“Dax, I am so sorry I brought this trouble to you and your lifemate,” Adalasia said. “I had no idea Nera had managed to find a way to slip a spy into the house with us when we were having a private conversation.”
Danutdaxton gave her a small smile. “Have no worries, Adalasia. Carpathian hunters must always have a small lesson in being a bit humbler every now and again to keep us sharp. This is a good lesson for all of us.”
The wind slipped through the forest floor rather than just in the canopy, taking the last smell of smoke and battle away. Riley returned to them, sitting beside her lifemate, giving Adalasia a tentative smile.
“I’m pleased to meet you, although I do wish the circumstances were different. I’ll help in any way I can.”
“Thank you,” Adalasia said.
“Adalasia, I wish to exchange blood with you,” Danutdaxton said.
Instantly, Siv and Petru turned their full attention to the dragon man. Petru even moved his body slightly in front of Adalasia.
This is not a good idea. Your lifemate should be consulted, Siv protested.
Petru echoed the objection.
Well, he isn’t available, is he? Let me hear what he has to say.
“What would an exchange do?” Adalasia asked, trying to ignore her guardians and the way both of them warned her. She didn’t understand all of the rules of Carpathian life, but she knew just by bonding with the four ancients, they’d already broken quite a few. What were a few more, especially if it helped her get Sandu back?
“I am dragon. I can bear extraordinary heat. The Old One can take even more. If we exchange blood, you can call on me, and I can follow that path to you. Or, should you be in trouble, I can reach out to you to aid you. The Cave of Fire is very dangerous.”
“If she takes the form of a dragon, would that keep her safe?” Siv asked.
“It is merely the form of a dragon, and those in the shadow realm know that. They are already dead. She is not. The fire is real. In the shadow realm, those there are meant to feel all emotion and pain, but they cannot be killed because they are already dead. She can be. Sandu will feel all of it as well as her pain.”
“I don’t like any of this,” Adalasia admitted. “Nera has had time to think up a good plan.” Her gaze strayed to Sandu’s lifeless body again. “What is taking so long? I didn’t think healings took so long.”
But she knew why. She knew what they were doing was a nearly impossible feat. They looked so exhausted. Even with Danutdaxton giving his blood and Riley supplying him, she could see and feel they were concerned it was not going to be enough.
Siv suddenly stood. Simultaneously, Dax was on his feet whirling to face away from Adalasia and Riley. Petru rose as well. The three Carpathians placed their bodies between Sandu’s, Nicu’s and Benedek’s bodies, as well as the two women. The wind again moved through the trees, but it didn’t carry scent. The forest hadn’t gone silent as it should have when there was a disturbance.
“I see you have need of a healer, Danutdaxton.” The voice came out of the canopy, but from which direction was impossible to tell. “I offer my services.”
Who is this man who can hide himself from all of us? Siv demanded.
As always, Danutdaxton was strictly factual. He is Luiz De La Cruz. At one time, he was Jaguar, but he was converted, rose, and then when deemed worthy, was taken to the cave of warriors and once again was put in the ground. Zacarias, as head of the family, asked that he be judged worthy to join their bloodline. It is a difficult line, and Luiz was given the choice. He would have led a half life otherwise. He died a second time, and his soul was split in half once he was deemed worthy. This has not been an easy transition for him, any more than it has been for Gary. All of the past warriors of the family poured knowledge and skill into him, but also their despair of not finding a lifemate. He is, however, a tremendous healer.
Adalasia could feel the two ancients in her mind weighing the risks. “In your opinion, Dax, is he trustworthy?”
“He is a De La Cruz.”
As if she should know what that meant. She had heard of the De La Cruz family only because Sandu had mentioned they owned land in several countries in South America. She knew they had human families loyal to them watching over their cattle ranches during the day, but that didn’t tell her anything about the men.
De La Cruz is a very respected name, Petru supplied. They do not go back on their word.
Adalasia opened her mouth to call to the Carpathian male, but Siv hastily stopped her. Not you. Do not ask a favor.