Dark Destiny Page 0,83

was on his way, and he had much more experience than she did. He would know what to do to protect Mary Ann. "Actually, if word got out, it's more likely that vampires would be put on the endangered species list and we'd be forbidden to hunt them," Destiny pointed out.

The door opened without even the pretense of a knock and Nicolae sauntered in, looking so handsome it annoyed her all over again. "Speaking of devils."

Nicolae leaned over and kissed the nape of Destiny's neck. "She is absolutely crazy about me," he assured Mary Ann.

Destiny rolled her eyes heavenward. "She is definitely not crazy about him," she denied. "She doesn't even like him."

Nicolae pressed his body suggestively against Destiny. It was the briefest of contacts, but it sent a shiver feathering along her spine.

"Mary Ann, I couldn't stay away," he said, turning to the other woman. As she rose to greet him, he took her hand, bent gallantly over her fingers.

"See?" Destiny's eyebrows arced. "Is he full of crap or what?"

Mary Ann laughed softly. "I don't know, Destiny, I rather like his manners." She withdrew her hand and looked up at Nicolae. "What brings you here to see me besides wanting to make Destiny crazier than usual?" She went very still, put a hand defensively to her throat. "Is something wrong?"

"Don't encourage him, Mary Ann. He's already puffed up beyond belief." Destiny made a face, determined to keep the worry from her friend's face.

"I was wondering if you've had any visitors lately, Mary Ann," Nicolae said easily. "Destiny and I are looking into this business with John Paul and Martin."

"Oh, that's good, Nicolae. I've been worried about them." Mary Ann looked confused, rubbed her temples as if they were suddenly throbbing. "Somebody was here earlier, right before you came in, Destiny. A very nice gentleman. He asked me a lot of questions and seemed very interested in our sanctuary."

Destiny exchanged a long look of alarm with Nicolae.

She carries no visual memory of this man. She remembers the conversation, but not his appearance. He did not seem to ask questions about you or me.

Nicolae gave a barely perceptible shake of his head, warning her to remain silent as he turned the full power of his voice and gaze on Mary Ann. "Had you ever met this man before?"

A slight frown tugged at Mary Ann's mouth, put little lines around her eyes. "I don't think so, Nicolae. I can't remember - isn't that strange? But I keep notes. He must be in the notes. He wanted something..." She trailed off again, looking more bewildered than ever.

She has the classic signs of memory tampering. Every time she tries to picture him, she feels pain. Nicolae waved Mary Ann back to her chair, soothed her with his touch alone, trailing his fingers along the top of the desk so that she followed the hypnotic gesture.

"What did he want?" Nicolae sounded casually interested, but there was a hidden compulsion in the velvet tones of his voice.

Destiny scowled at him.

She can't remember him. It hurts her to think about him. Don't push her like that.

She thumped the desktop, her fingernails tapping out a rhythm of warning.

Nicolae reached out and gently laid his hand over Destiny's, stilling her nervous fingers.

You know this is necessary. I will protect her from pain, little one. I can just imagine you with our children. I would never dare to correct their behavior.

Destiny's heart thudded. Her eyes widened in shock.

No one said anything about children.

She hissed the words at him.

You never said a single word about children.

There was panic in her voice, in her eyes.

Mary Ann leaned back in her chair, but neither Carpathian looked at her. Their gazes were locked on each other.

That would be a natural progression, I would think. Nicolae pried Destiny's fingers from the desk and placed her palm over his heart.

I am beginning to realize that you have more fear of what is natural than you have of the undead.

Destiny didn't dare answer him. She didn't know how to answer him. He was in her mind, reading her every thought. He knew the idea of home and hearth and family was terrifying to her. Her eyes flashed at him, daring him to be amused.

Mary Ann saved him. "He was looking for someone. A woman with a special talent. He wanted me to call him if she happened to show up here. She was traced here, to Seattle, but she's disappeared." Mary Ann opened a drawer and removed