Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

shoulder down her arm to tangle his fingers with hers.

    Gregori came striding into the healing cave, going straight to his lifemate. He took her hand, brought it to his heart and stood quietly looking into her eyes, obviously encouraging her.
    â€œGregori,― Razvan said, “we brought you a gift of pure, untouched soil. We can bring it to the laboratory and have your people examine it to make certain it is fit for your lifemate. Perhaps the soil will buy you the time you need to prepare for the children.―
    Gregori inclined his head, his attention remaining on holding his daughters to their mother while they struggled and clung to life. “You must hurry.―
    The weariness in Gregori’s voice shook Razvan. He knew how difficult it was to remove a fragment of evil, and Gregori was already stretched thin from trying to keep his children and lifemate alive.
    â€œCan you hold off the birth three or four hours to give Ivory the chance to test whether or not she can neutralize the mutated microbes within Syndil?―
    â€œShe is advancing fast. I will try.― Gregori sounded doubtful.
    â€œWhat of the boy, Travis?― Razvan had great sympathy for the child. Travis obviously loved Falcon and tried to look and act like him. He followed the Carpathian everywhere. He would be ashamed at having attacked Mikhail, even though he wasn’t to blame.
    Just as you were not , Ivory pointed out, her fingers tightening around his.
    â€œTravis will be fine,― Gregori said. “I removed the fragment and destroyed it. There are two left. We checked everyone who was there. I know you are clean of the mage’s taint, but are you certain one did not enter Ivory?―
    â€œIvory is clean of his evil as well.―
    â€œThen two more fragments are making their way back to Xavier. They will need hosts.― Gregori sighed. “That was my mistake. I wasn’t fast enough to incinerate them.―
    â€œI doubt you could have done much in the midst of an all-out battle,― Razvan said. “I am glad the boy is all right.―
    â€œHe loves Mikhail as well as Falcon.― Gregori stopped abruptly and shook his head. They both knew the psychological damage the child would have from the incident.
    Razvan took a breath and his gaze met Ivory’s across the room, knowing she was thinking exactly what he was—Xavier had to be destroyed. He started to clap Gregori on the shoulder in sympathy, but let his hand fall to his side. He’d never had friends, and was unsure the protocol one used.

    Ivory looked around the healing chamber. “I need a different place. Somewhere quiet. Healer, you must have a laboratory.―
    â€œShea does,― Syndil answered. “A very good one. I can take you there.―
    â€œHurry,― Gregori urged. “Francesca and I will do what we can.―
    Savannah let out a muffled sob and shook her head. “The little one, Gregori. She is so weak. I am losing her.―
    Ivory had taken a step away to follow Syndil but she turned back toward the birthing bed to see Gregori crouch down beside his lifemate. The frightening Carpathian who always looked invincible and all-powerful seemed so weary and more vulnerable than she thought possible. She hesitated and then went back to him. “Do you talk to her?―
    â€œYes, but she is not listening.― There was a wealth of sorrow in Gregori’s voice.
    Ivory looked around her at the quietly sobbing women. Even Raven could not hold back her tears. Ivory bit down on her lip and closed her eyes. At once the anguish emanating from the women assailed her.
    Gregori, feel the energy in this room. If she is highly sensitive, she will feel what I do—what you do. They believe—you believe—all of you believe she is already lost. Let me talk to her through you, through our connection. I have some experience with the will to live. Meanwhile, change the atmosphere in here. Anyone who cannot remain positive must remove their presence from this chamber .
    Gregori looked at her and then to Francesca. He was too close to the sorrow, and Savannah’s anguish consumed him.
    Francesca nodded her head.
    Thank you . Gregori said. Please do speak to her .
    The singing changed to the Carpathian lullaby, a soft musical melody, voices raised in song to soothe the babies as labor