Christine Feehan - Dark Celebration 17

«Absolutely not,» Jacques said.

«No!» Mikhail was adamant.

Shea made a face at them. «I'm not made of porcelain. She's elderly and she just had an operation and she came all this way. The least I can do is climb the stairs and go see her.»

«Not alone. She'll be here more than one night, Shea,» Jacques coaxed. «You do not need to see her tonight.» He placed his hand over her stomach, rippling once more with a contraction. «You have other things to do tonight. Raven, if you would be so kind as to ask Slavica to send word that Shea is in labor and will arrange a visit in a day or two.»

«Well, I'm not going to miss out on Gregori playing Santa Claus,» Shea said firmly, aware that the stubborn set to Jacques's jaw meant he wouldn't change his mind. «So don't think you can hurry me out of here.»

Gregori. In spite of the gravity of the situation with Shea so near her time, Mikhail couldn't keep the taunting laughter from his voice. Shea is close to her time and she wishes to see you parading around in your jolly red suit before she has the baby. So get on with it, my son. Mikhail gave the order on their private mental path established centuries earlier through a blood bond.

You cannot rush St. Nick. This is a busy night for him, Mikhail. Even you, my prince, cannot command his time.

Mikhail flashed Jacques a small grin and tugged at Raven's long hair. «I need to speak with some of my men. It will not take long. You can walk around with Shea and see that she behaves herself.»

«As if I could do anything else,» Shea replied.

Mikhail sauntered away, moving through the villagers, guests and his people to reach the ancient he had spotted. Dimitri was in the bar, in the shadows, his cold eyes following Skyler's progress as she moved around the room.

«How are you doing?» Mikhail asked.

«I am better. She is not so distressed and it helps. I thought I would torment myself for a few minutes and then go back to my patrol. If I can do nothing else, I know I can keep her safe.»

«If she is Dragonseeker as Natalya suspects, she is much more than a powerful psychic.

It would explain the things Francesca says she can already do.»

«And it also means she suffered far more trauma even than we already know.»

Mikhail clapped Dimitri on the back. «You are an honorable man, Dimitri, and more than deserve a rare gem as no doubt our Skyler will be.»

«Let us hope you are right.»

Mikhail left him alone, standing in the shadows where he lived most of the time. Sadness seeped into the prince, sorrow for his warriors, so alone, most without much hope, but living their lives to the best of their abilities.

Manolito De La Cruz was standing just inside the door, and Mikhail approached him. «Do you suspect any of these men of being the mage? You came closest to him, entering his burrow and possibly finding his scent.»

Manolito shrugged his shoulders. «I cannot find a single man who could be the mage we seek. All of us have been through the rooms, listening and scanning and even probing, but all the guests appear to be legitimate.»

«What do your instincts say?» Mikhail asked.

«That the enemy is close,» Manolito answered.

«Mine say the same thing.» Mikhail shrugged. «Keep looking. Tell the others to do the same. We cannot afford any mistakes.»

Manolito nodded and made his way once again around the room, giving the prince's message verbally to the warriors present. He didn't trust their common path of communication not to be overhead if the mage was in league with a vampire. As he neared Nicolae and Vikirnoff with their lifemates, he risked a quick glance at MaryAnn.

The sight of her took his breath away. She sat at a table near Colby and Rafael, talking to Ginny, Paul and Skyler, laughing at something they were telling her, and she looked so beautiful it hurt his eyes. Her skin seemed to glow and he was mesmerized by her mouth and eyes. The sound of her voice played down his spine. Need slammed into his body, tightening his muscles, hardening his groin so that he stopped moving and stood still, forcing his gaze away from temptation. It wouldn't do to be caught staring at her, or even thinking about her. He had to keep his mind fixed on his objective-ferreting out the dark mage.

«Mikhail still feels the threat is very real with Jacques's woman so close to her time. He asked that you both remain on high alert.» He delivered the message, keeping his mind in battle mode, knowing both would test him. They had been probing the minds of as many of the unmated males as they could. Several times they had touched his thoughts.

Colby looked up and smiled at him. «Are you all right? Rafael told me you were injured defending the prince.»

«It is nothing, little sister, a scratch, no more.» He had felt nothing for this woman other than through his brother when Rafael had first brought her home, yet now he could remember all the little things she did for him and his brothers. She often shared her thoughts of laughter and warmth with them and the antics of Paul and Ginny, hoping to make their existence a little brighter. Now he could feel real affection for her.

He casually dropped his hand onto Colby's shoulder. «I checked on Riordan and Juliette. Nothing has disturbed their slumber.» His gaze flickered to Paul and Ginny. «Juliette would have loved to see you two dance. She always mentions that her sister used to enjoy dancing so much. Hopefully she will get a chance to see you perform.» He glanced at MaryAnn, gave a slight bow and walked away without a flicker of expression on his face.

MaryAnn stared after him. «My God, that man is handsome.»

Colby nodded. «He is, isn't he? All of the De La Cruz brothers are. There are five of them and when they're all together they are quite the sight. Most women just drool around them.»

MaryAnn stared after the man, feeling a little jealous over the missing women. Manolito certainly had the attention of the single women in the room, but he never so much as glanced their way. It wasn't that she wanted a man of her own, but she wouldn't have minded being noticed by him. «What did he mean about Juliette's sister? Why doesn't she dance anymore?» She wondered if Manolito had ever seen Juliette's sister dance. And she wondered why it bothered her to think that maybe he had.

Colby sighed heavily. «Juliette's younger sister, Jasmine, was kidnapped by a group of jaguar males. They…» She broke off, looking at her brother and sister, and shook her head. «Did things to her. She won't come out of the jungle or come near the ranch. She refuses even to see Juliette if Juliette is with Riordan. Juliette is so distressed she's been talking about leaving the ranch, our home, to try to help her sister. Rafael was just saying to me that you'd helped Destiny so much and maybe we could find Jasmine a counselor. Although, out where we live, that might be very difficult.»

MaryAnn found herself watching the tall Carpathian as he glided through the room with utter confidence stamped in the very line of his body. He was fluid and graceful, almost elegant. The spot over her breast was aching again and she pressed her hand tightly over it. The sensation spread, making her breasts tingle and her nipples tighten. Warmth spread down her belly and between her legs. She swallowed hard, trying to tear her gaze from the sensual mouth and the image of it moving over her body. «I guess there aren't too many counselors near your ranch.»

«No.» Colby frowned. «From what Juliette says, Jasmine was never a strong person. And they have a cousin, Solange. She detests men and Juliette hasn't been able to combat her influence. It's all very sad.»

«Perhaps I'll have a word with Juliette when she rises,» MaryAnn ventured.

«Would you? That would be so helpful. Maybe you could just try to give her some advice on how to approach Jasmine to at least accept the men in our family. They would die to protect her. That's just the way they are.»