She had met Emeline in Paris, where the woman had been hiding out. She had witnessed a murder, she recounted, and was lying low because she was being hunted. Blaze’s father had sent her out of the country with a new identity, which she was very bad at using. She had stayed with Genevieve and Charlotte for several days, and then she’d gotten the news that Blaze’s father had been murdered and she rushed back to the States to help Blaze find the men who had killed him.

Charlotte had really felt a connection with Emeline, just as Genevieve had. Emeline had lived a tough life, but she was extremely resilient and loyal. To her, Blaze was family, her sister. Blaze’s father, Sean McGuire, had been the one constant in Emeline’s life and she was equally loyal to him. When Blaze needed her, in spite of the danger to herself, Emeline had rushed home – right into Vadim’s trap. Charlotte understood and respected loyalty and commitment.

The night was very dark with few stars and little moon. The clouds overhead boiled and seethed as if a giant cauldron had a fire roaring beneath it. Occasionally she could see lightning webbing the sky, but it was still far away, so when the thunder rolled, it was in the distance. She loved storms and hoped Emeline did as well.

The house Emeline lived in was one of the smaller ones on the vast property and it was closest to the main house. Tariq had given that house to Emeline so he could better watch over her. It was beautifully appointed, looked Victorian in design and matched with the larger home Tariq enjoyed. In particular, Charlotte loved the wraparound verandah. From the sprawling, covered deck, Emeline could watch the water and any storms that came in over it. She also had good views of the play yard so she could watch the children play and of the more forested part of the property where she might find some peace.

Charlotte went through the little gate in the small wrought-iron fence that designated Emeline’s personal space. The yard was covered in masses of shrubs and flowers, seemingly growing wild yet very carefully maintained. She went up the steps and knocked on the door, all the while admiring the gingerbread detail at every window as well as the eaves.

Charlotte heard movement in the house. Slow, measured steps, as if Emeline was having trouble walking.

“I’m not feeling well,” Emeline called through the door, confirming what Tariq had told her – Emeline wasn’t seeing anyone.

“Emme, it’s me, Charlotte, from Paris. We met in Paris. I don’t care if you’re not well – I want to see you. We can sit on your porch if you don’t want me in the house. I know you trust Liv and you let her visit. You can trust me, too.”

There was a small silence. Charlotte was certain Emeline was going to send her away just as she always did the Carpathians protecting her. Tariq said only Blaze and Liv were allowed in the house, and Emeline considered Blaze her sister. Very slowly the door cracked open and Emeline peered out at her.

Even in the night, or maybe because of it, Emeline appeared extremely pale. There were dark smudges around her eyes. She looked gaunt – in need of a doctor she was so slender. She wore a loose housecoat over her jeans and sweater. Even with the robe and sweater, she shivered continually.

“Honey.” Charlotte wanted to pull her into her arms but instinctively knew Emeline would retreat from any actual contact. “Come sit with me.” She waved toward the rocking chairs on the small porch.

Emeline hesitated, looking carefully around the yard. Up on the rooftops, down by the lake, she took in as much of the property as she could see. The night was dark and there seemed to be a faint red glow to Emeline’s eyes, much like a cat’s eyes in the dark. The shivering was continuous, and Charlotte wondered if she was in pain rather than cold.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Emeline stepped out of her house and slipped into the nearest rocker. “Forgive me for being so strange. I just…” She trailed off, all the while searching the sky with its dark, swirling clouds and the dull, almost nonexistent moon they hid.

“Tariq said the vampires couldn’t come in here. They can’t get to you. Blaze must have told you that.” Charlotte kept her voice gentle, as if she was talking to Lourdes or Bella. Emeline was exquisitely beautiful. She was probably the most drop-dead gorgeous woman Charlotte had ever seen, and that was saying something because she thought Genevieve was really beautiful. Even with her body so thin and her long hair, still thick but without its glossiness, Emeline was extraordinary – but something was clearly wrong with her. She needed a doctor.

Emeline nodded her head. “Tariq has been good to me. He did say that.”

Charlotte knew Emeline didn’t ever open the door to any of the male Carpathians. Danny had visited twice with Liv, and she’d allowed him inside her house both times, but he had reported that she kept furniture between them at all times.

“Honey, do you need a doctor? A counselor? Something really bad happened to you and…” Charlotte trailed off as Emeline clutched the robe tighter around her and shook her head.

“Don’t say it. Don’t say anything about what happened. I can’t go there yet. I’m sorry, Charlie, but it’s too soon. I just need time. I told Blaze when I could talk to her about it, I would. I just can’t face it yet.”

Emeline’s voice shook almost as badly as her body did. She looked panicked, on the verge of flight, and Charlotte didn’t have the heart to call her on it. She nodded. “It’s all right, honey. I understand. Fridrick.” She paused, because Emeline obviously recognized the name. When Emeline didn’t say anything, she continued. “Fridrick murdered my brother and Genevieve’s grandmother as well as others we knew and cared about. If it wasn’t for Tariq he would have managed to kidnap both of us.”

Complete horror crossed Emeline’s face. She reached out with trembling fingers to touch Charlotte’s arm. “You can’t let them get their hands on you.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You just can’t. Their blood is acid. It burns and burns and never stops. He whispers to you. It will drive you insane.”

Charlotte’s heart jerked hard. “Can you hear him now?”

Emeline shook her head. “Only if I fall asleep.”

That explained the dark circles under her eyes. “Did you tell Blaze or Tariq? They’ve woven safeguards to protect you. If the protections aren’t working, they need to know to build stronger ones.”