"Not exactly. I know something's there. And I feel the mountain's off. Different. It feels like a living, breathing sentry to me."
Fen pressed his fingers to his eyes. "I didn't trust anyone else to heal you properly. I should have had Tatijana give you her blood. Mine is . . . tainted. Over the centuries, we've shared blood so many times . . ."
"Your blood is just fine," Dimitri said. He shrugged his broad shoulders. "I've always known I would end up like you. Lycan and Carpathian. It's meant to be. I run with the wolves. I understand them. I always have."
"The Lycans will condemn you to death. You know I have to go to ground each full moon to avoid detection. And what of your lifemate?" Fen turned to look his brother in the eye. "That woman is the most powerful psychic I've ever encountered. She crossed a continent to heal you. I don't know very many powerful ancients who can do that."
Dimitri smiled for the first time. "She's amazing."
"Yet you haven't claimed her."
"Her father wants me to wait until she's at least twenty-five."
Fen raised an eyebrow and then turned back to studying the Dubrinsky stronghold for signs Abel and Bardolf had already unraveled the safeguards. He couldn't imagine his brother living by anyone else's rules. "And you're abiding by that?"
"Skyler and I have an understanding. When she's ready, she'll let me know. If she isn't twenty-five, well, hopefully her father and uncles will let me live." There was only the slightest trace of humor in Dimitri's voice. "She was adopted by Francesca and Gabriel Daratrazanoff."
Fen swung around to stare at his brother in shock. "The legends? As in Gabriel and Lucian Daratrazanoff? They're alive? And Gabriel is her father?"
"That would be the one."
"Any chance he's not all that fond of her?" Fen asked.
"He adores her."
"Of course he does." In spite of the perilous situation they were in, Fen found himself grinning. "You shouldn't worry about this little fight we're about to enter, because your woman's daddy is going to tear you limb from limb."
"Don't sound so pleased." Dimitri nudged him. "You're my brother. You're supposed to be on my side."
"Maybe your only chance is to become fully Sange rau," Fen said, half meaning it. He nodded toward the eastern side of the mountain behind the Dubrinsky's house. "Do you see that? A shadow slipping along the cracks. He's moving fast, too, but staying in the crevices and cracks. That's Bardolf. So where's Abel?"
"Someone's just emerging out of the forest. It looks like Gregori's here to defend Mikhail," Dimitri announced. "Over there, he's stopped and is looking around. The man has always been careful when it comes to Mikhail's protection. I'm not surprised he's here."
Fen didn't answer. He turned his attention to Gregori and the minefield in front of him. Gregori was a striking figure in anyone's war. Tall, with broad shoulders and a thick muscular chest, with his long black hair drawn back and his strange silver eyes, he looked a frightening figure with his immaculate clothes and his confident air.
Where was Abel? Would the Sange rau allow Mikhail's guardian to remain unharmed? Mikhail and Gregori had a powerful bond. Together they could destroy nearly any enemy, even a mixed blood if they were allowed the time to initiate their complete sovereignty together. Abel would know that and he would move heaven and earth to stop Gregori.
Gregori walked toward the house. Except he didn't walk, he floated, avoiding the traps on the ground. He veered away from the structure and advanced toward the mountain the back of the house was built into. That had to be where Mikhail was. A mountain could provide all kinds of securities and ways to escape. Gregori went straight to the entrance and began the complicated unraveling of the safeguards so he could enter.
Fen found himself frowning as he shifted his gaze to the shadowy figure of Bardolf a few hundred feet above Gregori. He should have been leaping on the guardian, but instead, he was still keeping to the cracks and crevices as he made his way down.
Something's not right, Dimitri, he whispered into his brother's mind.
Alarm thundered in his very blood. He could hear it roaring in his ears. His heart beat even harder. He knew something was wrong.
Other than the shadow you've already spotted, everything is as it should be. There was a question in Dimitri's tone. If Fen said something was off, he believed him, he just couldn't see it.
It's Gregori.
Dimitri narrowed his eyes and focused on the Carpathian. He looks fine to me.
Exactly. And he shouldn't look fine. He was attacked at the farm. Viciously. Totally targeted by the pack. He's torn up. No one, not even Gregori could recoup this fast.
So I'm looking at?
That has to be Abel. Fen caught his brother's forearms in a tight grip. Bardolf is fast. You won't be able to kill him, but do as much damage as fast as you can. Use everything you have in your arsenal and stay out of his reach. He's not only vampire, but he's werewolf. Stay alive, brother.
Dimitri gripped Fen hard. I expect to see you in one piece when this is over.