Carpathian 05 - Dark Challenge

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    threateningly without even knowing what the other is about. How intelligent is that?"
    "Desari…" There was a distinct warning in Darius's voice.
    She glanced down at her bare toes, then blushed, realizing that Darius knew exactly what had taken place in that cabin. How could he not? Julian's scent clung to every inch of her skin. Julian's hand went to the nape of her neck, his strong fingers beginning a slow, soothing massage. He was linked to her mind, and he felt her discomfort at her brother's knowledge of their intimacy.
    The protective touch on her neck provided her with courage and conviction, and her gaze leapt back to her brother's face. "I hold you in the highest respect, Darius, you know that. No sister could love her brother more. I do not know exactly what this thing is between Julian and me, but it is strong and compelling. The two of you will have to get along without further physical violence. I mean it. I ask little of you, but this I will insist on from both of you. You must promise me. You must give me your word of honor."
    Darius's dark eyes smoldered in warning. "Do not put too much faith in him, little sister. You do not know him. A stranger comes into our midst, heralding an attack on your life, and you trust him completely. Perhaps you are far too trusting."
    Julian's breath eased out in a long, furious hiss. His golden eyes glittered with menace. "You are quick to judge those you do not know." His voice was soft, even pleasant, but no one could mistake the threat beneath the surface. This Darius was like Gregori—he was of the same blood as the healer, second only to the Prince—and he sensed the shadow in Julian just as Gregori did.
    "And you underestimate your enemies," Darius pointed out, his voice like black velvet. "You are so sure of yourself that you take too few precautions to safeguard the one you have claimed as your own. It was unbelievably easy to unravel your pitiful attempts to divert me."
    Julian's white teeth gleamed in the waning moonlight. "I knew you would follow; how could you not when you are responsible for your sister's safety? In any case, you could do no other after the assassins had been allowed to make their attempt on her life." He delivered the blow smiling but without humor.
    They were indeed playing cat and mouse.
    Desari shoved Julian so hard and so unexpectedly, he teetered for a moment on the edge of the porch.
    "That is it. I have had it with the two of you." She tilted her chin at them. "I will have no more of this nonsense. I will not leave my family at this time, Julian. You can accept my decision and remain with us as a member of our unit, or you can go your own way. If you refuse to accept him, Darius, then I will be given no other option than to follow where he leads." Exasperated, she glared at them. "Get over it already. I mean it."
    Julian's mouth twitched, the amber eyes softening with amusement. "Is she always like this? You are a tolerant male to have raised such an impertinent woman."
    Desari shoved him again but this time Julian was ready for her, laughing out loud at the eruption of her temper, catching her wrists easily and pulling her into him. "I gave your brother a compliment, caressima
    ." His voice was a tender caress, teasing, fanning smoldering embers within her to instant heat. "Is that not what you wanted?"
    She tilted her chin. "That is not exactly what I had in mind, Julian."

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    "I have not had much experience pleasing women these last few centuries. In truth, I had forgotten how difficult the females of our race could be," Julian told Darius with a straight face.
    "Difficult?" Desari was outraged. "You call me difficult when you and my brother were trying to tear each other limb from limb? The males of our race are in dire need of self-control. You have too long had things your own way. It has made you arrogant and conceited and very spoiled."
    Darius suddenly moved, his speed incredible even within their race, his body forcing his sister's into the shelter of the porch, down low. "Merge with Savage now, as you did before," he commanded, a hiss of sound in the stillness of the night.
    Desari obeyed because she always obeyed Darius, merging her mind completely with Julian's. She expected anger, at the least smoldering resentment at Darius's high-handedness. Instead, she