The others echoed his question, making Sandu want to laugh. Of course Adalasia would think it would be reasonable for five ancient warriors to suppress their true natures in order to keep one farmhouse dog happy.
Yes, Benedek, for a dog, so the very loyal dog will accept you and the couple will, too.
They are human, Petru pointed out. There is no need for acceptance. We can just take the memories from them.
Sandu knew Petru had just said the wrong thing to his lifemate. Adalasia gathered up the cards and put them in the pouch. Amato, Tiberiu and the dog, Arturo, came into the room together. Aria stood, turning to greet her husband. Sandu and the guardians stood as well. Adalasia produced a rolled-up magazine and bashed Petru over the back of his head, and just that fast, the magazine was gone.
I’m human, you Neanderthal.
You are Carpathian, Petru corrected. And if you wish to actually make an impact when you strike one of us, you have to put Carpathian strength in your swing, as I have told you on more than one occasion, not your puny human strength.
She let her breath out with an ominous hiss. I didn’t want to chance caving your obnoxious skull in. I can’t wait until you claim your lifemate, Petru. I’m going to have a long talk with her before she ever accepts your claim.
I am going to heal the dog, Nicu stated. I cannot take that he is in pain. I am feeling it through Adalasia.
Thank you, Nicu, she said, sending Petru another snippy look.
It was all Sandu could do to keep a straight face.
“Amato, these are our guests.” Aria went to her husband and quickly made the introductions.
Amato wrapped his arm around her as he acknowledged the five ancients and Adalasia, his too-old eyes resting on each one. There were lines carved deep in his face. He hadn’t gotten much sleep over the last few weeks; that much was clear. Like Aria, he seemed to know they were more than ordinary guests.
Arturo, the Bergamasco, was covered in what appeared to be long gray dreadlocks. His eyes were intelligent as they rested on the men and Adalasia. Sandu and the others did as Adalasia asked, keeping their energy low-key and peaceful so as not to agitate him. Nicu connected with him in the way he had with animals, further reassuring him.
Amato introduced Tiberiu to Aria, and then Sandu stepped forward to greet the ancient warrior.
“Arwa-arvo pile sívadet,” he murmured as he clasped Tiberiu’s forearms in the way of their warriors greeting each other. Facing each other full on made them vulnerable to attack.
May honor light your heart, he interpreted for Adalasia as he introduced her.
“En jutta félet és ek?met,” Tiberiu answered him.
I greet a friend and brother. Sandu continued with the interpretations.
One by one, the four guardians also greeted Tiberiu in the same manner, each greeting a little different. All expressing the desire that they hold on to honor.
Aria waited politely until they were finished with their salutations before she put her hand in her husband’s. “Amato and I have quite a bit to discuss. We’ll leave you to it while we do.”
Sandu nodded. “We will be going out in a short time, Aria, so it is best if your talk is a fast one.”
She nodded and the two left them alone.
Tiberiu looked around the small room and inhaled with a short breath, as if he couldn’t get enough air. “It is long since I have been inside a house such as this. There is unrest here. You summoned me, Sandu, and said the matter was urgent but that you could not wait for me if I was late. I am here.”
There was no censure in his voice or curiosity. Neither. Tiberiu Bercovitz was an ancient who went his own way and tolerated few around him. He hunted the undead ruthlessly, with no thought of the damage to his body or soul. There was nothing to hold him to the world, no remaining family and no lifemate.
“We came across information that may pertain to the disappearance of your little sister.” Sandu saw no reason to prolong suspense. Tiberiu wasn’t the kind of Carpathian male to linger long in one place.
Tiberiu didn’t move, remaining as still as a statue. Adalasia was cleansing her tarot cards a small distance from them, with Nicu and Benedek solidly between her body and Tiberiu. He would have noted their protective positions. Petru and Siv were on either side of the room but in good defensible positions, as well.
“Part of what we learned, I will admit, is speculation on our part. Adalasia’s family wrote down their history in images, and one depicted a mage, clearly Xavier, exchanging a Carpathian female child of about ten for parasites. He did so with a female demon. The time period was the same as when your young sister disappeared. I was recently dragged through a portal into another realm, and a female thrust me back into this realm.”