Son of a bitch. Dacian felt the slide of his fangs. He’d rip Eric apart, he’d…He forced back his unreasoning bloodlust. Eric had only been protecting himself from a perceived rogue vampire. You caused the whole thing, almost got your brother killed. If hate hadn’t crazed him, Taurin would never have taken on any of the Mackenzies.

Dacian had to say the words. “I’m sorry.”

They seemed to bounce right off Taurin. “So what brought you back from the dead?”

“All those centuries in Alaska, I kept contacts with the outside world. I had someone watching both you and Stephan. I got word that Stephan knew where you were and was going after you to get to me. I knew I had to reach here first and take you somewhere safe where Stephan couldn’t find you.”

“Fuck that.” Taurin’s anger exploded. “It’s okay for you to watch over me, but I’m not allowed to try to save you. What kind of shit is that?”

Dacian only knew three words that would defuse all of Taurin’s fury, tough words for someone like him to say, but they needed saying. “I love you.”

Taurin visibly wilted. “That’s playing dirty, big brother.”

Dacian nodded.

“I’m not running, you know.”

“Neither of us is running. I know I’m done with it. The main players in the castle are having a meeting later tonight to decide how to beat Stephan.”

“You think he’ll come himself and not just send some of his underlings?”

“Yeah, I think he’ll come himself. And I think he wants both of us. If he just wanted me, he could’ve struck as soon as Ganymede brought me here. He wants something more.”

“You think he figures if he holds me hostage you’ll do what he wants?”

“Something like that.” Beneath the conversation about their mutual enemy, Dacian could feel the dark river of their emotions still foaming, still at flood stage.

If Taurin wouldn’t take the steps that would close the space between them, Dacian would have to. He didn’t hurry as he walked to where his brother stood.

Taurin moved with the preternatural speed of his kind as he punched Dacian in the stomach.

“Bastard.” Dacian spoke from his doubled-over position. “Eric got me in the same spot.”

Taurin gave him no more time to complain, because he dragged Dacian upright and hugged him. “I never stopped looking for you once we realized you’d planned your disappearance. Don’t ever do that to me again.” Emotion clogged his voice. “Just don’t ever.”

Dacian wasn’t up to speech right now; he could only nod. But then he didn’t need to say anything. His brother couldn’t help feeling all that emotion pouring off him.

Taurin dropped his arms and Dacian stepped back just as an angry voice came from outside the greenhouse.