Dark Slayer - Christine Feehan [39]
Mikhail. There was shock when it was difficult to shock Gregori. There was awe when it was nearly impossible to astonish him. Mostly there was respect. It is as if she was chopped into small pieces. No part of her is untouched other than her face, and even her neck has these patchwork ridges. I believe she was cut into pieces, but how could she survive?
He sent the impressions to Mikhail. Her true skin is a patchwork. I feel blades sawing through her skin and bones, around her neck, hacking off her head. This woman has suffered greatly. There was a breath taken. A crashing heartbeat. Abruptly Gregori pulled his mind from Mikhail’s.
Tell me. The two words were a command, nothing less.
Your eldest brother assaulted her. I feel his taint, a stamp of suffering I have not felt before. He did this to her. Or he was part of it.
Mikhail closed his eyes for a moment. She has reason to hate my family.
Undoubtedly.
Do you feel animosity toward the Carpathian people? Would she try to destroy us?
There is great resolve, but not to end your life or to destroy us. Her determination is bred into her bones. I would like to know more of this woman.
Gregori shed his physical body once more and reentered Ivory, paying attention to the bones and organs, bathing them in healing light as he passed through, examining her blood and cells for the infestation of parasites. He forced more of the intruders from her body through her pores, incinerating them as they wiggled in the snow, trying to find a target. It was a messy, exhausting business, and she sank into the snow, her strength finally giving out.
Her wolves pushed close, forming a circle of protection, with Ivory and the healer’s body inside. Gregori was dependent on Falcon to keep his physical form safe while he worked, and the ancient Carpathian remained very still, watching the wolves very carefully.
While Gregori worked, the knife never wavered, nor did Razvan ask anything about his family. His entire concentration was on Ivory’s safety. He watched the others, leaving it to her wolf pack to warn him should Gregori try anything to harm her. That took discipline and restraint. At no time did the blade of the knife penetrate the prince’s skin.
Mikhail allowed his body to breathe naturally. “Gregori is a tremendous healer. He will make certain no parasites remain.”
“I appreciate his service.”
“You have no need to continue to hold me hostage,” Mikhail said. “Gregori snarls and snaps, but he has no wish to harm your lifemate, only to heal her. He is driven by his code. He will not be so understanding over your continued threats. I have given my word for safe passage for both of you. It would be foolish to escalate the situation when your woman will need care.”
Razvan held the knife for a few more moments, as if weighing the truth of Mikhail’s words and then the knife disappeared and he stepped back into the shadows where he had a clear path to all three male Carpathians.
Mikhail didn’t move out of striking distance, maintaining his show of faith. Falcon glided a little closer so that he was in a better position to insert his body between the prince and potential harm should there be need.
“Tell me, Razvan,” Mikhail said, “does Xavier still truly live?” He studied the gray-streaked hair. Few Carpathians went gray; only the gravest of all injuries could produce that kind of damage to a Carpathian. When looking closely the prince could see signs of suffering etched into the worn face. Razvan was a handsome man, but he looked older, weathered.
“He does,” Razvan confirmed.
“Does he possess your body at will?”
“He does,” Razvan answered, without flinching. “Although for the first time, I was able to keep him out. I have never been at this strength before,