Solange floated down to the forest floor, staying under cover of the trees and waiting while Dominic brought Jubal. Sandu shifted into Jasmine’s smaller, curvy form. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded down her back, held by a simple clip at the nape of her neck. Her dark lashes emphasized the vivid green of her eyes. Where before, she’d been thinner, after the birth of her daughter, she had more curves, and her soft, clingy top and light khaki trousers showed her figure and her golden skin to perfection.
Solange was dressed in similar attire, showing off an hourglass figure. She was short, her sable hair braided in a tight weave that hung down her back. She had cat’s eyes that glowed green one moment and then would go gold-and amber-colored. She walked with absolute confidence.
“I suppose we’re taking Jubal to see the temple,” Solange whispered aloud.
Sandu, as always, scanned the entire area around them. They were always looking for the undead. For enemies. For anything or anyone unexpected. There were only the natural animals of the forest that he could feel, but he was still uneasy.
Nicu, there is something else out there watching us. I can feel it. I do not know if Nera’s spies have found us after all, or if the rogues have set a trap. Perhaps the undead are here. Sandu spoke on the path of the brethren so that all could hear, but if a vampire was close, he could not detect one. He continued to walk in between Solange and Jubal, finding the faint trail that led to the ruined temple and the crumbling buildings.
All of the Carpathians reached with their senses to scan their surroundings. Sandu hoped someone else would be able to find what he could not. He knew they were being observed. He felt the danger to them, and he was certain it wasn’t the rogue jaguars, but he couldn’t ascertain where the threat was coming from.
Like you, Sandu, Siv said, I know something is there, but I can’t find it.
Dominic, what does your cat say? Did you send him out looking? Solange asked.
He says only that we are not alone, that other animals are aware of the rogues and watch for them. He is more interested in prowling around the temple. He can get inside to see what they are doing.
Solange sighed. “Sometimes I think that cat is useless. We can’t get near the temple if we’re going to lure them out into the open. If we can’t get them out, the shadow cat will go in after whoever doesn’t come out.” She kept her voice low, but as she stepped out of the shelter of the trees, she indicated the houses made of stone, most halfway collapsed, with the rooftops caved in or a wall crumbled.
Jubal walked a few steps away from the women, staring at the stone building Solange had indicated. Jasmine followed him, but stayed to the opposite side of the temple, making it more difficult for anyone inside to see her.
“I should have brought my camera, Solange,” Jubal said, his voice carrying clearly. “It takes excellent night shots. Jasmine, you could sketch this for me when we get back. It’s beautiful with the way the moon shines on it.”
“I think the positioning of the temple had something to do with the moon,” Solange said. “I didn’t pay that much attention to the history of the place. Did you, Jasmine?”
“Juliette is the historian in the family,” Jasmine said. “She loves everything old, including that lifemate of hers.” She laughed at her own joke.
Very funny, Sandu, Dominic said.
They are coming out on the opposite side, where you cannot see them, Benedek announced. Still in the body of the harpy eagle, he had a clear view of the men moving covertly out of the secret door built into the steps. Two carry a weapon that looks like the one Jubal says he invented. One leads; the other has the rear.
How many? Sandu asked.
Eight. Two remain inside, Benedek reported.
Our shadow cat and I will take the two inside, Dominic said.
Nicu, we will take these men, Sandu said. You have our backs. This thing in the forest is close. I still feel danger.
The two men with the weapons were the first that would have to go. They couldn’t afford to have any armament that could easily kill a Carpathian.
I will kill the last man in their column, Benedek said. He is breaking off to circle around and protect them. He is now hunkered down in the stones straight across from where you are standing, Jubal.
I will take the first man with the other weapon, Siv said. He has stepped aside to allow the others to move in front of him. He’s slipping into the forest and is trying to circle around behind the women.
That left Sandu, Solange, Petru and Jubal to dispose of the remaining six. Pick your targets, Sandu instructed. When they show themselves, we are not going to talk. We will simply strike at them. There is no reason to hash this out. He didn’t believe in having conversations with the enemy.