Dark Nights Read online

  They readied their equipment quickly, and very efficiently, hugging each other briefly before nodding to him that they were ready.

  Traian pulled Joie tight against him, ignoring the harness with her rack of climbing gear. “Stay close to me, but try to give yourself room to stop fast if you need to,” he said. “It gets narrow in places. We don’t want to be crushed in there. We have to get down before they know what we’re doing. If there’s a problem, call it out and I will do my best to aid you. You will be sliding fast, so pay attention. You will need quick reactions.”

  “Maybe we should share a rope,” Gabrielle suggested.

  “It wouldn’t be of any use,” Jubal said. “Remember to keep your heels up.”

  “You follow me, Joie. Your sister next.” He looked at Jubal over their heads. “You will know in advance that the vampires are close. Insects. A foul smell. A feeling of absolute dread. They are as capable of collapsing the tunnel as I am, but we have to believe they want our blood and they will not. Call out the moment you think they are behind us.”

  Jubal nodded. “We’re ready. Let’s do it.”

  Traian didn’t wait, knowing that time was premium now and not wanting any of them to change their minds. He slipped inside the chute and pushed off. The smooth ice looked like a giant slide, but it was so dark the others wouldn’t be able to see without angling their heads to point their lamps straight ahead. His shoulders were wide and he touched on both sides. The women wouldn’t have much of a problem, but Jubal had good-sized shoulders as well.

  “It’s snug,” he called back and heard Joie relaying the information to her siblings.

  Joie took a breath and slipped in after him. It was dark and frightening. She sat on her butt, lifted her heels and placed her ice axe to her side, gripping with both hands, the spike digging into the ice. With the leash of the axe wrapped around her wrist, she breathed through the dread, counting to ten to give Traian a head start and then pushed off into that unknown world.

  Are you all right? Traian asked.

  A little scared. In all of our conversations, it didn’t occur to you to mention a few pertinent facts such as how you’re a peculiar sort of man who likes blood and has vampires and other mythical creatures stalking you? You might have mentioned, just once, that you weren’t telling me cheery bedtime stories but that you lived this sort of life. Didn’t you think that might be important in the grand scheme of things?

  Even in his mind, Traian heard the trembling in her voice. She was more than scared and that was all right with him. She had a bravado about her that at times worried him. Vampires were wholly evil. There was no reasoning with them. He didn’t want her to ever think defeating them would be easy.

  I took into consideration your fear that you had lost your mind. It occurred to me that if I started talking about vampires being real and not fictional, you would have yourself committed.

  The ice chute was cold after the unexpected heat Traian had generated in the chamber. Joie slid down into the freezing world of blue ice and crystal, knowing he was right. She would have had herself committed to a hospital for the mentally ill at the mere mention of vampires. The ice sloped alarmingly and she began to pick up speed. Her heart accelerated in direct proportion to how fast she was going.

  I still might, she murmured in his mind, trying to stay focused through the unrelenting fear. She was sliding down a narrow chute with no real vision, following a man she didn’t know and he wasn’t even human. Having a boyfriend with a neck-biting fetish is definitely not sane.

  Traian heard the underlying note of genuine fear in her voice. Finding him in the ice cave, fighting for their lives against such creatures of evil and knowing he needed blood to survive had shaken her confidence in herself. She had been unknowingly trapped by the connection of lifemates.

  Gabrielle is right behind me, she informed him.

  He felt the tears in her voice. She definitely felt guilty for bringing her brother and sister into such a dangerous mess. You had no way of knowing.

  She didn’t pretend to misunderstand. They shouldn’t be here. Especially Gabby. Jubal’s in the chute. It’s difficult to control speed.

  Traian caught sight of the first danger sign. Tiny ice balls clung to the sides of the tube. Overhead little icicles had formed, growing larger as he slid deeper into the abyss. Instantly he thrust the sight into Joie’s mind, knowing she would relay the information to her siblings and they would be trying to slow their descents.

  He felt rather than caught the first bump as the ice beneath him had flakes. Cursing to himself, he used more energy trying to smooth the way ahead of them. He could taste fear the other three radiated, especially Joie’s sister. She was holding it together by a thread. The intensity of the emotion was amplified by the combination of natural fear, the vampires, and the mage caves. He couldn’t waste his strength shielding them from the disturbing broadcast.

  He’d slid another ten feet when he saw the large obstacle blocking the path. A ball of ice closed the chute. It was thick and solid. He felt Joie’s instant awareness. She was locked in his mind, clinging to the fact that he seemed confident.

  On three we self arrest, Joie instructed her siblings.

  Gabrielle’s sob of alarm echoed through the tube, and Traian’s heart stuttered for a moment. If the woman couldn’t stop her descent, she’d slam into Joie’s head. He had to concentrate on removing the huge block of ice stopping up the slide and there was likely to be more ahead.

  One. Two. Three.

  He felt the surge of energy as the three climbers slammed the spikes deep into the ice and rolled, their arms taking the shock of the abrupt halt. Joie’s wrenching cry was only in her mind, but Traian felt the jolt through his own body. Gabrielle let out a small sob.

  I’m slipping, Joie.

  We’re okay, Joie assured. Hurry, Traian.

  The three of them had thrown their lot in with him and were trusting in his ability in a situation beyond their comprehension. As he gathered energy he puzzled the best way to dissolve the ice ball. Heat could cause more problems. Blasting it might as well.

  Joie. There are handles in this chute, Jubal announced. This isn’t entirely natural.

  It is mage-formed, Traian informed them as he carefully blew a steady blast of heat into the center of the solid ball of ice. He took great care to keep a laser-like projection. He didn’t dare allow the sides or ceiling of the tunnel to melt as well.

  I can’t hold on any longer, Gabrielle informed her siblings, panic edging her voice.

  I hear something in the chute. That was Jubal, surprisingly calm.

  Traian redoubled his efforts, no longer caring that there might be a small spill. He blew steadily as he approached the blockage. The ice ball melted into a puddle and ran down the slide in advance of him.

  Keep coming but really try to control the speed of your descent.

  It would take effort for the three to turn over and reposition themselves without falling out of control down the steep slide. He had faith that Jubal could do it. The man was strong. Perhaps Joie, but Gabrielle wasn’t experienced enough. He took a breath and sent her strength, knowing he was growing too weak to keep controlling everything around him. He kept the ceiling as smooth as possible as he went down, not wanting any of them injured. Ahead of him, he had to continually clear the chute.

  Crickets. Thousands of them, pouring over the top of me.

  Again, Traian was astonished at the calm in Jubal’s voice. The experience of swarms of insects rushing over one in the dark was eerie and frightening to say the least. He wasn’t surprised when Gabrielle burst into tears.

  Close your eyes, Jubal advised. Breath shallow through your nose. They’re moving fast. Trying to get out of here like we are. I think they’re trying to tell us something.

  Traian knew that last was for him. They were communicating through his strong connection with Joie, but Jubal had to be a strong enough psychic to feel him in Joie’s mind.

  He knew the moment the crickets reached Joie. Everything in her stilled, rebelled, silently screamed as the bugs poured over her in their effort to get away from the evil following them. The rasping was loud as thousands of legs rushed over the ice and humans, desperate to escape.

  Hurry. I am out. Do not worry about how fast you go, I can stop you here at the bottom. I must close the chute behind you before the vampires can enter.

  The crickets reached Traian and rushed over him as his feet touched the ground to flee in front of the threat of evil. He leapt out and turned to catch Joie in his arms, whipping her out of the way so he could stop Gabrielle. She was bone white, trembling uncontrollably, but when he set her aside, she swayed, but remained upright. Joie immediately put her arms around her sister and held her as Traian gathered his strength to help Jubal out of the chute.

  Be ready. As soon as he is out I will have to close the chute. We will have to run. Stay to left. Always go left. Right goes deeper inside the mountain.

  “We won’t be separating,” Joie said firmly.

  Her voice was almost a shock after the intimacy of mind-to-mind contact. He braced himself for Jubal. The man was large, but he also was extremely strong and he’d thankfully managed to control his descent better than the two women. Traian sent a cushion of air to slow him more and as he burst feet first through the chute, he caught the man, using preternatural strength.

  Traian waved them back away from the ice tunnel, staggering a little as he reached for another burst of energy. The others could feel the gathering of heat and power. Joie stepped close to him and wrapped her arm around his waist.

  “I can help. Draw from me.”

  “And me,” Jubal put his hand on Traian’s shoulder.

  Gabrielle stepped behind her brother and laid her hand on his shoulder, connecting all of them physically. Joie opened her mind instantly to him, flooding him with her strength and energy, generously sharing everything she had, everything she was. He felt her solidarity with him, that connection that allowed her—without truly knowing him—to trust him when she was always very cautious in close relationships. Through her, her siblings gave just as generously, boosting his power enormously.

  A scream of rage and hatred echoed down through the chute, the sound growing in volume until ice shattered above their heads and spider-web cracks appeared along the walls.

  Traian began to chant in a soft voice, his hands moving quickly in a pattern the three siblings couldn’t quite follow, the movements blurring with his incredible speed, but the ominous sound of ice cracking grew loud enough to be called a clap of thunder. The ice veined in a starburst pattern that spread rapidly outward. At the entrance, the ice began to fall in large chunks, some sliding down the tube toward them.

  “Run!” Traian instructed and all of them took off, sprinting for the left entrance.

  The sound continued to build behind them, a great roar and a thunderous clap as the tube collapsed in on itself. The earth shook beneath their feet, and the growing rumble emanated from the walls and ceiling surrounding them. Jubal caught Gabrielle’s hand as they followed Traian and Joie at a dead run through the narrow hall. Sharp daggers of ice fell from the ceiling as they rushed through the tunnel. Several times, Traian redirected a lethal missile as they raced along the well-worn path.

  They ran through the twisting, dark hall with the sound of ice collapsing behind them. Traian stopped so abruptly, Joie ran into him. He caught her to steady her, drawing her close protectively. “I told you not to come here. I am not certain I can get your family out alive. There is something in this cave the vampires are determined to find—and the mages are just as determined to protect.”

  They were on the edge of a precipice. A very narrow bridge, constructed of ice and stone, was the only way across. It appeared dangerously thin in places and had an obvious hole in one section that dropped into a deep abyss. Jubal and Gabrielle halted just as abruptly, staring in horror at the narrow strip of ice.

  “That’s no natural bridge,” Jubal observed. “Who, or should I ask what, could have carved such a thing? Can we cross it?”

  Traian studied it warily. He shook his head. “I fear that bridge is an invitation to death. A trap—a mage trap.”

  Gabrielle slipped her hand into her sister’s. “I’m afraid, Joie. I’ve got a terrible feeling we’re all going to die.”

  “The vampires are broadcasting terror and images of death to feed your natural fear,” Traian explained. “They have been hunting for weeks for something in these caves. The network is very large and, as you can see, not all naturally formed. I stayed to try to find what they are looking for. Vampires do not normally put so much energy into a project. Whatever it is they want, their finding it will not benefit either the Carpathian or the human race.”

  “They don’t need to broadcast fear,” Gabrielle pointed out, reminding Traian a bit of Joie’s dry humor. “I’m doing quite well on my own.”

  Jubal nodded toward the raw wounds on Traian’s chest. “You’ve been in a few battles with them.”

  He nodded. “Yes, and I have noticed changes in their behavior. As a rule, they would have avoided me. Now vampires are running in packs. They used to be out for themselves, or occasionally a master vampire would use the newer ones as fodder for his battles, but lately they seem to have more control and are much better organized. To find two masters serving a third and bringing to him their own followers is unheard of and must be investigated.”

  Jubal shoved a hand through his hair in agitation. “I feel like I’m losing my mind. Vampires are Hollywood creations, creatures in movies.”

  “They are shape-shifters. You must be very careful of what and who you trust.”

  Joie could hear a sound accompanying the drip of the water. A soft clicking, like branches banging together in the wind. It made her edgy. Vampires were one thing, but shape-shifting? She exchanged another look with her siblings, and instantly rejected the idea as they did.

  There was no warning. One moment Traian stood in the glare of their headlamps, the next a huge, shaggy black wolf with a mouthful of lethal teeth sat in his place, eyes focused menacingly on Jubal. Gabrielle screamed and stumbled backward. Jubal reached out to catch her, dragging her away from the abyss to comparative safety beside the snarling animal, hastily unzipping his pocket to pull out his gun.

  Mouth dry, Joie circled the wolf’s neck with a restraining arm. “Totally impressive, but not something I want to take home to Mom.” Her heart was pounding so loudly, it sounded like a drum in her ears. She had doubted him and he’d done this to prove how very lethal and cunning the vampires were. Her legs shook, feeling like rubber.

  There is no need to fear me. I would never harm you.

  “Why would you think I was afraid of you?” Joie demanded. “I’m not in the least afraid. I’m keeping you under control.”

  It may have something to do with the knife you are holding to my throat. Traian said it casually, a soft amusement in his voice, as if the blade pressed so tightly against him didn’t matter in the least.

  And that scared her more than the fact he had just shape-shifted into a predator. She looked down at her arm curved around his neck. The fur was thick and luxurious, and her arm was nearly buried in it. But she could feel the handle of the knife in her hand. She let out her breath and slowly eased the blade away from his throat. “I was just making certain you were paying attention,” she said as she slipped the blade back into the scabbard.

  Traian calmly shifted back into his true form. “Just how many weapons do you carry on you? You seem to be a walking arsenal.”

  “This is insane,” Jubal said. “Cool, but insane.”

  “I think we’re caught in a mass hallucination,” Gabrielle suggested. “Can we just get out of here? Joie, find us a way out.”

  “We’re trying, hon,” Joie assured. “That clicking noise is driving me crazy. I don’t like the rhythm; it’s not natural.” The dripping of the water was more insistent. She looked anxiously toward Traian. Something was wrong. He knew it. She knew it. She looked at Jubal. He certainly felt it too.

  “I will take them across and come back for you,” Traian said to Joie. “He can protect your sister while I cross with you.” There was no sense in attempting to take his lifemate first. It was clear she would never go without the others, and he didn’t want to waste time arguing.

  “Not without more blood, you can’t,” Jubal said. “You’re so pale you look nearly transparent.” He took a deep breath, shoved his gun back in his pocket and drew his knife. He didn’t hesitate, slashing a cut across his wrist and handing Joie the knife. “If he kills me, I expect vengeance.” He flashed a wan grin at her as he stepped up and offered the bright blood to Traian. “Get us the hell out of here.”

  Traian took the offering without hesitation. They would have to most likely fight their way out of the maze of caves and he needed strength. He was grateful Jubal was such a strong man, and large. He was careful not to take too much, but he desperately needed the life-giving substance freely given. He carefully closed the wound with his healing saliva.

  “Thank you.” Traian acknowledge simply. He held out his hand to Gabrielle. She stared at him in horror, shaking her head, even stepping back. “Hurry. We have to go now.”

  “Gabrielle,” There was warning in Jubal’s voice.

  She didn’t look at him, but rather at her sister. “Do you trust him, Joie?”

  Joie looked up at Traian, noting the lines etched in his strong, timeless face. The dark depths of his eyes. Old eyes. Eyes that had seen too much. He was a man who had been alone too long. She was a looking at a warrior. A man of honor. Joie reached out to brush a caress along his jaw with her fingertips. The touch jolted him. Jolted her. Heat flooded her body. Electricity arced between them, lightning flashing in their veins. Instant awareness. They smiled at one another in understanding.