Dark Celebration (21 page)

You are worried about Dimitri.

I feel
—
uneasy. There is trouble in the wind, but I cannot find it. Dimitri does concern me. None of us can forget the loneliness we felt before we found our lifemates, but at the same time, we also remember the darkness spreading, taking over, the demon calling for freedom
. There was both worry and warning in his voice.

Dimitri will be fine because he has to be. You can only do so much, Mikhail. The others have responsibility too. You did not create the species.

No, but my people were left in my hands and I intend that they flourish. I refuse to allow nature or our enemies or even our own natures to triumph over us.

Raven went silent for a moment, contemplating.
You don't believe Carpathians are targeted for extinction simply through a natural process, do you? Because whatever has caused this is not natural
.

Mikhail smiled to himself. Raven always fiercely supported him and his people. He brushed mental fingers tenderly down her face as he flew high above the forest and began to drop lower and lower in a wide circle. Snow drifted down, lighter now, but still steady, turning the entire landscape a glistening white. He liked the snow; it always reminded of him of daylight, pushing the night aside briefly so that the world glittered a beautiful silver.

Mikhail flew over the area of blackened ruins, now covered in snow, that had once been some of their richest lands. The battle between the Carpathians and vampires had left the land scarred and damaged. He had noticed lately that more and more after the undead departed a region, they left behind the beginnings of a barren wasteland that sometimes seemed alive, creeping out to destroy the areas around it. It was one more thing he had to address—and very soon.

Something caught the sharp eyes of the owl, and he dropped lower to skim between the trees to inspect the battleground. In one section, tiny new shoots had pushed through the snow-covered soil. The trees were no longer bent and twisted, but stood proudly, branches raised to the sky. Shocked, Mikhail landed on the ground, shimmering into human form as he did so. Everywhere he looked small green shoots appeared, the stalks healthy and growing thick and wild in spite of the snow. He crouched low to examine the soil. Instead of the toxic mess that had been there, the soil was dark, rich with nutrients—a virtual miracle. The sound of water caught his attention.

Clear. Cold. Clean. Running over rocks once again. He sank down beside the small creek just to listen to the sound of hope.
Raven
! He couldn't hide the excitement in his voice—the sheer wonder.
I remember this from my childhood
. He sent her the image.
There was a woman in our village. We have forgotten the old ways. We had a society, artisans
—
craftsmen
—
scholars as well as healers. Not only did we have healers for our people, but there was a woman. I only saw her once and I was but a young boy. I remember very little, only that green sprang up around her wherever she went and that she was present at all births. Perhaps Lucian can tell me about this art. He and Gabriel are among the most ancient. They might remember
.

There was a small hesitation on Raven's part.
A healing of the earth
?

Shea and Gregori seem to think some of the problems with our women and children start with the soil. If we have a healer of the earth among us, can she not provide our pregnant women a safe haven to rest in? To birth in?

Was this done in the past?

He rubbed his temples trying to reach into his boyhood memories. It was so long ago and even back then, things were already starting to change the ways of their race. He had been a child, but he was certain of seeing the woman.
The soil is some of the richest I have ever seen. When I plunge my hands into it, I can feel the difference
. He tried to keep his excitement contained.

Who has done this?

I do not know, but I intend to find out.

Mikhail
. Raven hesitated.
This probably sounds silly, but last evening when quite a few of the ladies got together in the caverns with the pools, we all went swimming, remember? I told you about it
.

He did remember vaguely. Some of the women had gathered together in an effort to get to know one another.
You said you had a good time
.

We go there often; it's beautiful and the soil as well as the water is rich and rejuvenating, but this time it seemed even more so. I remember thinking how the cavern looked renewed and the soil darker and richer, the water in the pools amazing, but I thought it was just me
—
that maybe I was just very happy to be with everyone
.

And
? he prompted hearing her hesitation.

You're going to think I'm crazy, but when I woke tonight and knew I could conceive, my first thought was that I should have stayed out of the water.

His heart jumped in his chest. He reached down to touch one of the budding branches from a young sapling that hadn't been there a few hours earlier.
Who was there with you
?

Savannah went with me. Desari, Syndil and Tempest were there, and Corrinne and Alexandria. Sara dropped by briefly. What are you thinking?

The impossible
. And because he needed to give more thought before voicing hope, he changed the subject.
How is your meal coming
? He was feeling much better about tonight's celebration. If this gathering resulted in finding a woman who could heal the earth and help protect their pregnant women and infants, giving their healers more time to find answers, he would be eternally grateful—and their species would truly have something to celebrate. And what if—just what if… He hardly dared to hope that the water or the soil had encouraged the women to be able to conceive. He didn't dare hope, but it was there anyway for the first time in a long while, refusing to be suppressed.

Better than fine now. Christmas always seems to bring miracles. We just have to look for them. Find this person, Mikhail. If she can do what you say, she is more valuable than any of us realize.

Mikhail took to the air once again, his heart pounding in his chest. Far below him, he glimpsed a couple wrapped around one another, oblivious to anything but each other. Once more he quickly scanned the region, needing to ensure the safety of each of his people. Again, although he had that same edgy feeling that kept his alarm system prodding him, he could find nothing that indicated an enemy was setting a trap. He sent a small warning to the male, a slight hint of censure reminding him to keep alert for enemies, and flew on until he found the small remote cabin Lucian had chosen for his stay. Several wolves called a warning as he shifted into natural form and stepped up onto the verandah.

Lucian materialized almost right in front of him, and still, after all the years of power and command weighing on his shoulders, Mikhail felt awed by the man. His black hair flowed down his back, his shoulders were ramrod straight and his eyes blazed with the dark promise of death.

Lucian and Gabriel Daratrazanoff were twins, legends unsurpassed in Carpathian history, and it showed in the set of Lucian's shoulders and his stern face. Mikhail found Gabriel much more approachable. He always found it humorous that other Carpathians feared Gregori, Mikhail's second in command, best friend and son-in-law, but found his older brothers so approachable when they were at least as dangerous, if not more so.

Lucian gripped his forearms in a warrior's greeting. Gregori's older brother looked fit and strong, his eyes gleaming, piercing through Mikhail straight to his soul as if he could read inside any man.

"It is good to see you again after all this time, Mikhail. You have grown into a powerful leader since I last saw you. Your father would have been proud."

Mikhail clasped the man's arms, feeling the solid strength there. "You may tell your woman she can put away her weapon now."

A slow smile warmed the bleak, cold eyes. "She will not be pleased that you spotted her. She is a cop and definitely prides herself on her abilities. Being Carpathian has only added to her skills."

"I do not actually know where she is," Mikhail admitted. "Only that she is close by and pointing a weapon at me. I have heard she does not stay home where she belongs."

A choking sound came from above him and a young woman materialized, a gun in her hand, glaring daggers at Mikhail. "Where she belongs?"

Her hair was the color of platinum and gold, a shorter length than most of the women wore, but attractive, framing her pixie face. Her eyes were dark, a startling contrast to her pale skin and hair.

Lucian casually removed the gun from her hand and leaned over to shove the weapon in her boot. "You cannot shoot the prince, Jaxon. It simply is not done."

"I wasn't going to shoot him," she objected, and sent Mikhail a quick, mischievous grin. "At least, not unless he was going to insist that women stay home while the men have all the fun."

"You call slaying the undead fun?" Mikhail asked.

She shrugged. "If it isn't housework, it's fun. I like action, not sitting at home waiting for my hero."

"You like to stir up trouble," Lucian replied, amusement in his velvet voice. "But at least you admit I am your hero."

Mikhail had forgotten how mesmerizing and powerful a weapon Lucian's voice was. Everything about Lucian seemed to be a combination of "compelling" and "weapon." The man's face could have been carved from stone, yet his eyes were more alive, more intense and more lethal than Mikhail had remembered. "It is good to see you again, Lucian. And good that you have found your lifemate." He sketched a slight bow toward Jaxon. "I could not resist teasing you as I have heard you are fiercely protective of Lucian," he told her. "We are grateful to you. He is a legend among us."

"She insists on guarding me," Lucian said.

"Well, of course I do. Any Carpathian hunter shot by a human after being warned
repeatedly
to be careful needs a babysitter—um—bodyguard."

Lucian bent to brush a kiss on top of her head. "No respect." The deep love on Lucian's face was mirrored on Jaxon's as she teased him.

"I can see that," Mikhail acknowledged. Somewhere deep inside he felt happiness for this couple—for all the couples—but this one in particular. Lucian had been alone for so long and he'd fought too many battles, sacrificed too much. This small pixie seemed fragile until Mikhail looked into her dark eyes. She had seen too much, was wise beyond her age and had that same strength of will her lifemate possessed.

She flashed a warm smile at Mikhail, even as her fingers tangled with Lucian's. "Thank you for allowing us to use one of your homes. Lucian's home was so far into the mountains we would have spent all of our time flying back and forth and wouldn't have been able to visit."

"Please come in." Lucian held open the door, stepping back to allow Mikhail to precede him. "We have much to discuss. I thought, at first, when I heard of the celebration, that it was a foolish indulgence and far too risky, but now I see I was wrong. It has been good to see everyone and to be home once again. I have stayed away far too long and there is a sense of community here once again."

"I hope we are doing the right thing," Mikhail agreed as he stepped inside the snug little cabin.

It had been years since he had entered the old house. The walls had been repaired where gaping chinks between the wood had allowed the wind to sweep in. Lucian and Jaxon had fixed the cabin up so that the interior was bright and welcoming. A fire crackled in the old stone fireplace and the furniture was inviting. Lucian waved him toward the couch, and Mikhail seated himself opposite Lucian's chair.

Jaxon hesitated briefly, glancing at the windows, wariness creeping into her expression as she assessed whether anyone could look in and easily see them through the glass.

"I do not actually bite," Mikhail said, and gestured toward the empty end of the couch he occupied.

Jaxon perched on the arm of Lucian's chair, one foot swinging free. "I'm perfectly comfortable right here, but thank you."

"She insists on guarding me," Lucian explained. "Or at least she pretends so. The real reason is she cannot bear to be apart from me."

The foot swinging free arced just a little more and she drove her toe into his calf.

"I can see that," Mikhail said dryly. "I am certain Raven is the same way—hating to be apart from me." He shared the conversation with his lifemate. Immediately, he felt the warmth of her laughter brushing at the walls of his mind. "Before I forget, I thought you might like to know, we need someone to play the part of Santa Claus for the children."

The smile faded from Lucian's face, leaving his eyes shadowed and wary. He stiffened slightly. Beside him, Jaxon stirred, and he put his hand on her thigh to prevent her from speaking aloud.
Do not dare to volunteer me
.

You are such a chicken. They are just children.

It is a red suit and beard.

And you'd look so cute and cuddly.

Mikhail put him out of his misery. He sat back in his chair with a little half smile. "I thought my son-in-law would be the best man for the role. As he is your younger brother, tell me what you think."

Jaxon choked back a squeak that could have been between laughter and horror. She nearly fell off the arm of the chair, only Lucian's steadying hand preventing her from landing on the floor. "You're kidding, right? Gregori would be every bit as bad a choice as Lucian would be. One look at him and the children are going to either run like rabbits or burst into tears."

Lucian's thumb swept over the back of her hand in a small caress. "Never underestimate a Daratrazanoff, little one. We can rise to any necessary occasion and I am certain Gregori will enjoy the role." He sent Mikhail a wolfish smile. "Let me know when you are going to tell him what honor is in store for him and I will be happy to accompany you."