be away from Shea. She is a researcher, very important to our people.” He looked at his lifemate as he gathered Sara easily into his arms. His expression was tender, mixed with pride and respect. “She is very single-minded, focused on what she is doing. I find it somewhat uncomfortable.” He grinned ruefully, sharing his confession candidly.
“Wait!” Sara knew she sounded panic-stricken. “There’s a backpack in the truck, I can’t leave it. I can’t.” Falcon’s diary was in the wooden box. She carried it everywhere with her. She was not about to leave it.
Shea hesitated as if she might argue, but obligingly rummaged around in the wreckage until she triumphantly came up with the backpack. Sara had her arms outstretched and Shea handed it to her.
Jacques lifted an eyebrow. “Are you ready now? Close your eyes if traveling swiftly bothers you.”
Before she could protest, he was whisking her through space, moving so fast that everything around her blurred into streaks. Sara was happy to be away from the wreckage of her truck, from the fierce wind and the swarms of insects blackening the sky. She should have been afraid, but there was something reassuring about Jacques and Shea Dubrinsky. Solid. Reliable.
She had the impression of a large, rambling house with columns and wraparound balconies. She had no time to get more than a quick look before Jacques was striding inside. The interior was rich with burnished wood and wide open spaces. It all blended together—art, vases, exquisite tapestries, and beautiful furniture. Sara found herself in a large sitting room, pressed into one of the plush couches. The heavy drapes were pulled, blotting out all light so only soft candles lit the room, a relief to eyes sensitive to the sun.
Sara removed Jacques’s sunglasses with a shaky hand. “Thank you. It was thoughtful of you to lend them to me.”
He grinned at her, his teeth gleaming white, his dark eyes warm. “I am a very thoughtful kind of man.”
Shea groaned and rolled her eyes. “He thinks he’s charming, too.”
Another woman, short with long black hair, glided into the room, her slender arm circling Jacques’s waist with an easy, affectionate manner. “You must be Sara. Shea and Jacques alerted me ahead of time that they were bringing you to my home. Welcome. I’ve made you some tea. It’s herbal. Shea thinks your stomach will tolerate it.” She indicated the beautiful teacup sitting in a saucer on the end table. “I’m Raven, Mikhail’s lifemate. Shea said you were searching for Mikhail.”
Sara glanced at the tea, leaned back into the cushions, and closed her eyes. Her head was throbbing painfully and she felt sick again. She wanted to curl up and go to sleep. Tea and conversation sounded overwhelming.
Sara! Falcon’s voice was stronger than ever. You must stay focused until I am at your side to protect you. I do not know these strangers. I believe they do not intend you harm, but I cannot protect you if there be need, unless you stay alert.
Sara made an effort to concentrate. “I have had a vampire hunting me for fifteen years. He killed my entire family and he’s stolen children he knows matter a great deal to me. All of you are in great danger.”
Jacques’s eyebrows shot up. “You eluded a vampire for fifteen years?” There was a wealth of skepticism in his voice.
Sara turned her head to look at Shea. “He isn’t nearly as charming when you’ve been around him a while, is he?”
Shea and Raven dissolved into laughter. “He grows on you, Sara,” Shea assured.
“What?” Jacques managed to look innocent. “It is quite a feat for anyone to escape a vampire for fifteen years, let alone a human. It is perfectly reasonable to think there has been a mistake. And I am charming.”
Raven shook her head at him. “Don’t count too heavily on it, Jacques. I have it on good authority that the inclination to kick you comes often. And humans are quite capable of extraordinary things.” She picked several pieces of glass from Sara’s clothes. “It must have been terrifying for you.”
“At first,” Sara agreed tiredly, “but then it was a way of life. Running, always staying ahead of him. I didn’t know why he was so fixated on me.”
Shea and Raven were lighting aromatic candles, releasing a soothing scent that seeped into Sara’s skin, made its way into her lungs, her body, and lessened the aches. “Sara,” Shea said softly, “you have a concussion and a couple of broken ribs. I