«I heard that!» Natalya called. «For your information, it is working. Well, I did set the curtain on fire and there's a scorch mark or two on the wall.»
«She isn't joking, is she?» Mikhail said as the smell of smoke drifted toward them.
Vikirnoff heaved a sigh. «Regrettably, no.»
«I will leave you to it then. Let Natalya know Gregori will be playing the role of Santa Claus tonight. She was concerned that no one would be doing it and she volunteered you.»
«She what?» Vikirnoff scowled toward the kitchen.
«And she said if they needed an elf for the pageant, that you look rather elvish in tights.» Mikhail's features were completely expressionless.
«She said all that?» I am so spanking your bare little ass.
Promises, promises.
«I am not certain we have need of an elf, but I'm going to check with Sara and Corrine. They're the ones putting the pageant together, and I'll let them know you offered.»
Vikirnoff rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. «Mikhail, I am fully aware that you are the prince and as such should be protected at all times, but should you deliver that particular message to those women, I will be forced to cut off your head and stuff it somewhere unpleasant.»
Mikhail nodded, still without expression. «I think that is a fair reaction and one I myself might have. Suffice to say we understand each other perfectly.»
«On the other hand, should you really command Gregori to perform as Santa Claus, I would ask for a front row seat.»
Mikhail held out his hand. «Done.»
Vikirnoff, I have need of you and Natalya. Nicolae's troubled voice filled his mind as Vikirnoff shook the prince's hand.
He waited for Mikhail to dissolve into vapor and trail through the scattered trees toward Corrine and Dayan's home before responding to his brother. We are on the way. «Natalya. Nicolae needs us immediately.»
«I was just putting the finishing touches on this thing. It smells funny.»
«That's probably the lighter fluid-or the hair spray. I imagine it tastes as funny as it smells.»
Do not let on to my lifemate that anything could be wrong, Nicolae warned. If Destiny thinks for one moment that someone-or something-has tried to harm MaryAnn, she will go ballistic on me. She does not trust many people yet, and MaryAnn is family to her.
Vikirnoff whirled around, his lazy, casual demeanor gone at once. And to me. Tell me what you believe. He shared the information with Natalya.
I have a blood bond with Mary Ann and I can feel something is not right. I thought a vampire had come into my home and taken her blood, but I cannot get a feel for it. Perhaps Natalya's birthmark will roar for us and let me know for certain. MaryAnn remembers nothing, but she seems disturbed, restless, definitely different. And I feel uneasy in my home.
Vikirnoff reached for Natalya's hand as she hurried to join him. Have you examined her memories? They both dissolved, shimmering into droplets of vapor and streaming outdoors toward Nicolae's home.
Of course I have. Over and over. Something happened to her right here, in our home. If a vampire has penetrated our defenses, I need to know. There was a moment's hesitation. And if a Carpathian has used her to feed when she is under my protection and also Gregori's, that is a killing offense. This is a very dangerous situation.
Vikirnoff could not imagine that Nicolae could be mistaken. If he said something was off, then no doubt it was. What Carpathian would dare risk the wrath of two ancient warriors as well as that of the «Dark One»? Everyone knew Gregori was an executioner. One did not take chances with such a man. The attacker had to be a vampire, but how could a vampire slip past an ancient into his very home?
Vikirnoff and Natalya settled into their normal forms just outside Nicolae's home. They made a circle of the house, looking for tracks, for some sign that an enemy was near. Natalya put her hand over her birthmark and shook her head.
«The dragon is silent, Vikirnoff. There isn't a vampire nearby, nor any evidence that one has been in the vicinity recently.»
«But something is off.»
«I agree, but I can't figure out exactly what it is.»
She inhaled sharply, her eyes going from brilliant green to sea blue and finally opaque. Stripes banded across her hair, orange and black and even white. She dropped to all fours, fur rippled and the majestic tigress paced around the house, using her cat senses to try to find an enemy.
Vikirnoff followed the tiger back into the woods. It padded patiently through the brush and snowdrifts, following an elusive scent he couldn't quite catch. Natalya regained her natural form a few yards from the house.
«Someone watched them from over there.» She indicated a thick tree. «I cannot catch his scent. He's very clever. He uses what is natural around him, mimicking whatever he chooses so that only that is seen or smelled. He watched them drag the tree into their home and must have entered at that same time. They were distracted by the Christmas tree and not paying any attention to the something like a wind or small snow flurry. I'm betting he used
both. There would have been snow flying from the tree.»
«He's smart this one. An ancient with very sophisticated ways. Why would he choose to go after MaryAnn when she is doubly protected?»
«The challenge of it? A dare maybe. Beating Gregori and the ancients protecting MaryAnn?» she guessed.
«And the penalty, if caught, might be death? Certainly, Destiny would kill him. She's extremely protective of MaryAnn. Nor can I see Nicolae allowing such an insult to his house. And if he didn't kill the attacker-I would. MaryAnn saved both my brother and Destiny. She gave Destiny back her life, and in doing so, gave Nicolae life. I will not allow her to be used in this manner.»
«Be careful of what you say,» Natalya reminded him, taking his hand. «Destiny is very edgy when it comes to MaryAnn.»
Both made a long, slow perusal of the area. Were eyes watching? It felt that way, yet for all of their skills, they couldn't ferret out the enemy.
MaryAnn greeted them at the door, her smile genuine. «Vikirnoff. Natalya. It's so good to see you. We've just been putting up the Christmas tree. Skyler is visiting us. Have you met her?» She indicated the young teenager, who stood staring transfixed at Natalya.
Vikirnoff took MaryAnn's hand and bowed low, startling her, his lips touching her skin. He inhaled deeply and allowed her hand to drop away. «You look wonderful.»
Natalya stepped close and hugged her, kissing both cheeks. «You do look radiant. Are you looking forward to tonight?»
She does look radiant. She's always been beautiful, but now she has a dangerous allure about her. And a male has definitely been close to her. Very close. His scent is eluding me; not even my tigress can pick it up. I wont be able to track him. But he isn't vampire. He's Carpathian.
MaryAnn smiled at them both. «Yes, of course. Everyone's been so good to me. We were just about to walk Skyler home. Would you like to come with us?»
Natalya crossed the room to the teenager. The girl stepped back avoiding physical contact. Natalya smiled at her. «It's nice to finally meet you. You must have difficult psychic gifts. Can you read people when you touch them?»
Skyler nodded. «I don't like it.»
«I don't like it either.» She glanced over her shoulder and Vikirnoff took the hint, taking MaryAnn by the elbow and walking with her into the kitchen, leaving Natalya with the younger girl. «You seem a little nervous. Are you really sensitive as well? I often have this