Syndil and Desari exchanged a long look. "You asked Darius to convert you?" Desari asked, shocked.
Tempest shrugged. "He won't do it. He says it's too dangerous. Is it? Does anyone know?"
"I asked Julian," Desari said eagerly. "He said that you must have some psychic ability. Otherwise, as a
human, you could not be Darius's lifemate. And believe me, Rusti, it is rather obvious you are his true
lifemate. I have never seen my brother like this."
"I don't have any psychic ability," Tempest protested, looking confused. "I really don't."
"Of course you do," Syndil said. "You communicate with animals."
"Oh, that." Tempest shrugged. "That's not anything special."
"It is what enables you to understand Darius's predatory nature," Desari explained, excited. "The
conversion would work. I just know it would."
"And if it didn't?" Tempest prompted.
Desari chewed her lower lip nervously, her gaze sliding away from Tempest's. "You could become a
deranged vampiress and would have to be destroyed."
There was a small silence. "A deranged vampiress," Tempest said sarcastically. "No wonder Darius
doesn't want to chance it." She leaned over to meet Desari's eyes. "What else are you keeping from me?"
Desari glanced at Syndil, who nodded. "Julian says the conversion process is very painful."
Tempest shoved at the hair spilling around her face "Oh, yeah, I'm into pain. Did you know all this when
you first brought up the subject? You did mean for me to think about it, didn't you?"
Desari looked guilty. "I am sorry, Rusti. It is just that I love my brother, and I can see the strain in him a
ready. He would never shirk his duties. Even though his strength is lessening, he will continue to fight
those who threaten us. I was thinking of him, not of you. I ask your forgiveness."
"Darius was furious with both of us," Syndil admitted "He did not raise his voice-he does not have to-but
he fairly shook with rage."
Tempest paced the length of the room. "What kind of pain?"
A flood of remorse slid over Desari. As much as she wanted her brother to live, he would be furious at
this conversation, at Syndil and Desari for using Tempest feelings for Darius to persuade her.
"You cannot be serious." Desari jumped up and caught her shoulders. "It was wrong of me to suggest
such thing. It is against Darius's wishes. He has told me he has made the decision to age and die with you,
that he has no regrets. I must accept his will, although it is difficult."
Syndil nodded. "Darius says the woman should not have to risk her very life for a man." She looked
down at her fingers, remembering Darius's chastisement. "He said it was bad enough that he taken away
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your choice your old lifestyle, and he would never willingly risk you life." There was pain in her eyes when
she raised them to Tempest's. "We should not have continued to discus this."
"But then, it really isn't his risk or his decision, is it
Tempest asked softly. "I have as much right to worry over his health and well-being."
"It is the male's duty to see to his lifemate's health and happiness," Desari pointed out. "He can do no
other."
"My happiness," Tempest repeated softly, almost to herself.
The sound of a knock on the door made her heart pound. Inside she was turning over their revelations.
Could she do it? Chance it? Did she have that kind of courage? The wordsderanged vampiress did not
conjure up a pretty picture. She didn't like the sound of that at all. But the thought of Darius losing his
great strength, growing old when he did not have to, was a heavy weight on her heart.
Did she believe in the fairy tale? Darius might believe he would grow old with her, but perhaps he would
soon tire of her as men often did of their women. No man could really devote himself to one woman for
all time. Certainly not for an eternity. She was a loner. Solitary by nature. Yet the thought of an eternity of
solitude wasn't all that appealing. Tempest didn't mind going around once in life, but over and over didn't
sound all that great. And then there was the blood thing.
Tempest made a face. Sucking the blood out of somebody's neck was a sickening thought.
Baby, you think the most depressing thoughts. Just put the whole thing out of your head. I will be
fine, I will not tire of you, and you will never be allowed to suck anyone's blood. I, however, will
have the pleasure of sucking on your neck and other parts of your anatomy as often as possible.
After I strangle my two little sisters, everything will be fine.
You don't have to strangle them. I was the one who asked.
I will not leave you, my love.His voice was a soft caress, but it carried total conviction. As their minds
wen merged, she could clearly see his thoughts, his beliefs even his memories of the time before he met
her. Hi had been a bleak, barren existence. She was his world She would always be his world. He
believed that implicitly.
"I need to find the courage," she whispered aloud to herself.
Desari leaned into her. "You are our sister, beloved for: what you have given Darius. You already have
shown great courage, just to brave being with him. Do not let us make you fret. Darius has chosen. So be
it."
And you think this will relieve you of the responsibilitystyle='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>for making my lifemate fear for me, little sister? Darius demanded.
Desari shook her head as if he could see her. The knock came again, signaling that it was time for the
band to make an appearance on stage. "Come with us Rusti," she invited.
Tempest stepped back, suddenly shy. She had never liked crowds, and she definitely preferred to be
anonymous. "I'll listen from a distance. Good luck, you two."
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Syndil was appearing with the band for the first time since the trauma of her rape. Out in the hall, Barack
and Dayan were waiting, along with several security and event staff, to escort them on stage. Julian and
Darius were at the entrances. Security would remain tight for the duration of the concert, and there would
be little chance for patrons to wander about the auditorium unobserved.
Tempest followed the band from a short distance, looking around for Darius. When she couldn't find
him, she stayed just outside the door and listened. A roar went up, signaling that Desari was on stage.
The band began a slow, moody ballad, one particularly suited to Desari's beautiful voice. It filled the hall
and spilled out, dreamy, sexy, mystical.
Tempest touched the door with reverent fingers. No one had a voice like Desari. Once heard, it was
impossible to forget. It conjured up dreams, fantasies, evoked intense emotions in all who heard her.
Tempest felt a surge of pride in her. Somehow she had become part of them all. Accepted. Respected.
A member of their peculiar family.
Cullen hurried up, obviously out of breath, his heart loud enough for Tempest to hear. "Where is he?
Where's Darius?"
"At the entrance to the balcony, I think," she replied.
"The riverboat party. The bachelor thing. I saw Brady Grand among the passengers boarding the boat,
but I don't think he got on. If he's the one who booked that boat, then it's a set-up. He's got a crew
here." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]