The point, Dominic, is not to use the wordallow,Tomas objected.She needs to feel in control, and this is a decision she made, not me. This came as a surprise. Taking it away from her would set us back weeks. As you well know, we are tracking Justice. We may have lost him and can afford to give my lifemate a few days to acclimate, but she has to have accepted all that being my lifemate entails.
If this is her decision, Tomas, she will persuade Solange that it is hers alone.
Dominic’s decree set Tomas’ teeth on edge. That monster inside him burst forth, rearing up like a volcanic eruption. Lojos and Mataias immediately flanked him, ready to go to battle.
You are overstepping your perceived authority, Dominic,Tomas reminded.You have no right to interfere with my lifemate. Consider this visit canceled. Give our regrets to your lifemate.
He took Sarika’s elbow. “We’re leaving this place. Come with me now.” He gave her no choice, taking her with him as his brothers and Luiz closed ranks around them.
On the path in front of them, the leaves blew into a wild eddy, whirling up like a small twister. A woman appeared out of the leaves. She was short with an hourglass figure but appeared all muscle. Her eyes were amber with hints of green. Her hair was very thick, evidence of her jaguar heritage, a dark sable with a few golden streaks. If one looked closely, they would see the tiny scars that covered her face and body.
“Solange,” Tomas greeted. His voice wasn’t welcoming, and Sarika frowned up at him uncertainly.
“Tomas,” Solange answered him, her gaze sweeping over the group of men surrounding Sarika. “Ordinarily, my husband is the diplomatic one, and I tend to put my foot in it, but I think in this case, he did. He tends to be overprotective of me, which I appreciate most of the time. Your woman is a fellow jaguar, one from an incredible line. She saved mycousin and my niece, and I owe her. At the very least I wish to thank her for what she did. Jasmine tells me she put her life on the line with Rud.”
She sent Sarika a tentative smile, but she didn’t attempt to address her, waiting on Tomas’ verdict. He knew, should he object, he would look churlish and guilty. He felt both. Rage remained, bubbling like a pool of magma below the surface.
Tell me what is wrong.
He was startled that Sarika reached out to him so confidently. She kept her head up, not looking in the least submissive or afraid. He recognized that her gifts were growing in strength.
Dominic and Solange are determined to manipulate this situation.
How? Why?
With Solange, it is probably genuine concern that you are being coerced into helping my brothers and Luiz. With Dominic, he will back Solange’s play, whether he thinks she is right or not.
Sarika sent him a genuine smile.Introduce us, please.
Open the gate,Tomas commanded his brothers.
Lojos and Mataias stepped aside. Neither went far. As they had for centuries, they separated, giving plenty of fighting room, and slid back into the shadows of the larger trees until they faded from sight. Luiz remained behind Tomas and Sarika, guarding their backs, a silent reminder that if one took him on, they were taking on the entire De La Cruz family. It didn’t matter that Solange, through her cousin Juliette’s marriage, was a part of that family.
“Solange, this is my lifemate, Sarika Silva. Sarika, Solange Sangria Dragonseeker. If there is one true ruler of the jaguar, it is Solange.”
“Who wants no part of ruling anything.” Solange stepped forward without hesitation, right into the circle that Tomas and his brothers had created. She didn’t appear to notice she was in a danger zone, but Tomas wasn’t falling for it. Solange was a warrior through and through. She was cunning and fast, and aside from all her skills in the jaguar world, she had Dominic as a mentor for the Carpathian world.
There was no smile on Solange’s face. She wasn’t a girlie, feely kind of woman. She was skilled in battle, and those who knew her respected her abilities.
“Silva is a very respected name in our world,” Solange said. “I want to personally thank you for your incredible bravery. You stepped in to save a complete stranger. Jasmine and Sandrine are very dear to us. We owe you quite a debt of gratitude.”
“I think anyone hearing a child cry out in pain and fear would have rushed to aid them,” Sarika said. “Jasmine was right there, determined to protect her child.”
“She said she tried to trade her life for Sandrine’s. Rud would have killed my niece out of sheer spite. He grew up under my father’s regime and became every bit as cruel and brutal as Brodrick was. He believed in Brodrick’s teachings, that women shifters were worth nothing, and the men had the right to their bodies anytime they wanted them. After Brodrick was killed, Rud took over, carrying on that same fanatical rhetoric. You saved them both. My sincere thanks. If there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know.”
“Sandrine is a beautiful child, and she was very brave under the circumstances. I am happy I was there to help.” Sarika glanced over her shoulder to smile at her cousin. “I knew Luiz would come the moment he could. It was a surprise to have three other male hunters rise up right at our feet just in the nick of time.”
“Jasmine and Sandrine are on their way with Jubal, Jasmine’s husband. They would very much like to see you again. Please come in and visit. Let us show you a warm welcome after so much turmoil.”
Sarika sent her a quick smile. “I have made a decision my brothers and cousin are wary of, and they think to persuade me from my chosen path. Once I do as I wish, I would very much like to take advantage of your hospitality.”
At her declaration, there was a visible change in Solange’s demeanor. Her eyes narrowed, did a quick scan of the surrounding area, and then once more focused on Sarika.
“If you don’t mind my asking you, what are they pressuring you not to do?”
Sarika sent Solange a little frown. “I wouldn’t use the wordpressuring. I know very little of Carpathians and their customs. My lifemate, brothers and cousin all are aware I have this aversion to exchanging blood. It is taking some getting used to. But I also know if we exchange a small amount of blood, they would be able to share my emotions when needed. They would see in colors. Perhaps it would be dull colors, but it would ease their way while they search for their lifemates. We’re a family. I need to feel empowered, and they are having a difficult time understanding when they want to protect me from anything that could distress me. I understand, but I don’t agree.”
“You came up with this idea on your own?”
