Razvan made no reply, but he did allow her to slip seamlessly into his mind to see the images swirling in chaos. For a moment horror gripped her, as it did him-as it did Gregori-as they shared the sight of a child's wrist being torn into by sharp teeth.
«Xavier has much to answer for,» Gregori said quietly.
Razvan again said nothing, but the understanding went a long way toward settling the knots that had pulled tighter and tighter in his stomach. He closed the pinpricks on the healer's wrist and gave him a slight bow of appreciation. Gregori ignored his formality and clapped him on the back.
«It isn't as if we do not know each other,» Gregori said.
«Mikhail.» Raven's voice was thoughtful. «Have you noticed the resemblance in Syndil and Ivory? They could be sisters.»
«I do not have a sister,» Ivory assured her. «I had five brothers.»
«But you do look alike,» Mikhail agreed. «And you have a special affinity with the earth, as Syndil does. She's an extraordinary woman. You will want to meet her.»
She was not going to get sucked into the Carpathian community. She could barely function here, unsure of herself, not at all confident, as if everything was off-kilter.
I feel the same. Razvan's voice was gentle in her mind.
What is wrong with us when they are being so kind and welcoming?
We have been too long away from others, he reassured her. Too long in our own company. We need the open spaces and the quiet of our own lair.
She was desperate now to end this meeting and go home, but there was something on Mikhail's mind and he wasn't going to let her leave until he told her.
Razvan took her hand. Both were standing now, the first step toward a graceful exit. Before Ivory could make her excuses, Mikhail spoke again.
«Some time ago, Natalya came to us, to these mountains, to look for answers. Her father stole a book.»
Razvan drew in his breath sharply, his fingers tightening with sudden strength around Ivory's. «Our father died for that book. Xavier's master spell book. Xavier sealed the book in the blood of each species. Mage. Carpathian. Lycan. Jaguar and human.»
«There was no Lycan blood present,» Natalya said. «I saw the vision on my quest to find the book. It was sealed with the blood of the three and must be opened with the blood of the three.» She looked to her lifemate. Vikirnoff, why would he lie about this? You saw the vision as I did. Xavier poured the blood of the three. Why would Razvan insist that there were others?
I do not know. But Natalya heard the suspicion in Vikirnoff's voice.
«He murdered a woman from each species and sealed the book,» Razvan said. «I saw him. Whether you choose to believe me or not, is up to you.»
Mikhail paced across the room. «Lycans hide better than any other species. Their blood is powerful and different. Xavier would have known that. He studied blood and he would never have left them alone. Lycan blood might hide itself, but not human blood.»
«Then what happened to the Lycan blood?» Natalya asked. Suspicion crept into her voice in spite of herself. «I saw Xavier perform the ritual.»
Ivory flicked her a quick glance and shrugged. «It is probably there, hidden. A secret to help in the protection of the book. If Xavier knew the properties of the Lycan blood, he would know it might hide from others. He could rely on that to keep his book from being opened and used. As for the human blood, Xavier would have no problem hiding anything if he so desired. As for your vision, it is possible he prepared for someone to access it. Xavier put safeguards on everything he did.»
Natalya shook her head. She had gone through a horrendous ordeal to recover the book, including watching the death of her father.
«You actually held the book in your hands?» Razvan asked his sister. «You found it?»
She nodded. «Our father left me a message, a way to find it. I brought it to Mikhail.»
«I want you to take the book, Ivory,» Mikhail said. «No one knows where your lair is. No one has had any idea of your presence for these long years, yet you cannot be that far from our territory. The book must remain hidden and away from Xavier. I entrust you with the book and any knowledge you may gain from having it in your possession.»
A gasp went around the room. Even Natalya shook her head. Vikirnoff actually stepped forward aggressively.
«The book was entrusted to you, Mikhail,» he objected. «No one else. Forgive me, Razvan, but someone must have a clear head in this matter.» Vikirnoff swept his hand toward Ivory. «This woman's lifemate was possessed by Xavier for years. He's been used by Xavier to spy, to trick, to lie and to cause great harm. How do we know he is not tricking all of us even now? Would you take a book so dangerous and put it into the very hands of the man who spent several lifetimes with him? We just met this man.» He looked at Gregori. «We have no choice but to take this to the council.»
Mikhail drew himself up to his full height. In that moment, he took Ivory's breath away. Power surged in the room, enough that the walls expanded and contracted and there was a shiver of movement beneath their feet. Even his hair crackled with energy.
«I 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 . . .»