Dark Slayer Page 0,173

time she'd seen him really shaken. She felt him tense beneath her hand, but he didn't pull away.

Natalya bit her lip and then capitulated. Her mother ran when she was a mere infant. For years Skyler believed the man her mother married was her birth father. He was a very bad man and sold her to other men. Francesca rescued her.

Razvan closed his eyes briefly. Only Ivory's touch steadied him. His children seemed destined to live with pain and suffering even when Xavier didn't get his hands on them. He opened his eyes to look directly at Francesca. "I am grateful to you."

He had no idea what to say to this young girl. His daughter. A girl he knew nothing about, who had lived in hell and had far too much knowledge of monsters in the world. "I do not know what words I can give you, Skyler, other than to say I am sorry I have not been in your life to protect you from all the horrors of this world. Had I been able, I would have protected you."

She shrugged her shoulders, far too mature for her age. "That was a little impossible, as you didn't even know I existed."

"I do know now," Razvan said, "and I hope you are willing to get to know me. I will never take the place of your parents, but I certainly want to be a part of your life, if you will have me. You are someone any parent can be proud of. You stood your ground against evil, and I hear you work with Syndil to heal the earth. That alone is a miracle."

The tension seemed to leave her. "I'm glad we met." She held on to Francesca's hand, seemingly unaware she did so even as she reached out to touch the scars webbing his arm. "You destroyed Xavier. Gregori told us what happened."

"Without the others, Skyler, I would not have been able to do so. We worked together."

"They are waiting for you inside," Francesca said. "I wanted to look at you and Ivory again. I had hoped you would stay and allow us to heal you after the initial session."

Razvan and Ivory exchanged a long look. There had been so much pain. The Carpathian people had gathered to help speed their healing, but neither could stay in such close proximity. They needed their own sacred ground and they had gone together to the cave where Mother Earth surrounded them with her richest soil. Both still bore the scars, but like Vikirnoff and Natalya, the scars were fading.

"Thank you, Francesca," Razvan said, with a slight, formal bow. "We both appreciate your aid. You probably saved our lives."

"I doubt that." Francesca led the way through the cavern to the ceremonial chamber where everyone waited.

A hush fell over the crowd as they entered. Ivory moved closer to Razvan. She could smell sage and lavender. Candles adorned every conceivable crevice and ledge, the flickering lights casting soft shadows over the walls. Above their heads, crystals adorned the ceiling, and the dancing lights sent the gems sparkling on and off like a blanket of stars. Ivory slid her arm along Razvan's, shocked that such a crowd of people ringed the room-staring at them.

Mikhail glided from the center of the room, closing the distance between them. He clasped Razvan's arm in the formal manner of greeting between two experienced and respected hunters. "Pesasz jelabam ainaak-long may you stay in the light. Thank you for your great service to our people."

Razvan didn't move. Didn't speak. He stared over Mikhail's shoulder even after Mikhail turned to Ivory and clasped her arms in the same formal manner.

"Sivad olen wakeva, han ku piwta-may your heart stay strong, hunter," Mikhail greeted. "Your people thank you for your great service." He stepped back and bowed, a long, low sweeping bow indicating great respect.

To Ivory's shock, the entire room bowed with him. Emotion choked her, constricting her throat, and she glanced to Razvan. He hadn't moved. Hadn't changed expression, as if he were frozen there, his face carved in stone. He hadn't seen the tremendous tribute. He hadn't taken his eyes from across the room. She turned her head to follow his gaze.

There was no mistaking who the woman was seated beside Nicolas De La Cruz-Lara. Ivory couldn't drink in her beloved Nicolas, not when Razvan's heart shattered into a million pieces. He just crumbled inside. Outside, he appeared aloof and apart from everything. Inside, he simply dissolved. His inner peace was