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do not ask the advice of the warriors' council, nor do I need to. If you cannot be civil to a guest in my home, then you may leave."

He didn't yell or shout. In fact, his voice was pitched low, but it carried enough weight to take someone down instantly.

Vikirnoff opened his mouth and then closed it, swift impatience crossing his face. "I go on record stating that this is a poor idea and the decision to hand over the book should wait. Until we know these two better, we cannot trust them."

Natalya stood, torn between believing in her brother, and remembering the numerous times it was her brother who had tricked her into giving him information Xavier needed. She shook her head and followed Vikirnoff out of the house.

I am sorry she hurt you, Ivory said, trying to comfort Razvan.

She has reason to worry, Razvan replied gently. Do not be upset on my behalf.

"They should have asked if I wanted the book," Ivory said. "I do not. But I thank you for your confidence in us." Of course I am upset on your behalf. She hurt you whether you acknowledge it or not and you do not deserve that.

"The book may be of some use to you as you try to find a way to reverse Xavier's spell on the extremophiles," Mikhail said, seemingly unaware that they carried on a private conversation, although Ivory was fairly certain he knew.

Do not blame her, Ivory. She was put through so much over the years. Alone and frightened, with Xavier constantly on her heels. For my sake, do not blame her.

Ivory sighed. She would do anything for Razvan right then. If forgiving his sister and her lifemate meant so much to him, then she would oblige. She sent Razvan a small smile before turning her complete attention to the prince.

"I cannot undo the extremophiles mutated state, although I might be able to redirect them," Ivory told him. "But that book will not help. The book is one for twisted spells and is so dangerous, any wielder trying to use it, including Xavier, will only become as corrupt and twisted as the book itself."

Razvan took her hand, loving her all the more for her support of him. "She is right, Mikhail. It is a work of evil. The blood sealing the book was the blood of the women he killed. In death he sealed it. And in death it would have to be reopened. Destroy it, though it will not be easy. Never let anyone touch it but you, and destroy it as soon as you can figure out how. You cannot risk the contamination."

"He would have put other safeguards on it as well," Ivory added.

"You are certain this is the best course with the book?" Mikhail asked. "If the book has information containing Xavier's spell to kill our children . . ."

"I know it is logical to think you might use the book to reverse it, but that book is nearly as great an enemy to you as Xavier himself. Should that book end up in the hands of one of my fallen brothers, you will know war such as you have never seen," Ivory said. "Destroy it." She sighed heavily. "It will not be an easy task, and one I suspect you will not be able to do alone. Look to Razvan's aunts. I know they still sleep, but when they awaken, put the matter before them."

"How do we reverse Xavier's spells if we cannot use the book?" Raven asked.

"Razvan will remember the high mage's spells and I will document them," Ivory replied. "In that way we can have a safe record. As long as Razvan lives and remembers, we can probably re-create the entire book without the corruption."

"You believe you can do this?" Raven asked. She pressed both hands protectively over her unborn child.

"I wish to have children some day," Ivory said, although, truthfully, she didn't believe she would survive the coming battle. "I will do this, no matter how long it takes."

CHAPTER 14

The night welcomed them, the wide-open spaces, the sky heavy now with new clouds. Ivory inhaled deeply, drawing the night air into her lungs, and laughed just for the sheer joy of being outside where she felt alive. Where she could breathe.

"Let's never do that again," she said.

Razvan grinned at her. "Good idea. You were the one with the good manners, insisting we thank everyone." He stretched his arms to the gray clouds and inhaled. "I