Dark Melody (Dark Series - book 12) Read online

And he would never stop until he had destroyed his prey.

  Corinne felt Desari stronger than ever, tranquil, soothing, comforting, whispering softly in her mind, the words almost indistinguishable, yet Corinne knew she was aiding her to understand what manner of creature Dayan really was. She felt the momentary surge as the intruder reached for her in an attempt to draw her out. She was safe and protected within the walls of the cocoon the others had wrapped her in. There was no chance of the dark horror finding her, yet it touched the three male Carpathians.

  She felt that. Felt the shock, the recoil. The thing shrieked, a hideous sound that was in her head, heard through the listening Carpathians, a high-pitched sound of anger and hatred and fear. It took Corinne a few heartbeats to realize the creature could detect only the males. The women were merged so deeply with the men that the beast could detect only the powerful males. The creature instantly withdrew, retreating with furtive swiftness.

  Corinne blinked up at Dayan, barely able to comprehend the transformation in him from poet to predator. His hand brushed her face, her hair, incredibly gentle, seemed to linger for a moment, yet his body was shimmering, almost transparent. She watched, her heart in her throat, as he dissolved right before her eyes. In his place were droplets of mist. The mist streamed through the room and right out the door.

  Just like that, Dayan was gone. From the room, from her mind. Gregori and Darius had also disappeared from the mind merge, leaving only Desari, who pushed open the door to the room and glided to her side with an encouraging smile. “You are not afraid, are you?” Her voice was rich with beauty.

  Chapter 14

  “It all happened too fast to really understand what is going on,” Corinne answered honestly, not certain how to feel. She looked past Desari to the two other women behind her. They were smiling in reassurance but hesitated in the doorway, so Corinne waved to encourage their entry.

  “I believe we are under siege.” Desari took Corinne’s hand to comfort her and at the same time to check her pulse. “There is no need to be afraid. My brother Darius and Gregori are two of the most accomplished hunters we have. They are seeking the evil one, along with Dayan, to destroy that which is a threat to humans and immortals alike.” She spoke calmly, as if chasing evil monsters were an everyday occurrence. “Naturally, they will see to it that Dayan does not come to any harm. After all, we are fighting to save you and the child. We will not lose Dayan to an evil one.”

  Corinne studied the other woman’s face carefully. She could see only goodness, compassion, a light shining outward from deep within Desari’s soul. She appeared tranquil even in the face of such an evil being. “It felt horrible,” Corinne admitted in a low voice, “and I could tell that Dayan was shielding me somehow from the experience.”

  “It was a vampire,” the shorter, raven-haired woman answered calmly, reaching for a glass of clear water. “Here, drink this. I’m Savannah, Gregori’s lifemate, by the way. I know it sounds absurd and something that cannot be real, but I assure you, vampires exist and they actively seek women who have psychic ability. Especially a woman unclaimed.”

  “You’re Savannah Dubrinsky, the magician. I saw your performance in Seattle a few months ago. You were wonderful.” Corinne sipped at the water to give her mind time to comprehend the situation. “That thing was looking for me, wasn’t it?”

  Desari shrugged casually. “In a way. You drew it here, although it does not know who you are. When it probed, it found only the male hunters. It will not be a problem, because they will destroy it.”

  “If this is all true,” Corinne demanded, “why hasn’t one ever tried to find me before?” As much as it seemed impossible for Desari to lie, Corinne didn’t want her explanation to be true. Maybe it would have been better to live without knowing any of it.

  The redhead smiled at her. “I’m Tempest, and believe me, Corinne, I know how confused you must be by all this. I was in your shoes only a few weeks ago. Just remember this,” she continued, revealing that she could read Corinne’s thoughts; “you would be missing a great adventure, which life is, and you would miss knowing Dayan. Most importantly, eventually you would have chosen to use your gift, and the surge of power would have revealed your presence to the undead. They would have found you.”

  “I have used my talent before,” Corinne asserted.

  “Perhaps, but in small things — little surges of power that would not call to the undead unless you were already in close proximity to them. More and more you are becoming at ease with your talents. Any surge of power leaves traces. We can find one another through those surges, and so can the undead.” Desari spoke matter-of-factly, calmly, as if she were speaking of the weather.

  “On the other hand, this all might be some weird nightmare I haven’t managed to extract myself from,” Corinne suggested with a slight smile. “Dayan is worth it, though. I love to listen to him. He says the most beautiful things to me. He has such a beautiful voice, and a beautiful soul. He always makes me feel as if I’m the only woman in his world.”

  “To him you are the only woman,” Desari said. “And truly, Corinne, how could he not fall in love with you? Look at you — the way you’ve accepted your physical problems and still held your family together, the way you’ve accepted the information that Dayan has given you. It cannot be easy for you, but you work at listening and believing and comprehending what he tells you. Who else would give him that kind of acceptance? After centuries of being alone, without an other half, he finally has a home, and he appreciates it. You are his home. No other. You.”

  “I don’t think he has accepted my physical problems,” Corinne said, embarrassed by the woman’s words.

  “Because he fights for you?” Tempest laughed softly. “You’ll find that that is one thing the males of this species are exceptionally good at.”

  Savannah nodded. “Dayan is fighting for your life and the life of your child. In truth he fights for his life also. Without you he has nothing. Dayan has existed in a bleak, barren world — he will not choose to continue without you. Should you travel to the next world, he will accompany you, as is his right as a Carpathian male.”

  “I’m very tired,” Corinne confessed, her hand going protectively over her gently rolling baby. “I try to hide it from him, but he always seems to know.”

  Desari smoothed back Corinne’s hair with gentle fingers. “He is your lifemate. Of course he knows. I have known Dayan my entire life. I am so happy he has found you. He tells us you are C. J. Wentworth, the songwriter. I am so pleased to welcome you into our family.”

  Corinne sank back among the pillows. “I’m glad he has you all.” She wanted Dayan. Wanted to spend every moment she had left with him. She could feel her strength ebbing away, slowly but surely. “What about my baby?” She looked at Savannah and then Tempest. “I know they must have told you the truth.”

  It was Savannah who answered. “Your heart will not hold up forever. In one more rising we will conduct another healing ritual. Our goal now is to give your daughter a few more hours, or days, whatever time we can. Gregori says her will is strong, and that is half the battle. She is like you, a true psychic, and therefore very important to our race.”

  “You use the term

  rising

  because it is night, not morning, when you wake,” Corinne guessed. “Do they think they can save her?”

  “We are waiting for Shea to arrive. Jacques, her life-mate, insisted they rest before completing the journey. Shea is with child, and he is protective of her,” Savannah reported. “My mother sent word ahead. Shea has done much research into the problems of keeping our infants alive. She is a tremendous resource to us all.”

  “I cannot believe she traveled all this way when she is with child,” Desari said, slightly shocked. “Corinne, we have trouble bearing children; our race is bordering on extinction. Julian is hoping we can provide a child for our people soon.”

  “The interesting thing is,” Savannah said, “Gary Jansen, a human fr
iend of ours, a researcher, has been tracing the lineages of families in which children are born closer than fifty to one hundred years apart. There are only a couple of them. Sarantha, Mikhail’s mother, comes from such a line, as does Gregori. Gary and Shea think the infrequency of conception is a form of natural birth control. Desari, you are a descendant of one of the lines. As far as we know, I’m the only other.”

  Tempest exchanged a long look with Desari. “Have you tried to get pregnant?” Tempest asked. “Darius and I only just found each other. I haven’t thought of children yet.”

  Savannah laughed. “In truth, Gregori and I have only been together a few weeks. I would love to give him twins. Total trouble for him to frantically chase around and guard instead of me. As soon as we are finished here, we intend to return to the Carpathian Mountains, where we will make our home. Once settled, I’m certain we’ll try to have a child. Jacques and Shea will travel home with us. All of us intend to fly to Paris first to visit with Gregori’s older brothers, Gabriel and Lucian. Lucian was just married, but unfortunately, Gregori and I missed the wedding due to unforeseen circumstances.”

  “Is it dangerous for Shea to travel?” Corinne didn’t want to think another woman had put her child in jeopardy for her sake.

  “Jacques would never allow Shea to do anything dangerous,” Savannah pointed out. “He’s Mister Protective where she’s concerned.”

  Tempest and Desari burst out laughing. “And Gregori isn’t with you?”

  Corinne frowned. “Where are Lisa and Cullen? Are they okay? Lisa must be so frightened.”

  The smile faded from Desari’s face. She was silent for a moment before answering, obviously conferring with someone else. “Lisa and Cullen are relatively safe where they are. Barack and Syndil are with them. Julian, my lifemate, has gone to their aid and has removed all immediate threats to them. They are under his protection. He has something of a reputation in matters of security.” Desari phrased it as delicately as possible so as not to disturb Corinne’s careful balance.

  Corinne paled even more. “I thought those people were trying to kill me. Is Lisa still in danger?”

  “The society targets anyone with paranormal abilities, but its members do not seem to be able to distinguish those traits very well. Because Lisa is a member of your family, she was also put on their list. Cullen was already on it and had been for some time. After Dayan brought you here, another attempt was made on Cullen’s life at the hospital. Of course, Barack and Syndil were there, so Lisa and Cullen were unharmed. We removed them to a more easily guarded place.”

  “Why didn’t you bring them here? Lisa is easily frightened. This must be terrible for her. I need to go to her,” Corinne said immediately, catching hold of the quilt as if to throw it off.

  Desari laid a gentle hand over Corinne’s. “You’re not thinking clearly. Your first duty is to your daughter and your own health. You may be feeling better, but the improvement is definitely temporary. You cannot be moving around and making your heart work any harder than necessary. It would not do Lisa, Cullen or anyone else any good if you were to die.” She leaned close so that her dark eyes could look directly into Corinne’s. “You do know that, don’t you, Corinne?”

  Corinne blinked away the illusion that she was freefalling into space. “I know I love Lisa and she must be very frightened. Is Cullen going to live?”

  Desari nodded. Corinne had extremely strong mind protection for a human. Dayan had told them it took more than usual strength to shield her mind or to persuade her. Desari didn’t want to put any pressure on her that might alarm her. “Cullen sustained tremendous injuries, and the truth is, Barack donated blood to him, which is something we do not do lightly. Cullen cannot be fully brought over. He and Barack will be connected to one another for the rest of Cullen’s lifetime. We have great affection for Cullen, and Darius would not allow him to die when it was in our power to save him. Lisa is with him and is helping to care for him. I believe it will be good for her to take responsibility for Cullen’s health.”

  Corinne was watching Desari’s face. “Because you think I’m going to die.”

  Desari shook her head decisively. “Because Dayan has no choice but to bring you fully into our world, and Lisa cannot follow you here. You will remain good friends, but you can no longer be the one to manage her life for her.” Desari spoke as gently as possible, but her seriousness showed in her dark, expressive eyes.

  Corinne bunched the quilt in her hand, her fingers rubbing nervously over the strange symbol sewn into the edge of the comforter. “Fully into your world.” She repeated the phrase softly, under her breath.

  “Dayan’s world,” Desari reminded her gently. “Just keep that uppermost in your mind. You will be in his world.”

  “What about my baby?” Corinne finally voiced the question she had been unable even to consider. She was terrified for her baby.

  Desari smiled encouragingly at her. “Are you strong enough for the truth, Corinne? Because you have to know you want the truth when you ask for it.”

  Corinne found that tracing the strange symbol over and over on the quilt was soothing. It helped to keep her mind from shutting down with fear. “Is my baby going to live and be healthy?”

  “We are doing everything in our power to make that happen. Dayan’s blood, which we believe will save your life and will convert you, will also convert the baby if you are given the blood while you are pregnant. That presents us with a few problems and new territory we have never dealt with before.” Desari’s voice was hauntingly beautiful and tranquil. “I am being completely honest with you. We do not have the answers you seek. This has never happened before, at least not that I know of. Certainly, it has not happened to Gregori, and he is the acknowledged healer of our people.”

  Corinne’s fingers found the next symbol in the quilt and traced the character. “I’m trying to understand what you’re telling me. If Dayan doesn’t give me his blood, I will die for certain. You’re saying that’s a fact.”

  Desari nodded solemnly. “We are only delaying the inevitable. He would have completed the conversion already if you were not carrying this child.”

  Corinne heard her heart racing and took a moment to slow it. “How does he do it? How does he complete the conversion?”

  Desari’s gaze held hers captive, almost as if she were sharing her courage. “There must be three blood exchanges. Each blood exchange will bring you a step further into our world. And of course, because you are his lifemate, Dayan will complete the ritual and make you wholly his.”

  “And you think this will save my life?” Corinne asked doubtfully, watching Desari’s face carefully. Dayan believed it because he had to believe it — he had no other choice or he would go crazy — but Desari had no ties to her. “Do you really believe it, Desari?”

  Desari sighed softly. “I believe the odds are in your favor if everything goes right and we time it all perfectly. You know as well as I do that your heart is in bad shape. Even with Dayan’s strong blood reshaping your internal organs, you will have to have the necessary strength to go through the actual conversion. Gregori thinks we can get you through it, and I have heard he is capable of great miracles.”

  “He is capable of miracles, Corinne,” Savannah affirmed.

  Corinne smiled sadly. “Still, for the baby’s sake, I must be near Lisa. If something happens to me, she is the one who must raise her. She’ll be the baby’s only living relative.”

  Desari was shaking her head. “When Dayan gives you his blood, the blood will pass through the placenta to the baby. The child will have his blood, his genetic code, not your former husband’s. The child will eventually be one of us.”

  Corinne was silent, listening to the sounds of the house, the wind outside the window, the branches swaying and dancing. She could hear her own breathing and the heartbeat of the child growing within her. “He gave me his blood already. What did it do to the baby?” She was struggling desperately to understand.


  “Corinne — “ Desari began gently.

  Corinne shook her head. “No, I don’t want you to treat me like a child. Just tell me straight. What happened to my baby?”

  “Your daughter would never have survived the birth,” Desari said. “Your heart was barely able to provide for you, let alone for both of you. Without Dayan’s blood, both of you would have died, and that is the truth. She already carries his genetic code, but she is not fully in our world. Darius monitored her along with Gregori during the exchange. When it became too much for the baby, the transfusion was stopped to allow her body to adjust.” Deliberately she used the human term

  transfusion

  to soothe Corinne.

  “I thought a human couldn’t be converted unless he or she has a lifemate.” Corinne felt numb, trapped, suddenly panicked by the repercussions of her decision. It was one thing to make such a decision for herself, to choose Dayan’s world, but something altogether different for her child. Where was Dayan? Her lifeline, her sanity.

  Where are you?

  She reached across time and space to him. Her fingers clutched the quilt, a strange thing to find so comforting.

  I am here, my love, always with you, a shadow in your mind. I hunt the evil one to make our world safe, but I am never far from you or our child. I will return unharmed to you as soon as we accomplish what is necessary. We will face what is frightening to you together, as it is meant to be. Uniting our two worlds is not so difficult when we feel as we do. Our love for our daughter will aid us in our choices.

  His voice was a blend of heat and light, music and melody, so beautiful it took her breath away. He felt strong and real and a part of her.

  “Your daughter has a strong psychic talent, perhaps even stronger than yours,” Desari said. “She can be converted without danger to her sanity, but there are other complications. It is not something we do lightly, Corinne.”

  Corinne could feel unexpected tears welling up out of nowhere. “I feel like I’m being given little pieces of a jigsaw puzzle one or two at a time, and the picture is so overwhelming I can’t comprehend it. What other complications?”