Dark Slayer - Christine Feehan [161]
I seek to undo this thing.
She bowed to the north, and drew the sign of the cross into the floor, in the exact position where Xavier had poured his concoction of heart’s blood, evil and hatred in his black circle. She lit another stick of incense, this time using a precious frankincense and myrrh, a powerful combination for purification and protection. Syndil took the potent incense and remained in the north corner.
Syndil knew what was coming and closed her eyes as her lost brother-kin’s face floated in front of her, filling her mind. Savon reached for her, tearing with greedy fingers at her clothes, slamming his body into hers, hammering into her, hurting and tearing while his vampire teeth tore at her neck as he gulped great swallows of blood.
Barack filled her mind. The essences and warmth of who he was. Mate. Protecter. Lover. Everything. He joined with her, holding her close, sharing those memories of that long ago, but never forgotten, attack.
“I will not break,” Syndil said. “Continue.”
Ivory stood in the center of the circle and raised her arms, her tone one of entreaty mixed with respect.
I call to thee, Mother, who once held me tight,
Healing me whole so that I might continue the fight.
Bring to me the power of all
To undo that which was cast in spell.
The room shimmered with life in reaction. Flames leapt high from the candles, casting grasping shadows on the walls. A harsh wind howled through the cavern. The floor rippled with life and overhead the stalactites rocked and vibrated, threatening to shake loose. More dark red dots of perspiration beaded across Ivory’s flesh.
Evil burned through her veins, eating at her so that she was rotting from the inside out. The filth tainted her, stained her soul. She could feel the very flesh peeling from her bones. Xavier’s face swam in front of her vision, his sly laugh echoing through her mind as he pointed a bony finger, the sharp, bloodstained nail directing her.
Slowly, reluctantly, Ivory dared to turn her head. The twin girls, tiny infants, lay lifeless—corpses, their bodies blackened like her soul. She opened her mouth to give a soundless scream of utter horror.
No! Razvan merged with her, poured his strength into her. Keep going. You must finish this. He cannot win.
Ivory took a deep, shuddering breath, her legs trembling, rubbery, barely able to support her. She needed Razvan’s arms around her, his presence close. His mind moved in hers and she summoned her last strength, praying it would be enough.
Give to me the power to right this wrong,
Clearing all from this earth that we may continue on.
Clear the body, cleanse the soul,
Heal the mind and make us whole.
Give us once again the gift to raise our young so that we may continue
to live.
She shouted the words in defiance. Power surged and swelled, filling the room. Electricity crackled. Their hair raised and waved in the bands of energy. A whip of lightning snapped above their heads and then jumped to enfold Ivory. She glowed with white-hot energy, sparks now flying from her fingertips. Her tone changed, booming through the room with absolute command.
The babies convulsed again, their tiny bodies slamming hard into their father’s hands, their breath coming in ragged, torn gasps. Both glowed a bright, hot red as temperatures soared beyond what they could endure.
“Hurry, Ivory. For God’s sake, hurry,” Gregori implored.
Reverse this spell, I send it back.
I call for justice, let this fall upon Xavier’s back.
I command thee to take him,
Bind him, seal him,
Let nothing be left or remain.
Bring forth your light encompassing this prize
As your radiance burns this darkness to light.
The room flashed with light. The flames on the candles leapt higher. Wind rushed through the room, whirling around in a twister motion, spinning through the soil, touching each corner of the protective circle and then subsided as if it had never been, leaving the candles flickering and the room smelling sweet and pure.
Ivory slumped in the center of the