The stranger casually waved a hand, and the barrier was gone in an instant. She had never seen the obstruction, yet now she knew it was gone, that nothing stood between them but air. She was terrified, for herself and for Aidan.
“You are Aidan’s woman. His lifemate. Where is he that he would allow you to wander unprotected?”
His voice was the most hypnotic, compelling sound she had ever heard. So pure. So enticing. No one could resist that soft, musical voice. If he told her to throw herself into the roiling ocean, she would do so. She curled her fingers tightly into fists.
“Who are you?” she asked. Silently she warned, Aidan, be careful. There is another here. He knows 1 am with you, your lifemate. She tried not to allow the trembling that was seizing her body to creep into her voice.
Look at him, piccola. Do not be afraid. I am close. 1 will see what you see. Keep your mind open. As always, Aidan sounded calm and in control.
The stranger’s beguiling mouth curved, but there was no warmth in the slashing silver of his eyes. “You speak to him. Good. I am certain he can see me now. But he is a fool to allow his feelings for you to blind him to his duties.”
Her chin lifted. “Who are you?” she repeated.
“I am Gregori. The dark one. Perhaps he has told you of me.”
He is the most knowledgeable, the most powerful of all our kind, Aidan confirmed. He was very near. He is the greatest healer our kind has ever known and my teacher. He is also a master of destruction and bodyguard to our Prince.
He terrifies me.
He terrifies everyone. Only Mikhail, the Prince of our people, knows him well.
“I trust Aidan has good things to say about me.” He was facing her, those brilliant eyes seeing right into her soul, but Alexandria had the feeling his attention was elsewhere. His voice was so pure, so perfect, she wanted him to go on speaking.
A rush of wind stirred up a whirling eddy of sand that spun and swirled until it enveloped Alexandria, driving her backward. When she finally regained her balance and uncovered her eyes, Aidan was directly in front of her.
“Very impressive, Aidan,” the stranger said with a trace of satisfaction.
“I have not seen one of my own people for many years,” Aidan said softly. “I am pleased it is you, Gregori.”
“Do you now use your woman as bait?” The tone was mild, but the reprimand was clear.
Alexandria stirred, furious that this man would try to make Aidan feel guilty about her independence. Aidan’s fingers unerringly found her wrist behind him, closing around it like a vise. Do not, he warned. She subsided immediately, sensing danger thick in the air.
“This one, this betrayer to our people.” Gregori nodded toward the man lying so still on the rocks where he had fallen. “He sought to take her from you.”
“He could not have done so,” Aidan said softly.
Gregori nodded. “I believe that to be true. Still, she takes a risk that should not be permitted.” A network of iridescent white veins lit up the sky, sharp, brilliant, a powerful display. The arcing lightning cast a peculiar shadow across the dark, handsome face and flashing silver eyes, making Gregori look both cruel and hungry.
The fingers around Alexandria’s wrist tightened even more. Do not move, do not speak, no matter what, Aidan cautioned softly in her mind. “Thank you for your assistance, Gregori,” he said aloud, his voice gentle and true. “This is my lifemate, Alexandria. She is new to our people and knows nothing of our ways. We would both consider it a great honor if you would accompany us back to our house and tell us the news of our homeland.”
Are you out of your mind? Alexandria protested silently, horrified. It would be like bringing home a wild jungle cat. A tiger. Something very lethal.
Gregori inclined his head at the introduction, but the refusal to join them was clear in his silver eyes. “It would be unwise of me to join you indoors. I would be a caged tiger, untrustworthy, unpredictable.” His pale eyes flickered over Alexandria, and she had the distinct impression he was laughing at her. Then he turned his attention once more to Aidan. “I need to ask of you a favor.”