He smiled at her, his teeth very white, very straight. “Do you want it to be?”
Corinne tightened her hold on Dayan. He was her reality. In her body, the baby was moving almost violently. She pressed one hand over her stomach protectively. “She doesn’t like this, Dayan. I think I’d better be dreaming.”
Gregori and Dayan both glanced apprehensively at Darius. He was still merged wholly with the baby. His concentration seemed total. Dayan leaned close to Corinne. “I know Darius. His strength of will. There is no way he will allow our baby to slip away from us.” He bit gently, insistently at her knuckles to keep her attention focused on him. “Tell me how you are feeling, honey. Your color is slightly better.” He was still merged with her, helping to regulate her heart and lungs, terrified of allowing her to try it on her own. “How do you feel?”
Mostly she was afraid for her baby. She took a moment to breathe evenly and stop her panic before it became full-blown. She did feel better; it wasn’t such a terrible struggle just to breathe. She still felt weak and tired and wanted to sleep. “Dayan – ” She said his name very softly, looking around once more. She was still in an underground chamber and there were still people around her. “Am I awake? I can’t seem to tell the difference anymore, and it’s alarming.”
“Right at this moment you are very much awake, Corinne. Some of my family are here with us,” Dayan said with gentle reassurance.
She examined his chest. His shirt was immaculate, unbuttoned, but his chest muscles were smooth, without a single blemish. There was no wound where she had fed. No sign of blood. For some reason, that provided the solace she needed for peace of mind. She was clearly mixing up her bizarre dreams with reality. “Tell me where Lisa is.”
“At the hospital with Cullen. Do you remember what happened?”
“There was a man in the rocks above Lisa. He had a gun. I tackled her and fought with him…” She trailed off, looking around at the strangers. She lowered her voice. “You know, in my rather weird way. Everything is jumbled after that. I remember falling and trying to protect the baby.” She rubbed carefully at the bump and scrapes on her forehead.
Dayan winced. Already dark bruises were beginning to show against her pale skin. Gregori had been far too busy to heal Corinne’s superficial wounds, but it bothered Dayan that she was the least bit uncomfortable. He could feel her headache, pounding and throbbing, although she didn’t complain. Questions were going around and around in her mind. Dayan provided answers. “Cullen was shot, honey. He’s alive, and Barack and Syndil are on their way to the hospital to aid him. They will see to it that he does not die. Syndil is well versed in healing and has special gifts. Cullen knows Barack and Syndil, and Lisa will not be afraid, because she knows they are members of our band. She will allow them into his room.” He didn’t add that Lisa’s permission was of little consequence as they could walk unseen past any guard at any time. Barack and Syndil were Carpathians at full strength, able to control the minds of the humans around them if necessary.
“Was it bad?” There was a tremor in Corinne’s voice, and Dayan gathered her closer to him protectively.
“Honey, there is no need to worry about Cullen. If he was in trouble I would know. I am telepathic, remember? Barack and Syndil can easily communicate with me. They would report instantly if they could not handle the situation, and they would request that either Darius or Gregori come to the hospital at once.” Dayan indicated the man with the slashing silver eyes and the small, dark-haired woman. “Gregori and Savannah have traveled from New Orleans to be with us. We owe them much.”
Corinne rubbed her forehead again. She was grateful for everyone’s concern, but she wished they’d all go home. She was tired, and there were too many of them. She wanted to sleep, not entertain, and her baby was still kicking violently. None of the others seemed to notice that the one they called Darius seemed to be in a trance of sorts.