Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

changed and she couldn’t count on her instincts.
    They rounded another corner and Ivory nearly stepped down onto a floor of rock and ice. At the last second she pulled her foot back, studying the floor. Razvan came up beside her and Vikirnoff and Natalya peered around her shoulders.

    â€œThis is classic Xavier,― Razvan said. “He always has a back door to escape and it usually is a trapdoor of some kind.
    This is not a man who will fight to the death. He runs away to fight another day. The squares indicate his pattern. In recent years, he has had trouble remembering, so he uses the same one all the time.― He looked over the floor. “Seven squares from the opening and to the left is most likely where his escape route is. This room will be well protected. The floor is a trap. He will have a nasty little pet. And do not step into water or touch it as it seeps from the walls.―
    Clapping startled them. Above, on the far wall, Xavier appeared, applauding. He looked smaller than Ivory remembered from her youth, and his face was lined and aged, but he was in surprising shape when he should have died centuries earlier. He wore long robes and his beard was a flowing white, perpetuating his reputation as a tremendously powerful wizard. Beside him was his staff, innocent-looking enough, but the crystal ball on the end glowed milky white, and she could make out the dark red spot in the center. Heart’s blood, in the shape of an eye, stared back at her, sending a chill down her spine.
    â€œGood then, boy. You have come home and you’ve brought guests with you,― Xavier greeted. The mage’s voice boomed out, and the walls rippled.

    Razvan stepped forward, his body partially blocking Ivory’s, keeping clear of her arms, but still putting him in a position to stop the force of the staff. He’d seen it too many times not to recognize the real threat to them all.
    The floor pitched, threatening to throw them into the room, but Ivory, Razvan and Vikirnoff steadied themselves. Natalya was on a slight incline and the sudden roll sent her staggering.
    She flung out her hand and her palm brushed the wall.
    Instantly the ice cracked and the weight of her body falling forward sent her hand and arm deep into the crack. The ice closed around her limb hard, slamming together, crushing bone, holding her tight. She tried to turn to mist, but her arm was held fast. She struggled as Vikirnoff whirled around to try to help her, frantically trying to dig her free while Natalya tried to heat the ice surrounding her arm to make it melt.
    Ivory’s gaze never left Xavier, watching for his next move.
    She was pleased that Razvan continued to watch as well. The mage deliberately had used Natalya to try to distract them.
    Already ice spiders poured from the cracks in the ice, rushing toward Natalya with their poisonous fangs.
    Lara was friends with the ice spiders , Razvan said. Turn them back on Xavier .
    Ivory, her gaze never leaving Xavier, immediately lifted her hands, tracing a pattern in the air.

    Spiders,
    spiders
    of
    crystal
    ice ,
    We
    are
    not
    the
    enemies
    you
    seek .
    We
    seek
    no
    malice ,
    Look
    to
    our
    hearts,
    see
    that
    which
    is
    pure
    Remembering Lara, a friend who was dear .
    At once the spiders halted, then turned abruptly, quickly crawling away from Natalya and back into their cracks.
    Tiny
    spiders
    of
    crystalline
    ice
    I
    call
    you
    now
    to
    weave
    and
    splice .
    Send
    forth
    your
    minions
    as
    to
    war
    To seek out evil, to banish it ever more .
    Spiders dropped silken nets from the ceiling, enfolding Xavier even as thousands poured from the ice in a rush to get him. The nets came up empty. Xavier appeared on the closest ledge, laughing. A second and a third Xavier appeared—all laughing—all three identical and all with staffs. The three wizards raised their arms and a wind rose, rushing through the chamber. The spiders immediately retreated, seeking the cracks in the ice and safety.
    Ivory refused to flinch or look away as the howling wind tore through the ice cave and straight at them, carrying ice missiles, large and small spears with deadly points. Watch for the vampire , she warned Razvan, never once taking her eyes from the wizard. Her hand swept up in a dis missive motion.

    That
    which
    is
    ice,
    I
    now
    command
    Bring
    forth
    a
    shield
    to
    protect
    and
    stand .
    Stand
    as
    guard,
    protect
    us
    all ,
    Deflect these spears