Dark Song полностью

Do you feel me close? We share a mind merge yet you do not seek my knowledge. Reach for my location. I will shield you from the battles that would distress you, Elisabeta. I know a woman as compassionate as you would have difficulties viewing the things I have seen and done over the centuries. Unlike the vampire, I do not wish to expose you. He was cruel and enjoyed watching you suffer. I do not. Trust me. Share my mind the way I share yours.

He knew he was asking for a huge leap of faith. He was centuries old and Elisabeta had already heard the rumors of Ferro from the Malinov brothers, the relentless Carpathian hunter feared even by other Carpathians for his renowned skills. He felt her hesitation, heard her pulse jump and then begin to race. His woman had serious trust issues and yet she still wrapped herself in him.

He simply waited, giving her the choice, knowing that more than anything else this was difficult for her. Elisabeta preferred Ferro to make the choice for her. She wanted him to command her to look into his mind rather than leave it up to her.

Ferro. Her voice shook. Is this what you desire of me?

He was silent, turning over and over in his mind the various reactions to her trembling query. He wanted her to start making her own choices for her sake and know they were her own.

Minan piŋe sarnanak, only you can decide whether you feel you are able to trust me enough to shield you. If you cannot, I will not be angry or disappointed in you. We will simply try it another day. You have only to look into my mind, see where I am and come to me, or call to me and I will come to you. There is no wrong decision. He kept his tone as gentle as possible, giving her the sensation of his palm stroking caresses down the back of her head to soothe her.

Elisabeta paced back and forth on the grounds beneath the house, wrapping her arms around herself, unaware she was walking better and better. On the uneven ground she didn’t stumble. Already, when she wasn’t thinking about it, she automatically cushioned the soles of her feet so she didn’t hurt herself on the rocks. He would point these things out to her later, just not now when she was desperately trying to force herself to make a choice.

Ferro found it agony to feel her mounting terror. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself from taking the decision from her hands. He felt like he was torturing her rather than helping her. He was feeling his way with her, trying to guide her without pushing her too fast, but perhaps he was guilty of the very thing he had warned her female friends against doing. It was just that she was so confident when she came to the aid of those in need. Just as she was cushioning her feet automatically while she paced because she wasn’t giving it thought, while she was using her gift to help others, she made decisions and gave her opinion with conviction.

Then suddenly, before Ferro had made up his mind, he felt that first tentative touch, a seeking. She was so timid, her fear filling him, and then she found the images of his location, of him quietly waiting for her. He knew the moment she felt his overwhelming pride in her and his feelings that had fast gone from affection to love and passion intertwined so strong and tight, the feeling would only keep growing for her.

He felt her gasp. She went still. At first afraid to trust what she saw. The emotions he felt for her. He couldn’t blame her. Sergey had tricked her repeatedly over the centuries. The vampire enjoyed playing elaborate, cruel jokes on her. Ferro felt her move in his mind, daring to search further. Looking for truth. Needing to believe but terrified to do so. He held himself equally as still as she had, silently willing her to take the next step, but aware she might not quite get there this rising. She had already come so far. His Elisabeta, so courageous.