Dark Challenge. Christine Feehan. Dark Series – book 5

Her large eyes searched his face before her long lashes veiled her expression. “You are not just saying this to ease my mind?”

“I do not say things to ease anyone’s mind. You should know that about me by now. Lifemates cannot tell an untruth to one another. Seek the information in my mind, Desari, and you will know I believe in what I say to you. And I will call her Syndil as you wish me to. If it is your desire that she be a sister to me, then it will be so.”

“Why do you never speak her name?”

He shrugged with his easy, casual grace, the ripple of power he took for granted, the enormous strength she was coming to know. “Habit. We do not often socialize with unclaimed females of our race, and we do not personalize them. It is a protection for both parties. As males grow close to the end, we would not want any of them fixating on one of our eligible females and perhaps…” He trailed off, suddenly not wanting to articulate it.

Desari swept a hand through her hair. “Attacking her,” she finished for him. “Syndil did not do anything to provoke Savon or lead him on. I know she did not.”

“It never occurred to me for one moment that she did such a thing. A female does not have to do anything to entice a vampire. The undead are perverted, grotesque, wholly evil. In their warped imaginations, they think that if they find an unclaimed female, or perhaps make a widow of one with a mate, they will find their lost souls. It can never be. Once they have chosen such a path, it is for all eternity, until one of our hunters is able to properly destroy them. Most try at some time to find a mate. They use mortal women and sometimes are even able to turn them without killing them. But the woman becomes deranged and feeds on the blood of children. It is a terrible burden to be forced to destroy such a victimized creature. That is the worst of all our jobs.” He stated it matter-of-factly, without looking for sympathy.

Her head brushed his shoulder, their bodies close as they walked together through the forest, winding their way aimlessly through the trees and brush. It was a small gesture, but the touch sent little shock waves through his body. She took away his distress. She gave him so much pleasure. Just being near her gave him pleasure. Breathing in her scent gave him pleasure.

“Julian, you give me the same feeling,” she assured him, pleased she was able to lift his spirits.

“You are a miracle to me,” he said. “You have no idea what you mean to me, what you are to me, and I can never find the words to tell you.”

But she was in his mind. She could feel his emotions, and they were overwhelming to her. To be thought of as he thought of her! It was a powerful weapon the men of their race wielded. How could a lifemate possibly refuse to comfort and love such a man? She wanted this for Darius. She wanted a woman to love him the way she loved Julian. She wanted someone for Syndil and Barack and Dayan, as well.

Julian laughed and curved his arm around her, sweeping her beneath the protection of his shoulder. Of course Desari would think of all the others, wanting to share her joy. It only made him love her more. “Look at the stars tonight, Desari. Tomorrow night there will be a storm. I feel it closing in around us. But tonight we walk together in the open and have time to enjoy ourselves.”

“It is nearly dawn,” she reminded him, a little smile creeping into her voice.

“It is a few hours until dawn,” Julian replied. “More than enough time to accomplish my task.”

“You have a task?” she asked, her dark eyes dancing at him.

“Absolutely. I have to convince you completely that I am the only man you will ever want or need in your lifetime.”

“My lifetime could be quite long,” she pointed out in warning.