Chapter 5
Chapter
Sarika was shocked that the inhabitants of the forest ignored the huge harpy eagle as it wove in and out of trees with shocking precision.
The eagle flew straight toward the darkest grove of kapok trees.
The trunks were quite thick, and the heavy branches were high off the forest floor.
The dull whitish-gray fungi growing up the trunks seemed to become larger and much rounder in shape the higher they flew.
As they traveled deeper into the dark grove of trees, the coloring of the fungi seemed to change, blending in with the surroundings, making it difficult to spot them despite their size.
Many branches, thick and sturdy, curved upward and reached outward.
Others were very straight, stretching out toward neighboring trees.
Some grew skyward, providing a canopy to shelter the entire grove.
She noticed the foliage and vines grew thicker and heavier, covering the trees to hide the trunks as well as the strange fungi that seemed even larger.
The harpy eagle set Sarika gently down on a particularly thick branch very high in the canopy.
Almost immediately, Luiz shifted and turned to place his foot on one of the wide, round pads of fungi.
Sarika cringed a little as she followed him.
To her shock, the fungi pad wasn’t spongy.
It was hard, not in the least like mushrooms. It was so hard that it acted as a stepping stair.
That gave her a little more confidence to follow Luiz higher into the canopy.
The round pads widened the higher she climbed until they appeared to be a small terrace or several terraces climbing upward until Luiz stopped at the entrance to what had to be his house.
The building was very skillfully hidden between two extremely broad trunks and supported on thick, sturdy branches.
The house was much larger than she’d expected, being essentially a tree house.
It was open in design so that she could look right inside.
A fringe of hanging vines appeared to be the front door.
The openness of the design and the hanging vines making up a door made her uneasy. How would she be safe here unless he was with her? He claimed he wouldn’t be. She had no doubt that Percy would find his way to Luiz’s home.
She didn’t voice her protest but followed him through those thick woody vines.
Despite her reservations, the moment she entered, she felt as if she were home.
That feeling was the same as when she’d entered the rainforest. Extremely strong.
She looked around her, noting Luiz remained silent, giving her the chance to see his home.
There was no sense of pride or relaxation coming from him. Luiz maintained that low energy but continued to give off an aura of danger. It was clear to her that just because he was in his home didn’t mean he’d let down his guard.
She forced herself to take her mind off her cousin and really look around his home.
A half wall of wood made up the outside, allowing the structure to blend into the canopy.
The polished hardwood floors gleamed. There were benches made of strong woven vines set against screens that made up movable walls.
Behind the screens could be a bedroom and closet. Maybe a kitchen.
Overhead, the ceilings were almost cathedral.
Branches from the tree were high up toward the ceiling and curved in and out of the open design.
She could see how a jaguar would have access to the arboreal highway, but just as someone in the home could quickly escape, that openness meant other jaguars could easily enter.
Chairs made of vines were in what she considered the main room.
Between them was a small table. Behind one of the screens, she glimpsed a table large enough to seat two for dinner.
She glanced at Luiz to ensure he didn’t mind her snooping, and when he continued to remain silent, she stepped around one of the gorgeous screens to find a wide hammock hanging from the ceiling.
Sarika smiled at Luiz. “Your home is quite beautiful and practical. I can see that without full walls, the breeze can easily flow through the rooms, keeping the heat and humidity at bay.”
He waved her toward the chairs. They looked inviting, and she immediately sank into one, thankful to be off her feet.
“Take your shoes off,” Luiz encouraged. “I’ll give you slippers to walk around in. My home is protected against insects, but the occasional one might slip through.”
She tilted her chin at him. “Are you still reading my mind?”
He shrugged, not looking in the least remorseful. “I find it expedient to do so.”
“Well, stop. It isn’t very comfortable knowing you can read every thought I have.” She flashed him a small smile. “Especially since I haven’t made my mind up about you.”
His eyebrow shot up, making him appear a little more approachable. “What exactly is the problem?”
She burst out laughing. He was so…ridiculous.
“I’m still reading your mind.”
She didn’t bother to conceal that she found him funny as hell. How could she when he was reading every thought in her head?
“Do you really think that shifting into a giant harpy eagle and flying me through a rainforest is normal? That’s just a little whacked.
Not only that, but you’re talking to me telepathically when I’m certain I’m not telepathic, and you just said you could get me slippers when I’m fairly certain you don’t have any my size in the house.
” Deliberately, she looked at his feet, which were decidedly larger than hers.
“None of this is normal. Not one single thing.”
“You are telepathic, and this is normal for me,” he said.
That made her laugh more. “I suppose it is, but I have no idea how.” She wasn’t touching his assessment of her ability to speak telepathically.
“I am not simply a jaguar shifter; I became a true De La Cruz, with the blood and memories of those who came before, when I was reborn.”
She threw her arms into the air. “Right there, Luiz, that’s nuts. Something out of a science fiction or fantasy novel. I’m a scientist, very practical. This Carpathian conversion seems a little far-fetched, if you ask me.”
His eyebrow shot up again. “Practical? You consider yourself practical? You travel the rainforests with perfect strangers and assume you’re safe. And you’re a shifter, whether you like it or not. In most circles, that isn’t considered normal.”
She was surprised the chair was so comfortable, and she snuggled down into it even deeper. “Unfortunately, I can’t say you’re wrong.” He had a point. There wasn’t much practicality in the things she did.
“Tell me all about this very fascinating new life you have, cousin.” Deliberately, she reminded him of their relationship. Despite him bringing her safely to his home, she still needed reassurance.
“I cannot say it is fascinating, but perhaps looking through your eyes, I will be able to view it the way you do,” he said. He sank into the chair across from her and indicated her shoes.
Her feet hurt like hell, so she didn’t protest, just leaned down to remove her boots.
“Carpathians lose all ability to see in color or feel emotions after a number of years. They hear the whispers of the undead calling to them, telling them if they kill while feeding, they will once again feel. They live in a gray world, where only honor keeps them from turning vampire. After hundreds of years, it is…difficult.”
It sounded difficult. And did that mean he had no feelings whatsoever for her? That saddened her. She didn’t know him, but she welcomed him as family. She’d been very excited to learn of his existence and get the opportunity to meet him. She was fully prepared to embrace him as family.
“It’s complicated to explain,” Luiz conceded. “I know my emotions are somewhere inside me—several of the Carpathian women have told me they feel them when they are close to me—and I know I would protect you with my life, but I can’t say I actually feel the emotions I should—or want to—feel.”
Her heart hurt for him. He didn’t sound in the least bit distressed by his revelation, as if he’d accepted his fate long ago.
“Don’t feel so bad for me, little cousin.
Unlike many other Carpathian hunters struggling to stay honorable, I know I have a lifemate.
She is far too young now, but there is an end in sight for me.
” He steepled his fingers and looked at her over the tops of them.
“I have only to protect her and keep her safe. Her parents aren’t as thrilled as one would think they would be. ”
“Are they Carpathian?”
He nodded. “Riley was human at one time, before Dax converted her. She has the human way of thinking—that a woman should choose her partner.”
“You don’t feel that way?”
“I am very ancient, Sarika. The ancient warriors poured memories and regrets into me. I saw thousands of battles and so many good, honorable men succumb to the tragedy of never finding their lifemate. There is only one for these men. If she were to have a choice and, in her fear, reject him, he would suicide or become vampire. He would have no other choice. Once he claims her, he is sworn to make her happy, and from everything I have witnessed with lifemates, he does.”
“What is claiming? How does he claim her?”
“Carpathian men are imprinted with the binding words before their birth, when their soul is split apart. He speaks the words to his woman, and if she is his true lifemate, they are bound together. Married in more human terms but for eternity. The words bind their souls.”
“You believe that?”
“I know it is so. I have seen it. Once uttered, it cannot be undone.”
“He can just say these words, and she will have to comply, whether she agrees or not?”