Dark Slayer

Vikirnoff closed his eyes and sent his mind seeking the blood trail. It was lost in the mist. Not even the faintest trace remained. «They probably dissolved into mist and are mixed in this thick soup. I could spend months trying to trace them.»

«You will not find them,» Gregori said.

Tomas, Mataias and Lojos returned. «We are chasing phantoms. They play with us, but they are no longer here.»

Vikirnoff shook his head. «I hope your prince knows what he is doing, Gregori.»

«Our prince,» Gregori said. «Each of you swore allegiance.» This time there was no amusement. None. The silver eyes glinted at each of the hunters as if marking them. «Ivory and Razvan refused the offer of the book. Mikhail tested them in every way and they passed each test. I cannot say the same for any of you.»

He simply dissolved and streamed away, up and over the forest with its spider colony, back toward Carpathian territory, leaving the others to follow.

CHAPTER 15

«I think you have a devious mind,» Ivory said as she once again resumed her physical form, standing in the memory room of her lair. «Leading the hunters into the Valley of Mist and then going beneath the ground rather than through the mist was a stroke of genius. There was no way they could track us, not even through the call of blood.»

«The earth welcomes us and covers all tracks. I knew they could never follow our scent, even with the call of blood.» Razvan grinned at her. «I would have liked to have been there when they realized they were trapped in an illusion and fighting with snowmen, not ghouls.» He burst out laughing.

She stretched her arms wide to allow the wolves to take their normal shapes. «We did not make any friends.»

«We do not need friends. In any case, if they are without emotions, they could care less one way or the other.» He frowned. «I do not envy Mikhail his job.»

«Especially trying to destroy that book. He has no idea of the evil things inside of it.»

Razvan was silent for a long moment. «I should have spoken with him more about the book and its destruction. I dislike the idea of my aunts having to deal with anything involved with Xavier, but they, better than anyone else, would know how best to destroy the book.»

The concern in his voice moved her. The man had more compassion in him and more drive to protect those he loved than any person she'd ever met. Ivory turned toward him, her gaze drifting over him slowly. He took up a lot of space there in the confines of her home. His shoulders were broad and his physique very masculine. There was little soft about Razvan, although he had the calmest, most serene nature she'd ever run across as a rule. He glanced up and caught her looking at him.

Her heart leapt. There was stark, raw hunger in his eyes, glittering at her, devouring her, drinking her in. Her mouth went dry. They were alone. She moistened her lips. Wanting him. Even needing him. Fear gripping her.

«Razvan.» His name came out husky, her voice shaken.

His smile was slow, his voice as thick as molasses. «Ivory.»

The way he said her name made her body go hot and damp and her heart pound more. There would be no going back. It was all or nothing with him, she knew that about him. Once he touched her, claimed her, made her part of him, she would be lost. Completely. How much of her would disappear? She ached for this. For him. She was on fire for him. Almost desperate, when desperate wasn't part of her makeup.

She held up a shaky hand before he could take a step toward her. «If you ever betrayed me, I would kill you. I would, Razvan. You have to know that. There would be no forgiveness. I have not trusted another person in centuries. Others do not matter, but you-you would matter.»

«I would expect nothing less from my woman.»

A slow, sexy smile curved his mouth and burned in his eyes. Hunger stared back at her. Desire. Lust. All things she could cope with. But there was love, pure and honest and so real it took her breath away, shaking her to her very core. Something inside her welled up. Burst. Opened to him. For him. This one man. If she took him in, her love for him would consume her. She had so much to give, but she'd been alone for so long . . .

He held out his hand to her. «I have been alone, too.»

She wanted to make him understand the enormity of the decision. Did he know what it would cost her? Did he know how terrified she was? Did he have any idea how bad she was going to be at a relationship?

His smile widened, giving her a flash of his white teeth. He leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss over her mouth. There was no way to save herself from her treacherous heart. She had already committed to him. She had fallen for his smile. His gentle nature. His iron will. Everything about him drew her. Even his stubborn streak and that absolute boyish sense of humor. Everything.