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Luciano Orsini came toward him, arms held wide, and Jake didn’t hesitate. He walked into them and hugged Orsini tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

I’m going to give you two some space.

Jake broke the embrace and stared at Nicholas. “You don’t have to.”

Nicholas smiled. “Yes, I do. We’ve already doneourcatching-up—now it’s time for some more.” He bowed his head toward Orsini. “Signore, I look forward to speaking with you later.” And with that, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Orsini arched his eyebrows. “I am a little confused. Who is he? And why did that exchange seem so strange?”

“Probably because you only heard the part that was said out loud. Which allows me to answer your first question. That was Nicholas, and he’s my mate.” The words were easier to say now, but they still filled Jake with a sense of awe.

Orsini’s mouth fell open. “But this is wonderful.” He gestured to the couch. “May we sit? I have so many questions for you.”

“Of course.”

Once they were comfortable, Orsini regarded him with an intense gaze.

“They took you as soon as you left the archive, didn’t they?”

Jake nodded. “I never even made it across the bridge.”

“I told no one of your presence, I swear.”

He gaped. “No, please. Put that from your mind. It was nothingyoudid that caused this.”

“But why did they do it?”

Although Jake had asked himself that same question many times during the last thirty years, it was only recently that he’d formulated a theory.

“You remember why my professor suggested I visit you?”

Orsini nodded. “He said your… skills would prove useful. And you were right, by the way. That document was—”

“A forgery?” Jake smiled. “Aelryn told me. Well, I think the Gerans got wind of my visit and were curious to see what I could glean. And maybe that’s also why they’ve been testing the limits of my skills these last few years.”

“And is there a limit?”

Jake smiled. “I think their testing has had an unforeseen consequence. It allowed me to hone my gift, to develop new ones.” He cocked his head to one side. “Has Aelryn told you why I asked for you to be brought here?”

Orsini’s eyes shone. “Indeed. I must be honest, I have slept little since Aelryn’s call. And it is my first time outside the archive for many, many years.”

“How long have you been there now?” Jake knew Orsini’s father had brought him to the Castel Sant’Angelo when he was just a child, but he had no idea how many years ago that had been.

Orsini’s lips twitched. “Long enough that I am not going to tell you. I prefer to keep my age a mystery. But tell me something… this Geran you saw in your vision. Aelryn spoke of this. It really is Theron?”

Jake nodded. “And I’m convinced he is the leader of all Gerans. Whatever artifacts we find in his castle, they will find their way to the archive. I want you with us to see to their safe passage. And I would like to come back to Rome with you to examine them.”

Orsini beamed. “But there is no question of you not returning with me. I will need you.” He clasped Jake’s hands, his face tight. “I am sorry for all the losses you have suffered, but I rejoice that you have found your family again.” He smiled. “I imagine you find the world a very different place from the one you left.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Understatement of the century. Can I ask you… with all the years you’ve spent researching shifters, have you found anything that has surprised you?”

He chuckled. “I have seen things that have completely changed the way I think.”

“Such as?”

Orsini stroked his chin. “We’re a diverse collection of shifters, yet we all—or almost all—share traits in common. While the bulk of us prefer human form, there are a large number who give themselves over to their animals, opting to live their lives on four legs—or no legs, in the case of some aquatic shifters—instead of being people.”

“Why, do you think?” Jake couldn’t imagine living his life as a tiger.