Call Of The Dark

Lazarus poked his tongue in his cheek and looked away. Emma realized that the pale skin of the vampire was slightly flushed. She wondered if he was blushing but went against the idea.

When he didn't reply to her, she goaded, "Well, what are heats? Why would a mate come flying all the way from Yizinia just because of heats?" The only sound that came from Lazarus was a low grunt. He busied himself with removing his boots.

Emma decided to ask him again, wondering why he was ignoring her, when she heard Olya, "Food is ready!""That was fast," she murmured. She got up from her fur and instantly she caught her head for being dizzy.

Lazarus was by her side, holding her. "Lie down. I will go and get the food in here." His breath caught in his throat, he held her by her shoulders. He was saved by Olya.

"No," she replied in a weak voice. Why was she feeling dizzy? It was absurd. It was as if all her energy was drained and she couldn't even move. "I think I can walk out."

"You just connected with a dragon, listened to her thoughts, and that means that you have drained a lot of energy. I am surprised that you haven't lost your consciousness," he said. "So you stay in here while I get food for you."

Emma tilted her head and blinked. "Why would my energy drain by connecting with Nephie?" The connection seemed… natural. "I can walk…" she said stubbornly. In her heart she was hoping to see Nephie once again.

Lazarus sighed. "Okay…" He got up and helped her get up.

Once again, she felt dizzy. Maybe, Lazarus was right. She balanced herself against his body as he grabbed her hand in his large hand and then made her lean against him. He unbuttoned her cloak and tossed it aside after helping her to get out of it.

She made out of the tent and it seemed like it was a tremendous effort.

Once they were out, Emma saw that Olya was sitting next to a fire pit over which there was a thick slab of stone. The orange fire was casting a beautiful glow over the snow beneath it. The logs crackled, sending flumes in the air.

"Emma!" Olya said excitedly as she flattened pieces of meat on the stone slab. "Come here! You look so pale that you need all the food in the world!"

Lazarus took her to Olya. There was a stump next to Olya where Magnus was sitting. He got up to make space for Emma.

"Olya," Emma said in a low voice and chuckled. "I could use all the food you have."

Lazarus walked to the side where his water canteen was. He picked it up, warmed it slightly over the fire and gave it to Emma. "Have some warm water," he said, his gaze fixed on her completely. Ever since she had touched the dragon, she was wobbling on her feet. He didn't like it at all and he wanted her to become okay as soon as possible.

Both Magnus and Olya shared a knowing glance while Emma chugged down warm water greedily. A little water escaped her mouth and trailed down and Lazarus couldn't help noticing how the drop of water perfectly trailed down the length of her neck and vanished beneath her sweater.

When Emma gave the canteen back to him, she was about to wipe her mouth. Lazarus was faster in wiping that drop of water and licking it off his finger. While Emma raised her eyebrow, he turned his face to the other side. Why were his ears heating so much?

"Emma, that was amazing!" Olya said, turning the meat pieces again. "Weren't you scared of the dragon?"

"No!" Emma replied excitedly. She went on to narrate her experience with Nephie.

"Your mother is a dragon rider?" Olya said as her mouth dropped to the floor.

Emma nodded vehemently. "That's what Nephie is saying."

"Oh my God!" Olya was stunned along with the rest of them. The sizzling sound of meat made her squeal in frustration. She flipped it again. "I think it is done! I have to remove the slab from the fire." Just as she was about to remove it, Magnus came and helped her.

"Don't touch it, Olya," he said, chiding her softly. "Your fingers will burn."

"If I don't remove it, your fingers will burn," she replied, batting her eyelashes at him.

And Magnus was sold. Yet again. He bent down and kissed her lips. "I think I have fallen in love with you again."

She laughed, beaming under his touch. And Emma's heart burned with a longing. If only Lazarus would do the same with her. But…

Olya took the roasted meat, sprinkled salt over them and served them to everyone.

Lazarus narrowed his eyes. "Is your mother alive?" he asked, not realizing that he had come to sit right next to her on a fallen log. He tore the meat into two and took it in front of her lips. She opened her mouth and ate it.

Chewing it, she said, "Yes, I think so. Nephie said that my mother is a dragon rider, but she didn't say anything about the fact that she is alive or not."

Lazarus wiped the corners of her lips and gave her another piece. "If the dragon is alive, then the dragon rider is also alive," he said. "The dragon usually lives as long as the rider lives or until the rider has severed the bond. However, I have also heard of dragon riders whose dragons have died and they still live. And—" he gave her another piece and saw how she was listening to him with rapt attention. "—there are dragons whose riders have died before them. They live in constant agony…"

Emma sucked in a sharp breath. She couldn't even think of Nephie dying. The thought was… painful. "How do you know so much?" she asked, as her heart ached to meet her mother. She wondered if she could go to Yizinia, even if it was for one time.