“Does it still exist?” Destiny looked directly into his eyes.
Don ‘t you dare hurt him. Your trust is heartwarming.
There was that same mild amusement, no exasperation or frustration, just a patient waiting. Destiny tried not to let his voice invade her mind, wrap itself around her heart.
Father Mulligan attempted to shake his head, then groaned. “I burned the letter, although I wanted to keep it, just as the cardinal had. The contents were interesting and historically important, but I realized the priest had been reluctant to reveal his knowledge even as he was attempting to solve a theological question.”
“Don’t talk any more, Father, you’re really hurt. We’ll sort this out later. “
He’s slurring his words.
Destiny was already lifting him up, cradling him in her arms as if the priest’s weight were no more than a child’s.
Meet me at the rectory, and hurry up!
she demanded as she ran, using preternatural speed, to the priest’s home.
I am right behind you. Nicolae’s voice was strong and reassuring, completely confident, and she felt some of the tension leave her.
Destiny carefully placed Father Mulligan on his bed, ignoring the presence of the other priests out in the hallway. She had blurred her entry so that none of them had seen her. Nor had they seen Nicolae as he carefully closed the door and mentally directed the occupants of the small house away from Father Mulligan’s room. Nicolae pretended not to notice that she let her breath out in a sigh of relief.
“Father Mulligan, you have taken quite a crack on the head.” Nicolae’s voice was gentle, but Destiny recognized the hidden compulsion in it. “Open your eyes for a moment and look at me.” It was a command, and in spite of his grave injury, the priest struggled to obey.
Nicolae smiled in reassurance, but Destiny hovered protectively just to show him she was watching his every move. Nicolae’s infuriating smile became a smirk. Destiny couldn’t look at his confident face. She melted inside. It was that simple, and that disgusting. A holy man was lying bloody and bruised from an unprovoked attack, and she was staring helplessly at Nicolae’s beloved face.
Her stomach clenched. She pressed a hand to her abdomen tightly, alarmed at her thoughts.
Beloved
? Handsome. Sensual. Male.
Not
beloved. Where had that come from? “You’re so annoying,” she hissed indignantly.
Nicolae reached out, framed her face and looked at her for just a moment. It was only a brief second in time, but it was enough to rob her of reason. “You will hear the ancient healing chant in your head. Listen to the words, Destiny, and repeat them with me. Allow yourself to fall away from your body. It is difficult at first; we are always so aware of ourselves, but you can do it. Become light and energy and travel with me. Hold the mind merge firmly and use my images as a guide.” The pads of his fingers trailed over her cheekbones, left a trail of fire behind. Left her shaken and confused.
Father Mulligan fumbled weakly until she reluctantly, gingerly found his hand. “I think you know the answers you are seeking, child. Have courage.”
She watched him with admiration. Here was a man who gave himself willingly to be healed by a hunter of the undead. Gave his trust to a total stranger of a different species. A man who could think to comfort her when he was so injured. Destiny was humbled by his selfless, giving nature.
“Relax, Father,” Nicolae said softly, his voice musical, compelling. “You should not feel pain, only warmth. I think you have a concussion, sir, but I believe I can help you if you will allow me to do so.”
The priest retained his hold on Destiny’s hand, but he closed his eyes once again with a small nod.
Destiny felt the shifting in Nicolae’s mind first. A freeing of his spirit from his body. She knew the way; he had taught her how to do just such a thing to heal her own body when she had suffered injuries in battle. She had never healed another. Destiny went with Nicolae, following his lead as she had for so many years. Merging with him, becoming part of him.
It seemed she had always been a part of him. Her life had really begun when she had crawled into her mind and found Nicolae with his soft, beguiling voice and his unfailing patience. Destiny had closed the door on her life as a human to help preserve her sanity; only Nicolae had been allowed into her world. He knew everything about her—the good, the bad, every dream, every nightmare. Her own private hell. He knew her, yet he stayed.
Looking back, she wondered that she’d ever thought him vampire. There was darkness in him. He hunted and killed. Yet he was unfailing in giving of himself and his knowledge to her. What vampire would do that? All along she had been afraid of what he would see when he found her. Broken. Damaged.