Dark Lycan (Dark #24)(75)
Author: Christine Feehan

"The children are tucked away for the night," Jacques announced. "Shea’s going to join us for a short time." His voice lightened when he uttered his lifemate’s name. "We’ve got to get the food right. Fen, that’s your department. You know more about the Lycans than any of us."

"You’re going to serve food?" Food certainly wasn’t the forte of Carpathians.

"We want them to feel as at home with us as possible," Mikhail said. "The more they see us as they are, the better chance we have of their council coming here for a summit meeting. I also want to start the process of subtly changing their view of a Guardian versus the Sange rau."

Fen nodded. He could see how Mikhail’s plan was a good one. The elite hunters, especially Zev, had the ear of the council. If they could be persuaded, they would be advocates for an alliance with the Carpathians.

"I’ll handle the food," he agreed. "Everyone here has to view me as a Lycan. That’s how Zev knows me. If he suspects any different, there will be trouble." He pulled on thin, almost invisible gloves.

Mikhail raised his eyebrow.

Fen shrugged. "No Lycan ever goes anywhere without his gloves or his silver. Zev’s weapons are amazing, but most just have stakes. Silver can’t touch their skin either, so they have to protect themselves. They’ll be wearing their gloves, or they’ll have them, and they’ll definitely notice if I don’t."

"I didn’t think about that aspect of what they do," Gregori said. "During an intense battle they have to occasionally touch it."

"Silver burns like nothing you’ve ever felt," Fen said. "Every elite has scars from it, but that’s one of the hazards of fighting the rogue packs. They accept it just as every Carpathian hunter accepts he’s going to get torn up fighting the undead."

"I covet Zev’s weapons," Jacques admitted with a grin. "Totally cool."

Mikhail groaned. "My brother has become very modern with his language."

"I was always very modern," Jacques said. "You’re a dinosaur, but we’re working on dragging you into this century."

"Go recheck the entrance with Gregori so everything is ready for the Lycans to come inside," Mikhail ordered. "And when your lifemate arrives, send her my way. I’m going to tell her tales of you as a boy."

"Big threat." Jacques shrugged his shoulders at his brother. "You’ve already done that." Laughing, he followed Gregori toward the main entrance to the cave.

The large cavern took on another look entirely. All playthings for children were gone. The stars were left in place as if their celebration was out in the open, but the torches were changed to soft lighting. On one side, Fen set up tables with food and drink. Tables and chairs were strewn around the area. Soft music played and a few of the couples danced under the scattered stars.

The chamber took on the atmosphere of a long ago ballroom, elegant and warm. Destiny and her lifemate, Nicolae, had returned from escorting the children and he spun her around the dance floor. Destiny laughed like a child herself, clearly enjoying the simple pleasure. Vikirnoff and Natalya danced alongside them, laughing with them and trying to outdo each other’s intricate dance steps.

Looking around the room, Fen realized most of the single hunters weren’t present, at least not openly. He allowed himself to use his Guardian senses, scanning the chamber. Of course. He should have known how Gregori thought by now. Mikhail and Raven were present and they were inviting strangers into their midst. In spite of all the Carpathian hunters present, Gregori would have an ace or two in the hole-in this case four of them.

Tomas, Lojos, Mataias and Andre were concealed somewhere in the chamber. Each guarded a key position. He knew them all well, those ancients, and they were dangerous predators. The elites had amazing skills, but Gregori knew how they fought now. He was very fast at learning and he wouldn’t get caught unawares again. He was prepared for any act of treachery.

Zev came through the door first, which didn’t surprise Fen at all. Zev was so much like Gregori they could have been brothers. Neither would probably ever admit it, but they thought alike.

Mikhail immediately crossed the chamber to greet him, Gregori and Jacques on either side of him. Fen moved just as quickly to join the greeting party. As a Lycan, it would be expected. Zev was of the highest rank, above any of the packs and would never be ignored by any Lycan once he had revealed himself as an elite scout.

Mikhail shook Zev’s hand. Out of respect, Zev had removed his gloves, something Fen knew elites rarely did. Some slept with them on their hands, especially during a hunt. A rogue pack could attack at any time.

"Thank you for coming," Mikhail greeted. "More, again, thank you for coming to our aid when the rogue pack attacked. We would have suffered far more causalities and perhaps even losses."

Zev gave him an easy smile. Fen noted that smile never reached his eyes. Zev had the eyes of a man who had lived long and saw far too many horrific things.

"Thank you for inviting us. My pack needed a break. They’ve been traveling and fighting battles with rogues for weeks now. We knew something big was happening, but we had no idea the trail would lead us here."

He turned as the others entered. "This is Daciana."

Mikhail bowed over her hand. "Welcome and thank you. Destiny tells me you were very instrumental in protecting our children. There are no words for how grateful we are."

Daciana smiled at him. "It’s what we do. And Destiny certainly did her fair share of fighting."

"I hope you enjoy yourself," Mikhail added.

Zev continued with the introductions to his pack. "These four are Convel, Gunnolf, Makoce and Arnou."

The four Lycans were extremely polite as Mikhail greeted them, but held themselves stiffly as if they weren’t certain what they were getting into.

The last elite hunter limped a little as he came up to be introduced. Zev touched his shoulder briefly. "This is Lykaon."

Lykaon bowed slightly toward the prince but looked at Gregori. "I would not have survived without your aid or Shea’s. I thank you."

"It was the least I could do after what you did for us," Gregori said.

Mikhail graciously thanked each of the Lycan hunters for their help. Vikirnoff and Natalya along with Destiny and Nicolae immediately came over. Destiny had fought with the Lycans and she introduced her lifemate, his brother and Natalya as she led the other pack members over to the tables of food and drink.

Fen knew immediately that Mikhail had planned for just that move. The pack respected Destiny’s abilities and would relate to her and her family. Out of the corner of his eye he could see other Carpathian couples going up and introducing themselves to the pack members and engaging them in conversation.