Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

to participate in. It was a wonder that he was sane. She moved through his brain, soaking in his memories until she felt saturated and ill. Yes, his body had been used time and again to commit crimes, but his spirit, the essence of who Razvan was, had not been present.
    She moved aside and allowed the healer entrance. They moved through his brain, searching carefully for evidence of Xavier.
    While they worked, they had to share Razvan’s burden of memories, of a life of pain and suffering, of mental anguish. Yet he had fought back, holding on to sanity, sometimes by a thin thread, by the toughness and honor that was inherently Dragonseeker. Her heart wept for that lonely warrior, and she felt Gregori, strong and disciplined, weep with her as he moved through Razvan’s memories, seeking to find anything that might be Xavier’s fingerprints—a way for Xavier to enter at will.
    There was no way to go through centuries of torment without it taking a toll. Ivory had to pull out and take a breath. Gregori followed her closely.
    â€œHe gave up his body when he was less than twenty to save his sister. And he inadvertently traded a piece of his soul for his daughter’s life.― Ivory lifted wet lashes to look at Gregori and then turned her head to her lifemate. “That is your greatest crime.―
    â€œOne of duty and love,― Gregori added. “You are no criminal, Razvan. You are a true Dragonseeker.― He sent a quick glance toward the prince. “No doubt I shall hear often how others recognized your true worth first.―
    â€œNo doubt,― Mikhail murmured.
    â€œCan you remove Xavier’s hold on my soul?― Razvan asked. “If he was to possess my body right now, he could see all of you, he could use me to strike at the prince, or at my own lifemate. I cannot take that kind of chance.―
    â€œIf Xavier found a way to mark an entrance to your body, then we can find a way to remove it,― Ivory said. “I have studied him carefully, and each time I run across a new work he has done, I have found the way to unravel it. I know this can be done.―

    Gregori drew in his breath. Did you hear what she said, Mikhail?
    I am not so old that I’m deaf .
    Gregori kept his grin to himself. These two have far more information on our enemy than we have managed to gain in the time we have been trying .
    We didn’t exactly know Xavier was alive until recently .
    â€œIvory,― Sara said. “Do you know a way to stop the endless cycle of his microbes? He’s mutated them in some way and grown them to penetrate the soil and find us. They cause miscarriages. Lara has been invaluable in trying to keep the women free, but she is only one person and cannot be turned fully until we find a permanent solution.―
    â€œIf Xavier has used his gifts for evil, I am certain I can undo whatever he has wrought. I have long studied his methods and successfully countered each of his spells.― Ivory spoke with confidence, not from bragging or ego, but obviously from experience. “I would have to study the microbes. Do you have samples?―
    â€œWe can get them,― Sara said.
    â€œI can take them to my laboratory.― Ivory glanced up at the night sky. “We have a few hours left, but not enough, so I will return here tomorrow and you can bring them to me. I have spent most of my time beneath the earth and I am extremely light sensitive.―
    We have a few things in common . Razvan’s flick of his dark eyes showed camaraderie. He had spent most of the last few centuries beneath the earth as well, in the ice caves, and he was equally as sensitive.
    Again there was that flood of warmth he associated with her.
    Comforting. Easing the aching loneliness that was such a part of him.
    â€œYou are welcome to come to my home. My lifemate is with child and staying close. She would very much like to meet you,― Mikhail offered. “And my brother’s lifemate, Shea, and Gary have been working nonstop on trying to find a solution. Perhaps if you spoke with them it might eliminate several steps for your work.―
    Ivory shrugged. “I thank you for the invitation, but until we know whether we can prevent Xavier from knowing our moves, it would be best to stay as far from you as possible.―
    â€œI agree,― Gregori said before Mikhail could