ow. either of them could be close to turning, and masking it. leaving darius so vulnerable, lying as one dead, where a trusted friend could so easily slay him, kept julian locked to his lifemate's brother. desari had given him what he had lost centuries earlier; she had given him a family. he would do all he could to protect it.

the wind brought the scent of prey to him, and he altered his course with ease. he streaked across the sky, uncaring whether or not barack was following. he intended to make certain he was gone only a short time.

i thought you said darius was still dangerous, even as he lies sleeping.

julian sighed. he should have known desari would so easily read his thoughts, just as he could always touch hers.

it is so, cara, he is very dangerous. you can feel his power radiate from him. but i am not certain he would be expecting the attack to come from one of his own. there is no one who could surprise darius ever again. except perhaps...

julian could feel desari pause and give consideration to her statement. then the little minx had a flashing thought, hastily censored. she was up to something, no doubt about it. julian didn't mind - as long as her brother, not he, was the intended recipient of her scheming.