Chapter 30

"This is insane," muttered Tyrell as he made his way through the SongMaker's home. He was headed to the upper level, where he would bid Arianna a final goodbye before once more returning to the Albino and wizard. And now he was to actually capture a master vampire without giving away the minerals had no impact on him?

"I don't like how you just thought about this being a final goodbye," Arianna protested from behind him.

Surprised, he stopped and turned around. "You read my mind."

She blinked. "Well, yes…"

He frowned. "You have touched my mind before, but never been able to actual read my thoughts or at least not without-"

"You feeling pain?" finished Armando who had walked up behind Arianna.

Was it him, or did it feel like his heart was beginning to beat faster? Tyrell slowly met the SongMaker's eyes. "Are you saying she can now fully communicate with me?"

"No, I think a deep mind connection between both of you will still be an issue. But I sense some notable improvement in your connection. Something happened with me releasing those memories, Tyrell. You are not fully healed, but it has unlocked something within your mind. You must trust me."

Tyrell narrowed his eyes. "Trust," he said slowly, "including your demand to bring back Ramirez."

"Yes."

"Alive."

Armando sighed. "Yes."

"And if I only bring back his ashes?"

"Then your true memories may be lost forever."

Tyrell scowled. "What possible memories would I want to recover?" He felt Arianna tremble but he tried to ignore it. "A lot of good any of it will do me. Better for me to find the hidden army of vampires and destroy the Albino and wizard."

"Not without help," said Mikhail who was now in the room.

"I am sure your second in command would disagree," replied Tyrell.

"At least that is one area we can agree upon," growled Gregori as he appeared and stepped slightly in front of Mikhail.

"Yes, listen to your bodyguard little Prince," mocked Tyrell. "It is for your own good." He glared at the SongMaker. "And you should stop giving such false hope to my lifemate."

"And you should stop running from your past," Armando said softly.

"What do I have to run from? I already know my past. I was betrayed and so I turned out of anger."

The SongMaker shook his head. "And yet you saved Carissa."

Tyrell frowned. "No special female should ever be taken by a human."

"Ah, so that was all it was?"

"You know nothing."

"And what of saving her lifemate Samuel from the fire?"

"I did not save him. His twin did!"

"You stayed behind when you could have abandoned him."

"Only because of Carissa."

Armando's eyes glittered. "I see. Then why did you save the Prince?"

"What?" he asked, growing annoyed with this entire conversation.

"Five years ago, a band of vampires led the twins and Mikhail into a trap."

"The Falkland twins would have died-"

"You could have saved the twins but let Mikhail be captured. If Carissa was all that mattered, why did you bother to save-"

"Enough of this! If you think deep down I am some ridiculous honorable male who serves the Prince, you might as well let the Dark One take me down now."

Gregori said nothing except folded his arms over his chest and gave on curt nod while Armando frowned. "Are you not the least suspicious of what happened? Why would someone hide your memories? If you were betrayed and then turned because of it, why would anyone bother burying that specific memory or what happened after? Another male fallen into the darkness among countless others we have lost."

"He has a point," said Mikhail. "Is Ramirez behind this and if so, why?"

Tyrell had no answer. Perhaps before he killed Ramirez he would torture the information out of him.

"You should take one of our hunters."

"Excuse me?" he snapped. "Are you trying to let them kill me before Gregori has the chance?"

The Prince smiled. "Why not think of alternatives to aid you instead of going on this dangerous mission alone? You could take one of the hunters as a hostage."

Tyrell gave a low laugh. "Clever, little Prince. But I highly doubt any of your loyal hunters would allow their ego to go so low in ever admitting I captured them as a prize, even to the Albino or wizard."

Arianna squeezed his hand. "But he's right. I don't like you doing this alone."

"I have been doing this on my own for the last few hundred years, my dear. I need no one."

"You haven't been through anything like this!" Tears began to form in her eyes. "And what if they do something to you again? What if you don't survive?"

It was true some other damn test waited for him according to Ramirez. He did not want to worry Arianna in admitting such a thing. "The Albino and wizard are too intelligent to think I just happened to capture a Carpathian male."

"If you were to take an attached male, they may think otherwise," replied Mikhail.

"We cannot risk a mated pair," protested Gregori.

"It is the only way for the wizard and Albino to believe Tyrell has actually taken one hostage. They know we would never take such a risk."

"And we should not," Gregori practically snapped. "Mikhail, every mated pair is needed for the survival of our species. The council will not agree to something like this."

Armando raised his eyebrows. "And does the council dictate to the Prince? They are to supply advice and counsel, not tell him what to do."

The Dark One's silver eyes flashed. "Then perhaps we no longer need you to counsel Mikhail."

Armando responded with a cool smile. "My purpose is to teach our future generations. Your only concern should be protecting Mikhail, not questioning him."

Gregori growled as the Prince sighed and stepped forward. Shaking his head, Mikhail looked at Tyrell. "I only ask that you think of other alternatives. Think of your lifemate. You cannot fully bind yourself to her. Should anything happen to you, what will happen to her? She cannot follow you." He raised his hand before Tyrell could snap at him. "And before you say such a think would be for the best, Arianna would be completely lost. The sadness would consume her. Your bond is now too strong. It is too late and you know it."

Tyrell clenched his jaw, knowing Mikhail was right. Whenever he even looked at Arianna, something inside of him twisted. The thought of her in such a state without him made Tyrell think twice about his plan.

Although he refused to think about why he felt such a thing.

"A mated pair is too dangerous," he finally said, "however, perhaps you have a male that is close to turning. One who they may believe I lured back to them."

Gregori was silent for a moment. "There is too great of a risk with the ones we have left. They may not help you in the end, but turn against you."

"Then I have only one other alternative. And he is not going to like it."

Nikolai could not seem to help himself. This was the third time he went back to secretly watch Elana and Anya since seeing them a few days ago. Hiding as a small barn owl in a tree, he could not understand the impulse to make sure they were safe. Then again, he actually missed all the children. Maybe he was trying to relive his past or find where his place was. His uncle was being a careless leader, allowing things that should not be. Twins share a lifemate? A vampire claiming one of their special females?

As always, Viktor was following the two females, keeping a firm eye on them as they appeared to be enjoying themselves while they walked along a river. They were laughing and whispering to each other. He could see Anya turn to look behind them occasionally, watching Viktor as he followed silently behind them. Nikolai stayed with them until at last the females were safely in Viktor's home and he strangely felt relieved.

Which was ridiculous.

Viktor was a formidable opponent and not one who would be taken down easily by any vampire. But the rumors of an army of vampires set Nikolai on edge. If his uncle could not find them, he would. He was diligent in practicing his new found power. The SongMaker warned him that he was too young to prove himself and he would end up being lost. Nikolai scoffed at the thought. How little his former teacher knew. Nikolai discovered he was far from lost and in fact found himself these last five years. He was going to be stronger than any of them.

He was about to fly off when the door reopened and Viktor emerged. Nikolai huddled down in the branches of the tree. He had become a master of making himself invisible even to ancients. Viktor might sense his presence, but the ancient had no idea where or even who he was.

Frowning, Viktor scanned the trees and the sky. "You cannot hide forever."

How wrong he was, thought Nikolai. He would do whatever was necessary when needed. But to his complete surprise, another ancient suddenly emerged as a swirl of black mist unfolded before Viktor. Nikolai almost growled even in the shape of his small owl as he watched Tyrell take form. As always, the vampire was tall and dark, with eyes that looked like black ice.

"Why are you here?" demanded Viktor. "You may be under the SongMaker's protection but not mine."

"Circumstances have changed," replied Tyrell in a low voice. "I must return to the Albino and wizard, but this time with Mikhail's acceptance of the situation."

Nikolai grew disgusted. Trusting a vampire to hunt down other vampires? He heard rumors of Tyrell saving his uncle during a battle, but it could all be an illusion. Mikhail was far too trusting of this dark ancient.

Viktor was silent for a moment, most likely confirming Tyrell's statement with the Prince himself through their blood connection. "And what purpose do you have in coming for me?"

"I am not here for you. I am here for Nikolai."