She pressed her lips together and signaled for Belle and Blue to return to her. She didn’t want them to become so agitated that they struck out in fear or aggression.
I would much rather we work together. She knew he was an ancient and a Carpathian male. It was ingrained in them to protect their women and children at all times. She had been raised mage and she would always want to stand by his side to aid in the way she could. She was very aware he could see that in her mind. Another strike against her with a man born and bred centuries earlier in a culture where the men took care of their women.
Soft amusement slid into her mind. That was the ideal in a man’s mind, but all does not go the way of the male. Some women aided their partners.
He didn’t have to tell her that. He could have kept that admission to himself. Elation swept through her. She forced her mind and body under control.
I built that shield myself using spells I created without the foundation of any known mage invocation. I don’t know how he was able to mark me.
He put the mark on you at birth. He took no chances. Remember, he bred you for your blood, not to be a mage to help him with his plans. He needs you alive. That cat was meant to return you, not kill you.
She knew that, but she hadn’t considered just how much her father and brothers needed her. He knows I’m after the book. He’ll think we want to use it against him. I want it destroyed.
Is there a way to destroy it?
She was silent for a moment, feeling him in her, waiting. Filling her. Making her feel as if she wasn’t so alone. I think it is possible. I’m still working it out in my head.
Then let’s find a way to keep him out. Show me the spell you used for your shield. We will weave safeguards around what is in place. The weave needs to come from both of us, so that each safeguard is intertwined. I will cover the mark while we work and then once it is done, destroy his hold on you.
It sounded so simple. Do you want me to again invoke the spell to shield me from any intruder I don’t wish to give consent to?
Yes. When you reach the end, you will add to your weave one line and then I will until it is done.
Mirror reflect all hostile intent
Black salt repels that which is negative sent.
I sweep away that which would bind
I call to the directions to wall off my mind.
As air is to earth, fire is to water
None may enter, nor shall they bother.
Together, Julija, he said softly, I will weave a strand then you. He didn’t wait for her response.
Mind to body
Reflective mirror shall hold.
She didn’t hesitate.
Through pain and darkness
Seek to unfold.
He wove the next strand.
That which is pure
Shall remain untouched.
Julija finished the last strand.
Allowing no illusion or falseness to touch.
With her magic he wove his own, so together they were twice as strong.
Isai didn’t wait, he shed his body and entered her mind as spirit only. She felt the intense heat. At once he poured everything he was into pure light, concentrating the beam on the tiny dark stain her father had placed in her at birth. The light burned right through the darkness.
The moment the brilliant ray hit the mark, Julija felt Anatolie strike at her. He slashed at her mind with what felt like razor blades. She cried out, but the mark was already burned away and with it went the pain.
The last thing she heard was the shriek of fury her father gave just before the last of the mark was gone. There was a moment of absolute silence as if the earth was holding its breath. Isai returned to his body but didn’t leave her mind. They waited. Isai took her hand, remaining kneeling in front of her.
Anatolie struck at her. It was a decisive blow, trying to get into her mind. She felt the contact, as if there was a punch aimed toward her outer temple, but she countered it with a brush of her hand as if she could brush him away. He hit from every angle, over and over. Around them, the bluffs shook, sending boulders crashing down. The cats leapt