Chapter 27

Tyrell narrowed his eyes at the young hunter who smiled at him.

"You did not even hear me," he said smugly.

"Which is why you are still standing."

"At least you admit to your fading skills."

Tyrell bared his fangs. "Do not test me, boy."

"You forget yourself, vampire. Our last little encounter left you with a few scars."

"Come closer and I will show you what real scars can look like."

The wind picked up, and a swirl of mist fell between them as Armando took human form. He looked at Nikolai who he noted stood tall before him. The boy he once knew was now appeared as a full fledged Carpathian male. He emerged from the spell once trapped in time. But it was clear these last five years Nikolai had matured in his physical strength. He still had much to learn, however, as Armando's gift allowed him to see images of where Mikhail's nephew had been. There was still much darkness in him, and the SongMaker was concerned Nikolai's thirst to prove himself could be his undoing.

"Tyrell," Armando said in a calm voice, "go wake Arianna."

Tyrell did not trust himself when it came to holding back from attacking the young hunter. He was still angry the boy allowed Arianna to break her wrist. Or maybe he was feeling threatened by the fact that Nikolai was a stunning image of Mikhail. He had an unmistakable power which clung to him. And this young male could most likely have any female he wanted.

He turned to make his way back to Arianna, but not before he heard Nikolai gave a soft laugh.

"Wise of you," the young male mocked.

Before Armando had a chance to interfere, Tyrell was in front of Nikolai in the blink of an eye. In an instant, his hands turned to claws and one of them wrapped around the hunter's throat. Despite Nikolai's height, Tyrell still seemed to tower over him. "Do not think for one moment that because you are related to the Prince, I will show you any mercy."

Surprisingly, the hunter stood his ground, even remaining calm under Tyrell's crushing grip. "I…would hope not." He fought for air and still managed to get his words out with a firm voice. "You are right to question him."

Tyrell growled. "That does not mean I have any design to remove him from power." He suddenly realized the boy reminded him of someone other than just Mikhail. This was indeed the son of Draven. "Your father would have been proud," Tyrell said with sarcasm. "So much power at such a young age. Shame that it will be all for nothing when I am through with you."

Armando's voice was deep and commanding. "Let go of him, Tyrell."

Tyrell's eyes never left Nikolai's face. "You should thank me, SongMaker. I believe the lesson I could teach would be quite valuable to him."

Nikolai murmured something and Tyrell was abruptly yanked back by Armando. Before Tyrell could snap at the SongMaker, a fireball rushed out of Nikolai's hand, barely missing him. The young hunter stood tall, ready to attack Tyrell once again.

Tyrell was taken aback. The boy knew dark magic, more than he had ever seen from someone so young. It did not mean Nikolai could actually beat him, but it was still a possibility. Tyrell had far more years of experience on his side. But if Nikolai ever mastered his patience…he could end up being the most powerful Carpathian ever known with such power.

Armando glared at Tyrell. "Go. Your fate lies with Arianna."

Tyrell silently agreed. This was not his battle. Mikhail, on the other hand, was going to have his hands full with the legacy of Draven. He dissolved into mist, leaving the SongMaker to face an angry Nikolai.

"How can you protect him?" demanded Nikolai. "He's a traitor!"

Armando slowly shook his head. "You know already what Mikhail has commanded. Are you here to really convince me otherwise?"

"I am here to see if you are the teacher I once really knew. I think you know there is by far more knowledge out in the world than you could have ever taught me."

"All hunters must experience time on their own and live independently as they grow. But you are so young, Nikolai."

He hissed in response. "Young? Just how long do you think I was in that cave trapped in time? No, SongMaker, I am far older than any of those precious ancients who try and protect Mikhail."

Armando's voice grew quiet. "Do you really hate your uncle this much?"

"Hate is a very strong word, teacher. I think it is more about securing our future on the right path. And what of you with this vampire and the special human female? No traitor can have a lifemate."

"I know my abilities," replied Armando with confidence. "Do not let something that is different lead you to believe it is wrong."

"Oh yes, like the Falkland twins? Is that where our future lies? One female for every two males?" When the SongMaker did not reply, Nikolai grew more agitated. "What? Are you willing to admit these strange occurrences are becoming more frequent?"

"Our race is finding ways to survive," he calmly replied.

"This is wrong," growled Nikolai. "I cannot stand by and simply watch what is happening to the Carpathians. I know I can find those minerals."

"There is much darkness still in you," cautioned Armando. "Do not throw all that you can be away for the purpose of proving yourself."

"If things keep going the way they are under my uncle's rule, I'm not sure how much longer I may have to survive our future."

"Exactly," replied the SongMaker. "Think of your own future, including that of your lifemate."

Nikolai grew still. "My lifemate…" When Armando said nothing, his jaw clenched. "You know who she is, don't you." It was a statement, not a question. "Who?" he hissed. "One of the children I raised?"

"You know I will not reveal the name."

"Tell me, teacher, did Viktor ever find out that Anya is his lifemate?"

"Each pair must work out their relationship on their own."

"Really? So Anya had to suffer these past five years, sentenced to an overbearing male? And what of Viktor? I recall he thought he was turning vampire with how he was acting around her. Maybe I should pay them a little visit. After all, she must be close to the age of eighteen. It should be time for Viktor to claim her."

Armando frowned. "Do not forget she was in the cave with you. For unexplained reasons, her body matured but it does not mean she is ready. She still has some growing up to do."

"Like me?" Nikolai bit out. "I had trouble mastering the most simple skills. Yet when I left on my own, I quickly discovered I had far more abilities than any of you could have imagined."

"You must let go of the past which causes you such bitterness. Only then can you move forward and find your true self."

He shook his head. "I think by taking my revenge on the Albino will give me the ability to move forward. If you will not help me, then stand aside. And when I succeed, you will see that I am more than ready to find and claim my lifemate."

By the time Tyrell returned to Arianna, he was hungry again.

And not for blood.

He cursed himself as he stood at her bedside, watching her sleep. The covers had slipped down, revealing the top half of her body. The blood red silk night gown he gave her had not been a good idea as the chest line dipped low, revealing the swells of her breasts. Seeing that alone made his trousers uncomfortably tight, as he remembered the feel of her underneath him. He thought it would only be one time, for the sake of showing to make an effort that he tried to claim her.

And now he was realizing it only made him want her more.

He could not help himself as he lowered his face to hers. All he had to do was whisper the command to wake her. But instead he found himself inhaling her scent. Her skin was so delicate. In fact, he worried it looked a little too white. Drawing back the covers, he examined the rest of her, noting she looked too thin. Her human form was growing weak. And he was the cause of it.

Tyrell had the sudden overwhelming urge to protect her, to care for her. What did he know about such things? For so long, he only cared about himself. He only cared about revenge. He did not deserve a gift such as her. She had already been through so much in her life. And he had treated her no better than the scientists who captured her.

With self loathing, he now realized he used her for his own purpose when he physically claimed her. She never questioned it, but simply gave him whatever she wanted. The gift of freedom he tried to give her was not enough. He had failed her in every way possible. Even when he claimed her body, he had not shown her the true meaning of what physical pleasure could really be.

He whispered the command to wake her, and as her eyes fluttered open, Tyrell kissed her lips. The heat that ripped through him was almost unbearable. Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly, as if she'd been craving his touch for an eternity. And when she arched up her body, Tyrell quickly found himself losing control.

No, he would not be selfish again. He pushed down his need and used his fingertips to trail down the side of her leg. His hand slipped underneath her bottom and he enjoyed the soft feeling of her flesh. She gasped as a finger slipped inside the silk panties, but he barely touched her, causing her to whimper for more. He dipped his head down and kissed the swells of her breasts. And then he kissed downward, lower and lower until he was pushing up the nightgown to get at what he really wanted.

By this time, she was beginning to be slick with need for him. He growled deep and kissed her through the panties, teasing her with his tongue. Her hands were buried in his hair as her body grew tense with desire. He heard her say his name and a mere thought had her suddenly naked. What followed was Tyrell's effort to give her pleasure like she had never known. His tongue explored her most intimate place, and Arianna cried out. He was there to help her ride out the waves of pleasure, only to taste her yet again. When he glanced up, he could see her head back on the pillow with her beautiful hair all spread out. Her breasts were moving up and down as she breathed heavily. The tiny buds of her nipples were hardened.

A moment later she shattered again, like a wave came crashing down on her as he groaned in reaction with his own need rising fast. When she grew limp, Tyrell prowled up her body, taking his time to tease and lavish attention with his mouth on her breasts. By the time he positioned himself between her legs, Arianna was bathed in sweat and so was he. She tuned her head and he saw the side of her neck, a sweet temptation which beckoned him. He felt the darkness within him stir, eager to take her blood once more. But when she whispered his name yet again, the sound of her voice reached somewhere deeper within him. This was his lifemate, and he had to take care of her in whatever limited ways he was able to provide. And taking blood she so badly needed was not the right way.

When he finally joined them together, he gasped as he had not anticipated such a perfect fit. Their first time had been rushed and for his selfish purpose. This time there was more awareness of everything from how she moved to meet his body, to the beating of their hearts in unison. And yet it did not take long for her once more to cry out, her body convulsing with pleasure as he closed his eyes from the feeling. He was unable to hold back and he began to take her with harder strokes, a pressure building within him that he could not have stopped even if he wanted to. He felt her breasts against his chest, the softness of her womanhood. Her scent was floral and it intoxicated him.

The explosion he felt was like he was being ripped apart. And for a moment in time, Tyrell felt right and whole. This female was meant for him. They were one soul, even if his was black. And when he came back down from his ecstasy, he only wanted more.

And so he took her again.

By the time it was over, Tyrell knew he would never let her go. She was chained to him for life, a monster that betrayed someone innocent so long ago.

"What are you thinking?" she asked softly. Arianna was still underneath him, her fingers stroking his cheek.

He looked down into her eyes and saw only goodness in them. For once, he was grateful she knew better than to deeply look into his mind since it caused him an unexplainable pain. Because he could not bear to see the look of horror she would give him if she knew his past.

"Tyrell?"

"Nothing," he said gruffly. He rolled off her, but did not take her with him. He instead lay on his back, staring up at the canopy above the bed.

"Thank you."

He grimaced. "For what?"

She swallowed hard. "For…for doing that with me."

Tyrell turned his head and met her eyes. "I know it is too late now for you to have your freedom. So this is what little I can give you for your happiness. That and of course I will ensure your protection."

"But you could give me more-"

"No, Arianna. I will not convert you. Not while I am still seeking to find the vampires being hid to form an army. You have already bonded with me too much." He sighed, realizing for the first time since he could remember, he was actually saying kind words to her. "The fact that our minds cannot fully merge means you will need to at least touch my mind so the emptiness does not consume you."

"It doesn't make sense," she replied softly.

"Yes it does."

She frowned. "How so?"

"Because this is my punishment. This is what I deserve. I can never fully be with my lifemate. You are within reach, and yet I cannot fully claim you."

"So you think that your darkness is what's preventing it?"

"All males have darkness within them. It is the fact that I listened to it and betrayed my people."

Arianna reached out and touched his face again. "There is so much more to you, Tyrell. I see it."

"If that is how you can cope with the situation, so be it."

"I mean it. There is more to you than I think even you can see."

He removed her hand with his, but did not let go of it. "I have to go back."

"Is it true you want to give me what you are able to do as a lifemate?"

Tyrell studied her face. "I have very little I can offer, but yes. You deserve far more."

"Then tell me you will meet with the SongMaker. I-I think he can help."

"No one can help a dark soul, Arianna."

She squeezed his hand. "Is it your soul? Or your mind?"

Author's note: Sorry it's been taking me a while to post...-Anne