“I feel it, too. I think there is an urgency to completing the ritual for both of you,” Andre said. “I really need to speak with her again.”
Sandu didn’t hesitate. The two women had returned to the living room, and both looked up when they entered. Andre wishes to speak with you, Adalasia, and it is important you give him the truth. He has sight where it is veiled to others. He didn’t know how else to tell her.
Adalasia’s gaze jumped to Andre, then back to Sandu. She kept her blue eyes fixed on him as if he gave her the necessary courage.
“Hi, honey,” she greeted. When he reached her and had bent to grasp her chin, tilt her head up and brush a kiss on the tip of her nose, she smiled at him, then managed to look at Andre. “Your home is lovely.”
“Thank you, Adalasia. The credit goes to Teagan and her grandmother. The two of them spent weeks designing the house and each separate room. I am very pleased with the results.” He looked at his lifemate with pride, before switching his full attention back to her. “Would you mind answering a few questions for me? It would help me in giving you both the advice you came for. At least, that is my hope.”
“Yes, of course, Andre. I really appreciate that you’ve opened your home to us and you’re willing to help, especially at such short notice. I know it had to be an inconvenience.”
Sandu reached for her hand as he sank into the chair beside her. There was no trembling in her voice, but he felt it in her mind.
I cannot share everything about my family with anyone but you, and perhaps those traveling with us.
It is all right, Sivamet. Just tell him what he needs to know. Andre is different. He knows things, and this is why we have been directed here.
“What do you have that guides you on your journey?”
She lifted her chin, her gaze flicking to Sandu. For a moment, he felt her protective barriers rise. She took a deep breath. “I read tarot cards.”
There was a small silence. Andre continued to look at her. Adalasia pressed her lips together and then looked again at Sandu.
Tell him the truth.
“They are not just any deck of cards, Andre,” Adalasia admitted, her voice a thread of sound. The flames in the fireplace flared so that shadows danced along the wall. She looked at them uneasily. “The deck has been in my family for generations, handed down from mother to daughter.”
“The same exact deck?” Andre asked. There was wariness in his voice. Speculation. Beside him, Teagan stirred, but the Carpathian put his hand on her, and she immediately relaxed into him, but the tension in the room increased so that the air seemed to thicken.
“Yes.” Adalasia didn’t look at Sandu, but he felt her stillness. She gave the barest nod of assent.
“Do you know how they have managed to stay intact without disintegrating with age and use? With your fingers and others’ touching them daily? Our ancient books have to be kept under glass and temperature controlled, yet you use those cards and allow others to touch them.”
Again, there was a brief silence while Adalasia made up her mind. She moistened her lips. “The cards were sealed with blood,” she whispered. “They had a strange reaction to Sandu. He believed it a reaction to power meeting power. I thought it was me being fearful of what the two of us faced together, and they saw my fear. Now I know the tarot cards recognized him specifically and reacted to him.”
“I would like to see the cards, Adalasia. Perhaps they would react to me,” Andre said. “I am Carpathian. An ancient. It would be an interesting experiment.”
Sandu. The protest was almost a wail. Frightened. Almost like a child.
Keep your heartbeat in tune with mine, Adalasia. Sandu rubbed the pad of his thumb along her inner wrist. Keep in mind that Andre is aiding us.
What if I should see something in the cards he wouldn’t like? Adalasia pressed her lips together as if to keep silent.
Andre might see something we won’t like. He wants to help us and intends to. Do you feel he is our enemy?
No, not at all. I just feel . . . out of my depth. Lost.
Then use the cards. When they are in your hands, you have an anchor.
Adalasia straightened her shoulders. Took a breath. She looked out the window into the darkness and then at the dancing shadows on the wall. He saw the moment when she took a leap of faith.
“Sandu, you are my anchor.” She said it aloud. Sandu could tell she meant it, and his heart did a weird clench in his chest. He found himself smiling at her.
Adalasia smiled back and then pulled her hand free of his so she could reach inside her shirt. Sandu watched carefully. There hadn’t been the slightest lump or bulge in her clothing to show that she had anything hidden under that smooth material clinging to her narrow rib cage. Why would that be? Did the deck hide itself on her person? Now that he thought about it, he had never seen evidence of it, yet she carried it on her at all times, and it wasn’t small.