Carpathian 17 - Dark Curse

battlefield. A hunter couldn\'t be worried about protecting a life mate when he battled the vampire. In ancient times, most lifemated pairs ceased hunting altogether rather than risking death for both. It was one of the main bones of contention between the De La Cruz and Manilov brothers and Vladimir Dubrinsky. Even then, their birthrates had been declining. None of them had believed the women should be allowed to fight when they didn\'t have the edge the males had. Not strength-but darkness itself.
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    Nicolas hid his true feelings behind a calm mask as he greeted the fourth Daratrazanoff, Gregori. Second in command to Mikhail, the man was without mercy when it came to enemies of the prince. He was a ferocious guardian, yet was known far and wide as the Carpathian\'s most gifted healer. Instead of the glittering obsidian eyes of his brothers, his were slashing silver, eyes that weighed and judged a man. He looked fit and healthy, not at all pale from fighting to save a human from parasites.
    \"Thank you for what you did this night for Lara\'s friend,\" Nicolas said. \"How is he doing?\"
    A frown flitted across Gregori\'s face and was gone, a huge show of emotion for him. \"I did my best to rid his body of the parasites, but how much damage they did, I cannot say. I am hoping for a full recovery, but not expecting it. His friend is staying with him and Slavica, the owner of the inn, will check on him periodically.
    Should he have need, she will call.\" Gregori looked around the cave, warmth creeping into his pale eyes. \"It is long since I have come to this place-too long.\"
    His brothers nodded their agreement.
    New arrivals forestalled further conversation as Jacques Dubrinsky, the prince\'s brother, entered. He had midnight black hair, black eyes, a thin white scar circling his throat, another on his jaw and cheek and it was said a jagged rounded scar on his chest. Carpathians rarely scarred, which meant the wounds dealt him must have been fearsome indeed. He had been a victim of torture that had nearly driven him insane. Even now, he stayed mostly to himself.
    Nicolas stepped forward to greet him, clasping arms.
    \"Bur tule ekämet kuntamak,\" Jacques said. \"Well met, brother. It has been a long time since I have seen you. How is Manolito?\"
    \"Manolito is very well and has found his life mate. Her name is Mary-Ann Delaney. I believe you know her.
    And your woman? And the child?\"
    \"Shea is doing fine and we are having the naming ceremony in a few days. Our son grows strong.\"
    \"That is good news,\" Nicolas said. \"The best of news for all of us.\"
    The flutter of wings heralded two more Carpathians. Vikirnoff Von Shrieder and his life mate, Natalya, shifted together. Nicolas clasped Vikirnoff\'s arms, a little taken aback that Natalya had answered the summons to the warrior\'s counsel. It had not occurred to him that Vikirnoff, an ancient warrior of tremendous prowess, would allow his woman to place herself in harm\'s way.
    He glanced at her. The woman had bright red hair and eyes that changed from brilliant green to blue. She had the mark of the Dragonseeker stamped all over her, the classic looks, the brightness illuminating her skin, the bands of color in her hair. She was known to be a fighter-and also the sister of Razvan, Lara\'s father. He stepped away from Vikirnoff, afraid he would be unable to maintain silence on the subject of women fighting when Natalya would be such a prize to Xavier should she be captured.
    Nicolas shook his head and then caught Gregori watching him with his piercing silver gaze. He knew exactly what Nicolas was thinking.
    \"And I agree,\" Gregori said, as he walked past Nicolas to position himself beside Mikhail.
    \"Agree with what?\" Mikhail asked, turning away from where he\'d been talking with Darius. \"And with Page 47

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    whom? It is not all that often you agree with anything.\"
    \"I think one of the topics we need to place under discussion is the welfare of our women and children-all of them-including the women who believe they have the need to fight vampires.\"
    Mikhail bared white teeth. \"O jelä peje terád. Sun scorch you, Gregori, you are not getting me in trouble with my life mate and daughter. I am not doing your dirty work for you...\" He included Nicolas in his glare.
    \"Either of you.\"
    Gregori shrugged. \"Swear all you want, it is an issue you have to face.\"
    \"Me? Oh no, you don\'t. I