pressed his shadowy body into Isai’s back as if etched there by an artist. The second attempt was far better than the first. Not perfect, that would come with time and experience, but Blue managed to attach himself successfully.
Belle stayed back, guarding Isai as Comet tried next. One by one the cats leapt onto Isai. There were many mistakes and claws ripped his skin, but in the end, he wore all six cats on his back. He wondered what it would have been like for the woman to try to teach her wolves to ride on her. How many times had the heavy creatures clawed her and perhaps even bitten her in an effort to learn to shift smoothly?
Belle had leaned over and licked his face and then done the same to Julija before she’d leapt on his back. That small gesture of affection did something strange to Isai’s heart. Belle and Blue were already working their way into his affections.
“Hold on to me, Julija.”
“I’ll try.” She sounded as if she was already falling asleep.
“You stay awake until I get you settled.” He took to the air with his little family. Six cats. His woman. His brethren would laugh at him, if they could feel humor. He was not a man like Sandu, who was naturally funny and found humor in everything, even though he no longer felt it. Isai had always been a man more reserved and serious.
The night breeze was cool on his skin. He had a few injuries where Vasile’s creations had ripped him open, most going for his belly in hopes of eviscerating him. It was a common practice among creatures created by vampires. He found it significant that the dark mage used the same creatures. Puppets. Beings with no souls feeding on the flesh of others. They were promised immortality and used ruthlessly until their purpose ran out and then they were discarded by their makers, cast aside with no concern that they would prey on humans or animals in an effort to survive.
Which had created them first? Mages? Vampires? Isai knew that Xavier had made an alliance with vampires. That was unheard of, but it had been done. Had he been the one to teach the undead to use puppets to attack during the day when vampires could not? Perhaps. At the moment it didn’t matter. It had been a long night, facing and defeating the ghouls Vasile had waiting in his traps.
“Those are awful creatures.” Julija gave a delicate shudder. “I wouldn’t want to face one. Why didn’t you reach out to me? I had no idea. I would have tried to help you.”
“Had you seen them before?”
He felt rather than saw the shake of her head. His eyes were on the terrain below them. He had taken them high, so he could spot the best potential spot for a resting place, and if he could be truthful with himself, maybe he could get very lucky and see his brother alive and well. He didn’t believe he was alive. He was certain Iulian had sacrificed his life to seal the resting place of Xavier’s book of black magic.
“Not until I was captured by Sergey’s band of vampires. He had puppets, and they were feeding on children. It was so sickening. It’s clear you’ve faced them before.”
“Many times. Too many times. You never saw your father or brothers or even Barnabas create a puppet to serve them?”
“No.” That was definite. “Although, any of them are capable of creating something that vile.”
Below, there was a beautiful lake, a shimmering deep well of blue in the moonlight. The sight was breathtaking. Now that his feelings were restored, along with his ability to see in color, the sights of nature were wholly appreciated. Isai slowed his speed and circled around, looking among the rising cliffs and boulders for a place that might have an opening in the granite. Even if he couldn’t go to ground, burying himself in the healing soil, he needed a safe place no one could get to him during the hours of complete paralysis.
“Turn your head, Julija, look at the lake.”
She made an effort to obey him. He could tell her body was just too drained. He couldn’t give her blood until they were in a protected environment. Suddenly, he was extremely glad that he had the cats on his back. Blue would guard their resting place while they slept. Instinctively, he knew the cat would guard them with his life. Belle as