Carpathian 17 - Dark Curse

aloofness, a man who had seen countless battles and knew many were to come. A man without a life mate, driven by the madness of the dark spreading across his soul. He was Dimitri, guardian of the wolves, and he stood straight and looked other warriors in the eye, but he stood alone.
    The Carpathians gathered into a loose circle. Gregori waved his hand to light the candles placed along the curved walls of the chamber. Instantly the giant crystals burst into life, radiating muted colors. This was the one sacred place a hardened warrior could go, one who skated the edge of madness, and still feel a semblance of peace. Perhaps it was the hallucinations close proximity to the crystals combined with the intense heat produced, but once the candles were lit and the hallowed rituals begun, the hunters close to succumbing to darkness were revitalized for a short time.
    Page 50

    Christine Feehan: Dark Curse
    Some warriors claimed the barren gray world was more difficult to endure after the brief reprieve, but Nicolas had always found the warriors\' cavern a world of comfort that made sense in the craziness they lived. In long centuries that often ran together, the rituals were comforting, the old, traditional ways reassuring.
    \"We have much to discuss,\" Mikhail said. \"Thank you all for coming. Nicolas has brought us news that will help us understand the mindset of our enemies.\"
    The heat of the cave seeped under Nicolas\'s skin, in spite of his ability to regulate his temperature. Already he felt the crystals working on him, healing the small wounds in his body, providing clarity to his mind.
    Everything became sharper, much more focused, and the feeling of camaraderie deepened, so that he wanted to hear each warrior\'s opinion and could listen with an open mind to all views.
    Mikhail moved to the center of the crystal circle, standing beside a large blood red column of crystal minerals.
    Rising from the floor nearly to Mikhail\'s shoulder, it was one of the smallest in the room, but came to a point as sharp as a razor. He held his hand over the point of the crystal and the room grew instantly quiet, the Carpathians almost breathless in anticipation. When he spoke, he used the ancient language of his ancestors, the language still spoken by all their people.
    \"Blood of our fathers-blood of our brothers-we seek your wisdom, your experience and your counsel. Join with your brother-warriors and lend us your guidance through the blood bond. We pledge to our people, our unwavering loyalty, resolve in the face of adversity, swift and deadly retribution, compassion for those in need, strength and endurance through the centuries and above all, we will live with honor. Our blood connects us.\"
    Mikhail dropped his palm over the point of the crystal and it cut through his flesh easily. Rich, red blood immediately coated the top of the column. \"Our blood mingles and calls to you. Heed our summons and join with us now.\"
    As the blood of the prince mingled with that of the warriors who had gone before, the crystals were illuminated, throwing off lights and color like the aurora-swirling reds lit the room, emerald green banded in waves across the wall. The ever-changing spectacle pulsed with life, recognizing the prince of the Carpathian people.
    A low murmur rose into a strong chant as the gathered Carpathians began their age-old ritual. \"Veri isäakank-veri ekäakank. Veri olen elid. Andak veri-elidet Karpatiiakank, és wäke-sarna ku meke arwa-arvo, irgalom, hän ku agba, és wäke kutni, ku manaak verival. Veri isäakank-veri ekäakank.
    Verink sokta; verink ka?a terád. Akasz énak ku ka?a és juttasz kuntatak it. Blood of our fathers-blood of our brothers. Blood is life. We offer that life to our people with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy, integrity and endurance. Blood of our fathers-blood of our brothers. Our blood mingles and calls to you. Heed our summons and join with us now.\"
    Gregori stepped in front of Mikhail and dropped to one knee. \"I offer my life for our people. I pledge my loyalty to them through our blood bond.\" He dropped his hand on the crystal point, allowed the precious gift to mingle with Mikhail\'s blood, with the blood of every ancestor who had gone before. Then he offered his hand to Mikhail.
    \"As vessel of our people, I accept your sacrifice.\" Mikhail solemnly answered the pledge, taking the blood offered so that he could always find Gregori wherever he might be, any time,