What is it, Branka?
She pressed her lips together as if by not speaking whatever she had thought of wouldn’t be the truth. Her fingers curled involuntarily into his shirt, nails raking through the material.
“Get it out of me. Get it out of me,” Damon yelled, his wolf surging to the surface, eyes glowing as he glared at Branislava.
Zev could see both Daciana and Makoce brace themselves to protect his woman, and he was grateful. “Damon,” he spoke in a low, commanding tone. “You are a wolf. A Lycan. You’re strong and you will not embarrass our people by this display.”
Damon sucked in his breath and began to pant. Clearly his wolf fought for supremacy but he was at least fighting to control the shift.
“Man up and control your fear. Your wolf senses it and is rising to protect you. Get control right now.” Zev’s voice took on even more authority.
Damon nodded his head several times, continuing to breathe deep. He looked ashamed and a little guilty, but mostly desperate to do as the alpha commanded.
Zev gentled his tone. “All of these people are committed to help you in spite of your intention to kill them. I’m committed to helping you. You know me. I’ve never let a member of my pack down, and you’ve always been that to me. Family.”
Damon looked up quickly, and this time determination was in his eyes, the red glow receding a bit.
“Take a look at the two women you’re demanding things of when you don’t have an idea what it even entails. They’re terrified. Either could leave, but they haven’t. They’re right here with you. Pull yourself together and we’ll get through this. We just need a little time to sort things out.”
How dangerous is it to you, Branka, and I expect the truth, to go in and take a look around at his brain to see if you can pinpoint where this shadow is and perhaps who actually made it.
Branislava hesitated. She leaned close to him and in front of the others rubbed her face along his cheek. She seemed close to tears, although not on the outside. She was stoic, presenting a calm appearance to the others. He knew most of her performance was for Tatijana’s sake.
This mage is highly skilled. If he really has the power and expertize to place shadows in a roomful of unsuspecting people, he is extraordinarily dangerous. He will have safeguards.
Then we’ll talk to Mikhail . . .
Branislava shook her head. Not yet. We know all of Xavier’s spells. Every last one of them, good and evil. We would have a better chance of removing the shadow than Gregori, who would most likely try.
Gregori has removed shadows, Dimitri assured.
Branislava sighed. He confronted and removed a sliver of a being, which is not the same. A shadow is a portal, not part of the mage. It is different, Dimitri, and rigged with traps.
“I apologize once again,” Damon said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Probably the thought of someone else having the ability to manipulate your movements and override the beliefs so ingrained in you,” Daciana replied.
“I could still hurt someone, couldn’t I?” Damon asked.
Zev shrugged, not wanting to lie, but Damon needed encouragement. “Whoever this mage is that planted that shadow in you, Damon, didn’t count on your strength. You didn’t follow his dictates. You’re much stronger than you know.”
Damon managed a brief half smile. “I didn’t think of that.”
“You’re armed to the teeth right now,” Zev pointed out. “Even through all the revelations, you didn’t go for your weapons.”
He not only wanted to encourage Damon, but also remind Daciana and Makoce that the Lycan was well armed. Zev was fairly certain the Carpathians were well aware of the weapons and by now knew exactly where, on Damon’s body, each was located.
If I go in and just take a look around, without touching anything, or attempting to remove the shadow, Branislava ventured, I think I’ll be safe enough.
Thinking isn’t good enough for me, Zev declared. I’m not willing to risk you.
He’ll die. Sooner or later the mage will return to his shadow and realize that Damon is not acting as he should—as one of his agents. He’ll kill him, or force him to do his bidding. Either way, Damon will die.
Zev pressed her hand closer. We’ll find another way to save him.
While I’ve sat here with you, you’ve gone over and over in your mind fifty ways to get to him and kill him if he makes one wrong move. I’m not even certain you know you’re doing it, Branislava told him gently. I feel your deep affection for Damon, Zev, and you’ll never get over it if you or Daciana has to kill him. But you would kill him. I know you would.
Zev sighed. Branislava was right. He didn’t want Daciana to have to slay her own brother, not even in defense of all of them. She might hesitate, in which case, Damon, under the mage’s direction, might very well kill his own sister. Zev, as pack leader, had that duty, not Daciana.