Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

not felt before. He did this to her. Or he was part of it .
    Mikhail closed his eyes for a moment. She has reason to hate my family .
    Undoubtedly .
    Do you feel animosity toward the Carpathian people? Would she try to destroy us?

    There is great resolve, but not to end your life or to destroy us.
    Her determination is bred into her bones. I would like to know more of this woman .
    Gregori shed his physical body once more and reentered Ivory, paying attention to the bones and organs, bathing them in healing light as he passed through, examining her blood and cells for the infestation of parasites. He forced more of the intruders from her body through her pores, incinerating them as they wiggled in the snow, trying to find a target. It was a messy, exhausting business, and she sank into the snow, her strength finally giving out.
    Her wolves pushed close, forming a circle of protection, with Ivory and the healer’s body inside. Gregori was dependent on Falcon to keep his physical form safe while he worked, and the ancient Carpathian remained very still, watching the wolves very carefully.
    While Gregori worked, the knife never wavered, nor did Razvan ask anything about his family. His entire concentration was on Ivory’s safety. He watched the others, leaving it to her wolf pack to warn him should Gregori try anything to harm her. That took discipline and restraint. At no time did the blade of the knife penetrate the prince’s skin.

    Mikhail allowed his body to breathe naturally. “Gregori is a tremendous healer. He will make certain no parasites remain.―
    â€œI appreciate his service.―
    â€œYou have no need to continue to hold me hostage,―
    Mikhail said. “Gregori snarls and snaps, but he has no wish to harm your lifemate, only to heal her. He is driven by his code. He will not be so understanding over your continued threats. I have given my word for safe passage for both of you.
    It would be foolish to escalate the situation when your woman will need care.―
    Razvan held the knife for a few more moments, as if weighing the truth of Mikhail’s words and then the knife disappeared and he stepped back into the shadows where he had a clear path to all three male Carpathians.
    Mikhail didn’t move out of striking distance, maintaining his show of faith. Falcon glided a little closer so that he was in a better position to insert his body between the prince and potential harm should there be need.
    â€œTell me, Razvan,― Mikhail said, “does Xavier still truly live?― He studied the gray-streaked hair. Few Carpathians went gray; only the gravest of all injuries could produce that kind of damage to a Carpathian. When looking closely the prince could see signs of suffering etched into the worn face. Razvan was a handsome man, but he looked older, weathered.
    â€œHe does,― Razvan confirmed.
    â€œDoes he possess your body at will?―
    â€œHe does,― Razvan answered, without flinching.
    â€œAlthough for the first time, I was able to keep him out. I have never been at this strength before, so it is possible, with time, I can learn to keep him at bay.―
    Falcon stirred, his dark eyes looking deep into the shadows as if he might see their oldest, most dangerous enemy. “Do you endanger your lifemate?―
    â€œI am a danger to anyone near.―
    Mikhail flicked Falcon a quick, quelling glance. “How is it you came to escape?―
    â€œThe last attack on the ice cave forced him to move me from the chamber where I was normally held. He had little time to prepare, and it wasn’t as secure. I had not been fed in days. I believe he thought me too weak to make the attempt.― Razvan shrugged.
    Mikhail studied the face ravaged by hardship. That small shrug told him a lot about the man. He wasn’t asking for sympathy, nor was he apologizing for the life he’d been forced to lead. Those simple sentences spoke volumes.

    Mikhail bowed. “You are a true Dragonseeker.― No Dragonseeker had ever succumbed to the darkness preying on the males of their species. If anyone had reason to embrace bitterness, hatred and anger, it was Razvan, if all that was suspected was correct. “We are in a battle for our very existence. Perhaps there are things you can tell us that might aid in our fight to save our children. Lara has been invaluable to us.―
    Razvan