Carpathian 16 - Dark Demon

to slip past the safeguards woven around the door. She didn't want to think of the possibilities of what that would mean.
    Vikirnoff watched Natalya through half closed eyes.
    Even in the darkened the room, his eyes burned, but he couldn't look away from her.
    Natalya seemed to glow. Power radiated from her, surged in the air around them. Electricity snapped and crackled. Natalya's hair flowed around her, rising upward toward the ceiling.
    Her hands pressed forward, her voice never ceasing.
    Something shimmered in the room. Transparent. A shadow, bent over and creeping along on the floor. Natalya could barely see it as it inched toward the bed. Insubstantial, the shadow was made of ever-moving black and gray smoke. Fierce flames burned in the eerie red eyes. For a moment her heart ceased to beat, then it went into overtime, pounding so hard she was afraid it would leap out of her chest.

    Vikirnoff. This is a shadow warrior . There was awe in her voice and ragged horror.
    Better to face three vampires and a legion of humans.
    You must leave now.
    She wanted to leave. She was so frightened it amounted to terror. You cannot defeat a shadow warrior in your condition. Even if you weren't so badly wounded, it's full day. The sun alone would put you at a terrible disadvantage. I can't leave you defenseless .
    Listen to me, Natalya. This thing is legendary. I have only heard of them and their skills.
    I have never faced one. But even if you were a seasoned hunter at full strength it is said that no one can hope to win a battle with a shadow warrior. We thought them long gone from this world.
    Natalya watched as the whirling cloud of vapor stood fully upright. Most of the time, the creature appeared to be nothing more than smoke, but there were moments she caught a brief glimpse of armor. The flames in the sunken eyes burned madly as the creature looked around the room. All the while the smoke was in constant motion, swirls of gray and black that seemed no more than a vague transparent film.
    Self-preservation was strong in her and Natalya looked longingly at the drape-covered window. Why isn't he attacking ?
    Vikirnoff could lie passive, conserving his strength in order to have one chance at saving Natalya. There was no sense in wasting time arguing with her. She was strong-willed and he doubted if the bond between lifemates would even allow her to leave on her own. That bond, coupled with her personality, would make it impossible. He had to wait for an opportunity to use everything he had to save her life. Legend says movement attracts them.
    He is not paying any attention to you, but he searches for me .
    The shadow was moving through the room slowly. Once, the gray smoke passed over Natalya and the thing hesitated, but moved on. Only the ancient wise ones used the shadow warriors .
    There was only one ancient wise one capable of commanding the shadow warrior, Natalya.
    Her heart sank. Xavier. She was well aware of the legendary rumor that she knew was a fact. Xavier, her grandfather, the dark mage, had been the one to create the weapon.
    Unfortunately she didn't know how they could be destroyed. She lifted her chin. Perhaps she was somehow responsible for this attack.
    Taking a deep breath, she reached for her sword and in one smooth motion, stepped in front of the near-helpless Carpathian.
    What do you think you are doing ? His breath left his body in a rush of fear. His chest lifted and fell and that small action combined with Natalya's movements caused the shadow warrior to swivel its head directly around toward him, the flaming eyes glowing with fervor for the kill.
    Don't talk. I can't be distracted . She was already sweating, not a good sign.
    Natalya watched the insubstantial shadow closely. The warrior raised its sword in the traditional manner. She raised hers in answer.
    Vikirnoff watched her, his heart in his throat. She appeared perfectly balanced, her body light and graceful. Rather than a linear pattern, she moved with circular, gliding footwork, deflecting the warrior's sword as it arced toward Vikirnoff. Metal clashed on metal and sparks flew. Natalya danced away, slicing at the shadow as she glided once more directly into the path between Vikirnoff and the warrior. Her sword sliced through empty air.
    The warrior turned directly toward Natalya. He grew in stature and substance, taking on a much more solid and powerful form. He towered over her, the flickering red of his eyes, tracking her every