"He was badly injured," Zev said. "I don't want to take away your hope. Something has kept you alive this long, but when I left the Carpathian Mountains, your brother was nearly dead." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dimitri, but there is little chance he lived through those injuries."
Dimitri closed his eyes and allowed air to move through his lungs. It was so hard to keep his body still when the silver persisted in snaking its way up his legs, through his thighs, over his hips and into his abdomen, turning his gut into a fireball that ate him from the inside out.
"You met Tatijana." He made it a statement.
"Of course. What does she have to do with it?"
This time Dimitri did manage a brief smile. He opened his eyes and looked directly at Zev. "Everything. He's going to come. Not today. Not tonight, but sometime soon, and when he does, all these Lycans packed into this forest just waiting their opportunity aren't going to be enough. I'm going to still be alive, no matter how badly Gunnolf wants me dead."
Zev swore under his breath and turned away.
"And Zev," Dimitri added, his voice hoarse and edged with pain. "He won't come alone." He put the idea in the elite hunter's head deliberately. If it was too late to stop Skyler from carrying out the first part of her plan, he wanted Zev to be out in the forest, scouting for the enemy, and not for some other Lycan to find her.
Dimitri watched Zev walk away. He stayed very still, letting time pass, concentrating on the grass moving from his hip to spread across his burning belly. Skyler. He used his remaining strength to reach for her. The moment he felt her response, that instant pouring of love into his mind, filling every dark place that so many kills and so many empty centuries had left scarred, hope was renewed.
You're such a miracle. How did you get Mother Earth to agree to aid me?
You are her son. She wanted to help. I just added a few touches to help her. I'm going to work on the threads reaching toward your heart from your hips. When I've rested enough, I'll set out and hope to find a Lycan. Paul's scouting for tracks. He's very good at it. We're leaving our tracks everywhere, following the wild wolf pack and recording every sound as well as putting up cameras. The cover is very solid.
Just the sound of her voice turned him inside out. She was indomitable. He knew her human frailties, yet she didn't swerve from her intended path.
Skyler. Sívamet. I have learned from one of the better men here that this place is harboring an army of Lycans. He was obviously worried. I threw him off by telling him Fen would come. He knew Fen was wounded and thought he might even be dead, but he'll go search for signs that a rescue party is coming for me. He won't expect you.
Skyler searched his memories. She sent another wave of warmth into his mind. With it came strength. He gave you his blood.
Yes. I need far more to try to heal, and to be at full strength, but I can last until Fen comes. You should pack up and go. I think they're preparing for war.
Skyler stretched across the telepathic path leading to him. He could feel the approach of her healing spirit. She was white light. Pure unconditional love. She moved inside him, entering easily, already knowing what she would find. She was stronger now. Josef had clearly given her blood again. He couldn't find it in his heart to be jealous of another male helping her, he could only be grateful.