Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

condemnation from everyone. He was the most despised Carpathian alive, worse than the vampires, and although Mikhail and Gregori chose to welcome him, he saw distrust in the eyes of the others. He didn’t want nor need acceptance from them—only from Ivory.
    Keep walking away from the direction of our home. The snow will cover our tracks, but anyone will be able to track the blood scent. Just up ahead, we will have to close all wounds .
    Razvan almost couldn’t hear past our home . His stomach tightened. Home. Our home. The idea of it was comforting and frightening at the same time. He glanced at her through the thickening snow. Her face was turned away from his. She looked ethereal striding through the snow, like an ice princess, not the warrior he knew her to be.
    They stopped beneath the shelter of several large trees. The high canopy kept the snow from falling on them while they examined themselves for poisonous parasites and took a few minutes to close every wound and scratch. The ones on their legs were the worst.
    â€œThe bats are more effective attacking from the ground,―
    Ivory explained.
    Razvan glanced at her. She studiously avoided his gaze. His heart gave a funny little wrench. She was nervous. The slayer, a warrior beyond measure, was nervous being alone with him.
    He hadn’t considered that she might be more nervous than he was.
    â€œXavier wanted them to bring back blood,― Razvan explained. “That was his original purpose, but they were so vicious he began to expand his ideas.―
    When they were both finished, Ivory insisted they look one another over a second time.
    â€œYou are very thorough,― he commented.
    â€œIt is how I stay alive. How we will stay alive. You have to learn if you are going to stay with me. And you are free to go, if you wish.―
    Her lashes lifted and she flicked him a quick gaze. He couldn’t tell from her expression whether she hoped he’d choose to go. He shook his head. “I will stay, and Ivory, have no fear, I am a quick learner. I can play dumb if need be, but I am not.―
    â€œI have kept my lair safe for hundreds of years, even when I was slowly carving out the passageways. There are no traces of anyone around or near my resting place. I do not hunt close by.
    I never leave tracks. I am careful there is no scent. I do not go out every night. I live quietly and avoid people as much as possible.― She looked at him, for the first time meeting his eyes. “When I do go out it is for one purpose only: to gather information on Xavier. If it takes a hundred lifetimes, I will find a way to destroy him.―
    He nodded his head. “I understand.―
    â€œI am not certain you do. It is my sole purpose for existing. I care nothing for society. I do not want friends. I do not know how to be civil other than for the purpose of obtaining information. Are you prepared for that?―
    A slow smile welled up from the pit of his stomach and settled on his mouth. He saw her catch her breath, and then she looked away from him.
    â€œI do not have friends, nor will society welcome me. I have more reason than any other to want to destroy Xavier.―
    â€œIf you truly want to learn from me, then heed this. You cannot let this become personal. It is a duty, a sacred duty. You must pray and meditate until you are absolutely certain that you are on the right path. Will you give me your word of honor that you will do that?―
    Razvan waited until she looked at him. “You have my word.
    Let us go home.― He dissolved before she could find another reason to protest.
    She led the way, choosing a route high enough that they were a part of the dark clouds moving in silence across the sky.
    Razvan took note of the landmarks, the rising mountains, the lakes and streams and surrounding countryside. The snow was dazzling white, the air crisp and clean, refreshing after so many centuries of smelling blood and death, yet the wide-open spaces were disorienting. His life had been underground, confined to a small prison room unless Xavier was using his body.
    Ivory’s voice interrupted his thoughts. We are coming up on the lair. Always approach it from a variety of directions, never the same one. Scan carefully. Better to sleep elsewhere for one night than lose our fortress to the enemy. There is a warning system in place. I have to reprogram it to allow you