Dark Slayer

Gregori huffed out another breath, a man driven beyond endurance by his stubborn unborn child, but his fingers lingered with loving strokes. Savannah laid her hand over his and they stood quietly a moment, feeling the presence of their daughters, surrounding the twins with love.

The knock on the door was expected and Gregori opened it to Syndil and her lifemate, Barack. One was never far from the other, he'd noticed. He welcomed both of them with a traditional Carpathian greeting. «Pesasz jelabam ainaak-long may you stay in the light.»

Syndil and Barack responded in kind and stepped into the house. «How are you feeling, Savannah?» Syndil asked.

«Very pregnant,» Savannah replied with a small smile. «If I get any bigger I might pop.»

«It is good to gain, especially with twins,» Gregori said. «You are right where you're supposed to be.»

«He monitors me carefully to make certain the babies are growing properly,» Savannah explained. She leaned in to kiss Barack on the cheek, ignoring Gregori's sharp reprimand.

There is no need for kissing.

Savannah laughed again and rubbed her cheek against Gregori's shoulder affectionately.

«Mikhail sent word that you wished to talk to me.»

Gregori indicated for her to sit. Barack sank into the seat beside her and took her hand.

«I am certain you've heard the news, that Razvan has escaped Xavier and that Ivory Malinov is alive. You were not raised in the Carpathian Mountains, and did not know the rumors of these two, but suffice it to say it is a shock to everyone to find out all we believed of them is wrong.»

Syndil tangled her fingers with Barack's. It always surprised Gregori to realize this one woman who wielded so much power was so shy and humble. She walked on the ground and new life sprang up after her. She danced and sang and toxic soil was restored to health. They had chanced on the knowledge, the prince spotting her healing an entire battlefield destroyed by vampire venom. She had been so quiet about her talent, so modest, no one would have ever known had Mikhail not seen her gift with his own eyes.

Syndil merely nodded her head, shifting just a little toward Barack. He moved closer to her, slipping his arm around her shoulders.

Gregori sighed. «I have no right to ask this of you. Indeed, it may be risky.»

Barack frowned.

«The pair encountered a master vampire and took him on in order to save a family. While Razvan has little or no experience fighting, Ivory is an extraordinary warrior. Together they managed to hurt him and run him off, but at great cost to their bodies.»

«You know I would aid you,» Syndil said, her soft voice musical, «but I am no healer.»

«I would disagree with that statement, Syndil.» Gregori leaned forward. «You understand the earth better than most. You hear her talking to you, crying out when she's wounded, and you're able to fix every injury.»

«That's different.» Syndil waved a dismissing hand. «Not at all like healing a wounded Carpathian.»

«I cannot do what you do,» Gregori said. «I do not always hear our mother speaking to us. This couple, what is happening with them, I do not understand-and I've tried. I listen to Mother Earth, but she whispers and I can't comprehend what she is saying. They are suffering. In agony. Both of them.» He hung his head and ran both hands through his hair in agitation. «I'm helping them, yes, but so slowly, and each night that passes and I go to them, they feel untold pain.»

«What would you have Syndil do?» Barack asked.

Gregori shook his head. Savannah perched on the arm of his chair and slipped her arm around him, her fingers sliding into his hair to soothe him. «Just tell them, Gregori. Let them decide.»

«I have never seen anything like what is happening. Razvan's body was hacked up, literally. He had his arm chopped off and in pieces. He had six spear holes, three fatal. His wounds were horrendous. Slices all the way to the bone, in many cases cutting through the bone. The blood loss was unbelievable. Instead of attending his wounds, he aided her in the battle.»

Barack sat up straight. «And he survives?»

«So far-yes. I don't know how. She also had many wounds, and yet she managed to merge with him in some way; I do not know how. They are separate bodies, but their hearts beat as one, their minds are one. Even that is not the issue. If I have access to his arm, the rest of his body is encased completely in mineral, as if he is part of the earth itself. When I share their bodies, I hear the earth whispering. I can hear the rhythm of its heartbeat, but I can't understand what she is saying to them. Could this be? Could Mother Earth be healing them? Not just rejuvenating them?»

Syndil was silent, turning his words over and over in her mind. Barack said nothing, waiting for his lifemate to give her advice. It was her realm of expertise and he was inordinately proud of her. He never ceased to be shocked that his quiet little Syndil was consulted by every Carpathian, and the prince and Gregori often asked her counsel.