Christine Feehan - Dark Celebration 17

«And you are Carpathian.» She looked around the house, took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. «Of course. That explains a lot. Traian is Carpathian, isn't he?»

Mikhail felt the flicker of another's presence. Her husband stood silently in the doorway, his mind trying to assimilate what was being said. It was obvious that Mrs. Sanders was capable of telepathic communication. Her psychic abilities were very strong, and she had called her husband to her in her distress. Mikhail continued the conversation as if there were only the two of them present. «It is essential for Carpathians to pass as humans at all times.»

She sank into a chair. «I have never heard that a human can become Carpathian, but Joie is, isn't she? That's why she looks different-a subtle difference, but it is there. And you really were going to make the costumes out of thin air.»

To Mikhail's alarm, she looked as if she might cry. «I am very sorry, Mrs. Sanders. You can understand why Traian couldn't simply give you this information. It is necessary to protect our species at all times.» He studied her averted face. «You haven't revealed your

lineage to your children. They have no idea, do they?»

She shook her head. «I didn't want them to know. I was afraid for them. My husband knows, but he's very protective of me. When I need to let the cat out, he goes with me and I run in the hills. He stands by to make certain no accidents happen.»

«Can any of them shapeshift?»

She shook her head. «I never taught them. I've seen them all grow restless and moody at times, but I didn't want them to carry that burden. I don't know if I did the right thing or not. But having a son and trying to raise him right is a big responsibility when he is jaguar. His instincts…»

«Jubal is a fine man. He's very protective of his sisters.» Mikhail reached out a hand and touched her.

Immediately she calmed, blinking the tears back, regaining the control she thought lost. «Jaguar males are very dangerous.»

«I am centuries old, Mrs. Sanders. I will admit I did not have a lot of contact with your species as we resided in separate parts of the world, but I remember many of the males were wonderful people. Need and fear often cause people to do things they would not ordinarily do. Jubal was born a good man, and will remain so throughout his lifetime. Should he be forced into extreme circumstances, I believe he will rise to the occasion with his mind and strength and the gifts given to him, not fall back on primitive means.»

She took a deep breath. «Thank you for that. It's my worst fear.»

He had glimpsed that small piece of information clearly, as it had been in the forefront of her mind before she had slammed the barrier down. «You have remarkable children, Mrs. Sanders. Joie is a treasure we all seek to protect. Jubal has been helping with vital research –as has Gabrielle.»

«Gabrielle met a young man, Gary Jansen. She says she has been working with him on a huge research project. Is he Carpathian too?»

The half smile faded from Mikhail's face. «Gary is human-a friend and protected by all Carpathians. Always.» If there was one human in the world the Carpathians would go to war for-it was Gary Jansen. But now…

«What is wrong with Gabrielle?» Mrs. Sanders asked. «I know there is something, but even Joie and Jubal have refused to discuss it with me.» She shook her head. «My family has too many secrets, yet you seem to know them all. Gabrielle is alive, isn't she?»

Mikhail rubbed his hand over his face, hating to be put in such a position. This woman deserved answers-deserved the truth about her daughters. «Just as Joie was converted to our species because unless she was she would have died, so was Gabrielle converted.»

Mrs. Sanders made a small sound of despair and turned her head to meet her husband's gaze. He stood in the doorway, tall and straight, his face an expressionless mask. «Rory. Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. This is my fault. All my fault.»

He hurried to her side, dropping down on one knee to take both of her hands in his. «Don't do that to yourself. You've done nothing wrong.»

«Is it so difficult for you to know your children are Carpathian?» Mikhail asked. «They will always be treasured. Always be protected.»

«Joie, yes, but what of Gabrielle? She's different, not adventurous in the same way Joie is. She has a love of research and home. This life isn't for her.»

«It is life, Mrs. Sanders. She would have died and we gave her the choice. It is what she wanted. Our healers are with her now and they will assist her in her new life. She is tied to a lifemated Carpathian, Vikirnoff Von Shrieder, and to me. We will always see to her happiness and safety.»

Mrs. Sanders took a deep breath and gripped her husband's hand. «At least I do not have to worry that a jaguar male will get their hands on either of my daughters. That has been a huge worry, especially with Joie traveling so much.» She attempted a small smile for her husband. «I don't mind Carpathian or human, but no jaguar blood.»

«I thought there were very few,» Mikhail said.

«Purebloods, but of course, there are many descendents and I don't want either of my daughters near a male jaguar.»

Mikhail didn't point out that Jubal was a male jaguar, or that he didn't tolerate prejudice toward any race or species. The woman feared the male jaguars and with good cause. He had impressions of a past she kept locked away. Mikhail held out his hand to her husband and introduced himself just as Traian and Joie rushed in. Mikhail had relayed the conversation to the couple, urging them to come quickly to ease Mrs. Sanders's tears.

«Mom!» Joie said. «I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about Gabrielle. I wanted to. I didn't know how.»

Mrs. Sanders hugged her daughter tightly. «Have you seen her? Is she all right?»

Joie bit her lip and sent a quick glance to Traian. «She is apprehensive. And it isn't as easy for her. I had Traian to guide me. And when I need to feed, he provides for me and it isn't so horrible. But Gabrielle is in love with someone who isn't Carpathian and he can't give her the things she needs.»

Mrs. Sanders's hands fluttered helplessly to her throat. «Who provides for her?»

«The man who saved her is named Vikirnoff Von Shrieder. He and his lifemate, Natalya,

have been with Gabrielle often, talking to her and working with her to accept her new life. She won't take blood from Traian or me, but she has from both of them. They're good with her, Mom. And she's trying.»

«I want to see her.»

«We both do,» Mr. Sanders said firmly.

Joie hesitated. «Mom, she's very emotional. Her entire life has changed. Fortunately, there is a woman visiting here with us. Her name is MaryAnn Delaney. She's a counselor for battered and abused women, and she's dealt a lot with trauma victims as well. Gary has her with him and they're talking to Gabrielle right now. I really think it best to let them work with her. You know Gabby, she's a fighter. It's just the initial shock of waking up so different.»

«I'm her mother. I should be with her.»

«She's promised to come here as soon as possible.» Joie looked up at Traian and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. The trauma of her sister nearly dying had taken its toll on Joie. She adored Gabrielle, and had brought her into this life, exposing her to vampires and Carpathians, and it weighed heavily on her that Gabrielle had been converted.

«This man, Gary, is he the one she's so crazy about? The one she stayed here in the mountains to be close to?» Mr. Sanders asked.

Joie nodded. «She doesn't talk much about their relationship, but they're obviously drawn to one another. Gary has been beside himself over this and has gone to her rest… Gone to be close to her daily since this happened.»