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Because I know something they do not want me to reveal to the others. Tariq really does have something the Malinovs want, and it is that important.

I believe so, yes. Keep moving, sívamet. I need fighting room. The brethren will come to our aid. He said it with conviction. He knew he could count on most of them. Others had made a home with Tariq and he was no longer certain if their allegiance held to those sharing centuries in the monastery or had switched to the prince’s representative there in the States. There was irony in the fact that the infection hadn’t divided the compound and turned ancients against one another, but the unknown item the Malinov brothers searched for was close to doing so.

“Ferro.” Tariq sighed. “The Daratrazanoff family have been the guardians of the Dubrinskys for as long as the Carpathian people have existed. The Dubrinskys are the vessels for the collective power of the people. You are aware of that. We exist because they exist. Gary was sent to advise and guard me here at Mikhail’s request. We don’t always agree on everything, but we do try to listen to one another.”

Elisabeta laid her hand very lightly against the small of Ferro’s back, connecting them physically as well as mentally. She was merged with him, that delicate, compassionate mind, quiet within his, waiting to hear Tariq out. Like Ferro, she was patient, waiting for Tariq to find the right words to express himself. Both felt Gary’s disapproval. He didn’t agree with Tariq’s decision to share with the couple.

“You are also aware that when there is power such as the Dubrinskys wield, there can also be weakness. The taint of bad blood.”

Ferro inclined his head. That streak, unfortunately, didn’t just run in the Dubrinsky family. It was in many of the very powerful lineages. Sadly, the Dubrinsky family had been hit the hardest.

“I must have your word of honor that anything I tell the two of you will be held in absolute secrecy no matter what.” Tariq looked Ferro in the eyes. Man to man. Warrior to warrior. “You must close off your mind to all your brethren, including those soul-tied to you.”

Elisabeta? Ferro was not going to commit both of them to something without asking her first. She had to agree. She was intelligent and she had a way of reading others far better than he did. I know you do not like making decisions. They paralyzed her. I am not asking for that. Rather, I value your input. I will make our decision based on what we both think jointly. Hopefully she understood what he meant.

Tariq is a man of absolute honor. He cares deeply for those he leads. Not only the Carpathian people but the humans around him as well. I believe him to be a good man. He is very torn because in telling us, he must break his vow of secrecy, but he believes I will discover the truth anyway.

Do you already know it?

She hesitated.

Elisabeta?

I believe so.

“It is possible Elisabeta already knows what you are going to tell us,” Ferro admitted. He ignored the way Gary stiffened, although he did move subtly to indicate to Elisabeta to step back from him. “We do not want to put you in a position of forcing you to break a vow you have held for centuries if you do not have to.”

“If she knows, it would be best for me to tell you up front about it so there are no misconceptions. No one is going to harm either of you. I am making that perfectly clear,” Tariq decreed. He glanced at Gary. “You have my word of honor on that. I still need your word, Ferro. From both of you.”

I am willing, Elisabeta said without hesitation.

“We both give you our word of honor that whatever you say to us goes no further.”

Tariq walked over to the bench placed in the garden, the one Genevieve loved to sit on while she watched the children play on the playground. He sank down, suddenly looking as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Ferro waited until Gary had followed and placed himself in a watchful position at Tariq’s right side. Ferro made certain he kept Elisabeta in a position where he could defend her. He believed Tariq meant his decree, that both were safe, but he was taking no chances with his lifemate’s safety. Tariq had given his word, Gary had not.