Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

his tension. “I don’t think you should talk to them again. You always sound gruff and stern, and the little one is a rebel. Whatever you order, she does just the opposite.― She glanced mischievously up at him. “I have a feeling she’s going to be a lot like you.―
    â€œDon’t say that. I was a very bad child.―
    Savannah laughed again and Gregori found himself smiling. He dropped several kisses on her nose. “Have I told you that I’m madly in love with you?―
    â€œNot recently.―
    â€œWell I am. I haven’t quite forgiven you for twins, especially that they’re female, but I’m so in love with you, sometimes I can’t think straight.―
    The smile faded from Savannah’s face. “Each time we go into the ground, I worry that the microbes will attack the babies again. And Lara is exhausted.―
    Xavier had found a way to use extremophiles to attack the Carpathian females and babies, very effectively reducing the population over hundreds of years so they were now on the brink of extinction. The pregnant women were terrified of losing their babies, and Lara, Razvan’s daughter, could not be fully brought into the Carpathian world because, while the extremophiles could detect the Carpathians hunting for them, they could not detect Lara, as she was mage.

    â€œShe does a sweep on all the pregnant women each evening, and yet there’s always a recurrence. Even though she makes certain the men are without the microbes, it doesn’t take long before we’re all infected again. She has to be converted soon. Neither of them complain, but it is difficult for Nicolas.―
    Gregori’s fingers settled around the nape of Savannah’s neck. “She has years before she will be in trouble, but yes, it is difficult on her lifemate. And if she gets pregnant . . .― He trailed off with a small sigh. “I am hoping Ivory and Razvan are the answer.―
    â€œHow can they be?―
    â€œI don’t know, but I think your father does. He was too calm, too certain that Razvan wouldn’t drive that knife into his throat.―
    â€œHe is sure of his skills, Gregori.―
    â€œThat is true, although he should take more caution with his life. Still, it was more than that. He trusted Razvan when he shouldn’t have.―
    â€œYou can’t know everything, Gregori,― she said gently.
    His brooding silver gaze slid over her. “When it comes to your father, I should. He is my greatest responsibility. Without him, our species would fade away, lost as so many others have gone.― He spread his fingers over her rounded womb, holding his children to him. “We have to safeguard their legacy, Savannah.―
    â€œWe will,― she replied, leaning into him.
    Gregori lifted his head. “We are about to have visitors.
    They’ve spared our daughters another lecture from their father.―
    Savannah’s laughter warmed him. She hugged him.
    â€œThey are very grateful to our visitors, especially the little one. She gave the equivalent to rolling her eyes.―
    His silver eyes slashed at her. “You are not encouraging them, are you? I thought I would not have to deal with that behavior for another twenty years or so.―
    â€œShe thinks you are very bossy.―
    â€œI am bossy because I know what’s best for her.―
    Savannah laughed again. “You argue with her and she isn’t even born yet.―
    Gregori huffed out another breath, a man driven beyond endurance by his stubborn unborn child, but his fingers lingered with loving strokes. Savannah laid her hand over his and they stood quietly a moment, feeling the presence of their daughters, surrounding the twins with love.
    The knock on the door was expected and Gregori opened it to Syndil and her lifemate, Barack. One was never far from the other, he’d noticed. He welcomed both of them with a traditional Carpathian greeting. “ Pesäsz jeläbam ainaak —long may you stay in the light.―
    Syndil and Barack responded in kind and stepped into the house. “How are you feeling, Savannah?― Syndil asked.
    â€œVery pregnant,― Savannah replied with a small smile.
    â€œIf I get any bigger I might pop.―
    â€œIt is good to gain, especially with