Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied. Sometimes I learn more by pretending ignorance. Most people don't give a teenager credit for intelligence or maturity. I can ask for protection against him, can't I?"
    Raven studied the too-old eyes. "Have you met your lifemate?"
    Skyler shook her head, her gaze shifting away. "I have nightmares. I hear a voice sometimes and I'm afraid." She hesitated. "When I was a little girl and men did things to me, I would scream and scream in my mind. I would hear a voice calling to me. At the time I just thought I was going crazy. But I know he's out there somewhere and he's looking for me." She rubbed the spot between her eyes. "I didn't want to come to the Carpathian Mountains because I was afraid he might be here, but Gabriel and Francesca wouldn't leave me behind. Gabriel said I needed protection at all times."

    Raven's heart jumped. "He said that?"
    Skyler nodded. "He's been strange lately, not wanting Francesca or me to go anywhere without him. I can see she gets upset, but she doesn't say anything. She works at the hospital and some of the shelters and I often go with her, but he doesn't like her going anymore."
    Raven busied herself with the turkey, basting it again, even though there was no need.
    "When did Gabriel start becoming upset about the two of you going off alone?" She kept her voice casual, but out of the corner of her eye, caught the girl's sharp glance.
    "Since the attack on the prince."
    There is nothing to fear out here, Raven. One of the male's taking a run in the forest decided to drop by, but saw we had company. I am going to see my brother. Do not allow Skyler back into the forest without an escort.
    Should I be worried about something, Mikhail?
    Raven felt the brief hesitation. I do not know. I am uneasy, but have no real reason to be .
    Be careful, Mikhail. Be safe. Tell Shea I'll see her soon. What are you discussing with Jacques?
    Raven felt his sudden amusement. The image of Gregori dressed up as Santa Claus surrounded by children .

Chapter 2
    Mikhail leaned down to kiss Shea Dubrinsky on her cheek. "You look just a little bit pregnant there, lady."
    His sister-in-law blew strands of bright red hair from her face. "You think? If I don't have this baby soon, I swear I'm going to explode."
    "You're also looking harassed. Is something wrong?" He glanced around the room looking for his brother. Jacques rarely strayed from the side of his lifemate.
    A slow smile lit Shea's face. "He's in the kitchen—baking."
    Mikhail's eyebrow shot up. "I do not believe I heard you correctly."
    "Yes, you did. My back has been hurting on and off tonight and I'm having trouble with this recipe. The worst thing is—Raven, Corrine and I came up with most of the recipes for everyone. They were childhood favorites of Raven's and a few I remembered. Corrine filled in the rest and now I can't manage it. It's a little humiliating to admit, but I seem to be emotional. I keep crying, so Jacques took over the baking."

    Mikhail choked and turned away to politely clear his throat. " Jacques is cooking ?"
    Her smile widened. "Well—trying to. We aren't having a lot of success at the moment and I think he's learning new words." She tilted her head, the bright red hair falling around her face, emphasizing her classic bone structure. "Perhaps you'd like to give him a hand. Go on in, he'll be happy to see you." She rolled her eyes. "His Majesty has given me strict instructions to lie down for a while."
    Mikhail gave her a fierce scowl. "Then do so immediately, Shea. You are not in labor, are you? I will call Francesca and Gregori to examine you."
    "I'm a doctor, Mikhail," Shea reminded him, "I'd know if I was in labor. I'm close, maybe the start—but it isn't happening yet." She waved as she started toward the concealed door leading to the basement. "I promise to call them if I need them. I'd never take a chance on anything happening to the baby. I'm just tired."
    Mikhail watched her disappear before making his way through the spacious house to the kitchen. He stopped abruptly in the doorway to stare at his brother in shock. A cloud of white particles choked the air and fell to the floor like snowflakes. The powder was everywhere, on the floor, on the dishes and bowls covering the counters and in the sink.
    Jacques stood at the counter, an apron over his clothes, a dusting of white powder over his face, in his eyebrows, tipping his lashes and coating his midnight black hair.
    Mikhail burst out