Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Instinct. She had the instincts of a hunter. They were bred into her, just as they were into him. She’d been born with a sixth sense; he was certain of it. It wasn’t taught to her. She had known the brethren were there because she sensed they were.
She had been stealthy in the way she stalked them. Nicu first. She found him through a pattern she recognized. Then she found the others. They hadn’t been aware of her touch. That was worrisome. Although he was immensely proud of her, his companions were ancients. They should have known the moment she’d locked in on them. He would have to speak with the others about her abilities. He’d never run across a human—or any other, for that matter—who could do what she had done.
“Thank you for allowing me to look into your memories. That helped me to understand the process.”
Safia nodded. “Why were you upset with Aura for answering me when I asked her about Carpathian rituals?”
“It is customary for lifemates to answer questions. At that time, I believed Aura was aware of that. Obviously, that is not the case.”
“What is it that I’m unaware of? It isn’t something trivial. I could sense Aura was concerned I would be very upset if I knew what you were doing.”
“I told you what the exchanges meant and why they were necessary. I was very honest with you.” Petru chose each word carefully. One didn’t lie to one’s lifemate. This was coming very close. “Did you find the exchange with me repugnant?”
“You know I didn’t. You didn’t force me. You didn’t take over my mind as you could have. I made certain Aura knew you gave me free will. She was still uneasy. That meant there was more to what we did than you were telling me. You omitted telling me something important, didn’t you?”
He didn’t take his gaze from hers. They had gotten here much faster than he had wanted. “I didn’t think it was necessary to tell you everything at once. You hadn’t been told about me until the night we met. You’d fought a vampire—amazingly well, I might add—but you’d lost blood and needed aid. I was a shock to you. I thought it would be good to try to get to know as much as we could about each other in the little time we had. But you were doing your job, defending the town of Dellys against demons, our second meeting.”
“We’re sitting here now,” she pointed out. “What is the significance of the blood exchanges that you haven’t told me?”
“It takes three blood exchanges to bring a human into the Carpathian world.” He gave her the information in the same low, casual tone he tended to deliver all news. As if it were unimportant, just another fact, when it would change her life for all eternity.
She frowned, rubbed at her lower lip, and then gave a slight shake of her head. Reaching for the glass of water, she hesitated and then allowed her hand to drop into her lap. “I thought the binding words married us. Isn’t that bringing me into your world? We’re attempting to blend our customs. I’m trying to get the concept of exchanging blood. I do accept that I would need to give you blood if you were injured. Isn’t that all part of being in your world?”
“You must come fully into my world.”
Her lashes swept down, veiling her expression, and then she was looking at him with emerald eyes. “I think you need to be very clear with me, Petru, because I’m not sure what you’re saying.”
“When we exchange blood for the third time, you will begin the transformation from human to Carpathian. My blood will convert your cells and organs to those of a Carpathian. Essentially, you will die and be reborn Carpathian.”
He heard the leap of her heart, but she controlled the swift acceleration. Her chin lifted and the green eyes deepened in color. “When did you plan on telling me about this? Before or after the third blood exchange?”
“I would have told you before.” He was honest. He would have, not that it would make any difference. He was going to give her his blood and take hers. He had no choice but to bring her fully into his world. Not if he wanted to ensure everyone’s safety.
“No. Absolutely not. I am Imazighen. I have always loved being one of the free people. I will always be Imazighen. There is no reason why I cannot be with you and stay who and what I am.”
She didn’t yell or become hysterical. If anything, she spoke in a low, casual tone, just as he did. He heard the utter resolve in her voice. Her gaze was steady on his. Her mind was closed on the subject.