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)
“Have you been here all along?” Her gaze didn’t leave his.
He realized he had to be very careful. “Yes, we have no knowledge of these demons or how to best fight them. You are the expert, and we thought it best to learn from you. We did not give away our presence for fear of distracting you.” He hoped it didn’t occur to her that he could just pull the knowledge from her mind the way he did from everyone else around him.
Benedek and Nicu both made some disparaging sound in his mind, which could have been a snicker on their private ancient path established in the monastery.
Petru thought it best to ignore the brethren and concentrate on his lifemate. Evidently, he’d given her the best answer possible. Her eyes lit up briefly despite the wariness she was exhibiting.
“I think it best, Safia, if we allow Petru and these men to help,” Izem said. “I have little air in reserve, and if the last sea centipede is a giant, you’ll need to rest and regain your strength before you take on that large of an opponent.”
Carpathian males never allowed interference when it came to their lifemates, but Petru had gone to Safia’s father and oldest brother to ask for their advice. He was aware he knew nothing of relationships or humans. He had hurt her feelings once already through careless words. He knew she felt less than confident around him, even though those emotions were buried deep. He knew the vampire had planted those seeds in the child for Lilith. Now he kept quiet and was grateful for Izem taking control.
“But Izem . . .” Safia gave a halfhearted protest.
Izem gave her a stern look. “I don’t wish to argue over this. I will wait with Mataias for you. Rest on the boat while the demon is led farther from the harbor. Gain strength and then destroy it. Hopefully vampires stay away this night.” He leaned over, gripped his sister’s forearms and then looked at Petru. “I leave her in your care.”
As if he were the one protecting his sister, Benedek said.
He didn’t leave her, Petru pointed out. There is true honor and courage in these people.
That is so, Nicu agreed. And loyalty. He would have slit that demon’s belly if Safia had been in trouble. He would never have left her behind, even if he knew it meant his death.
Lojos and Tomas have returned, Mataias announced. Lojos will assure the safety of Izem. I will seek blood and Tomas will go to aid you, Petru, to free Nicu to feed.
It was a good plan. Without further explanation, Mataias plucked Izem out of the sea and took him toward the shore. Safia gasped, her body jerking, and Petru drew her closer to him. She didn’t need her brother for comfort or protection, not when she had him.
“Will the demon go after a fishing vessel rather than a yacht?” he asked to distract her. “We can create the illusion of either.”
“I think a fishing vessel.”
She was trembling. Whether from cold or fear, he didn’t know. He wrapped his arms around her, stripping her of her tank as he took them from the water and built the illusion of the fishing vessel beneath them. Once on board in the cabin, he wrapped her in blankets, sinking into a plush chair, but keeping her on his lap.
“What are you doing?”
Her voice was a whisper, but she’d turned her face up toward him, and her breath was warm on his bare throat.
“You don’t seem to realize it, Safia, but you’re very cold. Your skin is like ice.” He began to rub her right arm gently between his hands. “You expended a tremendous amount of energy destroying the demons. Physically, anytime you use that much energy, it takes a toll on your body.”
She relaxed a little more against him. “The sea, swimming and concentrating adds to it as well. I have a couple of energy bars in my pack. I need to drink water. I’m dehydrated.”
He handed her the water and watched her drink it. “I must give you more blood, Safia. That’s the most efficient way to give you strength. At the same time, it will be our second exchange.”
She frowned at him, pulling back to meet his eyes. “I needed blood before because of my wounds. I don’t need it now. I can eat my energy bars.”
“It isn’t the same thing.” Petru tried to be patient and explain. She deserved an explanation. “Just as there are certain rituals you have in your world, there are certain ones in mine. They must be adhered to. The blood exchange is one of them. In this case, it will benefit you and make you stronger and faster when you fight demons.” He kept his voice even, refusing the temptation to use compulsion.