Dark Celebration Page 0,7

Mikhail reached out to Raven, suddenly at a loss as to what to do or say to this woman-child. Why would Francesca and Gabriel and even Lucian keep this information from her?

"Skyler," he said aloud. "A Carpathian male must put his lifemate above all else. He would see to your needs, have patience with you. You are young yet. You have no idea how you'll feel in a few years."

"I do know."

"And you would sentence a Carpathian male, one who has given many lifetimes of service, to death-or worse-to the undead out of fear?"

"His decisions have nothing to do with me."

"And what of the Carpathian race? Our species is nearly extinct. We cannot continue to exist without women and children. One woman makes a difference. One woman can save a male and give birth to a child."

"I see Francesca struggling sometimes to be true to her nature, and she's a strong woman. Gabriel is very protective and dislikes her going anywhere without him."

Mikhail slammed a barrier in his mind immediately to prevent Raven from reading his mind. Gabriel had to be concerned with their enemies striking at the women, yet he had allowed Skyler to go into the woods. Or had he? "Did you mention to Gabriel that you were coming to see us?"

Skyler scuffed the toe of her hiking boot on the kitchen floor. "I may have forgotten. He

was busy helping Francesca bake gingerbread for the house we're making for the children."

Raven basted the turkey in silence, turning over Skyler's fears in her mind. "What is it Francesca struggles against, Skyler?" she asked.

Skyler shrugged. "What do you struggle against?"

Mikhail was slightly shocked at the human teenagers reply. She sounded far too mature for her age, and that in itself was a danger he hadn't considered. If Gabriel and Francesca had thought about the potential risks before bringing Skyler to their homeland, they would have mentioned her maturity to him. She was only sixteen-a virtual baby by their standards, yet her experiences had aged her far beyond her physical years. She looked-and spoke-like an adult. Would her voice trigger the terrible needs of the Carpathian male? If so, and she restored color and emotion to her lifemate before she could meet his needs, that might be as dangerous to the male, her not being ready to be with him, as not finding her at all. Often, being a lifemate-and intense sexual awareness and need-came before love or even affection.

Raven touched his hand-a small gesture, but it was enough to lighten his spirits. She smiled at the teenager. "I struggle with the terrible burden of so many lives depending on my lifemate and with the knowledge that so many want him dead. And I struggle with my own inadequacies. There are still aspects of Carpathian life I can't come to terms with, and it could present an added danger to my lifemate."

She smiled up at Mikhail. The stark love shining in her eyes put an unexpected lump in his throat. "I have never, not once, not at any time, regretted that I am lifemate to this man. I think you underestimate your own abilities, Skyler. You're a very courageous young woman. You are far too young to contemplate taking on a Carpathian male, but eventually you will come into your full power and potential. Most of the men have no idea what they've gotten themselves into." She winked at the girl. "It takes time to develop skills and power and most of us were too young, but we learned quickly by utilizing the mind bond."

Skyler nodded. "Gabriel and Francesca teach me by sharing information telepathically, and I've found it's so much more detailed than conversation. I can see how you'd learn so much more quickly."

"How's Baby Tamara doing?" There was a hitch in Raven's voice, and she didn't dare glance at Mikhail. Of course he would notice-he always noticed.

His gaze found hers-sharp-aware, sliding over her body with too much knowledge. She hadn't told him she could get pregnant-that it was the optimum time and if they let this chance slip by, it could be years before it happened again. Ashamed of being afraid, of the sorrow and grief that accompanied taking such a chance, Raven looked away from him. "And sometimes, Skyler, I struggle against my own weaknesses and fears, but never- never-against being lifemate to Mikhail."

Skyler, obviously an empath, moved closer to Raven, as if by her close presence she could reduce the sadness. "I guess we all do that,