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)
Gripping Tomas’ hand, she faced Dominic. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
Chapter
13
Sarika is petrified, Tomas told Dominic.
You do not have to tell me to have a care for her, Dominic said. I feel her fears, as does Solange. We are profoundly grateful, whether we come to the same conclusions as Sarika or not. We both realize the incredible gift she is giving us.
Tomas led Sarika to a single chair, knowing the furniture would fit around her once she sank into its unique design. It would feel as if the chair were holding her close, keeping her safe. He couldn’t sit with her and hold her the way he wanted, not when she needed to count on his protection.
He had known Dominic for centuries. He was a man of absolute honor. He was also completely devoted to his lifemate. Tomas understood. In the short time that his world had changed due to discovering her, Tomas knew he would do anything for Sarika.
“This won’t take long. Do you want to be aware of us and what we’re seeing, or would you prefer not to know?”
She caught his hand. “Thank you for giving me the choice.” She knew his preference through their blood connection. He didn’t want her aware. He didn’t push his choice on her; he simply allowed her to decide. He wanted to shield her from every fear.
“I would like to be aware.” She whispered her answer, not knowing if she was testing him or not. She only knew she was so scared of what was in her mind and how that would impact not only her but Tomas and everyone around her. Because whatever was inside her was powerful, and it was insisting on being acknowledged. Not only acknowledged, but it demanded she act on the compulsions it was placing on her. She needed to see for herself if that entity was for good or evil.
Her hand crept up to her amulet. It felt warm, the head of the jaguar pushing into her palm as if offering comfort. “I’m ready.”
Solange seated herself directly across from Sarika. Despite her trepidation and fear at what would be revealed, Sarika felt her determination to offer her comfort and support. She chose solidarity with Sarika even before she knew what they would find. Tomas was able to feel all of that through Sarika.
Sarika felt the instant Dominic entered her mind, following Tomas. Tomas knew, to Sarika, he felt intimate, yet Dominic felt like a gentle intruder. Tomas couldn’t change that and was grateful to Dominic for ensuring he showed Sarika respect and was as gentle as possible.
They both examined Sarika’s earlier memories, the ones where she sat in the room with Solange and Dominic and felt every emotion Solange was feeling.
Highly unusual, Dominic commented to Tomas. Disturbing in that I didn’t detect her, and neither did Solange. I can see why she was reluctant to reveal what she is capable of. This kind of intrusion to a Carpathian couple could be considered an attack.
Tomas was careful not to react to Dominic’s concerns. He knew the ancient was right. Both also knew that Sarika hadn’t tried to connect with Solange. It had happened, and it made her very uneasy. She’d considered leaving.
She is struggling with the need to help Solange, to ease her fears, Dominic said, continuing along the path Sarika’s mind had taken.
Tomas and Dominic felt the punch of the powerful compulsion at the same time. Sarika had been nearly overwhelmed with the need to aid Solange.
She resisted, Dominic said. Your lifemate knows nothing of our ways. She thinks of herself as human, not a shifter, because they raised her mostly human. She doesn’t think she’s particularly strong because she has panic attacks, but she resisted such a powerful compulsion that many Carpathians might have given in to.
Tomas felt the same admiration Dominic did for Sarika. She hadn’t understood what was happening, but she certainly felt the power of the need to invade Solange’s mind and fix whatever was wrong.
She doesn’t trust that what she has inside of her is purely good. She didn’t want to chance harming Solange, and she didn’t want to take Solange’s choices from her, Tomas interpreted. He felt a deep pride in Sarika. She had to have been terrified, sitting in the room surrounded by virtual strangers, afraid whatever was inside of her would burst free.
This is where she saw the jaguar and recognized immediately that the cat was fighting Solange and the pregnancy. Tomas continued the dialogue with Dominic, needing to ensure that the ancient Dragonseeker was reading what he was. This was the crucial data Sarika had risked everything for in her effort to find a way to save the child and reduce the stress on Solange.
How could we have missed this? Solange shifts into her jaguar for every battle. We knew she was available, but both considered her a part of the Carpathian world, Dominic said. Solange can walk in sunlight. This is the reason. Right here. Her jaguar.