Benedek refrained from reiterating for her to be careful. She would be facing a mage. Benedek had the feeling that this one was powerful. He was very used to taking on mages in battle, but Silke wasn’t. Still, he had faith in Silke. She didn’t react like most others. He didn’t think the mage’s compulsions would work on her. There was something in Silke’s makeup that prevented her from succumbing to any command sent from the underworld. Benedek still doubted if the mage worked wholly for Lilith, but he believed in Silke. Perhaps her ancestors, who imprinted on her before birth, built up an immunity in her system to anything dark magic.
Silke began to walk up the path leading to her home. As she did, the plants on either side of the stone walkway bent toward her as if the wind blew. The leaves whispered to her. Rustling in the vegetation on the ground beneath the shrubs and flowers indicated that other creatures were warning her she wasn’t alone.
Benedek remained silent and unseen a distance from her to give her room should she need to fight, but close enough to slip his body between her and the mage if the intruder became hostile.
“Mr. Drakos,” Silke greeted as the mage turned to watch her approach. “What an unexpected surprise. As is your decision to take our security cameras offline.”
In most battles with the vampire, Benedek used the direct approach. He saw no need to engage in a verbal battle. He just took the fight straight to the enemy. It was the last thing he expected from Silke. He thought she might try to hide that she knew what he was doing.
Herman Drakos turned completely to face her. Benedek noted that one of the many passing thoughts moving through Silke’s mind was that Drakos was a good-looking man. Benedek found he didn’t likeeven that idle speculation in his lifemate’s mind. She didn’t need to notice those kinds of details. It shouldn’t matter that his eyes were green and his hair was thick, the color of chestnuts. Or that his smile was charming.
A brief flash of feminine amusement washed through him, and he knew his woman was reading him just as easily as he was reading her.
Pay attention to the threat.
Oh, now he’s a threat.
Any man you find handsome is a threat.
The amusement went from silent to a small sound of joy brushing at the walls of his mind. The unfamiliar teasing felt intimate and even sensual. She was laughing and inviting him to share in that fun.
You pay attention. Look at his hands,Silke said.Tell me what he’s doing.
Drakos had a charming smile on his face. His eyes looked as if he were truly smiling a welcome at her. His hands were at his sides close to his legs. The fingers of both hands moved like spiders crawling up and down his thighs.
Benedek sighed. Even the mages were predictable. Granted, Drakos thought he was around amateurs.He’s casting a spell to make you enamored with him, willing to serve him.
He isn’t going to be successful when I’m enamored with someone else.
O jelä peje terád, emni,Benedek swore in his language.Who are you enamored with now? First, you think this joker is good-looking, and now you’re talking about another man.Deliberately, he distracted her from the mage. His ridiculous outburst earned him her joyous giggle. He was becoming addicted to the way the sound stroked along the inner walls of his mind. She managed to insert light and laughter into every dark crevice, chasing away shadows.
You shouldn’t have kissed me if you didn’t want me falling at your feet. That kiss was really good. And you shouldn’t curse. Don’t think I don’t know what “Sun scorch you, woman” really means, because I asked Tora to teach me all the curse words when I was learning the language.
There was sincerity despite the teasing in her voice. She had enjoyed their kiss.
Of course you did.
“Ms. Reinders,” Drakos greeted. “You don’t really care about the cameras, do you?”
He watched her closely, clearly expecting some reaction from her. His smile was charming like a snake’s. That was how she pictured him in her mind, so Benedek could see the image of a long thick snake with Herman Drakos’ head on it.
“Actually, the cameras are there for a reason. There’s been vandalism in the village, and often my mother is here alone. As I told you and your friends, she isn’t well. It’s common knowledge in the village, and I’m very careful with her safety and health.”
A look of astonishment swept across his face and then he quickly composed himself. “I’m sorry. I don’t like my photograph taken, and I tend to be obsessive about it. I can get the cameras back online.”
“I’ll do it.” Silke poured suspicion into her voice, narrowing her gaze at him. “Did you need something?” She didn’t sound friendly.
Careful, Silke,Benedek advised.He appears affable, but he’s showing all the signs of a mage who believed he was in control and is realizing he doesn’t have that control after all. They are notorious for retaliating against any perceived slight.
He doesn’t get to come to my home and try to get my mother out of the house or put me or anyone else in my village under his control like some puppet.
Benedek filed away the information that taking away free will was a trigger for Silke. Carpathians were used to no arguing. They simply had those around them comply, especially during a battle. He would, hopefully, find a way to compromise with her. She would have to understand that when Lilith’s army attacked, he would be directing the battle. There was no compromise on that.
“I can see that you’re upset with me,” Drakos said in a pacifying voice. “I’m really very sorry. I have to get a handle on my particular neurosis.”
“I am upset. Anything that could impact my mother’s health is not to be tolerated.”
“Perhaps I can help,” Drakos offered instantly. “I have some skill when it comes to healing. I’d be happy to find a way to help your mother. If I was successful, it might make up for our poor start and your bad opinion of me.” He gave her his most charming smile.
