Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

squeezing hard on her chest. Obviously the spell wore off faster than she’d hoped.

    â€œGive chase. Follow me, little sister, and you may have a chance to save the puny mortals and their disgusting whelps. If not I will kill and feed on them as well as your precious wolf pack. Follow me and your dog of a lifemate dies if he is not already gone from this world. Choose. And live with the choosing.―
    Ivory reached out to her wolf pack. They were carrying the two children and the two adults across the miles of rugged terrain on their backs, racing toward Mikhail’s home deep in the mountains. The pass was still open, but with the terrible storm brewing, she doubted if it would be for long. If they were forced to take a longer route through the upper mountains, they would be at a disadvantage as Sergey streaked across the sky to intercept them.
    The vampire is after you. Call to the prince. Call to the hunters. I cannot aid you . She sent the warning to her beloved brothers and sisters. It was all she could do, she realized with a sinking heart. She could not allow Razvan to die.
    There was a stirring in her mind. Weak. Flickering. Save the children .
    She refused to argue, to answer. She would not let Razvan die.
    Ivory turned back, circling the farm once to make certain there was no feel of danger before she dropped down into the remains of what once had been a snug house. There was blood and flesh and bone, splintered walls and mud and debris. There was Razvan lying on the floor in a pool of blood, his arm and hand a distance away.
    Ivory returned the pieces to his body. Five spears remained in his body, along with a large hole where the sixth had been. She drew a deep, shuddering breath. His sides heaved as he tried to drag in air. His eyes were closed, and all wound sites were sealed, although there was enough blood on the floor to make her think it was too late to seal anything off.
    I need to know that you live . His voice came into her head from far away. Heal your wounds quickly so I can leave you in peace .
    â€œYou cannot go. I will not allow it. I mean it, Razvan, you must live.― She bent close to him so that her breath was warm against his cold skin. “I need you. Do you hear me? I need you. You must live for me.―
    Remove the spears .
    â€œI know they hurt, Razvan, but you will die if I do. Give me a minute.―
    I am already dead .
    â€œNo, you cannot think that way.― Ivory knelt beside Razvan, pulling his head into her lap. She bent low over him again. “Listen to me. You cannot go from this life. We have not done what we know is possible together.―
    You ask the impossible .

    She switched to telepathic communication, as it was easier for him. I asked it of myself first. I know how difficult it is when no one else does. I know what I ask, know what I demand of you, of my lifemate. If you go, we go together. Bind us. Bind us now.
    It will give me what I need to save you .
    Razvan didn’t open his eyes. His hand moved in hers, the fingers slippery with blood. You wish me to live through this?
    We can defeat Xavier. We must defeat him. Bind us together. I will lead you now and follow you in the years to come. Bind us now, before you are gone from me .
    Ivory forced back the burning tears, the terrible weight in her chest and the feel of her own wounds so little in comparison.
    He had to want her enough to live. Had to want to defeat Xavier enough. His will, so strong, had to match her own.
    Warriors, after so many centuries of loneliness, often embraced death. They could rest at long last, but she wasn’t giving him up without a fight.
    Razvan moved in her mind, searching. Whatever he found there, he came to a decision, even knowing the agony he would suffer. I can think of no other I have met in my lifetime who I would rather have. If you accept me . . .
    Absolutely I do . Time was running out. He had lost too much blood. He had cauterized the wounds, so many, as Sergey sliced him into pieces, making his body a patchwork imitation of hers.
    But the blood loss was severe.
    You are certain you wish to bind your life to mine with all it entails?
    She answered without hesitation. I am .
    So be it . His voice strengthened. You are my lifemate. I claim you as my lifemate. I belong to you. I offer my life for you. I give you my protection. I give you my allegiance. I give you my heart.
    I give you my soul. I give you my body. I