as Carpathians. What we need to find out is what triggered the jaguar into attacking." He gave his second in command a hard look. "And then we're all going to make peace because nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to ruin this night for Raven."
Gregori bowed slightly. "Of course." He exchanged a ghost of a grin with Traian. He is afraid of her.
She has him wrapped around her finger.
And both of you can go to hell.
Gabrielle sank down onto the couch with Gary on one side of her and Jubal on the other. Joie and Traian shared a chair. Mikhail stood in the corner nearest the door and Gregori stood, arms folded across his broad chest, his body between Mikhail's and the rest of the room.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders came out together holding hands. She had been crying and was obviously reluctant to face them all. When she saw the marks on Traian's chest, a fresh flood of tears began.
"Mom, it's okay," Joie said. "Please don't cry anymore. Let's just figure out what's wrong and fix it."
"Is it me?" Gabrielle asked. "I don't want to upset you anymore. This is Christmas night and we're supposed to be together as a family. I don't want you upset by what happened to me."
Mrs. Sanders shook her head. "Not you. Never you, baby." Her gaze touched on Gary, and slid away. She gripped her husband's hand tighter. "It's him." She nodded toward Gary. "He's not what you think he is."
"Gary?" Gabrielle looked shocked. Everyone stared at Gary.
"What do you mean, Mrs. Sanders?" Mikhail asked.
"He's jaguar. I can smell his blood. The stench is all over him. He is a jaguar male. They are deceptive and capable of great cruelty. I don't want him anywhere near my daughters. Either of them." She raised her chin, suddenly looking regal. "What I did was wrong, I should have controlled the cat better, but it was such a shock. I haven't encountered a jaguar male in years. I thought that door was long closed. It took me by surprise and brought back painful memories, but I'm under control now. He cannot stay anywhere near them."
Gabrielle gripped Gary's shirt hard. "You're mistaken, Mom. Gary is the sweetest man I know. Kind and good and brilliant. He isn't a shape-shifter. He's human."
"He is jaguar," Mrs. Sanders said harshly. "And he is deceiving you if he has said differently. I am pure jaguar and none can escape my detection."
"Gary?" Mikhail asked, already probing the man's mind.
Gregori had exchanged blood with Gary and could read his thoughts, and did so often. He had never found any evidence of shapeshifting. He looked at Mikhail and shook his head.
"Mrs. Sanders, it is possible Gary shares a bloodline. Many of the women here do, including your daughters and son. But he cannot shift and, in fact, does not know of his
lineage. Gregori has shared blood with him and can easily read his thoughts, and many times Gary has volunteered to allow me to do the same. He cannot deceive a Carpathian who has taken his blood."
"He is a jaguar," Mrs. Sanders persisted. "He is not welcome here nor can he be near my daughters."
"Your son is jaguar. Should he be banished as well?" Mikhail asked.
"Mom! What's gotten into you," Jubal demanded. "Dad, stop her."
"You have no idea what your mother has suffered at the hands of a jaguar male," Mr. Sanders retorted. "Don't you dare judge her."
"Not all jaguar males are the same," Mikhail said. "Any more than Carpathian males are. Many of our males turn vampire and many jaguar males turn on their women, but not all. I've known many honorable jaguars-your own son among them, and his blood is far more pure than Gary's. Give Gary a fair chance. He has been with my people for some time now and is committed to helping us. Gabrielle has worked with him and knows his dedication. Use this time to get to know him as an individual."
Before she could protest, Gregori stirred, drawing all eyes to him. "This is a small thing the prince has requested, Mrs. Sanders. You have attacked him, as well as intentionally harming your own son-in-law. Your intention was to kill one of ours. Gary is under my protection and is my friend. I will be responsible for his behavior. All the prince has asked is that you give him a chance and given your own behavior, I think it is a reasonable request."
Mrs. Sanders took a deep breath.