Page 21 of Dark Hope (Dark Carpathians #38)

Chapter 21

Aromatic candles and the flickering flames in the fireplace were the only lights in the room. The small table Silke used to read the cards was made of ancient wood and had been in her birth mother’s family for hundreds of years. Fenja had told Silke that the table had been made centuries earlier when Tora had given blood to the tarot cards, giving them the power and wisdom to see into whomever touched them.

Silke loved that little table. The cards felt at home there, as if they knew that piece of furniture had been made specifically for them. Although she knew it was necessary, she felt a great deal of trepidation reading for the men who had come to her village in their time of greatest need.

She looked across the room to where Tora was seated. Tora didn’t want a reading. She feared what the cards might say. Now that she wasn’t needed to guard the gate, she could go out into the world, visit the places where Carpathians lived and perhaps find her lifemate. She told Silke she feared that fate. She’d been on her own far too long to be a partner to someone, yet she longed for a family of her own. Still, even knowing the cards would give her clues, she refused the reading.

It was Mataias who sat across from Silke. She liked him. He was different, but then, wasn’t everyone different? He didn’t look at all nervous, when she had such anxiety she was trembling inside. Outwardly she remained composed, but inwardly she was a mess. Benedek, so tuned to her, realized and stepped up to stand directly behind her, his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

Mataias gave her a reassuring smile. “Whatever you see is going to be fine, Silke. I need the reassurance that somewhere in the world is the lifemate I’ve continued my existence for. Just knowing she is still in this world and I have the chance of finding her gives me added strength.”

Mataias is telling you the truth, Silke, Benedek confirmed. It matters little the danger he may face, only that he knows his woman is somewhere in the world waiting for him.

It has been my experience that few women these days sit around dreaming of their man. Especially if she is human. None of you should count too heavily on that fairy tale.

Benedek burst out laughing and shared Silke’s observation with his brethren.

Lojos mock-scowled at her. “I’m certain my lifemate has been dreaming of the day I claim her.”

Tora made a single sound of derision. She and Silke exchanged a long look and both burst out laughing.

“If she is a modern Carpathian woman, like her human sisters, she may well be running in the opposite direction of her arrogant lifemate,” Tora told the men.

“Only because she knows she has no business fighting vampires,” Tomas said. “He’ll put a stop to that immediately.”

Tora rolled her eyes. “He might think he can do that, but in this day and age, women have choices.”

“Not lifemates,” Lojos disagreed. “Human or Carpathian, they have to live under the same law. There is no choice.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, you Neanderthal.” Tora glared at him. “I hope your lifemate is the most modern of all women, not some babe you can shape with your silly ideas of men ruling. It won’t happen.”

“The lady is protesting,” Mataias said, “but I think a bit too much.”

Tora snapped her fingers in the air and the glass of water in front of Silke slid across the table to dump into his lap. At the last moment, Mataias halted the water in midair.

Benedek laughed. “All of you remember this moment when you’re rushing around the world looking for your lifemates. You’re searching for trouble.”

“Is Silke trouble?”

Benedek looked at his closest friend. Nicu sat in the shadows, his hooded eyes seeing everything. “Silke is always going to be trouble,” Benedek said.

“Is that true?” Nicu asked Silke.

“Absolutely,” Silke said. “I wouldn’t want Benedek to get bored.”

She turned her attention back to Mataias. They had managed to calm her nerves and she could breathe normally. She handed him the cards, knowing the goddess card wouldn’t react to his presence the way she sometimes feared when others touched the cards. Mataias was known to Tora, and it was Tora’s blood allowing the cards to stay fresh and to judge the one seeking answers.

“Think what you would like to get clarity on while you shuffle the cards, Mataias. A path you seek, a need, anything external or internal.”

Mataias nodded, all at once sober, indicating he took the cards seriously.

“Divide the cards into three stacks and then choose a single card from each stack. Put the card face down on top of its stack.”

Mataias did so, and Silke turned over the card he’d selected using a ladder layout as she placed it on the table. “The hermit. The hermit’s lantern shows that many others will help you along this treacherous journey. You must look inside yourself to know the correct path. Don’t let outside distractions change your focus. Follow the light you feel deep inside you.”

Mataias shook his head. “That’s the problem, Silke. There is no light in me.”

“I am telling you what the cards reveal. Hopefully, it will make sense when you are at those crossroads.”

Mataias rubbed the bridge of his nose and then nodded for the next card.

“This card may reveal a potential action you can take,” Silke said as she turned the card over and placed it carefully on the table. “The hanged man. The hanged man is about sacrifice. Yours. And those who appear along the way. You must be patient and pause. You want to move toward your goal or desire, but now is not the time, and you must accept that.”

Mataias looked up at Silke. “I don’t suppose you could tell the cards to be more direct.”

“I just read what’s there, Mataias,” she assured. “The card in this position can reveal actions that affect your outcome.” Silke was a little reluctant to turn the card over. There was danger surrounding Mataias and it seemed to her that his ultimate goal—finding his lifemate—might not have the best outcome. Since Mataias was a favorite, she didn’t care for the way the reading was going. Still, she did her best to keep her feelings and thoughts from the cards, not wanting to taint the reading.

Silke turned the eight of wands over. “Obstacles. You have much energy to move forward, but the faster you push, the more obstacles are thrown in your way. Don’t allow danger to force your hand.”

Mataias rose from the table with a courteous bow. “Thank you, Silke. I’ll think about the paths you have given me.”

She cleansed the cards and returned to the table.

Lojos sank into the chair opposite her, taking the cards from her and shuffling as she repeated the instructions. “Shuffle the deck, and as you do, think about what you hope to gain clarity on. A goal. A path. A need. It can be external or internal. It can be something you don’t realize is keeping you from seeing clearly. It may be holding you back. Divide the cards into three stacks for me, choose a card from each stack and place it face down on top of its stack.”

Lojos took his time shuffling. He placed each stack carefully and precisely on the table, studied them, and tapped the first stack, indicating he wanted the top card. He chose one from the middle on the second stack and the bottom card from the third.

Once again, she chose the ladder layout. It felt right to her. She turned over the first card at the top of the ladder. “The tower. A great evil has escaped.”

They all knew Justice had broken through the gate. No one knew where he was or where he was going. Silke didn’t like the feel of the card and feared it meant Lojos might be pitted against the legendary warrior.

“Everything you know to be true is now in question. You must face chaos, perhaps even disaster, before you move forward. There is danger you’ve not considered or imagined.

“This could be a potential action you could take.”

She detested his reading but she kept all emotions contained, not allowing them to spill over to the cards as she turned over the second card. “Two of pentacles upside down. The balance of good and evil has shifted. The balance of honor and duty brings hard decisions. You have given so much attention to what you feel you must do that you have lost focus on what is truly important. The time to reassess your priorities is coming, or you may pay a great price.”

“I might have to swap readings with you, Mataias,” Lojos said.

“This card is about actions that may affect your outcome.” She turned over the three of swords. “Emotions run high. You run the risk of damaging what could heal your heart and soul. Temper emotions that can wound.”

Lojos sat in silence for a moment just staring at her. Then he leaned forward with a slight scowl, indicating his displeasure. “I don’t feel emotions unless I’m allowing feelings to come through you.”

Silke didn’t respond as she gathered up the cards and stepped away from the table to cleanse them.

“Or unless you do come across your lifemate,” Benedek said. His voice rasped a little more than usual, and Silke turned her head to regard her lifemate.

He didn’t hurt my feelings, Benedek, she assured. Tarot readings can be disappointing if one believes the cards are going to tell them what to do. He has a lifemate. There is danger surrounding her. Surrounding him. The cards could be read that way. I did my best to read the cards without my opinion interfering. I’ve never known the cards to be wrong.

He can speak to you with more respect.

Silke immediately felt lighter. She had never considered anyone would stick up for her the way Benedek had. She sent him a smile and then returned to the table to seat herself across from Tomas.

“Silke, I meant no disrespect,” Lojos said.

“I took no offense. I know readings can be frustrating when you hope for a specific path. What I say can sound vague when you are hoping for a clear direction.” She turned her attention to Tomas. “Are you certain you want to proceed?” She half hoped he would say no.

“What would you have me do?” Tomas asked, indicating the tarot cards.

She handed them to him and repeated the instructions she’d given Mataias and Lojos.

Tomas was very decisive and fast. He shuffled quickly, divided the cards just as fast, placing the three stacks directly in front of him. He studied them for one moment and then lifted a few cards to pull one that would become the first rung of the ladder. He laid it face down on the first pile and instantly divided the second stack in half, taking the middle card to lay on top of that stack. The last card was chosen with care, his palm moving over the cards twice before he eased one out about two-thirds of the way down. His manner piqued Silke’s curiosity. Something seemed to tell him exactly what card he needed.

Or he is manipulating the reading, Benedek suggested.

Another reading perhaps, but not with these cards. Through Tora’s blood, they are aware and able to discern cheating. Or influence.

“Temperance,” she revealed, as she turned the first card over. “By finding patience and moderation you are more likely to attain your goal. Be open to allowing others to help, even if their ideas conflict with your own. Many are willing to aid you on your journey.”

Tomas nodded but kept his gaze fixed on her, not the cards.

“This card is potential action you can take or action to be aware of.” Silke turned the middle card over. “The wheel of fortune upside down. Something negative is at play. Something you cannot control. Reflect on how your own actions or beliefs are affecting your future if you are to stand a chance of changing things.”

Lojos sighed. “You see, Tomas. Things are out of your control, but you should reflect on your own actions or beliefs, otherwise, you can’t change things. What does that mean when you put it together?”

Behind her, Benedek stirred, his dark shadow on the wall behind Lojos looking menacing. Silke rubbed the back of her head against him to soothe him more than herself.

“It means I need to reflect on this,” Tomas said calmly. “Please continue, Silke.”

“This third position is a card that may affect your potential outcome,” Silke said as she turned it over. “Five of pentacles. There is a feeling of isolation that only betrayal and anger bring. It has left a wound. Whether you are the wounded or the healer is not yet known. Help is all around you, but you may feel they aren’t focused on your problems. You need to swallow your pride and trust that those with you will know when it is time to help.”

Lojos threw his arms in the air. “Tomas can’t feel pride. How can he swallow it?”

“Lojos,” Mataias cautioned.

“I’m asking a legitimate question,” Lojos said.

“Before you take offense, Benedek,” Mataias said, “Lojos has always been the brother to play devil’s advocate and ask the hard questions. He doesn’t get the concept of faith. He likes facts and wants to discuss details endlessly.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Silke said as she gathered the cards and once more crossed the room to cleanse them. “I tend to be the same way. Ask Tora.”

“She is,” Tora agreed. “She asked so many questions Fenja threatened to put tape over her mouth. Of course, she was joking.”

“I contemplated doing it more than once,” Fenja admitted, with a straight face. “She argued over everything.”

“ Discussed, ” Silke and Lojos clarified simultaneously.

Everyone smiled, dispelling the gloom creeping up on Silke. Nicu was next. She had been drawn to him from the start, probably because he had an affinity for animals and he was closest to Benedek. She could feel her lifemate’s affection for the man, and she desperately wanted everything to go right.

She sensed a darkness in Nicu, much like the shadows in Benedek. He had thick scarring covering much of his soul. Her birth mother’s family had handed down their skills in demon slaying to her, and she’d also been born with the legacy of reading the tarot cards imprinted on her. There was a layout very specific to her family, which was sometimes used when the reader could see darkness in the subject she was reading for.

Four cards would be positioned in a diamond pattern. The first, at the top, signified a personal challenge. The second position, to the left, might be a personal tool. The third card, to the right, was a hurdle or wall to the subject’s goal, and the fourth card, at the bottom of the diamond, was a challenge to their goal.

The legend said that the reader could light a candle for clarity because light is a helpmate to the dark. Silke had a specific aromatic candle made from beeswax waiting on the table so she could light it when it was time.

Nicu gave her a brief, encouraging smile as he took the cards and began to shuffle. She repeated the instructions, telling him to think of what he wanted the cards to clarify for him. She told him to divide the deck into four stacks. He raised an eyebrow at the difference between his reading and the others but did as she asked, placing the stacks neatly on the table in front of him. He selected a card from each stack, placing his choice face down on top.

“This spot represents a personal challenge, Nicu. Things you lack or refuse to see can be what holds you in place, unable to move forward.”

Silke turned over the ace of wands—upside down. “You are impatient to have your ideas and strategies work. Be willing to wait a little longer for the best opportunity to move forward.”

She moved the second card to the left as she turned it over. “This is your personal tool. Recognize the strength in you that will be the most help in reaching your desired goal.” The card was the eight of pentacles. “You are focused on what it takes to achieve your goal. You are willing to work diligently to master what it takes to have what you desire. You look to others for skills and wisdom.”

Silke let her breath out slowly, forcing her body to relax. She feared what was coming, and that was unlike her. She hadn’t been completely calm at all while doing any of the readings, but it was the most difficult with Nicu.

“The right half of the diamond represents a hurdle or wall to your goal. You hold the key to life and death, to success and failure. Identify the key and find the courage to use it.” She turned the death card over and placed it in position. “Change is coming, and it will not be easy for you. What you thought you could never do, never give up, may now be the key to your survival.”

She placed the candle in the center of the diamond but didn’t light it. Instead, she took the remaining card. She felt power in the card. “This is the challenge to your goal. There will always be darkness in the universe that will challenge what you love, desire or need. You must identify what lives in the dark that is holding you from your goal.”

She turned the card over and placed it at the bottom of the diamond, below the candle. “The devil.” She stared down at it for a moment. “Negative forces look to constrain you. You’ve found yourself trapped and must identify the source of the evil that entraps you.”

Silke lit the candle and gently blew on the flame until it flickered and died, releasing a cloud of smoke. “Look into the smoke. You do not have to share what you see, but hopefully, the vision will give you insight on what to do next. A great evil has escaped into our world, and I fear that darkness calls you.”

Nicu dropped his gaze to the smoke. He studied the gray cloud for several minutes and then his breath caught in his throat and he sank back in his chair. He raised his gaze to Silke’s as the smoke dissipated.

The silence in the room was deafening. Every single person present was riveted to the sight of watching Nicu stare into the smoke. If Silke had thought he would show how he felt about what he saw, she was mistaken. Nicu gave them the same stoic, expressionless mask he normally wore.

“I saw our prince, Mikhail, his lifemate, Raven, their son, Alexandru, and many other children and their parents from back home. They were celebrating something to do with the children. A birthday perhaps. All were laughing and talking. There was dancing. The children played together in the way we did when we were young, trying to shift.”

Silke’s stomach knotted. A chill went down her spine. She knew. She wasn’t the only one. Benedek’s fingers tightened on her shoulders in anticipation of the rest of Nicu’s vision.

“Above the children, I saw a dark shadow creeping down the rock, using cracks and crevices to conceal itself. It felt and appeared evil to me. Wholly evil. Just the way it moved, and the way it marked the children, gave its intentions away.”

He stood abruptly, as did the others. “We will return to the Carpathian Mountains and warn the prince that something evil is heading his way so that he may be prepared.” He inclined his head toward Silke as she gathered the cards. “Thank you for the reading. You are much appreciated.”

Silke could feel how torn Benedek was. He wanted to accompany the hunters as they went on the next journey to warn their prince and to find their lifemates. Fenja couldn’t travel, and she had little time left to live. Silke needed to be with her mother.

“If you need to go with them,” she offered, her heart in her throat. Just the thought of being separated from Benedek was terrifying when she had no idea how to take care of herself. Not just that, but everything in her screamed she needed to be with him. She refused to allow anyone to see the absolute terror, remaining outwardly composed. “You should go, Benedek. I will have to stay here with my mother.” She didn’t want to ask Tora to stay with her because Tora had been trapped in the village for so many centuries with no chance to find her lifemate. It wouldn’t be fair to her. But…the thought of trying to feed herself and sleep in the ground was absolutely terrifying.

She tried to keep her emotions from Benedek. She wanted him to make up his mind without worrying about her.

Silly woman. I cannot be separated from you. You cannot be separated from me. If I journeyed to the Carpathian Mountains, you would accompany me. Benedek’s hand curled around the nape of her neck. He brushed a kiss in her hair. Most importantly, Silke, I do not wish to be away from you. My choice is to be at your side.

What of the prince? If that evil creature stalking those children is Justice or one like him, you said it would take many hunters to destroy him.

There is a concentration of hunters in the Carpathian Mountains. Nicu, Mataias, Lojos and Tomas will go with speed to warn them. I do not worry that this evil will prevail.

Silke leaned into him as the four men, one by one, went to Benedek and grasped his forearms, murmuring in their language. They bowed to Fenja and then to Silke before they vanished from the room. All but Lojos. He stood tall, looking at Tora. “Do you come with us?”

Tora nodded and Silke’s heart dropped. She knew it was best for Tora, but she selfishly didn’t want her to go. She wanted her family together, especially since she was facing losing her mother.

Tora slipped her arms around Silke and held her tightly. If you need me, I will come. I go for only a short length of time. I feel responsible for Justice escaping. I believe I need to help the others find him. And there’s Gaia. She was Justice’s constant companion and my friend. Where is she? What’s happened to her? I need to know before I will feel I can truly be free.

You are not responsible for the escape. We were occupied with a war, one in which you had a huge part in defeating Lilith’s demon army.

Tora sighed and stepped back. “Justice took advantage of the war.”

“He did,” Benedek agreed.

“Which means he was aware Lilith was going to attack—and when,” Silke said.

That wasn’t the greatest news for any of them. It appeared more and more that Justice was privy to Lilith’s plans, and he had turned vampire and joined with their enemy.

Tora hugged Fenja. “I have loved you both as a mother and sister. Be strong,” she said to Silke. “Benedek, look after them for me.”

“It is done,” Benedek answered.

Blinking back tears, Silke watched Tora leave with Lojos. Benedek wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him. “Don’t feel sorrow, Silke. We have the privilege of spending time with your mother. We will cherish every moment we enjoy with her.” He drifted kisses down her cheek. “Life is to be lived. We do our part to protect family, friends, community and the world, in that order. You can’t be all things to all people, and you can’t spread yourself too thin. If you do, you aren’t good for anyone.”

Silke loved him for the sincerity in his voice and mind when he spoke of her mother. She turned to face him, sliding her arms around his waist. “I love you, Benedek. Thank you for being my lifemate.”

You taught me what real love is. You gave me that gift. I am the one thankful.

Benedek brought his mouth down on hers, sweeping her away to a world of fire and passion. Silke went willingly, even with her mother in the room.