Christine Feehan - Dark Celebration 17

Gregori snatched the tights from Mikhail's hand and the hat from his head. «Mikhail…» His teeth came together in a loud snap of warning. «You wouldn't dare do that to me.» He looked around the room at the insects decorating his walls. «I see now why my brothers have decided to visit.» He waved his hands creating a wild wind that blew like a cyclone through the house.

The insects wavered, shifting into men, all laughing uproariously. Lucian clapped him on the back and Gabriel ruffled his hair. «Congratulations, little brother, you drew the short stick.»

«You all knew about this?» Gregori demanded. He made a grab for Mikhail, but the prince was already out the door with a cheery little wave.

Darius touched fists with Julian, the pair of them grinning at each other. The others whooped with laughter.

«Out,» Gregori ordered. «Every last one of you.»

«I wouldn't mind seeing the cap on your head again.» Darius wiggled his fingers as if Gregori should spin around and model for them.

«Put on the tights,» Jacques encouraged.

«Get. Out.» Gregori enunciated each word.

«Sure, sonny boy,» Julian snorted. «We'll leave you to practice for your command performance tonight.»

Another whoop of laughter filled the house, threatening to take off the roof. Gregori held open the door and simply pointed. The men filed out, large grins on their faces.

Gregori kicked the door closed and turned to his lifemate. «I'm killing your father. I've decided the Carpathian people can do without him just fine.»

Savannah pressed her hand tightly over her mouth. «It's really an honor.» The words came out muffled as she choked on her laughter.

He held up his hand. «Don't. Do not say another word.»

She slipped her arm around his waist and leaned into him. «Is it really so terrible?»

«You saw them. Every single male in the territory was here. Your father set me up.»

Savannah was silent for a moment. «Then I guess we have to figure out a way to turn the tables on them all, don't we?»

He wrapped a fistful of hair around his hand and stared down into her upturned face, always so beloved to him. «Just what are you thinking?»

A slow smile lit her eyes. «They want Santa Claus? I'm a magician aren't I? The great Savannah Dubrinsky? And you are Gregori, commander of earth, spirit, fire and water. You call down the weather and make the earth tremble. Santa Claus is going to be a piece of cake. I do wish they had given us a little more time to prepare. But we'll give them the best

Santa Claus ever. No child will be afraid of you and you won't be falling on your face like they all expect.»

«Are you certain it wouldn't be simpler just to do in your father and bury his body somewhere in the forest?» Gregori sounded hopeful.

She went up on her toes to press kisses against his mouth. «You are so bloodthirsty.»

He placed his hand over her rounded stomach. «There are really two little girls growing inside of you?»

She nodded, placing her hand over his. «Yes. We really managed to shock you, didn't we?»

«I'm a healer, ma petite. I should know what is going on inside your body at all times. How else will I keep you healthy?»

She brought his hand to her mouth, nibbling on his fingers. «I like that we can occasionally surprise you.»

«Oh, you do that, Savannah,» he assured her. «You always do that.»

Chapter 18

«Sara, I can't find my wings,» little Emma said, running down the hall, her curls bobbing. «I looked everywhere.» «Trav took them,» Chrissy volunteered. «He said Emma was no angel and he was going to throw her wings away.» Her too-large eyes were very solemn, waiting to see what terrible punishment the adults would mete out over such a crime.

Sara rolled her eyes when Emma started to wail. «I am an angel. I am! Trav is a bad, bad boy, isn't he, Falcon?»

Falcon scooped her up and whirled her around before her wail could turn into a serious crying jag. «I think Trav is a mischievous boy, not a bad one. What could you possibly have done to keep him from thinking you're an angel?»

«He always wants food and I took his sandwich and gave it to Maria's dog. Trav doesn't need the sandwich as much as Maria's dog does. Trav can just go in the kitchen any time. That's what Sara said, right Sara?»

«That's right, Emma,» Sara agreed. «There's always plenty of food to go around, but you shouldn't take Trav's sandwich. If you want to give Maria's dog something to eat, get it from the kitchen.»

Falcon cleared his throat. That could be downright scary. She's liable to give the dog a roast next time.

«What I mean, Emma, is ask Slavica or Maria before you take anything from the kitchen. They know what dogs should eat,» Sara hastily added.

Emma was four, and Sara was fairly certain the argument would go on forever if she didn't find a way to change the subject. «We have to hurry and get all of you children over to the inn. Everyone is waiting to see the show.»

«I need my wings, Falcon,» Emma declared. «I can't be an angel without my wings.» Her lower lip began to tremble.

«We'll find your wings, little one,» Falcon assured her. He looked across the room and smiled at Sara.

She had done this, created a miracle for these children. Now they were on the road to health and slowly beginning to believe they wouldn't have to steal for food and would always have a roof over their heads. It was never easy. Sara had rescued seven gifted children who had been living in the sewers in Romania and brought them to the Carpathian Mountains. Sara and Falcon rose as early as possible, and stayed up as late as they could in order to be with the children. They were lucky enough to find several human women willing to work for them, caring for the children during the hours they had no choice but to be asleep.

Falcon had never imagined he could love so much, but sometimes, like now, it seemed it spilled out of him and fill all the empty spaces in the room. He hugged Emma again, ignoring her squeals, and led the little group to the chair where Travis sat, trying to glare at the others. Falcon winked at the boy and held out his hand. «Let's go. This is a celebration dinner and the quicker we get the play out of the way, the quicker you get to eat. I know Corinne and Mrs. Sanders are fantastic cooks. You won't want to miss this meal.»

Travis sighed and stood up, dragging the wings out from under his bottom. «At least I don't have to be the angel.» He suddenly grinned up at Falcon. «I get to be king.»

Falcon dropped a hand on the boy's shoulder. Travis was the oldest and at eight, had carried a lot of responsibility over the others, picking pockets, trying to get food to feed them, always trying to protect them from the older, larger bullies on the streets and in the sewers. He was tall for his age and very thin, with a mop of dark hair he refused to cut. When Falcon had wanted to insist on having the hair cut, Sara had pointed out the boy was trying to be like him, so he left it wild and untamed. After that, Falcon spent time trying to give the boy a few pointers on keeping his long hair groomed. Tonight it seemed he had done a better job than usual. Even Emma didn't have anything to say about Travis's hair.

«You look great tonight.»

«Sara said everyone was coming from the church to the inn.»

«Yes, they went to midnight service and they will be coming for the dinner. Did you

want to go the service?» He glanced at Sara, trying hard to keep a straight face.

Travis scowled at him. «Not me. I'm not going.»

«I didn't think you wanted to, but figured I'd better ask, just to keep your options open. We'd better get going or we'll be late.»

«Falcon,» Emma asked as they headed out the door. «Is St. Nick really going to come? Will he have a present for me?»