Kari looked at him. "Your brother?"
"I'm not taking any more chances with the woman I love. I don't care if I have to become an elder. I'll do anything it takes to get you the protection you need and deserve."
Kari saw the stark terror in his eyes and wanted her goofy, smiling mate back. She didn't want the looming threat to ruin his moment. He had been so happy finding out he was going to be a father he had been shining, now he looked withdrawn. She reached out and rubbed the skin between his eyebrows where they were bunched together as he frowned.
"Do you have someone in mind for an athair?" she asked.
Slowly, a smile began to replace the blank look on his face. "Adriel," he said, nodding.
"Really?" she asked, surprised. "You seem closer to Grant or even Etain. Why Adriel?"
"Because Adriel would do anything in his power for our child. He has kept himself apart from the men because he didn't know he could be our leader and our friend. But over the past week, he has seen how Aiden is with Gavriel, and I think he has realized that he can be more than just a unit leader. I think what we have been seeing lately is his true self emerging. He's always been loyal and protective; he was great with Bethy when she was growing up. You couldn't ask for a better athair."
"Not even Warrick?" she asked.
He shook his head. "He's already going to be their uncle."
They both turned when there was a knock at the door. A second later, the door swung open in a concerned looking Rex walked in.
"No one told me what happened. Only that Kari was hurt. Is she okay?"
Declan nodded. "She's fine, but I have other concerns." He stood to face his brother. He placed both hands on his shoulders. "Brother, I have need of you," he said in a formal tone.
Kari could see the change in Rex immediately. It was as if Declan had hit a switch. Rex was suddenly surrounded by the power of his station.
"Declan, you know there is nothing I would deny you. You are flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood, and if there is anything you need, you have only to ask," Rex replied, placing his hands on top of Declan's shoulders.
Declan let his hands fall, and he practically collapsed into the chair. Concerned, Rex pulled one of the other chairs in the room over to sit beside his brother. "Tell me little brother, what is going on?"
Declan looked at Kari and then back to his brother. "I think someone is after my mate."
Kari gasped. "That cannot be right."
Declan raised an eyebrow. "Kari, have you ever had problems with dizzy spells, fainting, passing out before coming to Noctem Falls?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, never."
"Don't you think it's highly suspicious that in the past two days you fallen twice? At the very least, you have been gravely injured. Both falls could have been fatal, Kari."
Kari felt her stomach turn to ice. She didn't even realize she was shaking until Declan joined her on the bed, pulling her close.
Rex's eyes were flashing as he stood, growling. "Who would dare?"
Declan shrugged. "It could be anyone. Any one of the Founding Families or Noble Families that aren't happy with the progress that Magnus is making with Kari at his side. From what I heard, Kari clearly made her disdain of the ruling classes known when Cheryl got fired. It could be any of Cheryl's friends or family that felt like Kari had displaced her. It could be the feral..." Declan hesitated. "So far he's been going after blood. That requires up close and personal. Why would he suddenly switch to killing people from afar?"
Kari held up a hand. "How would this even happen?"
Rex and Declan exchanged surprised looks. "Kari, you're a vampire."
"Yes, I know."
Declan looked at her carefully. "You do know that you have the ability to manipulate minds, right?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I had heard from others some of what we could do, but I have never seen it done. My parents did not teach me how." She frowned. "Wait, so you are saying that somebody could control my mind?"
Declan and Rex nodded. "It's not done normally. Besides being against our laws; it's very difficult to control another paranormal. We have an innate protection system built-in. Somebody might be able to manipulate your mind but they would have to be very, very strong, especially if they can do it without you being aware of it."
"So, what would they gain by making me take tumbles down stairs or down the transport tunnel?" she asked.