I believe…Tyrell Pankov."
Tyrell felt every pair of eyes turn on him. While confident in his abilities, he had never been given a command to protect a female. He was one of the few who still had emotion as an older, unattached male.
"There are others with more experience," someone said.
Tyrell was about to agree when Ramirez stepped forward.
"I believe he is a good choice," his friend said. Tyrell looked at him in question and Ramirez nodded at him with confidence. "He is far from turning. And Marina, he will give you at least some freedom." He gave her a cool smile. "Far better than some of us more experienced, and at times, overbearing males."
Marina looked at Tyrell. "While I still do not think this is necessary," she drew a deep breath, "it seems I have little choice. Yes, I would prefer Tyrell." She glanced at Ramirez. "At least he can still make me laugh."
The images faded and it was then Tyrell realized he was still deep in the earth. He immediately reached out to Arianna, and with relief, found that she was still there in the bed above him. He sensed it was close to early evening.
It was interesting that such memories in detail were returning to him. Or was it a dream? He scoffed at that idea. His kind did not dream, so it was a ridiculous notion. No doubt his encounter with Ramirez had simply brought forth memories he'd long since forgotten. Or, not forgotten, but buried deep.
Despite his severe injuries, he felt stronger. The soil was rejuvenating his body. He was also hungry, and a sense of dread came over him as he thought about Arianna so close, with her blood calling to him. Sharing a blood bond with the SongMaker had been wise, and he would use it to his advantage. When Armando answered, Tyrell tried calling on his patience as it would take some time for the SongMaker to feed.
Finally, when Armando sent for him, Tyrell burst out of the earth. He did not even dare to look at Arianna, fearing his darkness would surface and overtake any sensible thoughts. But when he ventured out into the garden, he was surprised to hear Armando begin to sing. It was unlike anything he ever heard, the notes penetrating his very soul. He stopped in his tracks as he watched the ancient. Armando's back was to him, his head held high while he sang in Italian.
Soon, a number of owls began to land in nearby trees. Tyrell instinctively moved into the shadows, using his abilities to hide himself as he knew Armando's voice had attracted a number of unattached Carpathian males. And he could see why. The SongMaker indeed soothed the most distant hunter close to turning. While it would not stop the darkness, his voice provided a momentary breath of fresh air, giving them strength to continue to hold on until they found their own lifemate. In the meantime, Tyrell did not need to attract any further unwanted attention to himself.
As the notes to the song finally faded away, Armando nodded at the owls, saying something to them in the ancient Carpathian language. One by one, they lifted away and into the night sky. Seeing it was safe to emerge, Tyrell could not hold back his irritation. "You could have warned me."
Without turning around, Armando answered in a quiet voice. "I sing every night for them, my voice penetrates over a vast distance. In fact, I sang the night you arrived a few days ago."
"I did not-"
"Hear me?" asked the SongMaker as he faced Tyrell. With his hands behind his back, the ancient approached him. "It is interesting, as I when I sing that particular song, I direct my voice to only be heard by those who are unattached males, close to turning."
Tyrell crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Then vampires would not be able to hear you."
"Neither can Carpathians with lifemates."
Tyrell hesitated. "I have not fully bound her to me."
"Yet the minerals have no effect on you now."
"This is a useless topic and I am certain you can feel my hunger. I can certainly go to the local village to satisfy my needs before returning to the Albino and wizard."
Armando raised an eyebrow. "Were you not going to wake Arianna in person?" When Tyrell did not answer, the SongMaker pressed the issue further. "You promised her you would try."
He sighed in response, suddenly feeling very tired. "Since when do vampires keep their promises?"
Armando held out his wrist. "At one time I thought you said you were unsure of what you were. Take freely what I offer."
Tyrell walked closer and accepted the ancient's gift. He murmured his thanks in the ancient language, before taking what his body so badly needed. The blood hit him hard, the power from such an ancient quickly giving him strength. He tried not to take too much, but Armando insisted, citing he needed as much as possible to heal. By the time he was finished, the SongMaker was obviously weakened as he appeared to almost lose his balance.
"I will be fine," muttered Armando when Tyrell reached out to steady him. "The village is not far and it is still early." His glittering eyes had lost some of their color when he looked at Tyrell. "Without assistance from other, the Albino and wizard know you cannot possibly recover from your injuries so quickly."
"They believe me to be one of the most powerful master vampires."
The SongMaker smiled. "Then it may be a good strategy to admit to them you have at least a few weaknesses. Tell them you are still in your lair, needing further time to recover."
"You are trying to make me stay here with Arianna."
"You need time to think through the situation."
"Either that or you have asked Mikhail to pay a little visit to your home."
The SongMaker appeared too tired to argue. "Delaying your time with the enemy will only help you, Tyrell. You are not fully healed, even with my blood and you know it. And Arianna suffered greatly from so little contact with you last night. There is much more you and I also need to discuss. Think on what I say before you act."
He watched as Armando transformed into an owl and took off into the night sky. As much as he hated to admit it, the SongMaker was probably correct. While he felt the ancient's blood coursing through his veins, he was still weakened from the attack. Even worse, Tyrell could not get his mind off of what Armando said about Arianna suffering from the separation. Their bond had become stronger. She was still human, too frail to endure much more of this.
But he had no way of getting a message to the Albino. Unfortunately, he knew of one solution which he loathed. Closing his eyes, Tyrell reached out on his blood connection to Ramirez. He actually cringed when the vampire responded.
How are you after your little adventure last evening?
Vampires never admitted weakness and Tyrell knew what he had to say. Strong enough to defeat you.
Ramirez laughed softly in his mind. I highly doubt that, old friend. I suggest you stay in your little lair for at least one more night.
It was exactly what Tyrell hoped for, but didn't dare let it show. I can do whatever I wish.
You are as much of a prisoner as the rest of us. Reserve your strength. Together we will find a way to defeat Sergio and Ramiro.
They will call me soon.
I will convince them otherwise. There is another test they have for you. I will let them know you must be at your full strength to demonstrate the amount of power you have.
What kind of test? growled Tyrell. Had he not already been tested enough?
Is it true you see in color?
He did not like the curiosity in Ramirez's voice. Although I hate to admit it, this is not the first time I was under control of these minerals. Five years ago I escaped when one of the labs was burned to the ground by an explosion. When he communicated this, Tyrell made sure his mind was tightly guarded. There was no need to risk Carissa or the twins with what they did to save him. I believe those minerals were different. For whatever reason, they gave me back the ability to see in color. It must be tied to the use of emotion they controlled with me.
Strange, as it has never happened in the army of vampires being built.
There was still obvious doubt in Ramirez's mind. Tyrell would have to be extremely careful as this vampire suspected something. You and I are most likely the oldest. How long have you been under their command?
Not long, only a few months. Are you saying you were with Morrison for a longer period of time? Ramirez was obviously amused by such an admission.
You will see, old friend, mocked Tyrell. Time will not be on your side when it comes to the power of those minerals. The addiction will grow worse. However, I will admit, should you find a way to get free, you will have lasting effects from them.
Interesting, replied Ramirez who was obviously intrigued. Even better if we could get the minerals ourselves. We could control the army of vampires.
Tyrell laughed. There is no 'we', old friend. Only I will rise to power like no other.
Spoken like the vampire I knew so long ago. Tell me, Tyrell, do you still hear her screams inside your mind?
Pain shot through Tyrell's head and he grabbed onto a nearby tree. Somehow he had been betrayed by the Prince, but he couldn't remember everything. But he did remember the anger, so much that it made him forsake all his honor to turn against the Carpathians. He broke off the connection with Ramirez.
Rubbing his aching head, Tyrell knew at least Ramirez would hold off the Albino and wizard from calling him, at least for tonight. What other damn test must he now face? He needed more answers as to where the other vampires were being kept hidden.
An unexpected feeling of someone behind him made Tyrell sharply turn around. Nikolai, the young hunter and nephew to Mikhail stood before him.