«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.»
Mikhail reached for the comfort of his lifemate. Tied to Gabrielle the way he was, he could feel her unrelenting sorrow. None of them had considered the larger picture. Gabrielle was now fully a Carpathian female. The other males would be desperate for her to be a lifemate to one of them.
Gary's attentions to her would not be welcomed by any of them. It was possible for Gabrielle to be a lifemate to one of the men without being in love with him. Affection often came later, after the raw sexual need and the intimacy of being lifemates. Conceivably, Gabrielle could love Gary and still be a lifemate to a Carpathian male. The potential for explosive trouble was building inside the already complicated world of Carpathians.
She is in love with him. Raven's voice was gentle. He deserves happiness after all he has done for us. You know he has earned his place in our world.
Mikhail sighed heavily. I know this, but logic does not dictate to a male near the end of his time. If she is a lifemate, she must give up whatever affection she feels for Gary and embrace her new life fully.
There was a small silence. You would force her to choose a man she does not love? That is wrong.
There is only one lifemate. Her love for Gary will fade with time and if she truly gives her new life a chance, she will find happiness with her true mate.
Raven sniffed in exasperation. You have no idea what you re going to do about this situation, do you?
Mikhail raked a hand through his hair. He loves her so much. Whenever I am with him I feel it. And he has spoken to Gregori often of his feelings for her. Since her near death, he has rarely left her side, holding vigil until she awakened. None of us could get him to eat. This is going to be bad, Raven.
Raven sent him comfort, camaraderie, a soothing touch of her fingers trailing down his face. He wanted to leave this house with all its complications and go to where there was joy. In the midst of all the problems, with the enemies coming at them from every side, there was Raven and her ready smile, her warmth and ability to bring happiness and laughter to those around her.
«They're here!» Joie announced. «Mom, be gentle with her,» she added, clinging tightly to Traian's hand.
«You don't have to tell me that,» Mrs. Sanders said with a small frown.
Mikhail rose intending to excuse himself. Jubal came in, flicking a warning glance at his mother and father, then stepped aside to allow Gabrielle into the room. She looked beautiful, tall and dark-haired with gray eyes and a full mouth. Her skin was pale and she trembled visibly, but the man at her side slipped his arm around her for support.
«Mom. Dad. It's wonderful to see you.» Tears swam in Gabrielle's large eyes, turning them charcoal.
Her parents rose, taking several steps toward their daughter. Mrs. Sanders stopped abruptly, the color draining from her face. She lifted her face and sniffed several times, testing the air. One hand went up defensively and she screamed, backing away from the couple.