Dark Celebration Page 0,107

rising, had felt the darkness coiled in him, whispering continually every moment until he thought he might go mad-until he thought he would welcome madness.

His gaze shifted to a woman in heels. Women always welcomed his attentions. He could draw them easily with his dark, seductive looks. He knew what women saw when they looked at him: a handsome man, mysterious, wealthy and very, very sexual. He looked the epitome of the predatory male and women followed him, begging to be taken to bed. He used them ruthlessly, leaving behind the impression of sexual prowess, marking them with his teeth, disgusted by their willingness to throw their bodies at him. If they only knew what he really wanted was to drain every drop of blood from their bodies, to leave them a withered shell just so he could feel the momentary rush of life.

Temptation was overpowering, triggering a response, so that his incisors lengthened and grew, filling his mouth even as his body craved the power of the kill. Just once. The whispers grew louder, drowning out his thoughts of calling to his brothers for aid. One time only. A taste of life that would have to last him a long while. Just once. Who would know?

The heartbeats grew louder until they thundered in his ears. He heard his own heart beating and waited for the sheep around him to follow-and they did, slowly, one by one, picking up his rhythm.

He craved hot blood pouring into his system. He craved the feel of a woman's skin, the thrill of her body submitting to his. Only he couldn't feel it-not for real. His brothers fed him emotions like they would spoon-feed a child. It wasn't enough. Darkness called and he needed to answer. He could almost taste the power in his mouth.

Abruptly, he turned and strode from the inn, out into the night, where he could calm his heart and try to think with more clarity. Hunger beat at him relentlessly, a dark driving obsession he couldn't shake. The night wasn't dark enough to hide in. The snow lit up the ground and kept the shadows from prevailing. He needed the shelter of the woods. Manolito switched directions and headed for deeper forest.

"Nicolae, warrior, brother, it is good to have you home." Mikhail clasped the forearms of the tall, ancient dark-haired hunter, greeting him with the timeless Carpathian tradition for welcoming beloved warriors home.

Nicolae Von Shrieder stood arm to arm, staring into the eyes of his prince, emotion

nearly choking him. It was unexpected and shocking to feel the lump in his throat at the admiration and genuine welcome in Mikhail's greeting. He was home and he had served his people with honor and dignity for centuries. "It is good to be home, Mikhail. I serve at the will of my prince, who is the living vessel of our people, and pledge loyalty to him." He paid the ancient homage to his prince.

Mikhail's smile was genuine. "It has been long since I heard those words and felt the meaning behind them. It is truly good to have you home." He turned to the woman standing beside Nicolae. She looked very apprehensive, somewhere between wanting to run-and fight. She had been through so much, her courage and strength honed in the very fires of hell.

He clasped her forearms, looking straight into her startled aquamarine eyes, and repeated the ancient greeting, affording her the highest respect he could give her. "Destiny. Warrior. Sister. It is good to have you home."

She swallowed hard, glanced at her lifemate and nodded, her hands tightening on his forearms. "It is good to be home. I too serve at the will of my prince and pledge loyalty to him."

"You do not have to pledge your loyalty to me," Mikhail said. "The service you have already done is more than any people could ask of you."

"I stand with my lifemate and wish to serve," she replied.

"Then I accept your offer on behalf of the Carpathian people." He let her go, stepping away, his smile welcoming. "I have long wanted to meet the woman who has given and suffered so much for our people. Thank you for coming."

"I had forgotten the feel of our soil," Nicolae murmured. "I cannot get enough of it. Destiny says all I do is roll around in bed, but it is a miracle to me to have the luxury of such richness." He led the way through his family home. As always, the other Carpathians had