I have an excuse, though. You have all those images in your head and I’m thinking them over. Memorizing them.
Her teasing voice caressed his skin, fanned the flames of urgent need, even when he knew rest and the healing soil were the only thing he would allow his lifemate this night. I am proud of you. He had to tell her of his pride, could not keep it to himself. The intensity of his emotions swept through him until he thought he might burst. She had done the impossible, the unthinkable.
You did rather well yourself this night, although your speed could use improvement. Do not think I haven’t noticed the wound on your shoulder when you were just a bit slow shoving your idiot of a brother out of harm’s way.
You are critiquing me? He injected shock and horror into his voice to make her laugh. He loved her laugh. I thought frying the lizard was a nice touch.
I was taught by a master. Really, you could use a few tips. The amusement was already fading from her voice, leaving her sounding drowsy. I’m tired, Nicolae. I must rest until you return.
He shared her mind as she set safeguards; they would be easy enough to unravel now that he knew the complicated patterns, I will return swiftly.
No need. I will rest in the soil.
Just like that she was gone from him. He knew she was safe, that she had gone to ground, allowing the earth to welcome her, but he needed to hold her, to see for himself that she was safe from all harm. He wanted to carry her to the cave of pools, to perform the healing ritual on her and give her blood before placing her in the rich soil of their lair.
Nicolae controlled his descent so as not to alarm Martin further. He chose a small park a short distance from the man’s home.
Martin trembled uncontrollably. “What were those things? You saved my life.”
Nicolae helped him to sit on the park bench. “It is not necessary to explain. You will not remember them. You will not remember any of this.”
At those words, Martin jerked away from Nicolae. “Like I don’t remember the attack on Father Mulligan? Did you have something to do with that? Did those… those things?”
“I do not know why you cannot remember what happened, Martin,” Nicolae answered honestly. “I cannot find evidence that one of the undead touched you in any way. Either a vampire has grown more powerful than anything I can conceive of, or it was not the influence or work of one. I do not know what happened to you, but I am trying to find out.” He examined the wounds on Martin’s legs. “Fortunately, you were not injected with poison. You were very lucky this time.”
“Lucky?” Martin looked as if he might cry. Then he began to laugh, almost hysterically. “I guess you’re right. If you hadn’t come along, that thing would have eaten me alive. What was it?”
“Martin? Nicolae?” Father Mulligan came up behind them, startled to see them in the park. He had walked right past that bench only minutes earlier and no one had been in sight.
Nicolae heaved a sigh, sitting back on his haunches. The world was conspiring against him. “How are you tonight, Father?”
“What happened to Martin’s legs?” The priest peered anxiously at the gaping, bloody lacerations. “Should I call an ambulance?”
“I can take care of it for him,” Nicolae said. “What are you doing out so late?”
“The storm over the mountains made me uneasy.” The priest’s gaze was shrewd and assessing as he studied Nicolae and then Martin. The blackened wound on Nicolae’s shoulder and Martin’s shredded legs told him more than either would admit in words. “That was no natural storm. Who won?”
Nicolae pushed a hand through his hair. “I would have to say it was a draw. I cannot stay long. Destiny is ill and I must return to her.” He glanced sharply at the priest. “You did not feel a compulsion to come here now, did you?”
“You mean as if I couldn’t stop myself?”