Josef was slow in answering. He shrugged casually. “I’m not certain. I have to go over the programs here first and wipe everything clean and reinstall them. Julija needs to work with me just to make certain the magic isn’t lingering behind in the computers. In the meantime, everyone, including your security people, has to stay off their computers. If they took laptops or tablets home, they need to wipe them clean and start over. If they have families, they should make certain they do the same with those computers, and someone should check their children or spouses to make certain no one is infected.”
Ferro had the feeling the boy was hedging a bit. He was leaving himself an opening to go to the club. He didn’t think it was because Josef was foolhardy, it was more he thought he needed to serve the Carpathian people in whatever capacity he could.
He does not believe he will ever be a decent hunter of the vampire, does he? he asked Gary, deliberately engaging with him, trying to feel his way. That threat to Elisabeta was definitely back, yet Gary was still the same, still felt calm and matter-of-fact.
No. I’ve seen that in his mind many times. His genius lies with technology, although he is skilled in healing and he does have many skills in fighting already. He’s been in battles with werewolves and vampires and done very well.
He is alive, that is saying a lot about him if he managed to remain so after a fight with either. Ferro regarded the boy, trying to think ahead of him.
Elisabeta’s gentle essence filled his mind, her soothing nature creating that sense of peace she always brought with her. He glanced down at her and found she was looking up at him with her dark, beautiful eyes. His heart clenched hard in his chest. He tightened his fingers around hers and brought their clasped hands over his heart. He loved her with every part of his being. More than he thought possible. More than he knew love existed in the world.
He has been told often that he will never make a great hunter of the vampire. That he is too slow. Too thin. His body type too wrong. There is another who is close to him, one he admires, who says vicious, cutting things to him to make him feel less, and he believes it because he feels different and apart from others. He has been made to feel that way for many years.
Ferro felt a sense of protection well up for the boy. Where are those who should be caring for this boy?
His parents are dead. He did not believe his adopted parents wanted him until they came for him when he went with Skyler to find her lifemate and took him back from the werewolves. Elisabeta had found that information in Josef’s mind.
Why would he think his adopted parents did not want him? Ferro had no idea why he was pursuing the matter. It wasn’t like he was in the market for taking on a boy like Josef. He didn’t know the first thing about young kids—especially modern ones, and Josef was definitely modern. Ferro considered himself a throwback to the old days.
They have a son. He was or is very jealous of Josef— at least it feels that way to me when he says the things to Josef that he does. I have no real way of reading him unless he was here. I feel sad for him as well. The misunderstanding of youth when parents are not paying close attention can be brutal.
Ferro didn’t know about that. His parents were long gone from the world and it was difficult to access any real memory of his childhood. He did know they had instilled a sense of duty and honor in him.
