Dark Slayer

«I do not, Ivory. I ask you to endure as you have endured for so many centuries, your eye fixed on the task given to you. We have had this time. A stolen moment of happiness. What they do-or do not do-matters little to us.» He placed his hand over her heart, felt it beat into his palm. «We have a great purpose and we must see it through to the end.»

The sob in her throat threatened to choke her as she swallowed it back down. «You terrify me with your calm acceptance, Razvan.»

«I do not control others, Ivory, only myself. I do what I must, no matter the cost.»

«I will hate them with all of my heart if they harm you.»

«You are my light, Ivory. I need you to be that light. I count on that light.»

«You ask more from me than you would from yourself. You would slay them all if they touched me.»

«Yes.» His thumb traced her fine bone structure. «You are the miracle, Ivory, not me.»

His fingers curled around the nape of her neck and he pulled her to him and simply held her in his arms until the stiffness and tension drained from her body and she lay against him, pliant and soft. Their hearts beat the same rhythm. In tune. His soul moved against hers. She felt the brush of his lips in her hair and then he put her away from him.

«Give me your documents and the soil samples. I will let you know if we are clear. If not, I will see you on the other side.»

Reluctantly she handed them to him, ignoring that her hands were shaking. Razvan held out his arms and shrugged off the wolves, then knelt to bury his fingers in their fur, holding their heads and touching their faces as he rubbed their ears and necks before standing. When he turned away from her she caught his hand.

«Razvan.»

He took a breath and turned back to her. «Beloved?»

«You are my miracle.»

He smiled at her and walked away, carrying her words with him. It didn't take courage to walk into the lion's den. Whatever fate waited was nothing in comparison to what he had suffered at Xavier's hands. They would not torture him. Without Ivory they had nothing to hold over his head, no emotional pain they could give him. There was only death. He had accepted death as part of life a long time ago and he didn't fear it.

He walked with an easy pace, circling through the trees, making no attempt to hide his presence. He had left his weapons with Ivory, although he could summon them at will, and the Carpathians would know that.

He felt the first prickle of unease as he drew closer to the series of caves leading to the healing chambers. He knew they watched him. He heard the flutter of wings overhead as several owls settled onto the branches above his head. He kept walking.

Healer, I am coming in.

There was a small silence while Gregori relayed the information to others. Two owls floated down from the trees, shifting before they came to earth, resuming physical shapes. He recognized Falcon and Vikirnoff as they dropped in behind him to escort him. Above his head, the other owls took flight.

They have posted sentries, Ivory, and they are searching for you.

They will not find me.

He didn't allow his smile to show on his face as he entered the cave of healing. I do not doubt you are right. And he didn't. The Carpathian males continually underestimated Ivory. They should have known better, if they gave it any thought at all. Her bloodline. Her intelligence. Her determination to survive. Her hunting skills alone should have tipped them off that they were trying to chase a tiger.

Razvan continued into the tunnel connecting the series of caves. Grim-faced warriors were posted at each entrance. None of the faces were friendly. He felt the beat of their suspicions, the dark recrimination. He had been tried and convicted already. He didn't look at them as he walked past them, nor did he drop his head or quicken his pace. He felt, occasionally, the probe of a mind touch, but he had been with Xavier too long to ever allow anyone into his mind, no matter how strong the probe.

He knew that would only condemn him further in their eyes, but it mattered little to him. Gregori met him at the third entrance and fell into step.

«You know what they think.»

«How is my daughter?»

«The attack came at dawn as they were out hunting, a time most vampires, particularly a master vampire, rarely rise. They had to have information not only that Lara was the one needed, but exactly where they had gone to hunt.»

«How is my daughter?» Razvan repeated.