With great reluctance Jacques stepped aside. Shea could feel the instant tension in the room, the red haze building in Jacques’ mind. To reassure him, she took his hand, kept her mind firmly linked to his. The moment she was exposed to the others, she could feel their eyes examining every inch of her.
Raven glanced at Gregori, clearly worried.
Self-consciously, Shea shoved at her hair. She hadn’t even looked at herself in the mirror. Jacques tightened his hold on her hand. Do not! You are beautiful as you are. They have no right to judge you in any way.
“Jacques,” Gregori said softly, “your woman needs to feed, to heal. You must allow me to help her.”
Shea’s chin went up, eyes flashing green fire. “I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. He doesn’t allow me to do or not do anything. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll heal with time.”
“You’ll get used to them,” Raven said hastily. “They’re really big on women’s health. It would help you, Shea—may I call you Shea?” Raven smiled when Shea nodded. “We’d be happy to answer any of your questions. It would be nice to get to know you. After all, we are in-laws of sorts,” she pointed out.
The rush of fear-based adrenaline in Shea’s body at that simple observation of her commitment to Jacques triggered an aggressive reaction in Jacques. Lightning slashed across the sky, sizzled and danced, hit the ground in thunderous fury. The wind hurtled through the cabin, lashed at the windows and walls. A low, ominous growl rumbled in Jacques’ throat. Shea felt the beast in him rising, felt him welcome it, reach for it with murderous intent. She whirled to face him, slammed her palms flat on his chest, and shoved him as hard as she could, walking him backward toward a far comer.
You will not do this, Jacques. I need you sane right now. I’m doing my best to hold it together, but if there’s a fight, I’ll go crazy, I swear it. Please help me now. Please. There were tears in her mind, a vulnerability Jacques had never seen in her.
Jacques’ arms swept around her, cradling her close as he struggled to regain control. Her distress seemed to give him added strength. He lifted his head, black eyes moving warily over the two males. Mikhail and Gregori looked perfectly at ease, yet Jacques sensed their alertness. He forced himself to smile, then shrug casually. “I am afraid my mind has not healed as my body has. You will have to have patience with me. Please enter our home as our guests.” The formal words came out of nowhere.
Mikhail swung the door closed. “Thank you, Jacques. We want only to help you and your lifemate.” He deliberately seated himself, placing himself in a vulnerable position. Raven perched comfortably on the arm of his chair. Gregori moved across the room with a deceptively lazy stride. He walked with fluid grace, an animal sensuality, but Jacques was well aware that the healer was subtly placing his body between the couple and Jacques.
Gregori. The ancient one. The dark one. The words shimmered in his mind. Gregori was a very dangerous man. “I remember little of my past,” he admitted softly. “Perhaps it would be better for all of us if Shea and I kept to ourselves. I am well aware I am unstable, and I would not want anyone to get hurt.”
Shea turned in his arms to face the Carpathians. “We appreciate your help. It’s just that this is all so new to both of us.”
Gregori’s silver eyes studied her pale face, seeming to look right through her into her soul. “You are a doctor?”
Shea shivered. The healer’s voice was incredibly compelling. The man had far too much power. “Yes, I’m a surgeon.”
A smile curved the healer’s sensual mouth. He was charismatic, but Shea was well aware that his silver eyes had not warmed in the least. They were cool and watchful. “You are very good. Carpathians do not respond well to human healing. Jacques was healing despite the odds against it. We are all indebted to you.”