Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Tora sighed, glancing upward toward the sky again. The clouds had drifted closer, no longer out over the sea but nearly directly above the forest. Now, rather than angry, dark and boiling, the shapes were intact and the color various shades of charcoal.
“They’re back,” Silke announced.
“They’re so predictable,” Tora said. “You called it when you said they hadn’t left. Do they think we’re going to fall for their tricks and reveal ourselves to them?”
“Tora, whoever creates the storms had to have been like you at one time. Why would they be in the underworld?”
“A vampire was a Carpathian,” Tora reminded. “Once destroyed, they very well could be trapped in the underworld and subject to Lilith’s bidding. She’s a cruel and exacting mistress, from everything I’ve been told. There have been three battles with her armies. She used vampires and mages to aid her demons.”
“This beast you guard, could he be the one building the storms for them? Would he have that kind of power?”
Again, the look of anxiety crossed Tora’s face. “The reason he’s locked behind the gates is because even Lilith fears him. She wants to find a way to control him, as do other factions. That’s why you need to guard the tarot cards so carefully. Like the soul you’re keeping safe, the cards must be kept safe and away from others as well.”
Silke took her gaze from the clouds gathering over the forest to study Tora’s expression. Tora was an absolutely beautiful woman. Her skin was flawless. Her hair was dark, thick and shiny. Her eyes were shaped like a cat’s and colored a deep emerald green. Every man that met her, young or old, was enamored with her, and it was easy to see why. Not only was she beautiful, but she had a mesmerizing quality to her. Just being in her presence was soothing.
“Tora, clearly you’re worried about my reaction to whatever it is you’re holding back.”
Tora rubbed along the bottom of her chin with her closed fist. It was one of the few things she did when nervous. To others, she would never give that telling sign away, but she knew she was safe with Silke, even if she had withheld something important.
Silke didn’t hold grudges. Not ever. She sometimes got even, as she had when two young boys tried to push her around in school when she was eleven. That hadn’t ended well for them. When one tried to push her so the other could steal her lunch, she beat them up right there in the schoolyard. She told them that until they apologized, bad things would happen to them. It only took three days of insects crawling all over their bedrooms, clothes and toys before they gave her the apology. After they apologized, she brought them fruits and baked goods often because Fenja had told her the boys didn’t have a lot in the way of food. Their father had gone on a fishing trip and never returned. Their mother struggled to make ends meet. That was one of the first times that she realized that although the village was filled with happy people, some struggled.
“It’s your lifemate—I know he’s one of the ancients.” Tora made it sound as if she were confessing a great sin.
Silke frowned, trying to comprehend her meaning. Obviously, that revelation was supposed to be significant. She shifted her gaze to the clouds when she felt the buildup of energy. “They’re going to rain lightning on us in an attempt to penetrate the veil you are protecting the forest with.”
Tora gripped her arm. “Honey, did you hear what I said?”
“I figured out that if I was guardian to a soul, he would have to be a Carpathian warrior living the kind of horrible life you told me about. This doesn’t come as a shock.”
Again, Tora rubbed her arms as if cold. “Your lifemate is one of the very ancient Carpathians. There were a few who held out far longer than others. They became…more. From everything the others guarding the gates told me, these ancients have much battle experience and powerful gifts developed over two thousand years of going into battle. In that time, they made numerous kills. Even when one doesn’t feel, killing takes a toll. Living in that endless void takes a toll.”
Silke was trying to understand what Tora was not telling her. “But they haven’t chosen to suicide, and they didn’t choose to become vampire. It seems they are extremely strong. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“They have a code. They believe they owe it to their lifemates to remain on earth searching until they find them. These men secreted themselves in a monastery in the Carpathian Mountains to keep from going insane or turning. Each battle, each kill, brought them closer to the brink, so it seemed a good idea to lock themselves away. Your lifemate did that. He’s considered extremely dangerous, Silke. He’s powerful and has gifts many other Carpathians don’t, and most hunters have tremendous talents. Already it is whispered that should he turn vampire, few, if any, could defeat him.”