Carpathian 20 - Dark Slayer

take into my keeping the same that is yours. Your life will be cherished by me for all my time. Your life will be placed above my own for all time. You are my lifemate. You are bound to me for all eternity. You are always in my care . He opened his eyes and looked into hers. Te avio päläfertiilam .
    Ivory felt the threads binding them together. The two halves of their souls merged as one. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, her voice a soft whisper. “I accept with my heart and soul your offer. I take your soul. I take your body. I take your heart.
    You are one with me. I take you into my keeping and bind you for all eternity with my strength and will and our combined determination. Te avio päläfertiilam —you are my lifemate and I refuse to allow you to leave this world. Let your soul dwell within mine.―

    Razvan closed his eyes with his impossibly long lashes. A small satisfied smile curved his mouth. I have given myself to you, lifemate. Do what you must .
    Long ago, when Xavier and Draven had sentenced her to die a horrendous death, it was not only her Carpathian blood and body, driven to repair itself and heal in the soil, that had saved her. It was a combination of those things, along with her will and Xavier’s teachings. Xavier would have torn out his hair had he known how she had taken so many of his hexes and made them her own, putting her faith of a higher power into the weaving of each spell, twisting the curse into something for good.
    This will hurt as much or more than the worst torture Xavier thought to put you through. Let yourself drift away, your soul and spirit in my safekeeping . She tried to warn him, choking back a sob. She knew from experience what she was asking to put him through.
    She wept when she felt the flickering of warmth move through her mind, his life spirit a flickering dim light she now held in her soul. She began the work of removing all parasites from his body before closing off each wound and cauterizing it. All the while she worked, she switched between the Carpathian healing chant, and the healing spell she had used on herself when asking Mother Earth to aid her.

    I call upon the power of earth, she who creates us all. Hear my call, Mother .
    I ask for clear sight—the ability to see that which seeks not to be seen .
    Guide me, Mother. Take my hands make them your own .
    Use them to mend that which has been broken, torn .
    Guide me, Mother. Provide rest and healing to a tortured soul .
    Embrace him, Mother. Heal him of all injuries. Guide him, Mother .
    I call upon the higher power. Use me as your vessel. See through my eyes .
    Look into my soul. Use me as a tool. Guard us great one. Take us into your care. Nurture us as you would a child. Guide us with your knowledge .
    So that we may arise once again to fight .
    Her voice rose and fell as she called to the powers who had aided her centuries earlier in her need, rocking back and forth, heedless of her own wounds, caring only that Razvan, her lifemate, was spared.

    Mikhail Dubrinsky, prince of the Carpathian people, heard the call of wolves long before they reached his house deep in the forest. Gregori . He summoned his second-in-command and best friend. I have urgent need of you. Hunters, heed my call. I have urgent need of you . He sent the command out on the common Carpathian telepathic pathway, summoning all who were close.
    Safeguarding his home, Mikhail took to the air to intercept the wolf pack. They were still miles away, but the distress in their calls was profound. He sped through the thick canopy of trees, sending his senses out before him, trying to discern the danger following the wolf pack.
    There was blood on the wind, and a foul stench that could only be attributed to the undead. Rotting flesh and poison. Humans.
    Wait for me , Gregori demanded. I am but a few minutes behind you. It could be a trap .
    I feel children. Blood. Terror. The wolves are calling . Which meant he wasn’t waiting.
    As Mikhail flew, another owl came up on his right, a second on his left. He identified both. Natalya, sister to Razvan, and her lifemate, Vikirnoff. Neither asked questions as they raced across the night sky with him toward the calling wolf pack.
    Overhead the storm clouds thickened, rolling and churning—boiling with anger. Flecks of white-hot energy lit up the edges of the cloud formations. Ice rained down, sharp spears meant to slow the fleeing pack.
    Vampire ,