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Ferro had left the door open and Maksim strode in first, followed by Tariq and then Traian and Joie. Behind them were Gary, Sandu and Benedek. Ferro waved them to the chairs he had formed in a semicircle facing the chair he was in. Sandu sat at his right, Benedek at his left. Gary closed the door and lounged against it, but not before Petru had drifted in unseen. He was secreted somewhere in the room, at Ferro’s back, making certain Elisabeta was safe. Saving Sandu from turning vampire had cemented her position with all the brethren whether or not she was Ferro’s lifemate.

“Elisabeta will not always talk,” Ferro said. “I do not force her to do so. She has been forced enough these last centuries. If you ask a question and she wishes to answer, she will, or I will do it for her.”

Traian’s eyebrow shot up, but he refrained from speaking.

Joie frowned. “How do we know if you’re the one answering the question or she is?”

Silence followed her question. Tension filled the room. Ferro didn’t speak, nor did he deign to look at her.

It was Gary who broke the uneasy stillness. “You cannot insult the honor of an ancient warrior, one who has lived by honor alone for centuries, and expect his cooperation. I think this meeting is over before it has begun.”

Joie instantly shook her head. “You misunderstood me. Or I didn’t word my question correctly. I meant, when Elisabeta wants to give her brother an answer, will you indicate to us that she is the one answering?” She leaned toward Ferro. “Please forgive me for the unintended insult. This means so much to Traian, and I was trying to get clarity only.”

Ferro inclined his head toward the woman, studying her without seeming to do so. She was a smart little thing. He could see she was far more than what she wanted people to see, and that made her dangerous. Traian and his lifemate were used to working with one another, and did so with ease. He wondered if, when in telepathic communication, their energy would be barely detectable. Ferro shared his conclusions with his brethren, warning them to do as little as possible in the way of talking to give nothing away to either of these two.

Are you willing to answer your birth brother’s questions? Do you have any questions for him? He knows things about your past that might be important to you. Deliberately, Ferro enticed his lifemate, wanting her to make a connection to her Carpathian roots. She didn’t identify as a Carpathian. She didn’t see herself in that light as of yet. He wanted her to have the confidence that came with knowing who she was and where she came from. He also wanted her to see that she had a family that cared for her.

Elisabeta’s fingers dug into his arm. I will listen to him. He is sad. Very sad. He weeps inside and she is filled with sorrow for him.

Ferro knew that Elisabeta was naturally compassionate, but he hadn’t realized the full extent of her gift. It was becoming clear to him that she could read the emotions of those near them. She didn’t need to be in their minds. That would mean she could read intent as well. It also meant that her need to help others would always have to be checked by him so she didn’t overextend her strength.

“I will, of course, indicate which of us is answering your question.” He gave his answer to the couple aloud.

At once the tension eased in the room.

“I searched for you, Elisabeta. I do not want you to think I abandoned you. When I met my lifemate, I was still searching,” Traian said. “You vanished so completely. There was no trace of you, no sign of violence. Nothing. No path to you.” He shook his head. “I am sorry I failed you.”

Elisabeta sat up a little straighter, shaking her head and then pressing back against Ferro, her fingers once more digging into his forearm as if he were her only anchor. Ferro felt the sharp eyes of Joie penetrating the shadows. She was watching Elisabeta’s every reaction; the tiniest detail would not escape her. She noted that Ferro massaged the nape of her neck and shoulders. The intimacies he gave to his lifemate in order to give her the necessary courage to face the terrible challenges she had to overcome were for the two of them alone, but he wasn’t going to cease giving them to her because Traian’s lifemate had piercing eyes.

It was never his failing. No one was ever going to find me. Sergey hid me from even his brothers, and often I was in the same place with them.