Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

undiluted blood of the jaguar."
    "And you are Carpathian." She looked around the house, took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. "Of course. That explains a lot. Traian is Carpathian, isn't he?"
    Mikhail felt the flicker of another's presence. Her husband stood silently in the doorway, his mind trying to assimilate what was being said. It was obvious that Mrs. Sanders was capable of telepathic communication. Her psychic abilities were very strong, and she had called her husband to her in her distress. Mikhail continued the conversation as if there were only the two of them present. "It is essential for Carpathians to pass as humans at all times."
    She sank into a chair. "I have never heard that a human can become Carpathian, but Joie is, isn't she? That's why she looks different—a subtle difference, but it is there. And you really were going to make the costumes out of thin air."
    To Mikhail's alarm, she looked as if she might cry. "I am very sorry, Mrs. Sanders. You can understand why Traian couldn't simply give you this information. It is necessary to protect our species at all times." He studied her averted face. "You haven't revealed your lineage to your children. They have no idea, do they?"
    She shook her head. "I didn't want them to know. I was afraid for them. My husband knows, but he's very protective of me. When I need to let the cat out, he goes with me and I run in the hills. He stands by to make certain no accidents happen."
    "Can any of them shapeshift?"
    She shook her head. "I never taught them. I've seen them all grow restless and moody at times, but I didn't want them to carry that burden. I don't know if I did the right thing or not.
    But having a son and trying to raise him right is a big responsibility when he is jaguar. His instincts…"
    "Jubal is a fine man. He's very protective of his sisters." Mikhail reached out a hand and touched her.
    Immediately she calmed, blinking the tears back, regaining the control she thought lost.
    "Jaguar males are very dangerous."
    "I am centuries old, Mrs. Sanders. I will admit I did not have a lot of contact with your species as we resided in separate parts of the world, but I remember many of the males were wonderful people. Need and fear often cause people to do things they would not ordinarily do. Jubal was born a good man, and will remain so throughout his lifetime. Should he be forced into extreme circumstances, I believe he will rise to the occasion with his mind and strength and the gifts given to him, not fall back on primitive means."
    She took a deep breath. "Thank you for that. It's my worst fear."
    He had glimpsed that small piece of information clearly, as it had been in the forefront of her mind before she had slammed the barrier down. "You have remarkable children, Mrs.
    Sanders. Joie is a treasure we all seek to protect. Jubal has been helping with vital research
    —as has Gabrielle."
    "Gabrielle met a young man, Gary Jansen. She says she has been working with him on a huge research project. Is he Carpathian too?"
    The half smile faded from Mikhail's face. "Gary is human—a friend and protected by all Carpathians. Always." If there was one human in the world the Carpathians would go to war for—it was Gary Jansen. But now…
    "What is wrong with Gabrielle?" Mrs. Sanders asked. "I know there is something, but even Joie and Jubal have refused to discuss it with me." She shook her head. "My family has too many secrets, yet you seem to know them all. Gabrielle is alive, isn't she?"
    Mikhail rubbed his hand over his face, hating to be put in such a position. This woman deserved answers—deserved the truth about her daughters. "Just as Joie was converted to our species because unless she was she would have died, so was Gabrielle converted."

    Mrs. Sanders made a small sound of despair and turned her head to meet her husband's gaze. He stood in the doorway, tall and straight, his face an expressionless mask. "Rory.
    Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. This is my fault. All my fault."
    He hurried to her side, dropping down on one knee to take both of her hands in his.
    "Don't do that to yourself. You've done nothing wrong."
    "Is it so difficult for you to know your children are Carpathian?" Mikhail asked. "They will always be treasured. Always be protected."
    "Joie, yes, but what of Gabrielle? She's different, not adventurous in the same way Joie is. She has a love of research and home. This life isn't for her."
    "It is life , Mrs. Sanders. She