Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

to the leader of the Carpathians as he left the house. "He seemed so sad, Lucian, I felt like crying," she said. "And I never cry." She pressed a hand to her aching heart. "Sorrow came off of him in waves."
    Lucian swept his arm around her. "You're always so sensitive to other people's feelings.
    Mikhail has a heavy burden to bear—to keep our species from extinction. He still remembers the old ways, gone now for all time. Back then our people thrived and lived together in a society. It is his responsibility to guide us into a new life, one where we can survive and live in harmony with other species around us. Like me, he cannot help but look back at what we had and look into the future with worry. I do not envy him his task. It is a terrible weight to carry on his shoulders."
    "Do you really think our enemies are going to go after the women and children?" She swallowed hard, closing her eyes against the memories flooding her of her own brother murdered by a mentally ill man. Her heart pounded at the thought of finding young Skyler or one of the infants brutally murdered.
    "We will watch over them."
    "But we already know Skyler has been targeted," she protested. "I tried not to care for her, but it's impossible. She's wonderful—and so young and old at the same time. Gabriel is worried about this Dimitri claiming her, and now this." She swept a hand through her hair, clearly agitated. "I feel like locking her up."
    Lucian burst out laughing, carrying her hand to his mouth to press kisses into the center of her palm. "Now you know how I feel—how every male feels about protecting his lifemate and his children."
    She scowled at him. "I don't need protection, Lucian. I'm capable of looking after myself.
    Skyler's a teenager. What if this Dimitri character tries to carry her off?"
    "Dimitri is added protection for Skyler. I do not understand how she triggered his instincts at such a young age, but she has and he can do no other than to ensure her health, safety and happiness. It may take him a little while to conquer the demon, but I have every faith that he will."
    "Why?"
    "Dimitri has always valued honor and responsibility. He rarely even bent the rules in his youth. He may want to carry her off, but in the end, unless something terrible happens, he will do the right thing by her." He shifted her into his arms, holding her close to comfort her, her memories now so fresh and distressing. "On the other hand, it is always better to make certain."
    She tilted her head to look up at him. He always made her feel safe. She had never known that sensation before he entered her life, certainly not as a child and not as a young woman. Lucian had changed her entire life and given her back hope and promise and dreams. She slipped her arms around him. "I want for Skyler what you've given to me. She deserves—and needs happiness, Lucian."
    He nuzzled the top of her head with her chin. "I know, little one. With Gabriel and Francesca looking out for her, and the two of us as well, Skyler will be just fine."
    Jaxon wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against the steady beat of his heart. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
    "Not yet, but I was going to get to that. A little prompting on my part usually gets more than satisfying results." He inhaled her feminine fragrance. Jaxon . The woman he could never do without. She was so small, so fragile looking, but with the strength of steel and a will of iron.
    "Well, I do," she replied.
    "What?"
    "You know very well what."
    Lucian lifted her with ease, bringing her up to his hungry mouth. "Say you love me and say it right now, woman."

    She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. "Or what? Are you threatening to punish me in some despicable way?"
    His teeth nibbled at her pulse, scraped and teased, while his tongue danced a seductive rhythm. "Say it, stubborn woman."
    "Your head is already far too big." Her fingers stroked his long hair. "If one more person looks at you as if you are the bomb…"
    "The bomb?" His eyebrows shot up. "Where do you get such slang?"
    "I'm hip, baby. Totally hip." She laughed at his expression. "Actually, Skyler told me I was the bomb and I couldn't wait to try it out on you." Her smile faded into a small frown.
    "Maybe we should go find her, make certain she's really all right."
    "It sounds like a plan. I wanted to run with the wolves anyway and if we do that, we may have a chance of finding and talking with