Pater screamed, contorting, attempting to spin around in the small confines of the burrow, his spiked tail lashing, but his very bulk defeated him. Flames danced over the scales, sizzled and bubbled the reptile’s skin, searing down to the bone. Fire raced the length of his body, blackening the scales, fouling the air with a terrible stench. The carcass split open, spilling the vampire onto the cave floor. He was hissing in rage, crawling toward her, his eyes glowing a fiery red, fixed on her with malice.
Destiny tried to gather herself to meet the attack, but her body failed her, useless without nourishment, her strength spent on the battle to drive out the poisonous virus.
Just look at him. Nicolae was completely confident. His certainty struck a chord deep inside her. He was engaged in his own life-and-death struggle, with a human in his care, evading vampires while he aided her, yet he was supremely confident of his ability to protect her. And she believed him.
Destiny didn’t take her gaze from Pater. A small, grim smile touched her mouth. She looked exhausted and weak, but she was also relaxed and certain.
Pater read her expression, saw her eyes, the power swirling in the blue-green depths, power not her own, and he knew he had failed. His minions had not kept the ancient occupied. He was staring at death. In desperation he threw up a barrier, burrowing into the ground as he did so. Inches from Destiny, vines erupted from the ground. Giant tentacles reached for her, flowers opening to reveal tiny piranhalike teeth snapping close to her legs.
She drew away from the plants with her last remaining strength. Even as she did, she felt the power moving through her, saw the vines wither and die, dropping in the dirt to disintegrate into lifeless black strings. Destiny slumped against the wall of the cave, breathing a sigh of relief. Pater had escaped a second time, but he hadn’t managed to use her to destroy Nicolae.
The battle in the air was fading, the vampires retreating at their master’s call. Vikirnoff had managed to destroy one of the undead, calling on lightning to incinerate his black heart.
Nicolae had managed to evade the other three, even while keeping Martin safe and fighting off Pater’s attack on Destiny. He was worried, though. He could sense Destiny’s weakness.
Take Martin back to the city for me while I see to Destiny, Nicolae said to his brother. He must be healed and his memories removed.
He is your human. I do not deal well with such people. They make no sense to me. I must feed if I am to supply you with what you need. You should take what you need from that one before you go to your lifemate. But you will not because she will be angry if you do. It makes no sense. Prey is prey.
Nicolae glared at his brother, but the gesture was lost on Vikirnoff. Destiny. I must see that Martin’s wounds are healed and that he gets home safely.
Of course you must. There was something new in her voice. A soft note of warmth, of love that hadn’t been there before. Nicolae was certain she was unaware of it, but it spread fire in his belly and sent his heart leaping with joy. I’m a little tired, but I’m all right. Do what you have to do, then come back and get me. I’ll even let you play the big hero. You can pick me up and carry me home.
Nicolae found himself smiling as he whisked Martin across the sky, back to the comparative safety of the city. You like it when I carry you around. Especially if you do not have any clothes on.
Her laughter bubbled up, soft and melodic, warming him even more, filling him completely with happiness. He also heard the note of utter weariness in her voice when she spoke to him. You like it when I have no clothes on. That mind of yours is a minefield of erotic images. It is true what they say about men thinking of sex every few seconds.
I have been in your mind too, Destiny.