No one is as scary as Zacarias. Technically, Luiz is considered older, but Zacarias has led the family for centuries. He’s the one who made the decision to turn Luiz and offer him the gift of the family. Luiz, like the other brothers, follows his lead.
She couldn’t imagine Luiz following anyone’s lead. She decided it was best to put off meeting Zacarias.
Where does he stay?
He has a cattle ranch on the outskirts of the forest.There was the slightest bit of humor in his voice.His lifemate, Marguarita, was raised there and is very entrenched with the ranch people. They make their home base there. He is good friends with Dominic.
There was a small part of her listening to Sandrine and Jasmine give more ideas for the baby shower, but mostly she was interested in the things Tomas was telling her. This was jaguar territory, but it seemed that several Carpathians made their homes here. Was that to keep the jaguar women safe?
Sarika believed in destiny. She found it odd that so many Carpathians had gathered in one area. Was fate orchestrating such a thing because something big was happening?
Is it common for so many Carpathians to be together in one place?
It is more common in the Carpathian Mountains, where the prince resides. Hunters, as a rule, are alone.Tomas had an inquiring note at the end of his statement.
Everything is odd about this, Tomas, beginning with the tribe of Mayans finding their way here. And were they Mayans? Why do we think that? Their existence has been kept a huge secret.
That wouldn’t be unusual,Tomas objected.Jaguars are a secretive society. The animals have been decreasing in number, let alone shifters. The temple was considered a sacred place to the jaguar shifters, regardless that it is in ruins. If anything, the remaining shifters wanted to conceal the ruins so there wouldn’t be an influx of those robbing the temple or archaeologists digging up a sacred site. Not that they had to worry; the temple conceals itself.
Sarika considered Tomas’ response. He traveled throughout the world’s rainforests. He knew the changing environments better than most because he’d experienced them. The shifters were a secretive society, so much so that her aunt and uncle didn’t tell her anything about what was happening in the forests with the shifters. They wanted her to avoid her birthplace at all costs. The information she did have came from Luiz, and it wasn’t much.
Even with what Tomas said, she still had an uneasy feeling. “Solange, will there be very many people at this party? Women? Children?”
“We’re keeping it small,” Solange answered.
Sandrine gave a protest screech, but Jasmine shook her head and pointed to the list. “That is not the way we express ourselves, Sandrine. Use your words, not noises.”
“Who will be coming?” Tomas asked.
Solange and Dominic exchanged a look. Sarika was certain they were communicating telepathically, the way she did with Tomas.
Is something wrong?Dominic asked.
Sarika shook her head.I’m just trying to figure some things out.
Solange sent her a tentative smile. “Jasmine, Sandrine and Jubal, of course. We have to have the party planners. My cousin Juliette is onthe way with her lifemate, Riordan. They have a son, little Hunter. He’s only eighteen months old. Dax and Riley are coming. They have a daughter, Maureen, who is three, and there is a rumor that Riley might be expecting as well.”
“Zacarias and Marguarita will also be attending,” Dominic said. “If she is expecting, Zacarias would never tell a soul.”
“I have three wonderful friends, jaguar shifters, who will attend,” Solange added. “Adele and Lucy will come with Tara and her husband, Finn. Tara and Finn have a daughter, Bianca. She’s six and best friends with Sandrine.”
“Solange rescued all three women from Brodrick years ago,” Dominic said. “They’ve been friends for years. The women have already heard of your bravery.” He seemed to be trying to reassure Sarika that everyone would welcome her.
Sarika reached for Tomas’ hand, threading her fingers through his. That feminine place inside her, the one with the power to envision good or evil, was studying the situation with great trepidation. These were Carpathian children. Carpathian lifemates.
Tomas, what happens if your lifemate is killed?
His gaze narrowed. His entire demeanor changed. Not just his demeanor, his energy. Everything about him. He went from sweet Tomas, sitting quietly with her, a little amused by the unexpected chaos of Dominic’s home, to a lethal predator within seconds.
Lojos and Mataias instantly slipped into her mind. She felt them enter, a swift takeover. They had become as lethal as Tomas. And Luiz seemed even worse. He poured into her mind aggressively, clearly looking for threats.
Tomas, it was just a question. I need to know these things.She tried to defuse the situation. Both Dominic and Solange had gone on alert. She was a little shocked that Jubal had as well. Everyone was looking at her. She felt the glare of a white-hot spotlight.
“What is it, Sarika?” Dominic asked. His voice was very, very gentle.
“I just asked a question about lifemates. I don’t know enough aboutthe Carpathian culture, and in asking, I got a very scary reaction.” She went for strict honesty because she didn’t understand how a simple question could trigger such a visceral reaction.
“Your question was?” Dominic prompted.
