Free Dark Ghost by Christine Feehan Page B

him.
    “Teagan,” he said softly. “Teagan, open your eyes.”
    She didn’t comply. She continued her ridiculous humming.
    “Teagan, obey me.” This time he “pushed” at her, insistent on obedience.
    Her long lashes lifted and she scowled at him. “You didn’t just use the word
obey
, did you? As if you were giving me some kind of an order?”
    Andre studied her face. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her. Right now, her eyes sparkled with what could only be a hint of temper. He’d forgotten the modern world had moved on without him. Women didn’t obey their men, even when it was for safety reasons. That didn’t bode well for either of them. He wasn’t about to allow her to put herself in jeopardy for some modern nonsense of equality.
    Of course she was his equal. Well, perhaps above him. Which was the very reason he needed to guard and protect her. She was a treasure beyond any price. Clearly she didn’t get that.
    He thought it best – and much safer – to ignore her question. “What are you doing in here? I was worried about you.”
    She studied his face for a few moments before she slowly took her feet from her thighs and stretched a little. “You were gone for a while. I’m looking for something very important to me and I think it’s somewhere in this chamber. I can’t quite get a lock on it though.”
    He reached out a hand to her. Teagan hesitated, only a half second, before placing her hand in his, but he caught it. She’d had a nasty experience with a man she considered her friend. She wasn’t going to be so trusting of a man she didn’t know, no matter how drawn to him she was. And he’d ensured she would be drawn to him. The lifemate ritual had sealed them together as had their first exchange of blood. She might not remember it, but she wouldn’t be able to be far from him for very long.
    Andre drew her gently to her feet and let go of her, making certain she was a little distance from him so she would feel safe. She wasn’t, but she didn’t need to know that.
    “Perhaps I can help in your search.”
    She glanced at him from under her long lashes, a small frown on her face. She gave a little shrug accompanied by a sigh. “Actually, if I tell you, you’ll think I’m totally crazy. Everyone does.”
    He waited in silence for her to continue, but she didn’t, forcing him to have to pry the information out of her. “Tell me.” He did his best not to make it sound like an order, but even his softest voice appeared to be a command.
    Her frown deepened. “I came here looking for a certain item. A stone. Or a gem. I’ll know it when I ‘feel’ it. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s what led me up here. My body tunes itself to the precise stone, gem or crystal I need for my work in healing. I knew it was here in the Carpathian Mountains and I had to come. I knew the general location and what part of the range to search because I was drawn to it on the map.” She waited for him to laugh. To make fun of her.
    He studied her face. She didn’t know it of course, but he was already in her mind. She could do exactly what she said she could.
    “Why would I not believe you? You are a gifted healer.”
    “I didn’t get the chance to heal you. How would you know that?” she countered.
    He hadn’t talked so much in ages. It was rather wearing. “I feel your power. Why do you need this particular stone?”
    Her face crumpled. She looked almost as if she might cry. Her look did strange things to his insides. His belly formed hard, protesting knots and his chest ached in the region of his heart.
    “My grandmother. Grandma Trixie. She raised me, and she’s the kindest, most thoughtful, wonderful person you can imagine. She raised my three older sisters as well. It wasn’t easy. She had to work all the time but she never complained. She even helped us out with school when she didn’t have to. She’s incredible.”
    “Is she ill?”
    Teagan looked down, studying the toe of her