Big Big Big Thank you to NotSoSweet, who sent me two wonderful reviews, for the last two chapters, but who I forgot to mention in the last chapter. Very sorry, Shi. :) :)

Also Thank you to Chrissienuil, Akashia and Carly Jo. I have to say the reviews that started with "What the?" And "Okay, this I did not see coming", made me laugh. :) Thanks so much everyone.

And Thank you to everyone who is reading. x x Hope you enjoy ...

PS... I have re edited this as I had left a few spelling mistakes in it last time, I hope it reads easier. I have also added in where the scene occurs so it is less confusing... hopefully lol

xemmalisax

...That rat ate my shoe!

Its not a rat. Its a dog.

Debatable!...

Chapter Nineteen

The Rainforest.

Nicholas smashed down to the ground, his brothers large frame following him. Confusion made him momentarily forget they were fighting until a fast punch to his jaw, reminded him.

"Zacarias?" He hissed, as he tried to ignore the pain radiating up his jaw.

His brother looked more like the beast within, than the man. His eyes blood red, his stance intensely aggressive.

"I know what I can sense brother!"

"Can you?" Nicholas wasn't sure how they had ended up missing this trap, but there must be one. Violet wasn't here, and neither was Nya.

His throat was seized in a merciless grip as he was pinned to a tree. His body connecting with the column so aggressively, the whole tree whined in protest.

The woman emerged through the trees. And Nicholas growled at her. It must be her!

Zacarias turned his head, and a feral snarl erupted from his throat at the sight of her.

"How could you!" He snarled at his brother. Rage flickering dangerously in his now red depths.

Nicholas frowned in confusion.

Barely dodging another punch, he managed to break free of his brothers grip.

He went into his brothers mind, and finally saw what he saw.

The human woman, looked like Violet through his eyes.

Identical, even her scent.

Her eyes were tear filled, and she was begging him to forgive her, that it had been a mistake.

But yet as Nicholas turned his head to the human woman he only saw Nya, and she wasn't speaking at all.

Shaking his head at the confusion he sent his brother the information.

I have problems of my own brother! He heard Rafael hiss through his mind, as if he were struggling.

Rafael?

I am unable to move, and unless you two haven't noticed, the sun is rising.

Nicholas cursed their luck.

This was without a doubt a trap!

He growled as Zacarias slammed into him again.

Screw this!

He snarled as he rushed his brother, slamming his formidable shoulders into his brother's chest, and hurtling them both back to the ground.

"This is a trap brother! Cant you see!?"

The Ranch House.

Riordan had gone into his brother's minds to discover their luck with the hunt, and was shocked to his core by what he discovered.

Zacarias was full of rage, possession and the undying need to kill Nicholas. Whereas Rafael was unable to move, pinned out within an outcrop of trees awaiting the suns deadly rays. Riordan was instantly filled with fear for his brothers.

What had happened?

Juliette must have felt his fear, as her lithe arms wrapped comfortingly around his trim waist, her head resting along his back. But even her gentle touch couldn't soothe him.

His brothers where in a trap and worse, they didn't seem to know it.

The Rainforest.

Nicholas's fist connected with his older brothers jaw, throwing him back to the dark ground. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Zacarias's dragged himself up from the floor with a growl so feral, it even made Nicholas fearful.

Nicholas feared his brother had turned. The blood dripping down his chin from Nicholas's blow only added to the deadly vision Zacarias made.

Nicholas knew all too well, the agony his brother had gone through when Violet had slept with another male, before he had fully claimed her. He had been the one to try to control him, when all his brother had ached to do was kill.

He knew he had to start discovering the trap but at present the rage consuming his brother was dangerous. Zacarias would likely kill him if he took his eyes off him for a second.

Even so, he couldn't afford to forget their problems. The sun was rising, Rafael was immobile, and he and Zacarias were fighting to the death. Nicholas shook his head at their situation.

They were all going to die unless someone discovered what was happening and how.

With that thought in mind, Nicholas grabbed hold of the woman, pulling her in front of him, as his hand wrapped around her throat. It was unbearable to do so, when all he could smell and see was her as Nya, and since he hated even the thought of Nya in pain, it was hard to focus.

But he had to get answers. Tightening his grip on her throat, he heard Zacarias snarl at him.

"Let her go! You would dare to touch her again??!" Zacarias's voice was guttural, more a snarl than words. His blood red eyes watching Nicholas's hands on the woman intently.

Nicholas went into his brothers mind, and saw what he saw. Once again the woman wasn't blond or tanned. She was Violet in Zacarias's mind, all dark hair and pale skin.

Nicholas frowned. In Zacarias's mind "Violet" was pleading with him to help her, to get Nicholas' hands off of her.

Nicholas snarled down at the woman in his grasp but she still pleaded with his brother. Begging for him to save her.

Nicholas pulled out of Zacarias' mind, and could see the agony the woman's mental words where having on him. His eyes looked torment, with his body radiating malice.

"Zacarias! We are brothers, I would never betray you. This is a trap, working off our greatest fears." Even as he said it, Nicholas realized his words were right. This was each of their greatest fears. "Look into my mind, see this woman as I see her"

He watched as the woman began to cry and scream in his embrace. Fearful?

He grinned down at her, so she should be. If this woman had been the source of their problems she would pay for it.

He watched as Zacarias edged towards him. His muscles tense and bulging with aggression. He felt a slight presence in his mind and knew his brother was listening to him, even through the rage and grief he was feeling.

Nicholas needed more help. Searching inside his brothers mind, he discovered his link to Violet, and decided to try to get her to talk some sense into Zacarias.

Violet. This is an emergency. Connect with Zacarias and explain to him your at the ranch. And your safe. Please. Our lives may depend on it.

The Ranch House.

Violet was sitting in the living room, her feet tucked beneath her, with her chin resting on the flat of her hand as she watched the new puppy. It had been a present for Colby's younger sister, and was now the life and soul of the ranch.

The little black and white jack russell, was a rascal, or the demon puppy as Riordan called him. But however many times he chewed up their shoes, or peed all over the marble floor, none of them could stay mad at him for long.

Violet grinned as he skidded on the marble and yelped, before running enthusiastically back out of the room.

Violet. This is an emergency. Connect with Zacarias and explain to him your at the ranch. And your safe. Please. Our lives may depend on it

Violet was momentarily shocked at Nicholas's voice in her head, but as soon as the word 'emergency' had past his lips, she was engaged intently on his words.

Her heart clenched at her fear for Zacarias. Oh my god! Have they found Joseph?

Jumping up from the chair, she rushed to the window, and connected with Zacarias's mind. Staring out into the night, she looked at the rain forest with pleading eyes. Please, please come back to me.

The minute her mind connected with his, her heart felt as if it was being ripped apart, such rage and pain were making her tremble with her coming tears.

Zacarias? She whispered through her gasp of surprise. The pain he was feeling was so intense, she couldn't delve deeper to discover the cause. Her body and mind wracked with his emotions.

It was if she had opened a flood gate and everything he was feeling flowed into her instantly. Drowning her in his emotions.

Violet? Zacarias voice seemed so stunned, as if he barely believed he was hearing her voice. She nodded through her tears, before she replied to him. She was too choked with emotions, she had feared him gone.

Yes, Its me. Tell me what is wrong?

She braced herself ready for news of his wounds or predicament, but all she heard was the mental equivalent of a sigh. She allowed him a few moments to regain his control and composure. Please don't let him be hurt! She thought.

I have been foolish. And have allowed my brothers to become trapped.

Violet was so confused. What do you mean? Are you OK?

We are in a trap. I was fooled. She felt him sigh again, and take a deep breath to calm himself more. I thought I had lost you.

Violet placed her hand against the glass, wishing she could comfort him.

I am not lost. I am waiting for you.

She felt Zacarias trailing a gentle hand down her cheek and smiled, as she closed her eyes to savor the brief connection between them.

The Rainforest.

Nicholas watched the emotions play across his brothers face carefully. Thankful he no longer looked ready to kill him.

So Nicholas could now turn his full attention back to the woman struggling in his arms.

"Who are you?" Nicholas allowed the beast to be heard through his words. His voice was laced with a carefully leashed violence that was more than ready to be unleashed upon her.

He watched as she squirmed trying to get out of his crushing embrace. All he had to do to quell her struggles, was to increase the pressure on her throat. She stilled instantly, realizing he could instantly kill her.

"Please. Please. Let me go" She began to sob in his arms. And although it was painfully to Nicholas for more than one reason, he refused to release his grip on her, not until he got some answers.

Watching her cry was like watching Nya cry, it clawed at his heart. But this isn't Nya he reminded himself. She is not Nya. She never will be. Focus!

Her tears trailed down her face, as she whimpered for mercy.

"Who. Are. You?" drawing out each word, Nicholas made it abundantly clear he wasn't going to ask again.

"My name is Crina. Please don't hurt me"

Crina? A Romanian name.

"Have you ever been to the Carpathian mountains?"

She shook her head.

She was either telling the truth or she had been taught how to lie convincingly.

He realized now, he couldn't fully get into her mind, it was like there was a lock he couldn't get through.

He had been too hungry before to properly see this, his only concern had been if she had been a trap. He grinned sadly, how wrong he had been to think her safe.

Rafael are you free?

No.

Nicholas growled in the back of his throat, and the woman cried out at the sound. This is just what they needed!

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, as he scanned the area again.

There was not even a slight disturbance…. Wait! Maybe they should check the animals again. Nicholas remembered that was how Riordan had discovered Nya's cell. Skimming through the minds of the surrounding animals he looked at their – Nicholas's eyes snapped open. What the-?!

The human woman was rubbing herself against him, blatantly sexual. With her scent and looks, he couldn't help but shudder violently. He gritted his teeth. This wasn't Nya! Focus!

He broke away, ignoring her efforts, and focused back on the animals. He scanned quickly, looking thoroughly in each animals mind before moving swiftly onto the next.

Nicholas grinned as he came across a taint within an animal. Scanning more in that area he discovered more animals with the same taint. Gotcha! Nicholas grinned, as he sent the information to each of his brothers. It was once again a long shot, but it was the first sign, since the woman, that there was a trap being set up.

He opened his eyes, and over the top of blond hair he found his brothers tormented eyes watching him.

"Forgive me, Nicholas" Zacarias's voice sounded old, and tired, as he leaned against a tree.

"There is nothing to forgive brother. It was a trap."

"It was insecurities. Our fears he drew on…. My fears." Zacarias shook his head. " I will go in search of Rafael. Stay safe, brother" And with a sad nod, Nicholas watched as his brother departed.

The woman was once again grinding against him, her back arched off his chest. Nicholas shook his head, how had be ever thought this was Nya? Even for a brief moment?

If this was truly his Nya, he would be out of his mind by this point, and would no doubt he ripping her clothes off as he took them to the forest floor, regardless of the rising sun. This woman was somehow able to effect him with Nya's scent, but she in no way, effected him as Nya could.

"Stop your games!" He snarled down at her, as he tried once more to connect to Nya, but once more all he got was silence.

Crina spinned around to face him, her throat still in his grasp. Her small hand, so similar to Nya's, slid down his chest playfully. "That's not what you wanted earlier" She teased as she ran her fingers along the top of his trousers, her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip.

"I have a life mate. I belong to her alone!"

He watched Crina laughed bitterly at his words. "Your life mate…. is she pretty?"

Nicholas didn't like to talk about Nya to this treacherous woman, but he was going to ask her some questions later, so perhaps answering hers, would make her return the favor.

"Beautiful"

He watched as her small fingers began to tease open his trousers. He growled down at her, and increased his grip on her throat, "Don't touch me"

"Your afraid?" She looked up at him from beneath her long dark lashes, that were identical to Nya's. Her fingers still working on his trousers.

How dare she look like his Nya!

"I'm not afraid of you"

"Are you worried what you may want to do to me, if I touch you?" Suddenly he was thrust back to the cave he had shared with Nya. He didn't know how, but he saw the memory of him pinning her to the wall as he pleasured her, tasting her arousal and then her sweet blood. His whole body shuddered with the memory.

His mouth watered, he was desperate to go back there. Or even better, get back to Nya now and start making new memories.

Suddenly he felt soft fingers feather across the tip of his sex, shattering his fantasy.

His hand gripped her wrist.

She smiled up at him. "I bet you cant decide whether to push me closer or drag me away" Leaning up on her tip toes she nibbled on his ear " Push me closer, you wont regret it"

Nicholas growled. "Enough!"

Dragging her hand from the hard heat in his trousers, he pushed her back, so he held her wrist at arms length away from his body.

"I told you not to touch me! Now, tell me why your doing this?"

The Ranch House.

Nya couldn't describe the pain that had radiated through her body, for the past few minutes. She felt as if she was being beaten, and yet when she checked her reflection in the mirror, she had no marks or wounds.

Confusion made her fearful. Even more so, when she realized it must be Nicholas who is in pain.

She tried to connect with him, but due to inexperience wasn't sure how.

Slumping back onto the bed, Nya thought over her possibilities.

Nicholas was obviously getting hurt. OK, she herself wanted to give him a good clout but she didn't want him truly hurt. He was somewhere in the rain forest, which she wasn't particularly comfortable with either, and the sun was rising.

What if he couldn't make it to ground in time?

Nya flinched as the memory of the suns effects on her body where recalled vividly. She wouldn't let that happen to Nicholas.

Standing up, Nya went in search of some clothes so she could talk to someone, anyone, and come up with a plan.

Hopefully one that didn't involve mass suicide.

Nya descended the cool marble steps to the lobby, her heart pounding in trepidation. She had only met Colby before, she didn't know anyone else. She wasn't an overtly shy person, hence her career choice, but she was always apprehensive about meeting new people.

Plus, meeting the family of your lover, was a hell of a lot different to talking to drunk men in an exotic bar.

There she could pretend to be someone else, create another persona, but here, she was going to meet people as herself, and she didn't have much experience.

Reaching the bottom step, she watched as a small dog skidded into the lobby, its tail waggling excitedly, before it bounded towards her.

Jumping up at her shins.

Smiling, Nya reached down and picked up the little dog, who continued to wiggle within her grip whilst licking at her face madly.

"That rat ate my shoe!"

Nya looked up as a man similar in appearance to Nicholas slammed through the doors of the lobby, carrying a half ingested shoe, which looked incredibly expensive. He was followed by a exceptionally pretty woman, with long dark hair and eyes that reminded her of a cats.

"Its not a rat. It's a dog"

"Debatable" the man growled as he surveyed the damage to his shoe "Its too small to be a dog. Its more something a proper dog might cough up"

Nya watched their amusing spar with a raised eyebrow. She clutched the little dog tightly in her arms, as both of them watched on the argument.

"Riordan what are you going to do about your brothers?"

Nya watched in silence as pain crossed Riordan's face. What did he know that she didn't? Did he know about the fight?

"What's wrong with Nicholas?" Nya spoke up suddenly.

She watched as two pairs of dark eyes turned and surveyed her. The woman, who Nya now knew as Juliette had a amazingly feline features, her eyes true oval. Oh, this must be the jaguar woman, Nya decided, finally remembering her insane conversation with Nicholas a few nights before.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Nya. I am Riordan, Nicholas's brother and this is my life mate, Juliette." Juliette offered a friendly smile, even as Nya could feel her eyes assessing her.

"Hi. Please tell me what's going on. I felt like Nicholas was in trouble"

"They are in some sort of trap. No doubt set up by Joseph"

Nya gasped at the news, and was too busy thinking of all the possibilities that she didn't hear Juliette groan about Riordan's "lack of tact".

"Forgive me for startling you" He said to her, even though Nya knew he wasn't saying it for her benefit. He was only doing it to appease his wife. "Zacarias and Nicholas are no longer fighting, and Rafael is nearly free. They should be safe"

"Should be?" Nya asked.

"Zacarias was fighting Nicholas?" Everyone turned and looked to who had spoken.

A petite Chinese woman stood in the doorway to the lobby, blood tears were evident on her cheeks. Nya blanched at the sight of the blood tears, before she realized hers were likely red now, as well.

Riordan shifted uncertainly before he replied. "Yes…. A misunderstanding"

"What kind of misunderstanding?"

The Rainforest.

What should I do with the human woman? Nicholas still held Crina at arms length.

Ignoring her eyes filled with desire completely.

His brothers were in danger, and his life mate wasn't speaking to him, that was all that concerned him at the present.

Have you learned anything from her?

Only her name. Crina.

Romanian?

She said she has never been.

You believe her?

I believe nothing that comes from her mouth.

Wise, brother. We need to discover what her place in Josephs' scheme is. Keep her with us.

I cannot take her to ground, Zacarias. Nicholas pointed out

He felt his brother sigh. True. Leave her somewhere. We will find her again. You took her blood, she should be easy to track.

I took her blood but all I tasted was Nya.

That was in your mind. You tasted her, even if you didn't realize it.

What about Rafael?

I am working on it. There is some sort of safeguard mixed with mage magic that has acted like a trap.

Will you get him free in time?

Even now, Nicholas could feel the coming of the dawn.

Let us pray I can, brother

Nicholas disconnected from Zacarias and stared at Crina. Where shall I put you? He mused.

"In your bed?" Nicholas ignored her comment before a grin split across his face.

The cave.

The Rainforest ... Where Rafael is trapped...

Zacarias was concentrating on the complex pattern of weaves, spells and magic as he worked on the trap Rafael was caught in. Both men were apprehensive, they could feel the coming dawn, and they were both currently pinned out in the open, unable to protect themselves from the coming rays.

Zacarias wiped his hand over his brow, as he pondered what step to take next. It was incredibly complex. Whoever had set it up was knowledgeable about magic and safe guards.

Zacarias continued to unravel the script surrounding Rafael's legs.

It was like a finely spun web, intricate yet strong.

"How did you get into this brother?" Zacarias groaned as he deciphered yet another piece of ancient magic.

"I sensed a werewolf"

Zacarias stopped working and looked up at his brother. "Where?"

"Heading down the river"

Could it be…? Zacarias thought over the facts.

Firstly, a woman who could be seen differently by each of them. Heard differently.

Yet they were unable to get into her mind.

She obviously knew about them, or she would never have been so calm after Nicholas drank her blood.

Romanian name. Crina….

A trap set up with mage and Carpathian knowledge.

Evidence of animals being controlled again like before, when Joseph was present.

Could Crina be a werewolf?

Perhaps Joseph has gotten a werewolf on his side. But why? And where would he get the mage knowledge from, to work these spells?

Nicholas, watch how Crina walks and moves through the forest and her interaction with the animals. I think she, or someone nearby may be a werewolf.

The Ranch House.

"Excuse me!" Nya and the small woman, Violet, yelled at the same time.

Nicholas had been making out with this woman! His brothers wife. Impossible.

She was at the ranch. Plus, she knew Nicholas, he would never do that!

And yet even as she was willing to defend him, she did remember feeling him being touched by another woman as he feed.

"Zacarias, thinks I slept with his brother?!" Violet looked about ready to slap Zacarias for the accusation, but at the same time ready to cry from the lack of trust he was showing in her.

Nya just wanted the truth.

She wasn't going to get upset until she knew for sure she had a reason to be.

"What's this trap, you mentioned?" She asked Riordan, who looked thankful for the change of topic.

"There was a woman there, who Nicholas feed from, who appeared to them as two different people, speaking differently, smelling differently. Zacarias had thought she was Violet. Whereas Nicholas thought she was you."

Nya was surprised. When she had heard about Nicholas feeding she had winced at the memory, before she had felt jealous which had shocked her. But when she heard that Nicholas had thought it was her, she began to see the trap.

"So Nicholas didn't know she wasn't me when he feed?"

"No, he knew she was a human"

Nya was about to open her mouth and claim she too, was a human, but stopped herself when she realized she wasn't anymore.

Thanks Riordan, ruin that one hope for me! So, Nicholas did know it wasn't her, when the woman was touching him. Great! Nya leaned back against the white painted walls of the lobby.

"But Zacarias thought I had touched his brother" Nya turned at the sound of pure grief evident in the small woman's voice. Riordan didn't seem to understand what Violet was so upset about, but Nya did.

Zacarias had shown a lack of trust in Violet. That was what was causing her pain.

Nya held nothing but sympathy for Violet.

Nya thought over her own actions.

Yes, it had hurt undeniably when Nicholas had been touched by another woman. But was that his fault?

On one side it was. He should never have allowed her to. But if he had been captivated by her scent, and believed her to be, Nya, than was he truly in the wrong?

She was getting so confused.

But right now, none of this mattered.

Getting the men out of their predicament with all their limbs intact was the most important thing.

At least so their life mates could remove those limbs themselves when they got back.

"What's the plan?"

The Rainforest...On way to the cave...

Nicholas watched as Crina meandered around the tree trunks. There was something primal and sexual about her. Plus her graceful movements made Nicholas sure she wasn't entirely human.

Zacarias might be right. Perhaps she is a werewolf?

Thank you for reading. :)

I am sorry it was a bit choppy, going back and forth between the ranch and the hunt.

Next chapter, gets juicy. As we meet Joseph.

Hope you enjoyed. Please review.

Oh and the name Crina, I did some research into Romanian names and this one came up, so I apologise if this isnt a Romanian name. Blame Google. ;) x

Take Care

xemmalisax