Zev nodded. "Makes sense." He looked around at the wounded. "Where's Gary? He saved my life and I wanted to thank him."
There was a small pregnant silence. Shea looked at Gregori and shook her head. "I did what I could. He's holding on to see you."
Gregori strode into the room Shea indicated. It smelled of death and blood. Gabrielle, Joie's sister, sat beside Gary, holding his hand. There were tears on her face. Gary was gray, pain edging every line.
His eyes met Gregori's.
"You look like hell," Gregori greeted.
Gary tried a smile that didn't quite come off. "You look the same." Even his voice was no longer his own, but a mere thread.
Gregori stood over Gary, his silver eyes nearly liquid. "You have accepted our way of life, my brother. You are jaguar, which means you can become one of us."
Gary shook his head.
Gabrielle gasped. "I don't understand. Why are you even hesitating? Gregori can save you this way."
Gregori gently moved her away from the fallen man. He put his hand over Gary's very gently. "He knows the human perspective will be lost once he becomes Carpathian and so far, that perspective has served us well." He knelt beside Gary, leaning close. "I will do what I can, and give you my blood, but know this, you are my brother-kin. I do not lose kin easily. If I see this will not work, protest or not, I will convert you. Do you understand?"
Gary managed a nod. He closed his eyes and slipped into unconsciousness. Gregori sank to the floor beside him and quickly shed his body to begin the work of healing the man who had been more of a brother to him than his blood brothers.
Chapter 11
From his vantage point above the Dubrinsky home, Fen studied every detail carefully. There was a feel to the mountain that made him uncomfortable, but he couldn't tell if it was an actual defense in place, a safeguard, or the Sange rau were already well ahead of him. He allowed his senses to flare out, reaching beyond the boundaries he'd always imposed on himself.
Being Sange rau could be dangerous, much more so the more often one used the incredible gifts. Arrogance and superiority were treacherous, insidious traits, threatening the very moral fiber of one's beliefs. Without Tatijana to keep him grounded, Fen knew the things he had done and would do this day were inherently risky.
Carpathians were born of the earth. Most of their safeguards were woven from natural things and reinforced with spells from the mages when the two species had been close. There were always psychic footprints. No one could move or breathe without expending some energy, and Carpathians were very good at feeling or seeing it.
Lycans were born of the earth as well. Both species epitomized both ends of the spectrum. They were predators, fast and ferocious. They enjoyed the battle and both had a taste for blood. On the other hand, they were loyal and dedicated to their mates and children. Both species put honor and integrity high on their list of attributes. They were willing to sacrifice for the better of their species.
Both species embraced the night. Both read the wind. And both were gifted with tremendous powers. There had always been a balance. As many gifts that both species had, each had weaknesses. The Sange rau didn't have such a balance and that could be a very bad thing.
Fen continued to scan the mountain behind the Dubrinsky home as well as the surrounding forest and clearing around it. He took his time, patient as always. Often in a battle, the first to move was the first to die. He was facing not one, but two Sange rau. It was often the little things that gave one an advantage. He knew from experience nature spoke to him if he just listened.
His connection to Mother Nature was stronger than ever and each small shift of the wind brought him information he might not have picked up on. Small nuances, but now they told such stories. There were ripples running over the ground leading to Mikhail Dubrinsky's home. He could see them, as if they were tides ebbing and flowing in the sea.
Around the house itself, up and down the stone walls and even beyond to the mountain where the structure was built into it, thousands of symbols and patterns ran like an endless loop. It looked a bit like the code on a computer, moving fast and changing rapidly. It would be impossible for a vampire or a Carpathian or even a Lycan to read it that fast. But he was none of those things and neither was the enemy he was hunting. The Sange rau could process that fast.
Scattered throughout the ground surrounding the house from every direction, he spotted disturbances in the earth. He wasn't certain whether he saw those because he had mixed blood and heightened senses, or if his connection to Mother Earth provided the information. Nevertheless, the traps were revealed to him and he had to believe they would be to his enemy as well.
Another small shift in the wind brought another scent he recognized instantly. Dimitri. Are you insane? You cannot come here. You should be in the earth, healing.
Little brothers were the very devil. Dimitri had always gone his own way, even as a child. He was stubborn and made up his own mind about things. It wasn't that he ever argued. He was quiet about his stubbornness. He simply did what he thought was right.
Did you really think I'd let you come here alone and face these killing machines? Dimitri asked, taking the offensive, which was another trait Fen remembered from when his brother was a child.
Dimitri materialized out of the sky, right beside him. He looked pale, almost translucent, but as tough and as implacable as ever. When Dimitri made up his mind to do something, it took a miracle to change it.
"You never did have any sense," Fen answered, but he was secretly proud of Dimitri. His brother was the type of warrior to find a way, no matter how injured, to come to his aid, especially when the battle looked hopeless. "You know we'll be lucky to come out of this alive."
"When has it been any other way?" Dimitri asked.
"They're after the prince," Fen pointed out. "This place is a death trap for vampires, but it isn't going to stop either of the Sange rau. If I can see the traps and safeguards, they will be able to as well."
Dimitri studied the ground below him. "Just how much of your blood is running in my veins?"
Fen frowned. "Why? Can you see the traps, too?"