"Colin, can I ask you a favor?" Ellis was hesitant not sure how welcome this would be.
"What is it?"
"Would you let my brother Brengee be your best man?"
Colin felt puzzlement flashing through him. "I thought well I guess I assumed you'd be it. What happened?"
"Catronia has requested I be the one to give the bride away as her only male family member and I'm trying to find a way my brother can at least be reminded of family, love, and honor. The darkness is winning and if something drastic doesn't happen I may be forced to hunt my own brother."
Colin was quiet a moment and nodded. Ellis handed over a picture."This is him I take it. He looks so cold. It almost looks like his eyes have the windows tightly closed on what should be seen like a robot."
"I know I have no right to ask it of you since you probably have a brother or friend you'd rather have but please just think about it."
Colin looked at the picture and swore to himself when he saw that Ellis had conviently left the phone number, but he decided that if it eased his roundabout brother-in-law why not. Not like any of his people near here anyway. He picked up the phone and dialed.

"Arista get down from there. You'll break your neck."
"Yes, Momma." six-year-old Arista jumped down from the tree into her mother's arms.
"Now go get cleaned up wouldn't want out American cousins to get the wrong impression."
"Yes, Momma."
Golden eyes watched as thick dark brown hair fell in a braid to Melanie's waist. She had to stop her daughter from pulling things like that since no the jerk who raped her leaving behind this beautiful little girl was suing for custody just so he got his father's company and land. It was enough to make her skin crawl.

Arista curled up cradled in her mother's arms. Melanie just brushed the hair off her forehead and watched as her American cousins chatting with her grandmother. Melanie had felt a twinge of envy at the sight of the red haired one hugging her grandmother in pure joy. *I haven't had that much freedom for a long time.* A deep longing welled up in her and she picked her daughter up and walked to put her to bed. There had to be a way of keeping her daughter from being DNA tested simply so her father could claim custody since on paper at least he could provide better but in reality he would be the worst thing for her. Melanie knew from personal experience.
"Pretty little girl."
She whirled and looked into the strangely patterned eyes. "Yes she is."
"But there's a problem or you wouldn't be so sad. What's wrong?" Ais stepped into the room and smiled down at the child.

"After all we are family even if you don't fully trust me yet."
Mel sat down in the chair she often told stories to get Arista to sleep. "It's just so much all at once." she whispered, choking on the urge to tell all. Finally it came out anyway under the sympathic eyes. "Her father has decided even though he hasn't ever spoken to her that he wants his daughter just so he can win in this stupid competition his father put in place that the first to give him a grandchild would upon his death inherit the company. He wanted to be sure that the line remained strong and company stayed in the family. He's been pressuring me to marry him so he doesn't have to pay the legal fees to claim custody but he will if he must. He's ruthless and I can't just can't..."
Ais's jaw clenched. "As I said you're family and you don't mess with one of us without messing with the rest. We'll stop him somehow. He'll never get his hands on you and your child even if we have to help you flee the country. I promise and I don't break them. My other promise to you though I doubt you'll believe me any more than the others I've helped learn to trust again but you can find a way to bring your heart back and have safety with someone who can hold you safe."
Melanie stared at the door if she couldn't believe her ears but her cousin was gone as if she'd never been.

Ellis felt his brother was near before stepping close. Brengee looked much calmer than he'd seen him years ago. At that he felt a start and then query on exactly how many years ago. He shook his head guessing why exactly she'd asked. *Dear heart it was years as in decades or centuries ago. It was about 7 and I wouldn't have let you anywhere near him if he looked that bad still.*
"Greetings, brother." the voice was smooth as silk chocolate but utterly flat aside from that. Beside Ellis, Colin shuddered fully understanding for the first time why Ellis had pleaded so strongly.
"I'm glad to see you have stayed with us, Brengee."
"I couldn't leave to meet the dawn until I'd finally met my new little sister, now could I? After this I have no more choice and you know it."
Ellis felt the pain of that statement striking deep in his heart. He nodded knowing that his brother was asking him to make sure he couldn't lose his honor and start killing.
Aisling skidded to a stop and Ellis had to bite tongue to keep from laughing at her antics. As soon Brengee turned his back and as from as Ais could tell start getting into the old male domination garbage of why can't you keep your mate in line, Ellis saw the one thing that was scarier than a vampire. Ais was smirking. *Just what are you up to and who should I warn?"
*Nothing bad. Just can be VEERY inter-esting if what I guess is true.*
Cat saw also and pulled her aside and inside a building to slightly muffle the sound. "Sis, you wouldn't be so vindictive as to ruin my wedding would you."
Ais looked shocked. "Go play with your felines or something. I'm not ruining it but we may wind up with a double wedding.

I know it looks like we stepped backwards and the way Ellis was is now mirrored in his brother but that information he gave me about the timing of when Brengee went beserk concides with..."
Cat paled. "Well sounds like he'll have worse time because our cousin has had a very tough time and I doubt she's willing to stop being so set in her ways."
"Actually it's perfect. As her husband he could put a stop to her daughter's father gaining custody simply by saying she's his not the other guy's. If that works it wouldn't be charity if he helped out but husband's rights. I know she's still skittish because of the jerk who raped her but if I've leared anything from Ellis they are very patient if they need be and can overcome any maidenly modesty and fears. Speaking of which I can't wait to see what form of justice those two will come up with together. Might even include Colin." Ais's smile was from ear-to-ear.
Cat thought about it then grinned as well. "Oh my won't that be overkill."
"Nah, want him to be alive and in pain for the rest of his life. Killing's too good for him."
Cat couldn't keep the laughter from bubbling out hard.
Ellis and Connor glanced over at the door and winced in unision hear the laughter. Brengee just lifted an eyebrow in question. "Don't ask brother. Just don't ask."
"I'm almost feel sorry for whoever they're plotting mischief against except knowing Cat its probabaly deserved."
Cat suddenly rushed out. "Forgot to unlock the kennels with Selene and Cassie be back in a bit."
Ais looked worried and was obviously turned inward but Ellis couldn't find an easy into her mind but when he did he looked at her. "Are you worried about it darling?"
"A little. I thought you said this didn't happen often and this early?" Ais shook her her head getting the sinking feeling mixed with jubilation that her grandmother was right. She was pregnant.

"Cat since Gran's out for a bit could you watch Arista until after I've given her something for that cough? I need to get some fresh herbs from the garden to make a tea to soothe her."
"Sure you go ahead." Cat was up early but Aisling and Ellis hadn't stuck around but headed for the building that another of Ellis's people loaned them and Brengee. Brengee had declined to meet the bride's family at this time saying he had to look over everything landscapewise himself. Then again maybe like Ais suggested he sensed Melanie and was looking for because prioximity didn't always give exactly until minds blended. Ais might be wishful thinking but then her gut hunches with the battered women's shelter hadn't been wrong even if those ladies hadn't remembered who pushed them to their mates. Another point in her favor was Ais had guessed that despite Cat's impression Colin was a class-A jerk that was a decent guy and meant for her. She sighed and smiled and cuddled the little girl who was coughing so hard it was tough to realize the girl wasn't really being shaken apart.

Brengee felt like the hunting wolf that he was named after. The beast within realized its head and howled. She who had been in such pain years ago that he should have protected and left him howling and snarling for a long time afterwards. It'd gotten so bad that Ellis forced him to ground for five years. He'd never experienced such helpless, such hopelessness. It made his stomach feel like lead and he just wanted to kill and keep killing until vengeance was satisfied and she no longer hurt. Gods the pain had been unbearable. Now she so close that he could almost scent her on the air. Where was she? He had to find her because he wanted to make sure she was safe. She could never want such as he so dark that he felt he was mere days from turning. He couldn't hold out much longer and if by some miracle they found each other he couldn't be greedy enough to take the sun from her, could he?

Melanie always sang to her plants even as harvesting the herbs. Especially those plucked by moonlight. Her family's belief were some stones and herbs were stronger in the moonlight but she'd never tested to see the truth. After all what self-respecting person would visit a witch during the daylight? Those dire cases that would were either so far gone they were in the powers that exists' hands or had a potion or stored herbs already. She was cutting some peppermint to aid in fever breaking and stop the hard coughing. Suddenly her spine went erect feeling something out there. She turned and her golden eyes saw the shadow just standing there.
"Nice night." She could get pulled in to that rich baritone, but she would resist. She had to.
"Wouldn't know I'm not planning on staying out much longer." Brengee could hear something in her voice that warned him that he'd have to be cautious if he wanted to know her enough to make sure she was safe. He just stood there and watched amused as she slammed the door.

Mel glanced over at her cousin crooning some song under her breath and rocking HER daughter. It struck home and made the jealousy about the innocence clinging to her two cousins that much more obvious. It hurt to see they could trust and even her daughter could trust them but they'd put their trust in men which she'd sworn off. Humans for the most part could be very hurtful creatures but since neither of the husbands were human just humanoid. Cat and her guy moved with more than human muscles but it was obvious that the elder sister didn't give a fig for any of that since she was more maternal and at least had her sibling to get through their parents dying leaving them alone. She still believed her father was the reason her mother had tried so hard to keep that ship in from the squall that killed her. If her mother had lived maybe just maybe she'd have been able to ask her mother for getting the curse to use to keep men's distance earlier so she could decide when and where not the pain she had that had resulted in the most important thing in her her life. Her heart was weeping remembering that had she been given the choice she would have destroyed that beautiful little girl except her grandmother had been clever enough to tell her after the birthing and subsquent attachment process that she had kept it from her partly to save both of their lives. She definatly would curse the next guy who tried what Arista's father did though. No way would another jerk say because she had a child or was a witch that she was slut enough she should would attentions that she did not wish and sex was overrated.

Andrew Williams was pacing before his father's desk. "But I have a daughter already. You just need to help me get her back."
"How do I know you're telling the truth and she is my grandchild? Since that motorcycle accident..." the elder Williams glanced meaningfully at his son's false leg.
"She's older than that." Andrew was ready to kick the old goat but that would destroy his plan. "Her mother just hadn't told me I had to find out through the town's gossip and realizied the girl looked like me."
THe elder Williams looked over folded hands. He wanted one of his other children to inherit not this awful specimen of a man before him that was why he'd started the competition in the first place since his son couldn't father a child now. He knew if the company went to him it'd quickly be sold but he wanted the company to stay in the family. If only he'd known about the chit before now. He knew part of what his son was saying was a lie by omission. If he had to he'd aide the young woman who had to deal with this brat long enough for a child to result. Why hadn't he kept a better eye on his children years ago?

Brengee could take no more. He was haunted by the scent of her and she'd only left moments ago. He slipped through the unlocked door and was startled to smell his brother's wife's sister. He avoided her since how could explain to her what he only half-understood himself. He could lie to himself and say it was just to make sure she was safe but he wouldn't. He could try telling himself it was only Carpathian nature, this curiousity about his mate. But it felt both more and less. He stepped and heard her singing sooth the voilence that had always been and would always be a part of him. He looked in and was somehow only half-surprised to see the young child. He remembered the second burst of pain that nearly had him burst from the earth but because of his brother's command reinforced by others but who he never found out he couldn't leave and just suffer for hours with her. Both times the lancing pain had been almost animalistic. He'd nearly fully passed through the threshhold before she lunged and the child cried out for her mother to stop. Brengee shackled her wrists waiting for normal anger to replace this wildness. His mind reached out to try tuning itself to hers and slowly her heart down. "Are you ready to discuss this reasonably?"
She gritted her teeth and glared.
"If you two are both quite done. You're scaring a sick young girl that you're frightening." Cat's voice was cold enough to scald. They both glanced over at the trembling Arista in unison. "Both of you, OUT! Until you behave like civilized adults even if that's not the truth." she looked pointedly at Brengee at this. Brengee lifted her and walked out not releasing his grip even to shut the door.
"How do you know my cousin?" Melanie said quietly.
"She's my brother's wife's sister. My brother requested her groom have my as the best man at their wedding."
Melanie felt the mild rebuke at the words and flinched. "So why did you accept if you didn't personally know the groom?"
"Because through the ties that binds he's my brother's brother or will be so I wanted to see that joy one last time." he looked away. If he looked at her one moment... she turned his head back towards her and before either thought his mouth swooped down on hers kissing the blazes out of her and instincts took over long enough for Brengee to remove his mouth from hers and kiss a line down her neck and sink in and feed greedily. His conciousness fought back realizing what he'd done and realizing he wouldn't have taken so much had he had the presence of mind from feeding elsewhere earlier. He felt the faint fluttering of her heart and opened his collar and slashed a bold stroke against his chest and pressed her lips to the wound feeling pure desire spiraling out of control. The ritual words burst from his clenched teeth and a few moments and he would have taken her there in her garden. But sanity returned and with it the sense his brother was watching.
"I'm glad you're not going to hold my to my promise when Aisling guessed her cousin was your lifemate and needed you."
"How could she need a beast that was so out-of-control his anger was barely leashed in front of a small girl?"
"You know the difference and I'm sure she'll deny it she knows in her heart she was yearning just as much. She was brutally raped after being tied up in a horse stall. A horse she was treating for bruises and cuts that she'd almost asked, before getting gagged, how the horse wound up with. She found out all too soon. From the images Aisling pulled out and I blocked her from seeing, it was a miracle her womb was still hale enough to bear a child. Now tell me who is the greater beast you or he? You didn't actually harm her after all." Ellis just stood there then gestured at the door. "Just the same maybe a quick healing of the child to make sure your woman stays where she's put."
Brengee nodded slightly picked the sighing and sleeping Melanie up and laid her down on the bed a disapproving Catronia pointed to. "You couldn't possibly have been a little easier on her than your brother was on my sister, could you?"
Brengee glanced over and seeing the affirmative from his elder brother was inwardly shocked. No wonder he let his woman get away with being a bit reckless. He sat down and quickly worked on the child still flushed from the addicting taste of his woman. His when he'd tried doing the right thing and getting ready to leave her alone forever.

Ellis took his lifemate's hand while she raised her eyebrows. He stifled the urge to make a crack about her being a smart ass. Because of Brengee they were cutting the dawn too fine. He shot a sympathic glance at his brother and swooped Aisling into arms to get them to ground. Brengee shook his head while swearing to himself if he did have to change tacts since they were in the middle of the full bonding and to take his life now might mean hers as well that he would not be that far wrapped around her finger. His heart had already started chanting Melanie and he sighed realizing that he couldn't even go to ground right now.

Cat felt deja vu sweep over her at the sight of her cousin. Gran had come and left saying a patient was outside the village so she had to tend them both. Luckily, Gran and Brengee had between them just about completely healed the worst bit of Arista's cold. Now it was just keeping a hyper child in bed until she'd fully recovered. She finally got the little girl settled and came in to see if she could pour some fluids down her cousin's throat. She wasn't too sure because of how fast the two bloodlettings had come together on her sister how hard it'd be to get fluids down with just one. She opened the mouth and when it tried coming up pulled the trick that always kept Ais from not taking her mediciene of massaging her throat. She sighed in relief then tucked her back in since she'd kicked her covers off with whatever dreams haunted her. AT least it didn't seem violent. So no possible way she was being haunted by whatever had happened. She turned scenting her mate before he grabbed her and kissed her. She moaned as her senses fled and at the sound of the sirring child snapped back. She pushed at his chest. "I thought we agreed we weren't doing any of this this blasted close to the wedding."
"You agreed. I agreed only to not take further than you were willing but didn't say I wouldn't try to change your mind."
He gave a purring laugh. "So how is your cousin doing? Why is she unconcious this late?"
"If you'd decided to stir at a decent hour, you'd've known that Brengee is a total idiot and deserves to be shot at dawn."
"Maybe the cat inside you shifted wrong because that sounds like a tigress or lioness to me." He nibbled her ear before she looked at him sadly and left. Hopefully he'd figure it out on his own. He glanced at the slumbering woman and sighed. He already guessed what happened but considering Ellis's promises that his brother would behave drinking that deep from their hostess didn't seem like behaving to him.

Brengee hunted quickly trying to get away enough to think about the full consequences of what he'd done. Yes it was deeply ingrained but she had suffered enough as their joined minds had told him during the day. He'd made sure the only dreams that got through were pleasant maybe too pleasant by half. He was extremely aroused by just thinking some of the dreams that went through her mind after he filtered the nightmares out. Since he couldn't hold her during the day it seemed the next best thing despite leaving him panting now. Since he'd already done the first exchange he had only one recourse open to him: first woo her, second finish the binding, then third some how make it up to her that she was tied to her without her concent. He could only hope to chain the beast enough to finish the first before the second. But as for the last that'd be pure pleasure. His eyes glowed red thinking all the methods of torturing the human who had made his woman's life a living hell.
Ellis looked at his eyes. "I want in when you go after him. As furious as yuo are you might leave something that would point back to us."
Brengee turned. "I want to rip every single finger off his hands then break his arms, then when he's in so much pain he's nothing more than an animal he'll be killed. Are you truly up to that much vengeance or has your woman turned you soft?"
"He deserves it. Though I am surprised you forgot to throw in a few other parts that dared touch her. I'll keep this from Ais somehow but justice will be served for your lady. As Ais and Catronia keep pointing out this is family so we hunt as a pack."
Brengee stared into his brother's eyes and nodded. It would be done, and if the groom that was also by marriage family wanted to come, let him.

Melanie felt woozy. The sun was about one hour.... from setting. She never slept this long. Just what the blazes happened. She unconciously rubbed her neck, remembering her dreams but not how she got in her room. She had a vague recollection of Catronia yelling at a man who was Ellis's brother as well as her for something. She heard Arista's laughter and smiled. At least one thing hadn't changed and she was glad her daughter was better. She froze at the rumble of a male voice.
"Are you my new daddy?" Arista queried.
Melanie saw red. She didn't give a damn which of the two it was but she was not going to let them get her through her daughter.
Brengee cocked his head seeing her storm in, "I dunno sweetie. What does your heart tell you?"
"You and momma fit, and we're going to live in a big house with lots of dogs...."
She sure dreams big. Whoops! Ais caught a glance at her cousin's furious face and instinctivly backed further into Ellis's arms.
Cat bristled. After what she had to go through this morning to get Arista calmed down she wasn't going to have them fighting here. Colin started to stroke her back until she eased into his hand. Selene and Cassiopeia hissed and ran under the old lady's chair. Meeting her granddaughter's eyes, Melissande frowned and Melanie looked away in shame.
"Can I speak to you alone?" she said through gritted teeth. Brengee raised his eyebrows and nodded. After getting a bit away from the door, "What the hell do you think you're doing leading my daughter on like that?" she exploded.
"Hmm, did you say something?" Brengee was looking up away from her face and was partly amused at how like the old warrior women in some cultures she looked. After all, she thought her cub needed protecting and he wasn't going to disaude her from that even if it was unnecessary. Safest course seemed to be ignore for a bit since he got the feeling she'd TRY to kill him if he dared tell her they were affianced/wedded just awaiting consummation in the eyes of his people.
Exasperated, "What could possibly be of interest up there when the reason you're out here is I asked you out to speak in private?"
"Do you believe in omens? Everytime I leave a building once the stars rise I look to see Orion and if he's clouded over trouble is possibly on the way and usually is. One hunter to another giving me some warning."
"Oh puh-lease. The idiot was dumb enough to fall for the virgin huntress which got him in an ironic end shot through the heart by her when she was tricked by her twin brother."
He glanced over and grinned sheepishly. "I doubt it was him falling for her but her falling for him after getting that promise from their father to never marry. Never a wise promise."
"Oh really? Then why haven't you married?" Her tone was so sarcastic but what shocked her were the words not the delivery. She didn't want to more. Couldn't want to know more.
"It's not that I vowed. It's the way of the Carpathian people. I will admit to being no virgin but neither did I lead them to believe I'd wed them because we can't wed until we find the other half of our souls."*And yours is mine* he silently added.
"You still haven't answered my questions on how dare you lead my daughter on."
"Ask my brother. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to enlighten you. Besides asking your daughter how she felt isn't leading her on."

The disgust in his voice was evident and she felt more ashamed at that than she had been at her grandmother's censure. She felt somehow that he wouldn't use children for any reason and he didn't enjoy playing aruond people's minds so did it only when necessary. When she looked up she saw him walking away and ran to catch up.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a brat but I have to be cautious since her father is trying to steal her from me if possible me as well, and I'm taking it out on you." She sighed. "You don't deserve that." Before her courage deserted her she reached his head down realizing this was partly why she wouldn't let herself trust him. Before her eyes closed as she gave up to the kiss she saw the redness leave his eyes but the fangs were still lengthened and she acidentally cut her tongue on his teeth. He groaned and took her to the grass. He growled and started kissing down her neck. "The gods have been too good to me," he whispers. She moaned and opened his shirt. When it was open, grey eyes met gold as if reaffirming this really was happening before pulling her dress over her head. Mel's wits had totally fled and all she could do was watch the defined muscles ripple and he looked frustrated at the hooks on her bra. Laughing at the look on his face, as if it didn't give he'd rip it to shreds she lifted her back a bit more and did it herself. Her laughter quickly stopped as he nipped he ear and his hands got restless. His teeth barely touched her skin but when they got low enough she felt them piercing and he drank as his pants somehow disappeared and he had her hands pinned in one of his paws. She cried out when he stopped with himburied inside her and lefted his head. He couldn't stop now. He moaned feeling her going up and taking her with him or was it the other way around. He didn't care as he lifted her head to a gash he made on his own chest and pleaded with her to drink. The beast roared in triumph when she drank so he could finish the binding fully. First he says it in the old tongue then in English "I claim you my lifemate. I belong to you. I offer my life for you. I give you my protection,my allegiance, my heart, my soul, and my body. I take into my keeping the same that is yours. Your life, happiness, and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time. You are my lifemate, bound to me for all eternity and always in my care."
They flung their heads back and cried out the images flooding into both as the power of the joining took them both.
He stirred and looked around.
"Brengee, don't rip his fingers off. I don't want marks left on him. I understand why you need to kill the prick but I'd rather for your soul you didn't sink to his level and made it merely seem to be natural causes."
"Now I understand why my brother said he'd have to hide it from his wife. Don't worry dear heart, he won't seperate us or our daughter any which way."
It warmed her to hear him say our daughter but she felt guilty knowing she hadn't given her daughter a thought since stepping after him. She had no clue how long they'd been there.
"Calm yourself lifemate." Brengee felt her body crying out for nourishment and winced knowing he forgot this occuring when a human lifemate wasn't fully converted. How could he have been so idiotic. "Let's get you home then we'll get some nourishment down you." she scooped her up and was surprised and nearly dropped her when she went boneless. He swore and got a better grip on her making sure her head on the limp neck was resting on his shoulder. Thinking back aside from what he forced on her earlier there was no clue she'd slept at all for weeks. He noticed his bro with his raised brows and his woman whose eyes were dancing with held back laughter. He grabbed the bottle noticing a lack of four people which was just as well since he didn't need the little one fueling his woman's ire again. Now just to get some nourishment doqwn her and give the pampering she'd not gotten when she deserved it.

Andrew was furious. That bitch thought to rob him of his inheritance by marrying some foreigner did she? Well she'd soon find out nothing would keep him from that money: not his siblings, nobody. He pulled out a Glock and loaded it as the guy in the shop showed him and walked down the hall to his brother's office.
"Andrew, what are you doing here?" Andrew shot his bro but not well and his brother's wife with her six month pregnancy came running in and he shot her in the head. He ransacked the office to make it look like a robbery taking only the bonds and money. His next stop was his sister's office forgetting the cameras catching everything as he shot her at close range. His eyes were emotionless showing he considered this a mere execution.

Cintron Knight was given a wide berth by the other detectives. They were never sure what exactly it was but something about him said "bad-ass" whether it was a combo of the fact he wore a long black ponytail with black leather jacket and pants no matter the weather or season. It might be 80 degrees with 100% humidity but the man just didn't melt. Maybe it was the fact you couldn't see any react on the worst homicide in his dark chocolate eyes. He glanced around and saw the father of two of the vics. "Is anything missing?"
"Nothing except only like $40 from their pockets and a a few sheafs of bonds. What kind of thief willing to kill does take any of the other items that are easily hockable if it was for drug money?"
"I don't know but I get the feeling we'll soon find out?" he says hearing the whir of a security camera. "Sir, I must ask you where the tapes from these cameras would be."
The elderly man slowly rose and walked out as if still in severe shock. He probably was considering he lost two children and hadn't been able to reach the third as yet.
The operator re-wound to what the coroner had given as an estimate and the old man's face paled more. "Good God no. If he was ruthless enough to do that he might go after that poor girl. Andrew, how could you? Why?"
Cintron felt a growl brewing in his chest. Did the old man not know what was going to happen because of greed. You can't make such a mistake and hope the one cut out doesn't object. But now the old man is saying there's another in danger and was in too much shock to get enough information out of him on who the "girl" was. He'd just have to hope he found the information and her in time to warn her before dawn. Not to mention there was a vampire in the area he had meant to kill before his "supervisor" had given him this one because of his suggestions.

Cintron made quick work of the office. The only lady mentioned was a small profile with a picture of a small girl and a young lady. He tapped the file. Too blasted close. She was in the vampire's hunting area and two kills that close together might push him over. Yes he'd felt another Carpathian on the winds but could he really ask a stranger for help after his long hunting time? He sighed. He'd best get started because it was down only an hour and half to dawn. He could call her but the vampire would have to wait open the rising.

Brengee made sure he watched over his mate while she rested. How could he possibly have messed up so badly? Oh well what's done is done and he wasn't giving her up dispite his good intentions. The beast was too close to breaking free still so he had no choice. The only question is wait twelve more years before asking her so she wouldn't feel sorrow about not watching her daughter grow up or convert soon so her health couldn't suffer. After all how healthy could it be for a human used to more variety to be only on fruit juices and herbs for years? He sighed and heard a knock on the door very heavily.
"I'm sorry I must have the wrong house. I'm looking for Ms. Moonshine." Cintron was slightly taken aback to see another Carpathian. Or was it the vampire he sought?
Brengee crossed his arms and slouched back against the door jab. "Right place but I'm afraid she's resting. If it's important I'll pass it on."
Cintron raised his right eyebrow. So that's the way of it? That much possessiveness was in mated males of the souled immortals. "Fine, protector, I found a file in the office of an old man whose eldest son killed his own brothers leading me here. Considering it was the only lady young enough to be a girl in the old man's eyes listed anywhere in the office and he kept saying that poor girl I think you'd better keep a close eye on her and her child since that file also contained in the suspect's handwriting a note requesting a paternity test to gain custody."
Brengee snarled. "Let the bastard come. He won't be walking away."
"Truthfully that's part of how you'll know him his entire upper left thigh was destroyed in a motorcycle accident so he has a false leg. It's also well known this might have been how the old man was pushing him out of the will by saying he couldn't bear children. Charges have been pressed and consquently dorpped but nothing like this."
Brengee stood and paced. "I doubt you understand this man is pure evil in some ways identical to our vampires. I'm just going to put him down like the mad dog he is."
"I would say don't tell me that but it does remind me. I haven't destroyed a vamp in the area so keep vigilant." Cintron's honor felt mild twinge at bending his code but one hunter to another he was actually relieved just in case.
Colin and Catronia picked that moment to return from hunting still in feline form with their tails entwined.
"My cousin-law whose also my sister-in-law's sister and her mate. They're the reason I haven't asked about moving yet to safer house. My brother claims she's worse than our prince's lifemate."
Cintron just shook his haed. He realized if he could feel amusement he would be. Would that make the children of the two Carpathian unions cousins or second cousins?
Well the sun waits for noone and I must be going. Good luck."

Arista came bouncing in and tried waking her mother. The American cousins were alright but she was upset at Momma not spending her usual time. She shook her and pleaded only getting moans and groans and a flipover so Melanie's head was buried in the pillow. Selene came padding down the hallway and saw the little girl and ran like a pack of demons were on her tail to get her human. Arista started wailing when Mel still wouldn't wake and Catronia gathered her up muttering something to the girl about making cookies downstairs and letting her poor mother finally get some sleep. Arista stopped squirming and looked puzzled until Cat explained about the sweet which the little girl cocked a curious head at. Cat hissed at Brengee who was still shaking his head at what was revealed. He glanced in and since his mate was awake enough to moan at being moved in the slightest she'd better hear enough to keep her and her daughter in long enough to hopefully hunt the vampire and the madman. A human who for all intents and purposes was vampire himself. He kissed the back of her neck.
"Go away Brengee." came from beneath the pillow.
"Just thought you should be warned your nemesis is in the area. Keep an eye on your daughter and try staying safe until I can return to you." He might not be going in the deep sleep but the house his mate and the child lived in was too filled with windows and windows meant painful sunlight. The root cellar would be too cramped to comfortably sleep in as much as possible.
Mel shot bolt upright. "Are you sure? How do you know? Maybe it was someone similar you saw."
Brengee shook his head sadly. If only he didn't have to shatter the illusions of safety but he'd rather have her cautious than dead. "A cop came by here. Seems that damn man flipped and shot his own siblings and their mates and the cop found your photo in the office. I'll send what aid I can but during the sunlight hours these not much I can do." Brengee trailed off then quickly kissed her hair before leaving. As the cop had mentioned dawn waits for noone.

Andrew was snarling and spitting. Everytime he'd come close to the house something pushed him back. After circling it for the 5th time he noticed a cloaked man watching him.
"What the hell do you want?"
"My my how inhospitable. I can get you through the field I just want the woman in return."
"Yeah? Well she ain't as good a lay as she looks." Andrew felt a spurt of rage at that comment.
"Nevertheless she's my price. You get the child I get the mother."
Andrew shook his head had he mentioned getting the young bitch who would seal his inheritance? He must have otherwise the other was reading his mind and that just didn't happen in real life. "Done. Just so long as the botch gets her just desserts."
He felt something happen maybe it was just an electric field as the other implied.

Brengee woke snarling. He had to warn Mel but did he have the strength to send words at this time of the day? The others power was older than his and it worried him. He reached and missed fretting the whole time. He sent a thought to his elder brother. Just a half hour and he could leave, just one and he could hunt.

Mel had been unable to fall back asleep. That demon who had destroyed her childhood had become even more evil. His own siblings? She was glad Catronia and her grandmother could keep Arista busy enough that that little girl wouldn't have to grow up too fast.
She turned at the sound of the window to her room opening to the afternoon sun and put her weight to keep it down but whatever was making the large blackness was more powerful and determined to open it and she wound up on her butt looking up into a face she prayed since seeing firsthand the evil inside she'd never see again.
"Long time no see bitch." Andrew backhanded her hard enough she tasted her own blood. Her head hit the windowsill and she was plunged into blackness.

Andrew glanced around the room and out the door a crack before hearing a male voice and not one but two female voices. Not wanting to take any risks his lips curled in a feral grin. An idea came to him and he could use having to keep the witch alive long enough to deliver her over. He grabbed one of the notepads and scrimbled a ransom note the girl for her mother and tied Mel up before sending both through the window.

When Catronia found out Colin had to use his heavier form to get her to see reason. Catronia still hadn't mastered the snow leopard enough to stay safe in that form and he wasn't chancing her at all since she definatly couldn't fight in human form. He spoke his fears and reminded her that it was just delay until Brengee could go save the girl and win her heart. She wouldn't want to get in the way of Brengee finally winning his mate enough he didn't have to be so fretful, no would she?
"Get off my you big oaf." Colin laughed but moved enough she could breathe easier. "If anyone saw you now they'd have tough time beileving you're a mild mannered vet."
Colin laughed and took the grudging tone as submission before darting and shifting to catch up and keep the villian from killing the girl before the hero could rescue her.

Andrew paced and Colin drew his gums back in a snarl. Noone should be let live like this madman was. Any other species except human would have culled him a long time ago. Madness could not lead a group of mammals or it'd get all destroyed. He'd run but it would be far enough. Not this time. Kin was threatened worse than before so the males would exact justice. If the jerk would only move the gun from pointing at Mel he might take the risk despite what he'd told his mate. But it'd have to wait. He had to hope Brengee could stalk as well as he could.

The vampire felt his gums drawing further back in a grim smile. Finally this pretty one would be his. He'd watched for one who wouldn't know how to insolate and remove the blood for a long time. He'd killed the chit's mother to keep her from finding out that way and the old woman didn't even remember how to remove an unwanted pregnancy. Oh yes this would be sweet. He snarled at an unfamiliar scent and a bolt of lightning which hit its target giving a feline whimper before the body fell. "You fool didn't I tell you how to keep from being followed?" He lashed at his puppet and looked down at the wide-eyed woman at his feet. Too bad the hunters racked him this close and made him move his plans further ahead of schedule. Too bad.

Brengee moved quickly the moment he wasn't bound down with lethargy. His mouth went dry at the first feel of her fear and he put on a burst of speed. He couldn't be too late though he would avenge the suffering Colin was going through. She still heard his heartbeat which was good. It was promising but he'd need his brother and the hunter to take on the vampire and free his woman. He just hoped it didn't turn into a demon pact.

Cintron rose at the urgency in the air. Yes he'd join forces with the other Carpathians to fight this one vampire. It was time to put and end to this debacle. He had been interested that he hadn't caught the brother before this but with three it should be enough. Dear Gods it had to be enough.

Catronia roared in pain. Her mate was injured and she'd promised to stay home. He had no clue she left her mind's eye open in his mind but the burning pain. How could he stand it? She caught her grandmother's eye.
"So the old one seeks to try after a Moonshine lady again. Be at peace granddaughter I still have more power than you or your cousin have known." Light and space bent around her grandmother and she was gone.
"Good luck everyone and please bring my groom home safely" she whispered before gathering Arista in and holding her as she wept.

Two of the hunters were pinned with superior will to the walls immediatly after entering but Cintron was strong enough that because of the will needing to be split to hold them he escaped with a roll. "So ancient we duel at last." came the smooth voice.
"well well if it isn't the little Knight whelp. I was wondering when I could finally dispose of you like I did your father."
Cintron felt brief flicker of emotion that soon vanished into the darkness. It was too long to even remember his father who died before he became a fledgling. "You're welcome to try but I doubt you will. You've been too long without our Prince's justice but if I fail one of the others will deliver it. You drain your strength each moment you hold them and while you fight me you'll wind up diverting more. Soon you'll become a dried husk then a speck of dust."
The vampire had so been watching Cintron he hadn't noticed the old woman behind him. "Just as you decided to turn my daughter into dust. Strike hunter he'll not fight back."
The vampire struggled but in horror saw the old woman hadn't forgotten. She diverted all his blood into his legs and feet and the heart was removed without a splash. Seeing that and knowing they were coming for him next Andrew shot Melanie in the gut and tried to run and was swiftly torn to pieces by a wolf's muzzle. brengee removed the bullet with his teeth made a blood exchange, shifted back, and removed Melanie to a safer place filled with Earth in an eye's blink.
"Well that settles that. I'm glad both our families were avenged." Ellis said to Cintron. He felt sorrow seeing the limp form of his grandmother-in-law. No heart beat within that breast but it'd be best to wait before informing the ladies. Their sorrow would be choking but at least she died well avenging her daughter.

Brengee prayed and wept. She couldn't die. He held her vitals pouring his energy into her. It was no longer about him turning vampire but he had falling deeply in love with the mother and young girl paradox that was her. She had live for her daughter and him. She had to he wouldn't accept any other option. Her eyelids fluttered open and she doubled over vomiting and he helped hold the pain from the shooting and conversion from her heart and mind.
"Brengee what's wrong with me?" she whimpered.
"Hush love it'll be over soon." He hoped and prayed he didn't lie.
She screamed and blacked out and he found he could finally push them both into the healing sleep.

A week later
The funeral was a quiet one just past sunset. The police were still baffled at the wild dog that had gotten at the human and the corpses had been burned but none of the cops aside from Cintron remembered. Melanie had balked a few times during the week until Aisling had a long sitdown talk which somehow calmed her down but the guys were still clueless on what all was said. Catronia's wedding which turned into a double at the last minute was a beautiful affair and Cat made a deal that she and Colin would look after Aisling until the new nanny showed up at which time the couple would head to Tahiti as planned for their honeymoon. The triad of wedded Moonshine ladies clasped left arms for a spoked triangle and whispered, "Wherever you roam we'll be with you."

To the Previous stories: Dark Memory and Feral Whispers.