Dark Celebration Page 0,27

shimmering in the air around them. He closed his arms protectively around Alexandria and allowed his body to slip away, leaving only white-hot energy, pure selfless spirit. He streamed through her with a quick examination before finding the bruise, already swelling, blood pulsing and pushing to leak out. He repaired the damage, making certain that she was completely healed before once again coming back to his own body and the furious argument taking place so close to him.

Aidan held Alexandria in his arms, rocking her gently back and forth all the while keeping a wary eye on the two combatants.

Gabriel took another aggressive step toward Dimitri. "Would you like to tell us exactly how this happened and how you came to be here at the same time?"

Dimitri bared his teeth. "Push me too far, Gabriel, and I will take her with me now."

Gabriel's hand shot out, fingers locking around Dimitri's throat. "Do not threaten me or my family."

Dimitri didn't so much as flinch beneath the crushing fingers. His gaze focused on Skyler's face. "You are my lifemate." His voice came out husky, but it came out all the same.

"Stop! Stop, Dimitri. Gabriel, let him go now." Francesca tugged at Gabriel's arm. "He has a blood bond. Before you could kill him, he could take her with him. Please, Gabriel. Show some sense."

"Gabriel." Mikhail's voice was calm. He stood beside Dimitri. "Release your daughter's lifemate. Of course you are protective of her, but this is the man who is the other half of your daughter's soul. If you kill him, you condemn her to a half-life. Be reasonable."

Gabriel didn't feel reasonable. He wanted to tear out Dimitri's throat. The man was stealing his child. The demon rose swift and fast, roaring to be set free. He could feel Dimitri's rising rage in direct proportion to his own.

"We all need to calm down," Francesca said. "Dimitri, give her to me. She's my daughter now, and you have no idea of the things she's suffered."

Dimitri's face rippled with anguish-with torment-for just a split second, and then seemed a stone carving once again. "I know exactly what she's been through. She is my other half and when she cried out in fear, in rage and in desperate need, I tried to follow the path to her, but I was too far away and she was merely a child and didn't know I was trying to help. She fought me, blocking my every effort. When she suffered, believe me, I was well aware she was suffering and my torment-my humiliation that I must bear for all time is that I was unable to aid her."

Men touching her. Abusing her. Hurting her. Her fragile spirit retreating until even he couldn't find her. The memories would haunt him for eternity, worse than any kill he'd ever made-his failure to protect the one being who it was his duty-his privilege-to protect. He had been so certain that Gabriel could see to Skyler's safety while he stayed away, making certain not to trigger the demon's need for a mate, but Gabriel had failed in his duty as well. "You did not protect her adequately," he said accusingly.

Gabriel and Dimitri stood toe-to-toe, Skyler still cradled in Dimitri's arms, held high against his chest. "What happened here?" Gabriel demanded.

"You think I did this?" Dimitri asked.

"Didn't you?" Gabriel countered. The branches around them trembled and the air thickened.

"I did not. Her leg was broken and she was losing too much blood. I healed her as quickly as possible and gave her the necessary blood to replace what was lost-not that I owe you an explanation."

"Please," Francesca begged again, struggling not to cry. Her tears would set Gabriel off as nothing else could. The situation was explosive. "Let me have my daughter."

"Do not make her ask again," Gabriel said.

Dimitri's face darkened. "You think to keep her from me?"

The earth rolled and the trees around them shuddered. Small red flames began to flicker in the depths of Gabriels eyes. "She chooses not to be with you."

"She is too young to know what she wants. It is not a matter of choice and well you know it. If you persist, Gabriel, I will claim what is mine now and bind her to me."

Francesca drew in a sharp breath. "Dimitri, no. She cannot go with you and she would suffer more without you. You cannot be that cruel."

"I will not allow you to keep her from me."

Once more, Gabriel's hand shot out and circled Dimitri's neck,