Dark Lycan (Carpathian)

“We can help with that,” Mikhail said. “We can use the sky to see their numbers.”


“That would be extremely helpful,” Zev said. “This is a big area with so many places to hide, and you know it where we don’t. If they aren’t aware that you’ve seen them, and we get their locations, we can destroy them.”

“I don’t think,” Fen contributed, “even if we destroy their enormous pack, that Bardolf and Abel will leave without another attempt at Mikhail. They want him dead.”

“Then we have to come up with a battle plan,” Gregori said simultaneously with Zev.

The two men looked at one another, each with a grim smile.

“I don’t want to take up more of your time tonight,” Mikhail said. “I’d like you to have fun and meet some of my people. We can plan our battle this next rising.” He stood and once again shook Zev’s hand.

“I’ll get word to the council,” Zev promised. He looked around the room at his scattered pack. They were definitely enjoying themselves, talking animatedly with the Carpathians surrounding them, making them the center of attention, listening to their every story. “Thank you for this, Mikhail, my pack needed a little downtime.”

Mikhail gave a small old-world bow from the waist and moved away with Jacques and Gregori, leaving Fen and Zev alone.

“He’s cool under fire,” Zev said. “I’ve got to give him that. With two Sange rau after him, he’s in mortal danger, and he knows it.”

“We managed to fight one off, but the other got through the safeguards and went right for him. He didn’t move a muscle, didn’t flinch. He just watched to see how fast they were and how good they were at unraveling the safeguards set in place,” Fen said. “We were lucky, but next time we’ll have to be better prepared.”

“Do you think there is another masterminding—” Zev broke off in midsentence, looking over Fen’s shoulder.

For a moment Zev looked as if he’d been hit over the head with a club. Those eyes, so empty and cold before, lit up as if with a flame. The light transformed the hunter’s entire face. His edgy, tough features softened a little, leaving him younger and more approachable.

“She’s stunning. Who is she?”

Fen turned his head as a hush fell over the room. Branislava stood at the entrance. Her thick fiery red hair fell to her waist in soft waves framing her face. Her skin was pale, but seemed to glow as if a furnace burned inside her and there was no containing the scorching heat. Her eyes—Dragonseeker eyes—dazzled. Her lashes were long and feathery, shading her emerald eyes. She looked as if two gemstones had been pressed into her face and a fire had been lit behind them so the brilliance shone at all times.

She wore a vintage gown reminiscent of days gone by. The style suited her. The sleeves were long and the bodice clung to her full breasts and narrow rib cage, dropping to her small waist and then flared over her hips so that the full skirt fell to the floor.

Fen drew in a breath and looked over at Tatijana. The joy on her face and in her heart swamped him so that for a moment he experienced the overwhelming emotion with her. Tatijana rushed over to her sister and they embraced one another tightly.

“That is Branislava, Tatijana’s sister. She’s been . . . recovering. We didn’t expect her tonight, although we’d hoped she could come.”

“She’s truly beautiful,” Zev reiterated.

“Don’t let her looks deceive you,” Fen warned. “She’s Carpathian, from a very powerful lineage, and she is a warrior born and bred.”

Zev nodded his head. “She moves like water flowing over rock, so fluid and graceful,” he said. “I have to meet her, Fen.” He looked over his shoulder at his pack. Some were eating. A couple of the hunters were drinking, and Daciana danced with a Carpathian male. “Now, Fen,” he added urgently. “I want to meet her now.”

Zev wishes to meet Bronnie, Tatijana. I know she came here for you, to make certain you were all right, and she’s terribly shy around so many people, but would it be okay to bring him over?

We’re trying to make a good impression on the Lycans, Tatijana said, so I guess we can hardly refuse. I’ll let Bronnie know you’re bringing him over.

I heard, Branislava said. I’m not that fragile. Truly. She turned her head and looked over at them.

“Sure,” Fen said. “Let’s go before everyone swamps her. She’ll be surrounded in another minute.”

Zev let out his breath. “I’m not exactly suave with the ladies.”

“That’s just as well. Look around you. Every one of those men will be defending her if they think you’re a player. This is a tight-knit group.”

“I’ll chance it,” Zev said, once more pulling off his gloves and tucking them inside his jacket pocket. “That’s a woman worth getting killed over.”