Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

Skyler.
    "Here, sit down. You're still shaking."
    Skyler pulled out a chair and sank into it, shocked that her legs were so rubbery. "I tried to resist, but I didn't call Gabriel or Francesca for help and I should have."
    Antonietta sat opposite her. "It sounds a bit like a compulsion, don't you think? But how could a vampire have targeted you? He would have had to have access to your mind—your thoughts—in order to trap you with something familiar to you."
    "Earlier, I tried to trace a surge of power. It came from the direction of the hotel, so we all thought it was someone there, but whoever was using energy caught me, and maybe they touched my mind enough to know I love wolves." She bit at her lip. "And that I was worried about Dimitri."
    They did not believe a strike would come so soon — or that it was a vampire. They believed someone from the human society was baiting a trap for her — at least that is the explanation they are giving her lifemate. He is angry and rightly so. He has the right to demand she be protected at all times, sheltered more than any other if they refuse to allow his claim at this time. Mikhail has no choice but to accede to his wishes . Byron exchanged the information with Antonietta, knowing she didn't like to be kept "in the dark" over anything. For so long her family had kept secrets from her. He refused to do so. His lifemate would have whatever knowledge he had at all times. He sent her warmth and love, reassurance that the child wouldn't be harmed.

    I can feel her growing fear, Byron. They all need to be gentle with her . She nudged the glass of orange juice closer to Skyler's hand. "Drink. You'll feel better."
    Skyler sent her a small smile. "You're easy to talk to. The others just bellow and no one really listens. Josef was brave to interfere, but he isn't exactly telling the truth. He isn't lying, but he's making it sound as if Dimitri was doing something wrong."
    Deep inside, she shivered, remembering the feel of Dimitri's mouth against her skin, his tongue stroking velvet caresses over her wounds. Heat rushed through her veins, sent awareness into her deepest feminine core. Tiny sparks of electricity skipped over her skin and her breasts tingled. She blushed, grateful Antonietta couldn't see very well.
    "Do you like Dimitri?" Antonietta asked.
    "He confuses me. For one moment he seemed the most gentle man alive, and then he was like a demon, dangerous and ready to kill in an instant."
    "When he was fighting the vampire?"
    Skyler shook her head. "I think I could have been okay with that, but no, with Josef.
    Josef is—just Josef. He's sweet and funny and way smarter than anyone gives him credit for. He would have fought for me and Dimitri is—big, strong. You saw him. Still, Josef thought to rescue me."
    "He should have called Byron and you should have called Gabriel," Antonietta pointed out.
    "I know."
    "Josef is going through a difficult period in his life. He spends far too much time interacting on the internet instead of with people. He needs better social skills. Meeting you and Josh after so many months of continual communication—it was like he had friends already."
    Skyler found Antonietta more difficult to read than most, but she was certain the conversation was about her and the way she hid from life as well as being about Josef.
    "Well, at least I won't have to worry about the vampire. He's dead now, so I'm safe and everyone, Josef included, can breathe easier." She hoped the fact that Dimitri had destroyed the threat to her would keep Gabriel from being so angry.
    She is very certain the threat to her is gone , Antonietta shared.
    I very much doubt it. She was definitely targeted and this is the second time. Dimitri said the vampire had to have turned only a month or so earlier, that he hadn't grown into his powers. Most fledgling vampires are used as pawns by one far more powerful. We know they are in this area, and no fledgling would try to take on so many Carpathians. He was sent by someone else testing the waters.

    Antonietta's hand fluttered gracefully to her throat. Then young Skyler is in more danger than ever. Surely someone will tell her. It is unfair to allow her to think she is safe. Really, Byron, I would want to know .
    No doubt they will tell her when this mess is settled. I would not want to go up against Lucian and Gabriel, especially when they are united, but Dimitri has grown into a force to be reckoned with. He has taken on the