“She uses two different variations of the same name. Desari or Dara. I think the Dara nickname is supposed to mean from the dark or some such nonsense. She probably needed a show-business name, and her real name is Suzy.”
“What specifically did they want the members to do about her?” Savannah asked, still afraid for the unknown woman.
At once Gregori sent her a wave of reassurance. We will put out the word to all of our kind that she is in danger. They will watch over her when she is near.
There are so few of us in this country. Most of the time she will be without protection. Savannah passed a hand across her forehead, suddenly tired. She had been involved in the sordid business of vampires and human “vampire” hunters only a short time, and she was already weary of their seemingly endless perversion.
Perhaps this is the very thing we need to keep Julian with us. I will ask him to travel with this performer until the danger to her has passed. Do not worry for the human female. Julian would never allow her to be harmed if he has taken her under his protection. Gregori examined the weariness in her mind. I will take over the shield now, ma petite, and you will not argue with your lifemate. Gregori took no chances with her stubborn ways. He thrust his will decisively into hers, blocking any attempt to take the control back. She was tired.
She smiled at him, tender, loving, accepting. Gregori slid his arm along the back of her chair protectively.
Oblivious of the interplay between the two Carpathians, Gary continued the conversation. “They wanted us to watch her, to do research on her, find out what we could about her background. And she wasn’t the only one. There was a man they seemed very interested in. An Italian, I think. Julian Selvaggio or something close to that.”
Selvaggio is Italian for Savage. Aidan and Julian were born Selvaggio. It also means unsociable person, Gregori’s voice whispered in her mind.
Savannah felt her heart slam painfully against her ribs. Julian. Of course it was Julian Savage. She looked up at Gregori. The society was setting its members against Julian. She didn’t know him personally, but suddenly it all seemed very close to home.
We will send word to him, ma petite. Who better to guard the woman from those who also wish his death? Julian is a very dangerous hunter. One of our best. Second to your father, he is perhaps the most powerful Carpathian alive.
I guess we aren’t considering you, Savannah said loyally, truthfully.
Gregori turned his attention to Gary. “So the society members from Florida were different from the rest of you. They were serious, and they gave you specific names to get information on. Were there more?”
Gary nodded. “I have a laptop in my hotel room. It lists those they suspect and activities they considered suspicious.”
Gregori permitted himself a small smile. His teeth were gleaming white, those of a predator on the prowl. “I think a trip to your hotel room is on the agenda tonight.”
Savannah tossed her braid over her shoulder and allowed herself to look around the room. Laughter was erupting from nearly every table. Most of the occupants were tourists, and she enjoyed listening to the various accents and conversations. A group of older locals was four tables away. She found their mixture of French Cajun fascinating. Three of them had grown up together and were telling a fourth, younger man some of the more fanciful tales of their youth.
She found herself tuning in as the young man laughed softly. “Stories about Old man alligator have been around since before my grandfather’s time. It’s just a legend, an old tale to scare the children away from the swamp, nothing more. My mother used to tell me that same story.”
An argument broke out instantly among the men. The oldest, the one with the heaviest accent, broke into French, not the elegant French Gregori spoke, but the local dialect. All the same, Savannah was certain he was swearing a blue streak. There was such a soothing cadence to the old man’s voice, a rhythm unique to New Orleans.