Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

burst into the air in a spinning cyclone so that everything went white. She felt the impact of his blow on her left side, slamming her down and over the male. The blow might have killed a human; as it was she felt bones crack under the force.
    Ivory rolled and rocked forward, allowing the momentum to take her to her feet in a half-crouch, ignoring the waves of pain coursing through her body. She turned in a circle. Sergey was gone. There was silence, broken only by heavy, ragged breathing. Ivory sagged, the strength leaving her body in a rush.
    On hands and knees she crawled to Farkas as the other wolves circled around them. Ivory gathered the wolf into her arms, judging how much time she had to heal him. She was definitely weak and needed blood.
    Gary pushed himself to his feet. “Are you all right?―
    â€œYes. Thank you.― It came out stiffer than she intended.
    â€œHow did the ghoul get that child? Why was he not kept safe?― She cast him a swift look of reprimand, her hand stroking gently along the back of her wolf, finding the breaks along the spine.
    â€œHe is the adopted child of Sara and Falcon and, although psychic, is human. During the day the children attend school and participate in the regular activities other children in the village have. Falcon and Sara have guardians in place. I was with several of them in the schoolhouse, but Travis had gone to attend a function with a woman who helps us out. We had no idea there was a threat in the area.―

    Ivory sighed. “Master vampires have learned to hide their presence from hunters. Some of the lesser vampires have slowly been acquiring the skill as well. Your hunters should know that and take better precautions.―
    Above them, thunder boomed and an answering crash blasted across the sky as if two powerful forces met and clashed in the heavens above them.
    Sergey had sent another blast toward them, hoping to score a hit from a distance, but an unseen hand had sheltered them.
    The energy was much closer, and she knew she didn’t have much time. She had to leave before the Carpathian hunters arrived.
    Another burst of energy swept through the area, rocking the earth and making the trees tremble. Several rocks dislodged and rolled, drawing Ivory’s attention to the pieces of metal strewn through the snow. She raised her palm, calling them back to her, careful that each piece was found and placed in a small pouch on her belt.
    Gary frowned. “What are those?―
    â€œWeapons.― She shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to draw attention to her secret. “I have to take care of my wolf. You can leave the crossbow here and go with my thanks.―

    â€œI think I’ll wait until I’m certain you’re all right.―
    Ivory gave a dismissing grunt, closed her eyes and laid her hands over the wolf ’s broken bones, drawing as much energy as she dared to heal Farkas enough so that he could at least travel. Light burst from beneath her palms and radiated heat along the animal’s spine.
    â€œWould you give him blood?― Ivory looked up at the man standing above her.
    â€œWhat?―
    â€œI am not asking for myself. He needs blood to heal. He will not harm you, I guarantee you.― She kept her gaze locked with his. “I would not force you. It is solely your choice.―
    Gary crouched down beside the woman, aware of the five large wolves pressing close to him. None of them acted threatening, but they were big brutes and fierce looking. Some had burns in their fur and around their muzzles from the acid blood where they’d taken the ghoul down. Up close he could see numerous old scars from other battles. He laid the crossbow next to her hand and nodded, rolling up his sleeve.
    Ivory handed him a knife. Gary took it and without hesitation cut across his skin and pressed his wrist to the wolf ’s muzzle. The wolf licked at the blood while Ivory murmured a soft healing chant. “Enough,― she said, only minutes later. “That will get us traveling. I am in your debt.―
    â€œLet me give you blood,― Gary offered. “If you wait, the others will be here soon and they can heal your wounds.―
    â€œWe are here,― said a voice behind them.
    Ivory gasped and spun around, taking up her crossbow and aiming the arrow at the heart of the newcomer. She hadn’t heard him approach,