She is telling the truth. She is not part of a theft ring, she knows nothing about it.
“Demonesini will never get near Margurite. You have to tell Franco about the photographs. You’re a strong woman, Marita. You’re a Scarletti, and we don’t back away from trouble or even scandal. If he wants to incriminate himself by selling those pictures to a tabloid, let him try. Franco will see him not only ruined but jailed. You don’t know Franco if you think he will let Demonesini get away with this. Trust him. Tell what happened. Tell him everything. Let him decide if he wants or needs a paternity test. Once you tell Franco, Demonesini has lost his hold on you.”
“I’m so afraid,” Marita said.
“If you tell him, there’s a chance he will accept everything and work with you to find a way out of this mess. If you sneak away and leave him and the children, all of you will be miserable, and you’ll never know what his reaction really would have been.”
Marita squeezed Antonietta’s hand in gratitude. “Grazie, Antonietta, for making me feel like I’m truly family.”
Antonietta hugged her hard. “You are family, Marita. Go make peace with Franco so you can dance at my wedding.”
Marita cried out. “You are really getting married? Nonno has given his blessing?”
“Yes, he’s happy for us. We’re going to tell Tasha and Paul.”
“Paul’s not well, Antonietta, but he still refuses a doctor. He’s been sleeping most of the day, so much so Justine was alarmed, but he woke around sunset.”
Antonietta stood up. “Go to Franco, Marita. Go somewhere quiet and pull the teeth from Demonesini. If Franco becomes enraged, and he will, it will be at that horrible monster, not at you.”
“The pictures are graphic.”
“Have courage.”
Marita nodded and slipped away. Antonietta sat for a long moment in silence. The flickering candles set bizarre shapes dancing in front of her eyes. “How sad that she didn’t tell her husband immediately.” She leaned her head against Byron’s shoulder. “Why is it I keep getting glimpses of Don Demonesini lying dead on the floor and you standing over him with sharp teeth and demonic eyes? Surely you aren’t thinking of harming him in any way.”
“You are not?”
“Not quite in the same way. You seem a bit violent and earthy. I prefer sophistication. Taking apart his empire and exposing him for the monster he is.”
“That still leaves him to prey on other women. He drugged her. You know that. He drugged her, raped her, and blackmailed her.”
She heard the bite to his voice. This time she knew the demon roaring for release was in him. She felt the slow unfurling of claws, the lengthening of fangs, the snarl of rage at a monster of a man who could torment a woman in an attempt to ruin her family life. Byron. You can be a very scary man.
Never to you, cara. He leaned down and kissed her on her mouth before taking her inside the palazzo.
Celt greeted Antonietta in his dignified but obviously affectionate manner, falling in at her side to guide her up the stairs to Paul’s room.
Tasha turned quickly from her vigil by the bed and threw herself into her cousin’s arms with a glad little cry. “I was so worried about you, Toni. No one was with you. You were gone so long.”
“I was with her, Tasha,” Byron said quietly. “I can make you a sincere promise that nothing will ever harm her when she is with me.”
“He took wonderful care of me, Tasha. How is Paul?” Antonietta kissed Tasha’s cheek and hurried quickly to Paul’s side. She had to keep her eyes tightly closed or she became disoriented and suffered vertigo. If she were still, she could use her eyes if she remained cautious and concentrated. I hope your friend is right about my eyes. It is difficult to remember to keep them closed. Even with the dark glasses, I still see objects that aren’t there.
We will find a way to fix this problem, Antonietta. I know it is disorienting for you and nearly impossible to keep your eyes closed.
“Paul slept all day. He just woke a couple of hours ago.” Tasha stroked back her brother’s hair. “Justine and I have been taking shifts. We kept up on the fluids.”
Paul is pale and weak, but he will live. We need to reduce his pain.
“That’s good, Tasha.” Antonietta laid her palm on Paul’s brow. “I saw Christopher in the maze earlier.”
Tasha sighed. “He pounded on the door. I was afraid he would break it down. I couldn’t get him to go away, but then Franco came with Nonno, and they told him to leave. I’m not altogether certain he would have, but Diego arrived, and Christopher left.”
“Not exactly,” Antonietta said. “Diego had a short talk with him out in the maze. Christopher threatened to ruin his career and said a woman like you would never stoop to looking at a man like Diego.”
Tasha pressed her hand against her mouth. “No. How could he say that?” Her voice was strangled. “Christopher is very vindictive. He might really do something to ruin Diego’s career. Why? We’ve only talked a few times. It’s not like I’ve slept with Diego. He’s a very nice man with children to think of. I wouldn’t involve him in a scandal, and Christopher would make it one.”
“Diego didn’t seem very afraid. Or maybe your protection mattered more than his career, because he grabbed Christopher by the throat and told him to leave you alone.”
“He didn’t?” Tasha looked to Byron for confirmation. “He grabbed him by the throat? For me?”
“He was very angry with Christopher for striking you.” Byron shrugged. “If Diego had not made it very clear to Christopher that he was not wanted here, Franco or I would have.” When Paul stirred, he placed a restraining hand on the man’s shoulder. “Or Paul when he recovered. The nice part about having family who loves you, is they protect you when it matters.”
“Byron asked me to marry him, and I said yes,” Antonietta announced as she seated herself on the bed beside Paul. She tried to sound casual and matter-of-fact, but there was a tremor in her voice.
Celt pressed close to her, put his head in her lap to show camaraderie. Byron laid his hand gently on Antonietta’s shoulder, his dark gaze on Tasha, willing her to say whatever Antonietta needed from her.
There was a short silence, a stilling of the air as if everyone held their breath. “What did Nonno say?” Tasha asked.
“He gave us his blessing,” Antonietta said, rubbing Paul’s arm. “How are you feeling, Paul? You’re drinking plenty of fluids, aren’t you? Do you need me to take away the pain?”
“Grazie, Toni, I was hoping you’d offer. Congratulations, Byron. There’s no one in the world like our Toni. You’d better take good care of her.”
“You do not have to worry, Paul. She will always be my first priority.”
Antonietta waited for Tasha to say more. When her cousin remained silent, Antonietta turned her attention to directing healing energy to Paul. She could feel the steady flow Byron fed her, but he stayed in the background, allowing the actual healing to come through her.
When it was obvious Paul was more comfortable, not moving restlessly, Antonietta handed him a glass of water. “Drink this. Did you talk to Justine about your absurd suspicions? Because she is not part of a conspiracy to steal. She isn’t, Paul. I can’t tell you exactly how I know, but I do.”
“Then who is selling our things? I saw the painting. The one my mother loved so much. It was moved down to the temperature-controlled room with the filtered air to preserve it until we could remodel the art room.” He eased his body into another position. “I loved that painting. There’s no mistake, and I’m going to get it back.” There was determination in his voice.
“Then I’ll ask Justine to take an inventory to see what else is missing.”
I thought you were going to fire her.
Paul’s in love with her. He was willing to die to keep her out of jail. I can’t very well fire her. If he feels that strongly about her, hopefully she feels the same way about him and thought she was saving his life.
You ar
e far too softhearted. I cannot imagine what our children will be like. Josef is thoughtless because he has been spoiled. Can you imagine ten Josefs running around the palazzo barefoot and clinging to the sides of the walls and making the gargoyles come alive? Singing rap music? What have you gotten me into?
I can’t imagine ten of anything, let alone ten little Josefs. And they will sing opera. How did I become responsible?
You walked onto the stage looking so beautiful and courageous, you stole my heart.
Antonietta burst out laughing. There was a sudden silence in the room. “I’m sorry, I know we’re discussing a serious subject. I just…” She trailed off, mentally kicking Byron in the shin.
The strange phenomenon of objects rushing at her face had lessened enough that if she held her head very still, she could see through the heavy black lenses. Tired of closing her eyes and anxious to see her family members, she stared toward where she knew Paul’s face would be and lifted her lashes.
“Someone in this house is stealing,” Paul reiterated. “The police know it, Interpol knows it, and no one but a family member would know the way through the passageway. Who else but Justine?”
Antonietta’s heart gave a funny jump when Paul’s face stopped moving. The blurred image cleared, and she was staring at her cousin. “Paul.” She breathed his name softly. Reached out to brush at the hair spilling across his forehead. There was a curious burning sensation behind her eyes. He looks just like I remember my father looking. Tell me where Tasha is. She’s so quiet I can’t tell exactly.
Byron shifted closer to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “We do not know who could be doing this, Paul, but we believe you. If it is someone living in this house, it should not be that difficult to find out who it is.” Tasha is standing to your left. He gave Antonietta the mental image of height to her face.
Her heart pounding, Antonietta closed her eyes and turned her head carefully to stare up at Tasha. She pressed back against Byron for comfort and opened her eyes. For a moment Tasha swam in front of her, distorted and out of focus. Antonietta persisted, forcing her brain to connect with her eyes. Tasha stared back at her. Antonietta couldn’t prevent the small cry of joy.
Tasha’s eyes widened in shock. “You can see me. Dio, Toni. You can see me. That’s not possible. How can you see me?”
Antonietta burst into tears. Tasha immediately began weeping with her. Byron looked at Paul helplessly.
“Is it true?” Paul asked as his sister and cousin clung to one another. “It was you, wasn’t it, Byron? You are like she is, you have the gift.”
“She has to be careful of light and movement, but we are hoping it will improve for her. Most of the time she keeps her eyes closed or she feels sick,” Byron explained.
“Have you told Nonno?” Paul asked the inevitable question.
Before Byron could answer, Tasha flung her arms around him. “I don’t care if you scare me to death. Grazie for this. You can’t imagine how much I’d hoped we could find a way to restore Toni’s sight. Our money seemed so useless at times. She’s always been so patient, but there were so many times she wanted a particular book and she couldn’t get it right away…. So many things. Just grazie, Byron.”
He could feel the genuine love and gratitude pouring out of Tasha, and it made him feel humble. Antonietta’s family relationships were very complex, not at all black and white like his world seemed to be for so long. He thought in terms of enemy or ally. They were far more than that. There was so much joy radiating from Tasha and Paul at the knowledge that Antonietta might be able to see, that Byron wondered how he could have ever suspected either of them of conspiring to kill her, yet he felt he had to be certain. He couldn’t afford to take a chance with Antonietta’s life.
Tasha and Antonietta began to laugh together, sitting on Paul’s bed, holding hands. “I think they’re hysterical,” Paul commented.
Byron waved his hand to still the room.
“I think you are right.” Byron glanced at Antonietta. Forgive me, cara mia, I feel I have no choice but to be certain.
I am certain. Her protest was instant and adamant.
Byron ignored her and leaned down to stare into Paul’s eyes. He did the same to Tasha. Antonietta pulled out of his mind, her anger nearly tangible. “Neither is involved in the thefts or the poisonings, and if they can shape-shift, they are not aware of it. I do not like the way Tasha feels to me. I want to examine her. Merge with me.”
They found traces of poison in Tasha’s cells. Antonietta was outraged. “Who could be doing this? Christopher? He was often at dinner with us. He could have slipped something into Nonno’s drink or food. I can’t see, so it’s possible he could have with any of us, and I wouldn’t have known. Get rid of it, Byron. I know you did for me, so get it out of her. Hurry. It makes me sick to think she has that in her.”
“Paul did not eat anything today. We need to check the others. Even the children. Someone is introducing poison into food or drink.” Byron closed his eyes and sent himself seeking outside his body and into Tasha’s. Antonietta merged with him, watching how he separated body from spirit, became a bright ball of pure energy, and meticulously went through Tasha’s body, examining every cell, muscle, and tissue.
He showed her what to look for, how to maintain outside his own body while he worked, and the intense concentration it took. He seemed much weaker when he was through pushing the poison from Tasha’s body, staggering a little as he reentered his own body.
“What’s wrong with you?” Antonietta asked, alarmed.
“I have not fed this night, and we have used a tremendous amount of energy.” He added a command to her cousins to forget his invasion into their thoughts. Your family has tremendous barriers. It requires a powerful command to keep them from knowing we have intruded. If you have no choice but to read them, remember to remove the memory.
I told you they weren’t involved. His weariness was beating at her. She couldn’t help herself. She laid her hand on his arm. Go find whatever you need to be strong again. Or use me.
He laughed softly and leaned down to kiss her on her upturned mouth. Thank you for the invitation, but I cannot touch you in front of your family. I would want to retire to your bedroom.
It was his voice, a velvet-soft symphony of seduction, that teased the color into her face. Before she could respond, Tasha hugged Antonietta again, completely unaware of the interruption. “Are there things you can do to help you see better? Glasses? Maybe an operation? The laser techniques are supposed to work miracles.”
“I’ve had my miracle,” Antonietta said. “Byron, you have that one thing to take care of. If you want to do that now, I’ll sit up here and visit with Paul.”
My tyrant lifemate. He was secretly pleased that she was worried enough to be insistent he feed.
Antonietta tried to watch him leave, but the room spun, and the strangely shaped objects flew at her eyes. She closed them tightly. “Movement makes it more difficult. I have to look at something stationary to really see it. We think that will change with time and a little practice.”
“Antonietta.” Paul reached for his cousin. She responded immediately by threading her fingers through his. “Please make peace with Justine. I know you’re hurt by what she did, but I told her they were going to kill me. I laid it on pretty thick. She begged me to go to you. She begged me to lay low until she could get the money together herself. We had a terrible fight about it. I felt like such a lowlife, but I was certain she was involved in the theft ring.”
“Have you told her what you thought? Does she know you nearly died coming here and not going to a hospital? I couldn’t have saved your life, Paul. Byron was the one who worked on you and managed to keep you alive.”
“I feel different. And it’s strange, Toni, but I swear there was a noise this morning, this weird whirring sound. Justine tracked it all over the bedroom. It turned out to be a bug, and the noise was its wings. I just feel more alive, even though I hurt like hell most
of the time.” He rubbed his shadowed jaw. “Justine is going to marry me. She was pretty angry with me, especially that I would think she would sell out our family, but I convinced her. It helped that I look pathetic right now.”
Antonietta sighed. “She really hurt me, Paul. I trusted her, and I depended on that trust for my confidence. She took that away from me.”
“I took it away. You know how I am. Tasha, talk to her, she always listens to you. This is important.”
Antonietta felt Tasha’s sudden stillness. “You do, Toni. You do listen to me. I always matter to you.”
“Silly. Of course. I love you. Your opinion has always mattered to me. You know how I think and feel. You know what’s important to me. What would you do? I love Justine, but I don’t know if I can forgive what she did.”
Tasha laughed softly. “Toni, don’t be an idiot. You forgive everybody, everything. That’s just how you are. You couldn’t carry a grudge if your life depended on it. Not with family. Whether you like it or not, Justine falls under the family umbrella, so no matter what, you’re going to forgive her. You’re hurt, not angry. There speaks undoubtedly the voice of true wisdom.” Tasha sounded self-mocking.
“Great, Tasha, you’re not entering in the spirit of the thing. I wanted to wallow in self-pity, and you’re not letting me.”
“It isn’t your style.”
“I’m going to ask you both a crazy question. Do either of you ever feel strange, like there’s a beast inside of you, trying to get out?”
“Like a cat,” Paul said. He rubbed his arm. “Sometimes I itch, and I feel an incredible power.”
Christine Feehan 5 CARPATHIAN NOVELS Page 33
