r brother. darius let his breath out slowly, acknowledging that julian would make his own decisions. i cannot protect them at this

time, and i am relying on you. as soon as the concert is over, put them somewhere safe, and all of you meet with me to ferret out this predator.

there was a small silence. you are safe? i am.

darius was uncertain if he spoke the truth. he was not at full strength, and he had lost a great deal of blood. ordinarily he would have instantly shut down his heart and lungs to preserve the precious fluid until his kindred came to provide for him. but he didn't have the time or luxury to do so now. tempest was hurt.

tempest stirred and moaned softly, raising a trembling hand to the gash on her head. "ow." her long lashes fluttered, rose, and she smiled at him. "i knew you would come, darius, but i've got a hell of a headache."

he leaned over her and pressed a wet cloth to her head. "close your eyes, honey and lie still so i can see what i can do about this."

"they wanted one of you to follow, didn't they?" she murmured, her lashes drooping. she felt sick.

"you have a slight concussion, tempest." darius knew his voice reflected his weariness. it was impossible for him to keep the pain at bay with his strength waning by the moment. fortunately, she had not recovered enough to notice his wounds. he scooped up handfuls of rich soil, mixed it with his healing saliva, and packed the gaping holes in his body.

darius sent himself seeking outside his own body and into hers. it was difficult to focus as completely as he must while his great strength and energy were draining away. he had tried to slow his heartbeat, to slow the loss of blood, hoping to give himself more time. he could feel her fear, the pounding and throbbing of the pain in her head. she had lost blood, but not the copious amounts head injuries often led to. she would not need a replacement.

he tested the bruising, meticulously worked at healing it inside her skull and then outside until the wound was closed. he took her headache away and retreated, slumping wearily onto the floor of the cave.

for a long while there was only the sound of their heartbeats. tempest lay floating in a kind of a dream state. after some time she became aware of the differences in the rhythms of their hearts. they always beat the same when they were close to each other, yet now his heart seemed slow, almost stuttering.

tempest forcibly roused herself. she turned her head slowly toward darius and, to her horror, found him slumped in an awkward position against a boulder, his skin drawn tight over his skull, his face gray and dotted with crimson beads of blood.

gasping in alarm, she came to her knees, reaching for him. his shirt and trousers were soaked in blood. "my god, darius!" she whispered, horrified.

there was no response. she reached for his wrist to check his pulse, found it thready and weak. tempest knew immediately that he had seen to her needs before his own. he was unconscious. he had lost too much blood. she was afraid he was going to die. they were stuck deep within the earth. there was no way she could drag his body out of the cave and to help in time.

tempest forced herself not to panic. he wasn't human. what could she do to revive him with what she had at hand? she had no way of contacting the others. the private mental path the family used only worked among them. she noticed the soil packed in his wounds. he had tried to stop the bleeding using the richness of the earth. quickly she looked around, searching for the soil he'd said was filled with minerals and healing agents. she mixed a fresh pack and spread it over the wounds.

"darius, tell me what to do," she whispered, feeling more lonely than she ever had before. smoothing the hair from his forehead with gentle fingers, she felt her heart turn over, then begin to pound. she had somehow fallen in love with him. he wasn't human. he was overbearing and dominant. they probably didn't have a chance in hell of making it work, but she wasn't about to fail him.

somehow in the short time they were together, darius had become her other half, more important to her than her own life. he shared his life, his memories, with her; he laughed with her, took care of her injuries before his own. he showed her in a thousand ways that he loved her. despite his arrogant ways, he cared for her, cooked for her, saw to her every need. she felt his love. more important, through his memories, when their minds were melded, she saw his greatness. and she knew absolutely that he was willing to grow old and die for her.

well, she was not about to lose him. tempest eased him down so he would be more comfortable. no one else was around to give him the one thing he needed most. so she stretched out beside him, turning so that her head was pillowed on his shoulder.

"here's the deal, my darling," she whispered. "you are going to take my blood, as much as you need to heal you. if it works, you'll wake up and save my life. hopefully i won't be deranged." she made a face. "i really don't want to be deranged. so let's just do this and not think too much about it. okay? this is my decision." she leaned into him and brushed her mouth against hi: neck. you

understand me, darius? this is my decision, my free will. i want to do this for you. take my blood. i'm offering my life for yours. i think you're a great man am well worth it.

she dug the pocket knife out of her jeans and, biting her lip hard, slashed a hideous gash in her wrist, instantly pressing it to his mouth.

drink, love. drink for both of us we live together or we die.

she meant every word. then were no doubts, no regrets, but it hurt like hell.

at first she felt her blood flow into his mouth on it's own, but then he moved weakly, bringing his hand up to capture her wrist, to press it tightly against him. his lips moved, drawing the precious liquid into his faltering body, a mindless, blind instinct for survival.

tempest closed her eyes, allowed the gathering darkness to float her away.