Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

Daratrazanoff brothers and invoked his rights. He wont back down at all, or give any concession. He blames Gabriel for allowing Skyler to be in danger, and truly, Antonietta, what can Gabriel say in response? It is his sole responsibility to keep her safe, as his daughter and certainly as Dimitri's lifemate.
    Whatever has taken place over the centuries, it has shaped Dimitri into a strong, lethal warrior. He means to force an order from Mikhail — or take her with him .
    She's too young — too hurt. She needs time to heal, Byron .
    I think Dimitri is aware of that. He's not pushing his claim to bind her, only that they comply with his every wish.
    "You're talking to your lifemate, aren't you?" Skyler guessed shrewdly.
    "Byron," Antonietta supplied. "Yes, he's sharing information with me. We have a partnership. He promised me he would always treat me as an equal, and he does even when others think he shouldn't. I am used to a certain way of life and Byron has never asked me to give it up."
    "He makes you happy?"
    "Very much so. I cannot imagine my life without him. I would have no life without him."
    "So what is going on in there? They're all pretty angry. None of them are working very hard to block their emotions." Skyler raised her gaze to Antonietta's. The woman was looking back at her and seeing her—seeing more than Skyler wanted anyone to ever see.
    "It's because of me, isn't it?"
    Antonietta's smile was gentle. She shook her head, drawing attention to the thick rope of hair plaited intricately. "It's because they are men. A vampire attacked one of their women and blame must be placed, strategy worked out. Mostly, it is a lot of hunters in close proximity to one another. They should just tell you they are going to have to guard you every moment and leave it up to your good sense to know they are right."
    "But—isn't the vampire dead? I saw Dimitri incinerate the heart." Her pulse was pounding again. She was not facing another vampire.
    "He was too easy to kill. That usually means another sent him out as an expendable pawn. If he got you, all to the good, but it is a distraction to draw our attention away from the real attack."

    Skyler took a small sip of the orange juice. It was never easy to eat or drink. Things always smelled good, but her stomach often rebelled. "Thank you for not treating me like a little kid. I'll be very careful. But you know—even though they've twice targeted me, it might simply be because I was convenient. They had a trail back to me. They knew what would trigger a response and they used it. Everyone is hovering around me, but they could be after the prince—or someone else important."
    Out of the mouths of babes . Byron responded when Antonietta relayed Skyler's comment.
    We will double our guard on Mikhail. It wont be easy, he doesn't like it .
    "It's hard to know there is so much evil in the world," Antonietta said. "I think most adults want to protect their children as long as possible from that knowledge."
    Skyler fiddled with glass, turning it first one way and then the other. "I learned it early and it isn't like I can go back and pretend it all away. I didn't want to do this—this Christmas thing. I've never had a Christmas."
    "With a tree and a pageant and Santa Claus coming?" Antonietta was astonished. "It is so much fun. A wonderful reason to bring the entire family together and celebrate life. Any excuse is great, and this is a perfect time of year."
    "That's what Francesca said." Skyler leaned her chin into her palm, her elbow propped on the table. "Gregori is going to play Santa Claus. Have you ever seen him?"
    "I've met him a few times. Byron and Jacques are good friends and Gregori visits Shea often. She's going to have her baby any time and everyone is very anxious about it. He doesn't seem a likely candidate to play the part."
    "That's an understatement." A small smile slipped out for the first time. Skyler made a little face. "Wait until Sara and Corrine hear Gregori's going to be playing Santa. They've been getting all the children prepped for sitting on Santa's lap."
    Antonietta burst out laughing. "Oh, dear. That could be bad."
    "There's going to be a few crying children tonight," Skyler predicted. She inhaled deeply, for the first time relaxing enough to notice her surroundings. "What is that I smell? It's wonderful."
    "My housekeeper gave me the recipe for a wonderful creamy pasta dish." Antonietta laughed invitingly. "Josef and Byron helped me prepare