Dark Legacy (A Carpathian Novel)

Dark Legacy (A Carpathian Novel)

In a thrilling Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a woman fights to free herself from the grip of the vampire trying to possess her...   In a beautiful compound hidden away from the world, Emeline Sanchez tries to blunt the pain that has wracked her body ever since her terrifying ordeal in the labyrinth beneath the city—when she was forced to exchange blood with an evil master vampire.   Now, it’s his voice that haunts her...that calls to her in the dark...that never lets her rest. And while the children that she helped to free from his clutches struggle to heal, watched over by their Carpathian protectors, Emeline knows one thing: She must sacrifice herself to keep them all from harm...   For her beauty is irresistible to the vampires, her psychic ability like a drug. Whipped into a frenzy, they’ll never stop coming for her. And only the taste of one Carpathian warrior—the rush of his blood—can save her... Praise for Christine Feehan and her Carpathian novels   “The erotic, gripping series that has defined an entire genre. I love everything she does.”—J. R. Ward   “The queen of paranormal romance.”— USA Today   “After Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Joss Whedon (who created the venerated Buffy the Vampire Slayer ), Christine Feehan is the person most credited with popularizing the neck gripper.”— Time   “Feehan has a knack for bringing vampiric Carpathians to vivid, virile life in her Dark Carpathian novels.”— Publishers Weekly   “Red-hot romance and great storytelling…a treat you can’t refuse…Thrill-a-minute fantasy with complex characters and a story that captivates from beginning to end.”—Fresh Fiction Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Carpathian series ( Dark Carousel , Dark Promises ), the GhostWalker series ( Power Game , Spider Game ), the Leopard series ( Leopard’s Fury , Wild Cat ), the Sea Haven series ( Bound Together, Fire Bound ) and the Shadow series ( Shadow Reaper , Shadow Rider ). 1 Emeline Sanchez watched the children playing in the large play yard directly across from her little Victorian home. She liked sitting outside on the wide, wraparound porch where the wind could touch her face. Sometimes, that small touch was the only relief she got from the relentless pain winding through her body every minute of the night and day. Rain had given the air a clean, fresh scent. The world looked shiny and new, every leaf on the trees a vivid green or silver. Small birds sang to one another, hopping from tree branches to gnarled limbs. They were bright red spots of color, adding to the beauty of the compound. The property was owned by Tariq Asenguard, co-owner of a string of high-end nightclubs. He had a unique piece of property, and she would have loved to live there if things had been different. Tariq was Carpathian, an ancient race with amazing gifts, but they needed to drink blood to survive. She knew they were forced to sleep in the ground during daylight hours and only came out at night. If they didn't find their lifemate in time, many succumbed to the temptation to feel by becoming the vilest of creatures-vampire. "Emeline." A tall woman with long, dark hair and forest green eyes waved at her from the play yard. "It's a beautiful day." Genevieve Marten was gorgeous. Model thin. Tall with long legs that went on forever. Dressed in slim jeans and leather boots, she looked far too elegant, even in that attire, to be playing nanny to five children. Emeline knew Genevieve was independently wealthy and had traveled the world, yet she was as sweet as anyone could be, and she'd taken on the job of looking after the children when Tariq and Charlotte couldn't. Emeline was certain Genevieve didn't have a mean bone in her body. "It is, isn't it?" she called back. For that one moment, Emeline felt normal, like she had a friend and they shared a joyous moment just because it was such a beautiful day. As she waved, a long tangle of blue-black hair fell around her face and she pushed it back, vaguely thinking she was going to have to cut it soon. She'd always loved her hair, the one feature she thought was attractive about her. But it fell below her waist, and she was just too exhausted to take proper care of it. Merely lifting her arms to brush it, much less wash it, was becoming a terrible chore. She sighed and rested her chin on the heel of her hand, her eyes on the five children running. She loved watching the children. She didn't really know true happiness anymore, but the closest she came was at times like this, observing them playing and laughing, seemingly carefree and happy. They were alive because of her deliberate sacrifice. The sound of their laughter, seeing them on swings and slides and doing normal things, was worth every horrific moment she'd suffered. They were alive. Traumatized, yes, but still alive and hopefully recovering very quickly. "Come join us," Genevieve cal