Original series is by Christine Feehan. I do not own any of her characters such as the ones used in this story.

Only things you need to know before reading (if you haven't read the series):

Carpathian- A race of people that are like vampires, they must have blood to survive, but do not ever kill humans while taking blood, cannot walk in the sunlight, and they have powers over nature and to shapeshift into animals.

Vampire- Carpathian men that have Turned. After centuries, the men lose all color and emotion and when they kill a human when feeding, they become a vampire, a deranged shell of a Carpathian that kills for the fun of it and they are bent on destroying the rest of the dwindling Carpathian race. Note: women can only become a vampiress when an attempt to turn a human to vampire has gone wrong.

Lifemate- The Carpathian people believe that every person is born with another half. The men, after losing all color and feeling, once they find their other half, she restores all emotions and colors for him. When one dies, the other will quickly follow, or turn vampire. THe male Carpathians can bind their lifemate to them with the ritual words imprinted in them before birth. With that, they tie their lifemate to them in such that they are unable to be apart for very long, and if one to die, the other would most likely follow.

Human butchers- Humans that are controlled by the vampire, either by mind control or he had taken their blood. They are pawns to do the vampire's bidding and are out to kill the Carpathian people, believing them to be no different then the evil vampire.

Other human stuff- Human women can only be lifemates to Carpathian men if they have a strong psychic ability. Only then can they survive a change to the Carpathian world. (it takes three blood exchanges to turn Carpathian/vampire)

Safeguard: Like a barrier that is, in a way, like an invisible puzzle. The more complicated the safeguard, the stronger and more secure the barrier.

Other background stuff... Skyler was in the hospital when Francesca found her and quickly brought her back from her insanity. Her father sold her body for drugs and alcohol once her mother had died. He was killed by Gabriel. Skyler was later adopted by Francesca and Gabriel. Tamara is Francesca's and Gabriel's child. Skyler is an empath (can feel other's emotions) which is why she is able to become Carpathian if there is one more blood and Dmitri had met briefly before in Dark Celebration. Skyler's life was in danger and when Dmitri had supplied her with necessary blood he formed a mental bond with her, although has yet to speak the ritual words, he agrees to wait until she is older.

And that's it! You don't have to read the series to read this story, as the series is mostly separate stories with different couples. Although I highly recommend reading the series, it's so damn good!

The smell of whiskey and cigarette smoke was thick and suffocating.

A young woman stood, looking around in the darkness and trembling violently. It was not very often that she was blinded by darkness. Not with the Carpathian blood running through her veins. Even in the darkest of places, she could always see outlines. But not here.

She was very familiar with Here. Here was a place that she went to almost every night when her eyes closed and she knew that Gabriel and Francesca were unable to protect her. The only times that they were unable to protect her from the horrors.

Questions raced through her mind. Would nothing happen this night? Or would He come again? Often times He would come. Sometimes just standing and staring at her, smiling in a cruel way that struck more horror into her then anything else had ever done. More cruelty lied with him then with any vampire that walked this Earth.

“I’m not a Thompson anymore… I’m not… My name is Skyler Rose Daratrazanoff… Francesca and Gabriel told me so…” Her voice carried out… a mere thread of sound.

There was cruel laughter as he stepped into her view range. His cruel smile revealing blackened teeth that several years of various drugs and alcohol had brought. His cruel smile that reminded her of several years of torture and horror. Long nights with strange men and not feeling safe, even in her own head. Long days and nights of wanting to die, to go anywhere but where she was being held. Long nights of crying to her long-dead mother until He commanded her not to do so anymore.

“You can’t escape who you are, Skyler. You’re my property.” The man hissed, advancing towards the trembling young woman.

Skyler’s eyes widened as she stared up at him, unable to move as he wrenched at her hair, making her scream in pain as she was dragged to him.

“My property. You thought that they would protect you forever.” Her father laughed wildly.

Slowly his features started to change, his shape changing to form that of a stronger, larger man. The other man that haunted her dreams. The man that protected her, and at the same time made her fear for her life, her sanity.

“Dimitri…” Skyler whispered.

“My property…” He whispered.

Skyler screamed, jerking upright in her bed and panting, sweat beading at her forehead.

Instantly she felt a brush against her mind, like butterfly wings.

“Skyler?” a faint voice whispered into her mind.

She trembled at the voice and instantly blocked her mind. She knew it would never match against Dimitri’s strength since she was still learning how to block her mind.

Dimitri did not respond and Skyler felt both bereft and relieved. She slowly stood and climbed out of her bed. The light fading from outside the stained glass window told her that Gabriel and Francesca would be awake soon.

She walked over to the vanity against the wall. She had always covered any mirrors in her room when Francesca and Gabriel weren’t around. She couldn’t stand looking at herself, being open to her own harsh criticism. She faintly traced a finger along the long scar that ran along her face. The worst of those that her father had left her with. The rest were on her arms and other parts of her body. All faint scars now but still visible. She always made sure to cover her arms and legs as much as she could.

Her fingers found the brush on the vanity and started brushing out her dark brunette hair, something that would keep her hands from wringing themselves together.

“Skyler? Are you alright? I feel your anxiety…” Francesca’s voice whispered through her mind, making her relax and smile faintly.

“I am fine, I had a nightmare, that is all.” She responded.

“Next time, Gabriel or I will send you to sleep, to assure no more nightmares.” Francesca added.

Skyler said nothing. They didn’t need to know that even with their help, the nightmares would return.

She started over to her dresser, picking out her clothing carefully, trying to occupy herself long enough so that she didn’t look pale and terrified when she would see Gabriel and Francesca. It was late Spring, and she could no longer get away with having long sleeves and long pants. She tugged on a pair of jeans anyways, and put on a tank top, something she disliked heavily, but as she was not fully Carpathian yet, she would get heatstroke from wearing long sleeves in this weather. Even during the evening the temperatures were high.

“You had another nightmare…” Gabriel said, although it was not a question as he strode over to her after she exited her room.

Skyler bowed her head, feeling ashamed of being weak.

Gabriel gently pulled her to him. A rare exchange of contact, although Gabriel would be the only man that she would ever be able to be so close to without feeling such a bombardment of emotions.

Francesca walked over, her long ebony hair braided back and her black eyes full of concern as she hugged her adoptive daughter.

Gabriel straightened, intimidating to anyone else he rarely showed emotion to others rather then Skyler or Francesca. His black eyes were also full of concern, and his black hair looked messy. “Do not feel ashamed, you have no reason to, Skyler.” He said gently.

Skyler smiled faintly, “Thank you, Gabriel.” She said gratefully before rubbing at her eyes.

“I wonder if it’s the sudden change in schedule.” Francesca wondered gently, brushing a strand of hair from Skyler’s face.

“That could be it.” Skyler agreed, automatically moving to untuck her hair from behind her ear so it would cover the side of her face that the scar was on. She had recently switched to their schedule and started sleeping during the day and waking up at night. They had all decided it would be better for her to be awake with Francesca and Gabriel, especially now that the Carpathian race knew that they were under the huge threat of vampires and humans, and twice she had almost gotten herself killed by one of the undead.

“I am sorry, Little One, for causing you such nightmares…” Gabriel said gently, again tucking her hair behind her ear, noticing the small action she had done and not liking it. “Do not hide your face, Skyler. You should never hide your face.” He said gently, his tone not scolding.

There was a faint whine that Skyler missed from another room. Instantly Francesca turned and returned moments later with the small Tamara in her arms. Skyler smiled at the family, and as always there was the faint pang of foreign emotion that she pushed away before either of them could detect it. She disgusted herself enough with that emotion.

“I will fix myself something to drink…” Skyler said softly, as though asking permission before starting into the kitchen. She could hardly eat anything now. With two blood exchanges, her sixteen year-old body was torn between two worlds, one of which, craved blood, while the other needed human nourishment. Thankfully she was still able to keep water and pure fruit drinks down, although she would have to make her decision to change completely soon enough. She dreaded it and her fingers turned white as she gripped her glass at the thought.

As soon as she turned fully Carpathian, she would put herself out there for any male to come by and treat her like property. She would be put on a pedestal as one of the only unmated Carpathian women. And most of the men wouldn’t care if she was of age yet or not. They would take her by force if they wanted to, and they could.

Frothing black rage welled up in her, coming from nowhere and making her choke. She doubled over, leaning on the counter for support as she dropped and shattered the glass onto the ground.

“No one.” A dangerous voice hissed, it’s seething rage suffocating her.

She hardly noticed Francesca and Gabriel calling to her in worry. She blinked and jerked suddenly when Francesca’s arms wrapped around her, “Skyler, are you alright?” She asked gently, her voice soothing Skyler’s soul and releasing her from the suffocation.

As soon as it had started, the rage disappeared all at once.

“I am… fine.” Skyler answered after a while, her body trembling.

“Come over here and sit down, I’ll clean up the glass and get you something to drink.” Francesca said, her eyes full of worry as she helped Skyler down into a chair.

“Do not. You will harm yourself.” Gabriel sighed, a small smile on his mouth as though secretly mocking her ways of cleaning up the shattered remains. He waved his hand and the glass disappeared instantly.

Francesca sighed, mumbling something close to “Show-off…” under her breath with a small smile.

“It was Dimitri… he was so angry…” Skyler whispered suddenly, startling both of the lifemates as they looked at her.

Gabriel frowned, having already voiced his opinions on the man that called himself Skyler’s lifemate, and had already threatened to take her away from them on more then one occasion.

Francesca put a hand on Gabriel’s arm to calm him before looking at Skyler, “Perhaps we should invite Dimitri over here. You would like talking to him, Skyler. He owns a wolf sanctuary.” She explained gently.

Gabriel growled in protest and Skyler’s eyes widened in fright, “No.” She answered instantly. “I don’t want to be near him…” She whispered, her statement being both a truth and a terrible lie.

Francesca and Gabriel looked to one another, Gabriel looking angry and stubborn and Francesca looking rather worried as they had their own private conversation through each other’s minds.

Skyler rubbed her hands up and down her arms, staring at the table and waiting for them to speak.

“Skyler, you know that eventually you will have to confront him.” Francesca started gently.

“I already have. I already told him why I cannot and will not become his lifemate…” Skyler explained softly.

“Yet you are in pain without him around. Your soul calls out to him just like his does to you. This is not something you can avoid.” Gabriel said firmly and Skyler winced, folding her arms over herself in attempts to make herself smaller.

“He is giving you time to overcome yourself and your past, Skyler. This is not something that can be done easily, I know. But use this time to try and give yourself strength. Come to know Dimitri as a person rather then the monster your mind is tricking you into believing.” Francesca suggested gently.

Skyler didn’t respond, going over the options in her head. Dimitri scared the hell out of her, she was terrified of being near him, but at the same time craved it. She needed to be near him. Especially in the early evening, when Dimitri would wake, she would feel a horrible tearing at her soul, the pain so horrible, she thought that she could never possibly be happy again. She already explained to him that she wasn’t like other women. That he would have to find a different lifemate besides her. She couldn’t possibly have a lifemate, not after everything that had happened. She wouldn’t be able to bear being lifemates with such a dangerous man, someone that would control everything about her.

“Of course.” Gabriel added, giving a firm look over at Francesca, “We will be with you at all times.” He said firmly and Francesca met his frown.

“Gabriel, you’ll just be in the way…” Francesca scolded, her voice a whisper in his mind.

“I will not leave them alone. She is our daughter and as such, she is under my protection. She is not to be left alone with someone as powerful as Dimitri.” Gabriel said firmly.

Francesca sighed and folded her arms.

“I will go…” Skyler said after a few seconds. “I’ve been acting like a spoiled child, hiding from him.” She whispered gently.

“Oh, baby, never that. You have gone through so much, you are under enough pressure as it is.” Francesca said softly, gently stroking her hair.

Skyler winced at the reminder. Of course. Mikhail had already voiced his opinions to her when she told him there was no lifemate for her among the Carpathian people. That she refused to be in a relationship with any of them. Raven seemed a bit more sympathetic and understanding, and almost a bit proud of her. Mikhail, on the other hand, had pointed out to her that without her, her other half’s soul would be lost and condemned to darkness.

Skyler looked up to see Gabriel’s cold eyes on her and suppressed a shiver. “Mikhail had told you such things?” He asked, frowning.

“He was right in doing so. But I cannot take back what I have chosen for myself. I cannot be anyone’s lifemate.” Skyler said softly.

“You are only 16, still a child, he had no right to pressure you into such things.” Gabriel said, his tone cold with hidden anger.

“You are not a child, Skyler.” A voice whispered into her mind and Skyler jumped in surprise. As quickly as the touch came, it faded.

“He does when the Carpathian race is in danger and more and more of the males turn vampire without their lifemate. With children still dying before they reach their first year. He has more then enough reasons to put pressure on me.” Skyler answered calmly. She felt terrible, dirty, even, for making her choice. Her heart broke at the thought of Gabriel or Lucian or someone else dear to her turning vampire or seeking the dawn. But if she were to put herself under the control of her lifemate, she wouldn’t be able to take it, her soul would break, her mind would retreat to that dark place where nothing could hurt her, nothing could touch her.

“I think… I need a walk…” Skyler said after a few moments.

Francesca nodded her head understandingly.

Gabriel frowned, “Do not leave the safeguards, Skyler.” He warned her. “The nanny is at the door, we will leave Tamara with her while we go feed.” He explained softly, standing up and lifting the small child into his arms, his eyes softening.

“Even so, do not go too far off, alright? Even with the safeguards in place, it is dangerous if you get hurt and we are not close by.” Francesca added gently.

Skyler nodded her head, “I will be careful. I just need some fresh air. I will be back soon so the nanny does not have to take care of Tamara completely.” She said gently, watching as Gabriel walked over to the door, speaking a little to the woman. She smiled kindly, her being there made Skyler smile faintly. She reminded her of a kind grandmother.

“Oh, well you two go have fun now.” The nanny smiled, waving a hand and Francesca smiled, “Thank you so much.” She added as Gabriel wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the home.

“Your father tells me that you are going to take a walk. Do not take too long, you need something to eat to put some meat on your bones.” She said, looking over at Skyler who nodded.

“Of course.” She said gently, walking over and kissing Tamara on the forehead before pulling her jacket on and starting out of the home.

Gabriel owned a huge part of land that was mostly wooded area that was completely untouched, although it was surrounded by an old black iron fence that would keep human intruders out, even though the safeguards in place would do that a lot more easily.

Skyler inhaled the night air into her lungs and started off through the forest, her feet hardly making a sound as she started through the forest, a faint flicker of light every once and a while as fireflies littered the area. She already knew where she was going. It was the only place that she usually walked to.

Silently she walked until she met the small creek and started walking downstream, her feet balancing on the stones and walking through the water, careful of any of the wildlife that could be caught under her feet.

Without warning she felt herself humming gently to herself. The noise startled her. She hadn’t sung anything since her mother had died. She smiled and continued her soft humming, not sure what song it was, or where she had ever heard it, but it came to her so fluidly she couldn’t help but sing it.

“Your voice is beautiful, Skyler.” A voice whispered nearby.

Skyler’s heart flipped over a few times when she recognized the voice, she knew it by heart.

“Dimitri…” She said softly, looking around. Dimitri wouldn’t have been able to get in through the safeguards, but she was close to the fence, he was possibly on the other side.

“Dimitri…” She said, carefully touching his mind and blinking when there was no reply.

“I’m right here, Love.” Dimitri’s voice whispered through the trees again. “Of course, I am unable to get in through the safeguards, Gabriel was intent on safety when he wove these.” He added gently.

Skyler started over towards the fence and saw his form flicker through the trees. Her heart thudded in sudden fear, feeling suddenly nervous. A vampire was drawing near and she trembled, starting over towards the fence, her hands gripping the bars before easily climbing over. “Dimitri, you don’t feel it, there is a vampire…” She said, her eyes wide as she started over towards him. She had to protect him from the danger he didn’t seem to grasp.

“Love, where are you?” The mind touch came again, but it was further away, and sounded different.

“A vampire…” Dimitri said softly, walking over, his black eyes cold as he walked over to Skyler, his hand quickly grabbing her arm. “You sense a vampire? We must hurry and leave, I cannot have you in danger…” He said, but Skyler wasn’t paying attention.

Her eyes were staring at his and her body had seized up, the evil choking her and clouding everything.

“I’m not leaving with you.” She said instantly, trying to pull her arm from him.

“Skyler…”

“Dimitri’s eyes are blue… not black.” Skyler suddenly whispered, her tone horrified and filled with fear.

PS. Thanks for correcting me, one of my reviewers politely pointed out that in the Dark series, his name is spelled, Dimitri (my fault, I'm used to spelling it Dmitri out of habit) and the story has been changed to the proper category, thanks to another reviewer who pointed out that there IS a Christine Feehan section (that I missed, of course).