Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Any other man, she doubted if she would trust, when he had the ability to compel her obedience and then hide from her what he’d done. She felt, in such a short time of using the intimate telepathic communication and the letters they had shared over the years, that she knew the heart of him.
“I see the real you, Sarika,” he assured.
“Since we agree that we’re going to continue forward, you might want to prepare me for what to expect. I caught glimpses of Solange after her third blood exchange, but not too much seemed to transpire. That doesn’t fit with the shadows I see in your mind.”
“My brothers, Luiz and the others will aid you, but it is painful. Your organs will be reshaped, and you must die as a human and be reborn as a Carpathian.”
Sarika pressed her lips together to keep from blurting out her first response, which would have been hell no. “Put like that, it doesn’t sound like much fun.” She went for levity, because really, what could one say to that revelation? “And for your information, I look human, but I’m fully jaguar shifter. I have a jaguar and a legacy to protect.” She was adamant, hoping he would listen to her. She needed him to hear her when she stated she wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her jaguar side.
“I know of two people—one is Solange and her jaguar—who remained nearly the same. She is Carpathian in that she can go to ground, but she also can walk in the sun, and no Carpathian can do that. It’s said her blood can extend our time in the early morning hours or allow us to rise an hour before sunset. Dominic said it is ‘iffy’ and can’t be relied on.”
“And the second one?”
“Her name is MaryAnn. She isn’t jaguar; she’s Lycan. When she was converted, she remained both. I believe you will as well. You have a gift, Sarika, one that I don’t understand, but I know it’s very powerful. I think that gift is a very integral part of who you are and can’t be taken from you.”
She liked that, mostly because she knew he meant it. If his belief in her was that strong, she wanted to believe as well. Her gift had always been a part of her. It had grown stronger as she got older, but she couldn’t imagine not having it. When she was around other formidable women, that wonderful power in her magnified and spread, responding to feminine supremacy.
She knew the empowerment had little to do with gender. If she tried to use her gift for her own gain, it would fail every time, and there would most likely be repercussions falling back on her. While she knew her gift was potent enough to be a weapon, again, she couldn’t use it for personal power or gain.
“When we make our second exchange, Sarika, it will only add to our need to be together. You are still aboveground, and if you wake before sunset, you will feel grief. Your mind will reach for mine, and if I don’t respond, you will believe me to be deceased. That is your mind playing tricks on you. You’ll have to be very strong. I will attempt to wake as early as possible, even if I cannot rise, so if you’re in need, I will be able to communicate with you.”
“We’re going to do the second exchange tonight?” She tried to push down the trepidation, reminding herself she wanted this. She didn’t want to give herself too much time to think about it. She needed to continue on the path of commitment.
He stroked another long caress down the back of her head. Her heart tripped. Stuttered. Even her stomach did a slow roll.
Sarika made up her mind. If she could at least control a small part of it, if she felt it was her decision as well as what was necessary, she knew she would do so much better. She took a deep breath and let it out. Another one for clarity and then she made her daring suggestion.
“I think you need to give me the full effect of Carpathian abilities, Tomas,” she ventured, trying not to blush. Just making the suggestion made her feel not only empowered but sexy, something she’d never felt in her life.
His thumb traced her jaw gently. “What would that entail?”
“A real bed, not a hammock. Lots of my favorite candles. Wave your hand and do the clothes thing. I wanted to experience that the moment I heard about it. If we’re going to do this, shouldn’t we do it right?”
“I told you that you’d be safe with me. In a bed, with candles and without clothes, you aren’t safe. There is no way, especially when we exchange blood, that things aren’t going to get out of hand.”