Carpathian 17 - Dark Curse

everything in their path.
    Vikirnoff shepherded the women back down along the tube winding through the chambers, leading back toward the entrance where they had originally entered the cave. Large chunks of ice slammed down, the caves Page 198

    Christine Feehan: Dark Curse
    crumbling as they ran. Nicolas waved his hand and stayed the huge weight, holding the ice chunks just the few seconds so the women could run through, towing the dragon bodies and then hastily staying the next series. It took tremendous concentration and timing to stay just ahead of the small group while he ran, too.
    Water went from a trickle to a continuous pour, so that from every wall and the ceiling water flowed into their escape tunnel.
    It will only take minutes for this to become a waterfall, Lara warned. The force of the water alone can kill. It\'s designed to sweep anything surviving back into his lair .
    Just run!
    Nicolas had already figured out what the next attack would be. He was beginning to know his enemy. Xavier was mage, and mage, like Carpathian, used the elements and whatever was simplest and available. Xavier was a master at simplicity. Water was turning torrential, hammering down in a long fall from several steep places to roar to the floor.
    The water kicked up an icy spray, the particles tiny such as Xavier had in his laboratory, so the danger was inhaling and freezing the lungs. It was Vikirnoff he warned, because he had to shut himself off from the danger to Lara in order to be one hundred percent focused on keeping them all alive.
    Mask everyone.
    Vikirnoff did so ruthlessly, not asking, simply constructing and fitting masks to everyone as they ran. Twice Natalya glanced over her shoulder as if she might fall back to help protect the flank, but Vikirnoff said something sharply and she renewed her efforts to drag Lara through the tunnel and with Lara, the two dragons.
    The water burst through every wall, broke through the ceiling. Nicolas used the huge chunks of ice against it, hastily building ice dams several feet thick, staying the water from filling the tunnel. The waterfalls were cold, so it was the battering rather than the temperature that took the toll on the ice dam.
    Vikirnoff veered off through a series of chambers. The moment they exited the tube, Nicolas sealed it-a temporary hold, but he only needed to buy them minutes. As he raced after the women and Vikirnoff, Nicolas noted the change in the feel of his surroundings. His scanning of the chambers ahead picked up movement, although nothing registered as a life form.
    It is possible you are going to be running into shadow warriors again. Before entering the chamber leading to the entrance, back off and let me take the lead. I will draw their attention and let you slip past with the women.
    Nicolas noted that the dragons were thawing along with the ice cave. The bodies were harder to control. He was going to have to give them completely into Vikirnoff\'s care.
    They are awakening and will need to be reassured. You, Natalya and Lara will need to cope, Vikirnoff.
    He glanced at the dragons as he put on a burst of speed and slipped past. The moment Vikirnoff halted their forward progress, the two bodies lay on the floor. As the blood began to unfreeze, the muscles locked and contorted. He couldn\'t imagine the pain they had to be in.
    Lara knelt beside her aunts, murmuring reassurances, trying to touch their minds and let them know what was Page 199

    Christine Feehan: Dark Curse
    happening. Bronnie looked up at her, blinking her enormous emerald eyes, tears swimming there.
    Auntie Bronnie. It\'s Lara. I came back for you.
    The dragon turned her head and stretched to cover her sister with her chin, her touch gentle when her body went rigid, contorted and then relaxed again. Starved . The single word was a croak.
    Can you shift to human form? Natalya can clothe you and we can give you blood. The idea made her stomach lurch, but to save her aunts, she was willing to do anything.
    The great emerald eyes blinked and then turned to look at Natalya.
    She stared at her niece for one long, emotion-laden moment. No strength .
    Put the images you need in Natalya\'s head and she can hold them for you. Vikirnoff will help send you strength. We have little time. Xavier is sending his guardians after us.
    Natalya and Vikirnoff held the images Branislava provided and the dragons disappeared, leaving two women lying on the floor of the ice cave. Natalya had provided clothes for