“I guess my dinner party is thoroughly ruined. You must have such a bad impression of my family.” It hit Antonietta that if Eleanor and Vlad were like Byron, they would have heard the police in the lower stories, conducting interviews with staff with sealing off the crime scene. “Poor Enrico deserved better than being shoved down a laundry chute. I have no idea what is happening in my own home.”
“At least they wrapped him in the best lace available.”
“That’s not funny.”
Vlad kept Eleanor firmly in his arms. “Welcome to the family, Antonietta. It has been our pleasure to meet you. I need to take my lifemate home and care for her.”
“Grazie for all you have done, both of you. The next time we meet, hopefully things will be back to normal.”
“Until then.”
Antonietta listened, but there were no footsteps. She knew they were no longer in the room. “How do you do that? Just vanish into thin air? Not use doors?”
“I will teach you.” He pulled a chair to the edge of the bed. “Paul will be different, more aware, as you are. His hearing, his sight, everything will be that much more acute. And I can always touch his mind. It will be a different path than ours, but the connection will be there.”
“Did you pick up on what happened to him?”
“I am going to wake him briefly so we can talk. He will be weak. His body does not have the ability to heal as quickly as mine does.” Byron took her hand. “I know you have many questions for me. I will answer all of them before the night is over.” He brought her fingers to his mouth, nibbled on the sensitive pads. “Paul. Paul, come back to us now. You can rest soon, but you need to speak with Antonietta. You want to tell her something. It is very important to you to tell her the truth.”
Antonietta heard the compulsion buried in his voice, was astonished that she recognized it for what it was. “Your voice is hypnotic, isn’t it?”
“Yes, when I choose.”
Paul stirred, moaned softly. “Toni?”
“I’m here, Paul.” She tugged her hand free to rest her palm on her cousin. “You’re going to live, but you mustn’t move around too much.”
“I had strange dreams.”
“I know. It can happen that way, Paul. How did this happen? Tell me. We need to talk to the police.”
“No. You can’t do that, Toni. Promise me. Please promise me you won’t go to the police.” His agitation rose sharply.
Byron rested a hand on his shoulder, calming him instantly. “Tell us, Paul. We will handle whatever it is together.” Do not mention the authorities again. He will undo all we have wrought.
“I know you thought I was stealing from the family, Toni. I don’t blame you for believing that. I wanted you to think I was gambling again.”
“Why, Paul?” There was hurt in her voice, pain in her heart.
Byron’s fingers curled around the nape of her neck, began a slow, soothing massage to ease the tension out of her.
“I went to a party a few months ago on a yacht. The owner had a priceless painting on display. It was one of ours, Toni. I went immediately to the police, and they told me they had been investigating the theft of treasures from prominent families for months. I knew someone in our family had to be helping whoever was behind the thefts. No one knew the way to the vaults, let alone the codes to get in, except you, Nonno, and Justine. I knew you and Nonno would never sell out our family. So I volunteered to help the police find the thieves.”
“Paul, what were you thinking?”
“I was perfect for it. I already had the bad reputation. I always needed money. I was believable. It was easy enough to start paying attention to Justine.” Paul’s voice was weak, his breathing labored. “She was under suspicion, the one person who would have access to all the security codes. And she would know the way to the art rooms and the vaults.”
“This is too hard for you,” Antonietta said. “We’ll talk later when you’re stronger.”
Paul’s hand covered hers. “I fell in love with her, Toni. I know you’re angry with her, and she probably deserves to be in jail, but I’m asking you to let her go. Tell her to go back to America. Just don’t put her in jail.”
Byron shook his head. She is not involved in any conspiracy other than trying to help Paul find a way to pay off his gambling debts. She has never stolen anything from the Scarletti family. Unlike your family, Justine is easy enough to read.
“I would never believe such a thing of her. After all these years, why would she suddenly decide to steal?” Antonietta asked Paul.
“It has to be her. There is no one else,” Paul said. “She had access to everything. She’s the one who drew me a map to the vault and gave me the access code.”
“You were willing to die instead of going to a hospital so she wouldn’t go to jail? Lie and take the blame for missing objects, for Justine? Paul, you aren’t thinking clearly. You should have come to me with this immediately.”
Antonietta, Justine did not steal. She regretted giving Paul the codes and the map. She wanted to give him money, but he refused. She believed he was in trouble and wanted him to tell you, but he refused that option. He convinced her he would be in danger from the men he owed money to. It is clear he thought she would involve him in the theft ring, but she did the only other thing she could. She gave him a map and the codes. I felt it was a betrayal of your friendship. But that is all it was. She is not involved in any theft ring.
“I’m not going to turn Justine over to the police, Paul. But you need to tell me who did this to you. They have to be dealt with.”
“Stay out of it, Toni. These people play for keeps.”
He did not see his attackers. There is nothing he can tell us about the men who assaulted him. The thing uppermost in his mind is protecting Justine.
“Send him to sleep. I’ll let Tasha and Justine in to watch over him tonight. Nonno must have been informed by now; I can’t see Franco keeping it from him.”
You know Marita is more likely to be the person stealing and handing the goods over to someone else. And it was the elder Demonesini she was going to meet with the Handel score.
Franco will be devastated if it is so. She made her way to the sitting room while Byron issued the order for Paul to sleep. Tasha and Justine practically fell into the room with Franco and Don Giovanni on their heels.
“He is alive,” Antonietta reported. “Just barely. He needs sleep. And plenty of liquids. Can you clean him up and fix the bed? We’re both exhausted. Byron has a talent for healing much greater than mine, and he did most of the work.”
“I would like to take Antonietta to my home where she can rest,” Byron added.
I can’t go anywhere.
Paul will not wake until we return. Just enough for them to give him fluids.
Too much is happening.
I need you this night, Antonietta.
“Your family excused themselves,” Don Giovanni explained. “They could see we were uneasy. I’m afraid we didn’t make much of an impression on them, my boy.”
“They understood,” Byron assured. “Have the police left?”
“They’ve questioned everyone but Paul and the two of you. We said Paul was out, and you two would be available tomorrow,” Franco said.
“Grazie, Franco,” Antonietta said, “I doubt if I could sit through more of their questions.”
Byron took Antonietta’s hand firmly in his. “Good night everyone, we will return tomorrow evening.”
15
“What are we doing?” Antonietta lifted her face to the wind. She hadn’t been out on the battlements in years. It was far too dangerous. Even with Byron, she was afraid. It would only take one careless slip, and she would fall to her death. When she inhaled, she could scent the faint odor of the cat’s presence lingering. The idea that the jaguar could be near, could be watching them at that very moment, was terrifying.
“I am going to take you flying. You said you wanted to try. The sky is clear, just a
trace of fog rolling in. I think you will enjoy it after such a difficult evening.”
She studied his voice not the words. “What is it, Byron?”
He pulled her to him, buried his face against her neck. “You are in my keeping, Antonietta; always your safety comes before all else. Your acceptance of what and who I am means everything to me. I want to give you something special. Something you will always remember.”
Her fingertips moved over his face. Byron found it curiously intimate each time she read his expression. There was a caress lingering on his skin whether she knew it or not. He knew she was reading his apprehension of what was to come. She was too connected to him. So much had happened from the moment she awakened, so much more would be demanded of her.
“If flying is so memorable, why are you afraid for me?”
For the first time he caught her wrists and pulled her hands from his face, cradling them against his chest. He leaned his forehead against hers. “I have to talk to you tonight about what I am, about what being my lifemate means to both of us.”
“And you’re afraid I can’t accept you? I’ve already done that. I won’t say I don’t have a million questions, Byron, but how can I be afraid of what you are, if you aren’t afraid of what I am, especially now when some jungle cat is killing people? I feel the jaguar in me sometimes. My skin literally itches to change. Or are you afraid for me because you think the killer is someone in my family, perhaps Paul?”
“It is not Paul. Or if it is, he has no memory of taking the shape of a jaguar.”
She sagged with relief. “I was so afraid. I don’t know what to think about Paul and his bizarre behavior. Why would he think he could help the police uncover a professional theft ring? Believe me, I know Paul; he’s not the undercover type. It’s just like him to be stabbed and come here instead of going to a hospital and to manage to convince everyone he can’t go. All to save Justine from prison.” She shook her head. “Nonno would never leave Paul in charge of the shipping business, no matter how astute he is. When it comes down to it, he’ll make an emotional decision every time.”
“You do not want the business.” Her hair was soft. Her skin too tempting. He removed her dark glasses to allow freedom to his lips to drift over her eyelids.
“No, I’m an artist. I want to compose my music. I’m selfish, I guess. I really don’t enjoy stopping what I love to attend endless meetings. Paul has the ability but not the personality for it.”
His hand cupped her chin, lifted her face to his. “I love kissing you. I could spend a lifetime or two just kissing you.”
“Funny, I feel exactly the same way.” She opened her mouth to his, let the magic take hold. The breeze coming off the sea was crisp and cool, but it only acted as a counterpoint to the flames leaping between them.
A shadow passed over them, a brief gray over the moon. Byron was aware instantly they were no longer alone. He whirled around, sweeping Antonietta behind him. Do not move; do not make a sound.
What is it?
I do not know yet. On the alert now, he scanned the surrounding areas for signs of an enemy. There was no sign of the vampire and no scent of the jaguar. The disturbance came from above him on the turrets and tower looming above their heads.
Byron narrowed his vision to search, his gaze moving continually, restlessly, working every inch of the eaves and rooftops. He caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye and froze. The gargoyle crouched just above his head stared down at him with red, burning eyes. There was a loud creak as the giant sculpted head turned slightly, and the wings spread outward a good six feet in preparation for flight.
Antonietta’s fist tightened in his shirt at the small of his back. She immediately merged with him. She couldn’t see what he was seeing, but she had the sharp impression of it. That’s impossible. Those gargoyles aren’t alive. Their eyes are stone. There aren’t even gems in them to capture or reflect light. And they can’t spread their wings or turn their head.
You are so right, Antonietta. The grim note in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. I only know one person who would dare to try to play such a joke on me.
Byron concentrated on the gargoyle. The head turned further, facing back toward the rooftop. As the head swung around, the giant mouth yawned open, and huge teeth filled the jaw. The mouth snapped closed, a vicious bite of warning. Josef yelped, scooting out where Byron could see him.
“You almost took my leg off,” he accused.
“That was the idea,” Byron replied calmly. “Next time you try to sneak up on me, I will make certain the gargoyle takes a chunk out of you.”
Josef sat on the back of the gargoyle, dejected. “I can’t get it right. No matter how many times I try to make an inanimate object move, it’s always clunky. If it had been smooth, you wouldn’t have known it was me.”
Antonietta put a restraining hand on Byron when she felt him gathering himself for a lecture. “It sounds difficult to do, Josef. I think anyone would have trouble making a sculpture of a gargoyle move.”
“I thought you were blind,” Josef said.
“I’m not nearly as blind with Byron around. I catch images through him, at least awareness of what’s happening around me. You shouldn’t be out this late. I don’t know if Byron warned you, but there’s a jaguar out killing people. I’m serious. I don’t think your mother would want to lose you.”
“I can take care of myself,” Josef assured. “Do you shape-shift yet?”
“I can’t shape-shift, but it sounds fun.”
“It’s hard to do on your own. I practice a lot, but I still get it wrong sometimes. Why haven’t you tried it yet?”
“I’m not like you.”
“Yes, you are. You’re Byron’s lifemate. You’re—”
“Josef.” There was a distinct warning in Byron’s voice. “Enough. You get back to the villa. Antonietta is right; it is not safe out here for you.” Although I think it is more likely he would come to harm through me rather than another source.
He is just a boy.
So Eleanor keeps reminding me.
“Can’t I go with you, Uncle Byron? Mom won’t let me do anything. I was scaling the wall of the villa, and she just about screamed the house down. I can get a running start and leap pretty high, but then I can’t quite get the hang of going up a vertical wall. I have to use toe- and fingerholds.”
Byron sighed. “You are trying to use your body. Use your mind. You are too aware of your physical body.”
Antonietta shivered. The wind could be biting cold. Byron immediately removed his suit jacket and wrapped her in it. She was surprised it was so warm.
“Go on back to the villa, Josef. I will work with you tomorrow on some of these things, although you have to remember you are not supposed to use these gifts or discuss them outside of our people. The idea is to blend in.” Byron did his best not to sound as long-suffering as he felt.
“No one else is around. You were so busy kissing Antonietta I thought I could sneak up here and play a joke.”
“You are very lucky I did not zap you with a lightning bolt. Go home. I want to be alone with my lifemate.”
Josef sighed heavily. “I never have any fun. I don’t think it’s fair the way I’m always told I have to wait to learn anything.”
Enough! Byron bit the silent command out between bared teeth. Do as I say.
Josef stood up, looking extremely petulant. He shimmered several times but nothing happened. Byron closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer for patience. “Josef, you hold the image in your mind.”
“Dad always does it for me.”
“Then how did you manage to get up there in the first place? If I do it for you, you will never learn.”
Antonietta leaned into Byron. “If you’re going to take me flying, we could escort him home, couldn’t we?”
Byron kissed her temple. “You are a very understanding woman.”
“Grazie for noticing.” Antonietta waved in the direction she knew J
osef to be. “Come with us. Byron’s going to take me flying. I’ve never been before.”
“I will take the shape of a dragon with wings. That way I can hold you close to me. If you become alarmed, I will know, and we will go back to earth immediately.”
“Will you have scales?”
“Yes, I can do scales.”
“Can I have any color?”
Byron laughed. “What color do you want?”
“When I was a little girl, my mother always read me a book where the dragon had beautiful iridescent blue scales. I loved the sound of that. I still picture the dragon shimmering with watercolor blues, just like in that book. It’s a very vivid memory.”
“Then your dragon will be iridescent watercolor blue.” He held her close to him, nuzzled her neck.
“Why can’t I ride on the dragon’s back? In all the books, a rider was on the dragon’s back. Only the idiot who was going to be eaten was clutched in the dragon’s claws.” Antonietta could feel his teeth scraping back and forth across the pulse beating strongly in her neck. Her entire body tightened in response. There was something mesmerizing and erotic about the motion. His teeth nipped, sending darts of fire racing through her bloodstream. His tongue swirled over the ache.
“I do not want to take a chance that you could fall.” The words were whispered against her neck, his breath warm on her cold skin. His teeth closed over her pulse, teased gently while desire burned hot in her deepest core.
“I won’t fall, Byron. I’ll hold on tight. Please let me do this.”
How could he deny her anything, her slightest wish, when he knew what was in store for her? “I will be most unhappy with you should you slip, Antonietta.”
“You do growl like a bear sometimes, Byron.”
“I want to be a dragon, too,” Josef called. “I’ve never done anything like that before. That would be too cool.”
Byron threw his hands up in the air in defeat. “Hold the image that you find in my mind, Josef. Make certain you are able to maintain it before you step off that roof. You cannot be distracted. This is a large beast, quite unlike a bird. It is not as easy because it is unfamiliar. Study the details in my mind, and hold that image at all times. I want you to stay close to me in case you get into trouble.”
Christine Feehan 5 CARPATHIAN NOVELS Page 27