Traian frowned. "Sure. Everyone has. This is reputed to be vampire country, but everyone knows that's just a myth. I have read that in some of the more remote villages residents still believe that after someone dies, if a member of the family becomes ill, that they have to dig up the body, cut off the head, stuff the mouth with garlic and drive a stake through the heart in order to insure the supposed vampire is dead. That practice has been doc.u.mented around the world in various countries, but it isn't widespread anymore and these locals certainly don't do such things."

Gerald took another swallow of his drink. "Don't be too sure. It wasn't that long ago that there was a huge purge right around this area."

"I know what you are talking about. I did research into the history of the region when my parents were first considering settling here, but the investigation determined those ritualistic killings were outsiders who murdered a number of people in some sort of misguided belief that vampires exist. It really is safe for tourists and travelers here."

Gerald tossed back the rest of his drink and signaled the innkeeper to refill their gla.s.ses. "On my tab," he instructed and then studied Traian over his drink. His face was flushed, his eyes a little bloodshot. "Did you ever consider that there was a cover-up? That maybe those men really had found something?" He turned his back to the bar and surveyed the room. "Maybe all those myths and legends aren't just stories."

"Scary thought," Traian said, allowing interest to creep into his voice. "History is always interesting because if you read various accounts of anything, the stories change depending on who is telling them."

"Exactly," Gerald agreed, slurring the word slightly.

Traian very carefully began to raise the temperature around the man. "There generally is a grain of truth to many of the legends, but most of the time, I have found there is a scientific reason behind unusual occurrences."

Gerald grinned at him as if catching him in a compromising statement. "You half believe the stories about vampires."

Traian looked uncomfortable as he shrugged his shoulders. "No, of course not."

Gerald nodded toward the Sanders family. "Look at that beautiful woman. The one with the long hair. She's the type, you know. She came in early in the morning, slept all day and is up now."

"You mean Gabrielle?" Traian laughed. "She's a researcher for hot viruses on vacation with her sister and brother. They like to climb mountains-mostly during the day." He wiped his forehead. "I think I've had a bit too much to drink. It's getting hot in here."

Gerald took the suggestion. "The innkeeper keeps adding wood to the fire. They never seem to realize the more people are in the building the less they have to heat it." He clapped Traian on the shoulder. "Let's take a little walk outside and get some fresh air."

Obligingly, Traian set his gla.s.s on the bar and followed Gerald around the tables, taking one more sweep of the room, tuning in to the various conversations to make certain there was no whisper of conspiracy before he left his lifemate and her family. He stepped out of the inn and allowed the door to swing closed behind him.

Fog slid through the surrounding trees, entering the village with long fingers, pulling a gray veil over the houses and businesses, draping them in the thick, cool mist. Wind blew gently in from the south, a steady stream that brought with it information of night creatures moving in the deeper woods. Aromas of food cooking drifted to Traian, and he heard the whispers of conversation in buildings he pa.s.sed as he walked with Gerald along the narrow sidewalk toward the deeper shadows.

"I grew up hearing stories of monsters," Gerald offered. "Of course all of us kids thought our parents were a little crazy because it was obvious they believed in vampires and ghouls. They called them human puppets, flesh-eating fiends who do the bidding of their masters."

"Great bedtime stories," Traian commented, taking Gerald's arm when he stumbled on the uneven ground as they entered the dark s.p.a.ce between two buildings. "No wonder you half believe the fairy tales."

"Oh, I believe them all right." Gerald lowered his voice. "There're quite a lot of believers now. But we cleaned them out of this area."

Traian turned, his body blocking the way so that Gerald was forced to halt his staggering progress. Tainted alcoholic blood was never a choice for any Carpathian, but sometimes-like now-it was necessary. He had to be able to monitor Gerald Von Halen's activities. Gerald might have been more resistant to his voice had he not been consuming alcohol, but the amount allowed easy entrance into the man's mind.

Traian bent his head to Gerald's neck and drank, the vampire hunter's mind docile and accepting, following Traian's low, murmured instructions. The hunter probed the society member's mind for information on their next hunt. There was some disagreement, but most seemed to be turning their attention and concentrating efforts to wipe out vampires in South America.

"Leave this place as soon as you can pack. It is urgent that you go," Traian commanded and forced drops of his own blood into the opened mouth. He would always be able to whisper to Gerald, to speak across some distances and ensure he did no harm to any Carpathian. "You will forget the women you saw tonight and remember me only as a drinking buddy you have great affection for."

They were at the entrance to the inn before Traian allowed Gerald to become aware of his surroundings, planting memories of laughter and the slow, vague idea that the society members were taking his dues money and making a fool of him. They patted one another on the back like old friends and Gerald stumbled up the stairs to his room. He waited until Gerald had gone into his room before he returned to Joie's side. He hadn't realized how strong the pull of a lifemate was until he had left her side the morning before. He was anxious to complete the three blood exchanges and bring her fully into his world so he wouldn't have to leave her when the sun rose.

"Is everything all right?" Jubal asked.

Traian toed the chair closest to Joie around and sank into it, his arm sweeping around her shoulders, needing to touch her, to feel her warmth and know she wasn't a fantasy he'd dreamt up there in the cave when the vampires had tortured him.

"Fine. I believe our friend in the gla.s.ses is about to join us. Be careful what you say." He directed the comment mainly to Gabrielle. He could tell by her heightened color and the light in her eyes that she found the man very attractive.

The slender man stopped in front of them and held out his hand to Traian. "I'm Gary Jansen. Mikhail Dubrinsky sent me. He asked me to convey his apologies, but unforeseen circ.u.mstances prevented him from coming himself. Should there be need, he asked that you put out a call to him and he will send Falcon. Mikhail's brother is in Italy at this time, so I was sent to aid you in any way I can." He chose his words carefully, obviously very aware they were not alone.

Traian gripped Gary's hand firmly. "I am Traian Trigovise. This is my lifemate, Joie Sanders, her sister, Gabrielle and brother Jubal. I trust the prince and his lifemate are well?"

"Raven has been ill," Gary said briefly. His gaze strayed to Gabrielle, but he quickly reined himself in. "If we could go somewhere private, it would be better," he added. "I offer whatever you need freely."

If Traian had any doubts about Gary, that single offer immediately put an end to them. He was offering blood, a way to ensure he could not lie to Traian. The man's mind was without a shield, although when Traian touched it, he knew Gary could have kept him out. A Carpathian had carefully constructed a thick barrier so others could not probe the human mind. Gary had set it aside, in order to gain Traian's trust. He had to be of great value to the Carpathian people for any of them to have protected him with such strength.

Traian nodded. "We do need to speak somewhere quiet. I have news of great importance that must reach our prince as fast as possible."

"My room's just down the hall," Gary offered.

All three of the Sanderses stood. Gary hesitated and looked to Traian for guidance. He nodded and Gary, with a small shrug, led them through the narrow hallway to unlock the door to his room.

"Nice," Jubal commented. "We're on the second story with small balconies. This is great." He looked out the double doors to the s.p.a.cious verandah. "Joie, we should have asked for the ground floor."

Gabrielle looked around. "This is a nice room. Our rooms are much smaller." She smiled at Gary.

A dull red swept under Gary's skin as he hastily cleared clothes from a chair. "Sorry about the mess."

Gabrielle's smile widened. "You should see my room. We were in a cave, and our clothes were filthy. All I could think about was taking a hot shower." She blushed, turning away from Gary to study the verandah Jubal seemed so interested in.

Gary nodded toward the Sander siblings. "Forgive me for asking, but are you certain everyone in this room can be trusted?"

"I am more certain of them than I am of you," Traian answered.

Gary smiled, relaxing for the first time. "That's good enough for me. I can give Mikhail your news, although he asked me to have you return home as soon as you are able. He has called in the ancients his father sent out. He needs their knowledge to make informed decisions in the ongoing war with the undead." He glanced at Gabrielle as he added the last.

She shuddered and moved a little closer to her brother. "I never, ever, want to meet another one as long as I live."

"You encountered one?" Gary asked, obviously shocked. "And lived through it?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Jubal ..."

"Perhaps that discussion is best left for another time," Traian interrupted. He didn't know Gary Jansen. He believed him an emissary of the prince, but he needed to protect Joie's family from all possible harm. The last thing he wanted was for the mage weapon to be brought out into the open. "Suffice to say, we escaped and hurried here to give Mikhail the news. Is he well? In danger?"

Gary shook his head. "Raven was pregnant and she lost the baby."

Traian met his eyes. Joie caught the echo of his instant sorrow. Somehow that baby had meant the world to all Carpathians, representing hope.

"That is sad news. I had thought perhaps, with her having been human, and carrying successfully once, she would escape the fate of our women."

"What fate?" Jubal asked, shifting protectively toward Joie.

Traian sighed. He'd hoped to avoid repeating the subject in front of her family, but honor compelled him to answer Jubal's direct question. "Over the last few centuries, fewer and fewer babies survived. Those that did were usually male. It became very rare to have a female child. When our prince found his lifemate in a human psychic, the males had renewed hope. She gave birth to a female child-the first in a very long time. Unfortunately, miscarriage is common and if the child is born, more often than not, they do not survive beyond their first year."

Joie pressed her lips together tightly and looked at her sister. Gabrielle looked as if she might cry.

"How terrible," she whispered.

"I'm doing research," Gary said. "Hoping to find the cause."