Dark Slayer Page 0,41

is your greatest crime."

"One of duty and love," Gregori added. "You are no criminal, Razvan. You are a true Dragonseeker." He sent a quick glance toward the prince. "No doubt I shall hear often how others recognized your true worth first."

"No doubt," Mikhail murmured.

"Can you remove Xavier's hold on my soul?" Razvan asked. "If he was to possess my body right now, he could see all of you, he could use me to strike at the prince, or at my own lifemate. I cannot take that kind of chance."

"If Xavier found a way to mark an entrance to your body, then we can find a way to remove it," Ivory said. "I have studied him carefully, and each time I run across a new work he has done, I have found the way to unravel it. I know this can be done."

Gregori drew in his breath. Did you hear what she said, Mikhail?

I am not so old that I'm deaf.

Gregori kept his grin to himself. These two have far more information on our enemy than we have managed to gain in the time we have been trying.

We didn't exactly know Xavier was alive until recently.

"Ivory," Sara said. "Do you know a way to stop the endless cycle of his microbes? He's mutated them in some way and grown them to penetrate the soil and find us. They cause miscarriages. Lara has been invaluable in trying to keep the women free, but she is only one person and cannot be turned fully until we find a permanent solution."

"If Xavier has used his gifts for evil, I am certain I can undo whatever he has wrought. I have long studied his methods and successfully countered each of his spells." Ivory spoke with confidence, not from bragging or ego, but obviously from experience. "I would have to study the microbes. Do you have samples?"

"We can get them," Sara said.

"I can take them to my laboratory." Ivory glanced up at the night sky. "We have a few hours left, but not enough, so I will return here tomorrow and you can bring them to me. I have spent most of my time beneath the earth and I am extremely light sensitive."

We have a few things in common. Razvan's flick of his dark eyes showed camaraderie. He had spent most of the last few centuries beneath the earth as well, in the ice caves, and he was equally as sensitive.

Again there was that flood of warmth he associated with her. Comforting. Easing the aching loneliness that was such a part of him.

"You are welcome to come to my home. My lifemate is with child and staying close. She would very much like to meet you," Mikhail offered. "And my brother's lifemate, Shea, and Gary have been working nonstop on trying to find a solution. Perhaps if you spoke with them it might eliminate several steps for your work."

Ivory shrugged. "I thank you for the invitation, but until we know whether we can prevent Xavier from knowing our moves, it would be best to stay as far from you as possible."

"I agree," Gregori said before Mikhail could answer. He sent the prince a smoldering glare. "You and Raven must be protected at all times."

Mikhail flashed Razvan a small grin. "Do you see what it is like to live with him? Nag, nag, nag. And he is my daughter's lifemate as well."

"In this instance, I have to agree with him," Razvan said. "If Xavier had an entrance through me to strike at you, he would be unable to resist. The thought of torturing me mentally amuses him. He is particularly fond of using me to harm my sister. If he could use me to harm the prince of the Carpathian people, and make certain I knew it, he would be elated."

Ivory felt the wrenching pain in Razvan, although his voice was steady and his expression gave nothing away. Sorrow weighed heavily on him. With his emotions so new and raw, difficult to control, his love for Natalya, his determination to keep her safe at all costs, had infuriated Xavier, and now Razvan could remember and feel every betrayal as if it were the cut of a knife.

"If we can find his portal, Dragonseeker," Gregori said, "we might be able to close it." Once more he looked to Ivory. "Let's get it done."

Ivory stroked her fingertips over his jaw, her touch lingering on his skin for just a moment. Abruptly, she shed her body and followed Gregori, pure