Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

sure?"
    "If you are afraid we cannot control this thing together, I'll call Jacques. Together, nothing will defeat us. You cannot go to the party under an influence we know nothing about."
    She reached for Byron's mind with her own, sliding in with ease. It was an extremely intimate thing to do, and as always, her body reacted to the closeness. She was woman enough to enjoy his erotic thoughts and images of her, the way he viewed her full curves with lust rather than wishing for a thinner, more modern woman. He loved her hair, the thickness and color. He especially enjoyed taking out the elaborate braid just before he made love to her.
    It took a moment to adjust to two minds vying for supremacy, but they merged naturally and Antonietta reached for the beast, embracing the jaguar, allowing it freedom. It sprang forward, claws unsheathed, with a chaotic need to bound across the snow-covered meadow for the trees. Byron paced easily beside her, ignoring the warnings rumbling from the female. He was not about to let Antonietta out of his sight.
    The female jaguar slowed to a walk, placing each paw delicately in the powdery snow, but moving without hesitation deeper into the woods. They were moving in the general direction of the inn, but were still several miles away. To Byron's knowledge, there were only a couple of homes in the direction they were going. Gregori's home was high in the mountains, surrounded by a grove of trees and large boulders. It was protected from weather and enemies on three sides, and even a hiker walking within yards of it wouldn't be able to spot it. Gregori had woven safeguards around it to further distort the image from any potential enemy.
    Jacques and Shea lived in the second house. It too was very secluded. Jacques still needed a space between him and the rest of the population. Shea and Savannah were close friends and often visited each other, but even their homes were miles apart. Jacques had built a very elegant house almost into the mountain itself, so even from the air, it was impossible to see.
    The cat lifted its head and scented the air several times. She is searching for a particular scent .
    What is it ? Byron could feel the urgent compulsion in the cat, but he couldn't find the thread driving it.
    Antonietta didn't answer him right away, and when she did it was with some reluctance.
    She is hunting prey .
    The female jaguar pushed off with her hind feet and sprang up onto a fallen log, pausing for a moment to look toward the mountain:, toward Gregori's home, and then turned her head in the direction of the other house.
    Deep inside the body of the jaguar, Antonietta gasped. Byron! Did you feel that surge?
    The eagerness ?
    What is she after?
    The baby. She's after Shea's baby. That means Darius's leopards are being pushed to attack Shea. Whoever it is doesn't know about me. The compulsion is directed at the cats.
    Byron reached out on the private link he shared with his childhood friend. Jacques. Hear me now . He shared the information, the feelings Antonietta was experiencing as well as their fears. We have to give this information to all Carpathians, but once we do, Shea will hear. Do you need time to break it to her gently ?
    Byron hated to add to the couple's stress level. Both were terrified of the upcoming birth
    —and rightly so. Now they had to worry about an enemy who could manipulate animals and was doing so with the specific intent of harming their child.
    Spread the word, Byron. We must find this enemy before Shea gives birth. I fear it will be this night . There was a small silence, and then Jacques sighed. She is already fighting it, wanting to keep our son safe inside the womb .
    You are certain it is a boy?
    Yes. I have a son. He is strong and wants to come out into the world, but Shea has been holding him back. Knowing an enemy has specifically targeted our child makes it more difficult.
    She has my protection as well. I stand by your side, ready to fight.
    We thank you, my old friend . There was weariness in Jacques's voice. Please thank Antonietta. It must have been difficult for her to get her cat to reveal this information.
    Without her effort we would not know an enemy is about to strike. Shea sends her thanks as well .
    Byron shared the response with his lifemate as they both exerted pressure on the jaguar to turn back toward home. Immediately, the warning went out to all Carpathians on their common path of communication, and he felt a surge of pride in