Gregori, placing his feet carefully in the obvious minefield of snares, moved closer, should his aid become necessary.
The spider stopped level with Vikirnoff's eyes. They stared at each other for a long moment. Vikirnoff could see the fangs dripping with venom. The spider began to weave another web, this time forming words as if programmed. It took some time for the spider to connect the silken lines.
Fear not. I have arranged for safe passage through spider territory.
Vikirnoff felt his gut tighten. Safe passage. As if they were children unable to make it through the ice spiders' realm on their own. The blow to their pride was deliberate. A slap in the face.
Vikirnoff was tempted to roast the entire colony by calling down the lightning.
«I wouldn't do that,» Gregori said. «If Ivory or Razvan used magic and befriended these spiders, chances are they left protection behind for them. They traded something for your safe passage.»
«We didn't ask for their help,» Vikirnoff snarled, his teeth snapping together.
Above their heads the trees came alive as thousands of spiders shifted and moved. Vikirnoff wished he'd never set out on the journey in the first place but he wasn't about to tell Gregori that. Forcing back his anger, he inclined his head to accept whatever agreement Ivory and Razvan had made.
«Hopefully you are right about them and they haven't traded their safe passage by giving us to the spiders for their winter food.»
«I would not allow that to happen.»
That was almost as hard to swallow as the couple arranging safe passage. Vikirnoff swore silently. They had no choice now. They had to continue forward, and he knew the healer wore that particularly annoying smirk.
They were lowered back to the ground almost at a snail's pace, making Vikirnoff want to scream in frustration. Another delaying tactic. And then each was rolled out, one by one, so the silken strands binding them could be preserved, another absolutely humiliating torture for experienced hunters. And if Gregori mentioned spankings again, he'd kill the man and damn the consequences. While the hunters were being rolled out like sausages, an opening was prepared through the webs so when all seven hunters were once again standing beside Gregori, there was a way through the thick forest.
Uneasy now, the group continued to follow Vikirnoff as he set out to track Ivory and Razvan through the dark interior and back out the other side. They found themselves in the worst possible place and the spiders worked quickly to close the passage behind them.
The Valley of Mists lay between two tall mountain peaks, rising abruptly at near vertical angles. The gorge was narrow and treacherous, nearly always entrenched with thick, icy mist, the particles small enough to nearly freeze lungs when inhaled. No one, not even Carpathians, could see through the heavy veil of mist that hung like clouds. Snow and ice often calved off the angular cliffs, and avalanches were frequent in the area.
The wind often came in off the highest peaks on a spiraling down-draft to howl through the canyon at breakneck speeds, carrying voices, wreaking havoc with auditory senses. Few animals could live in the valley; snow leopards reigned, but even they stayed away from the base of the mountains where the snow and ice sloughed off with thundering force.
The hunters heard the sound of a woman's laughter and figures moved in the mist. Tomas glanced at his brothers and they moved forward only four steps into the valley and disappeared.
Vikirnoff looked at Gregori. «They chase ghosts, don't they?»
Gregori shrugged. «I would imagine they do.»
Vikirnoff closed his eyes and sent his mind seeking the blood trail. It was lost in the mist. Not even the faintest trace remained. «They probably dissolved into mist and are mixed in this thick soup. I could spend months trying to trace them.»
«You will not find them,» Gregori said.
Tomas, Mataias and Lojos returned. «We are chasing phantoms. They play with us, but they are no longer here.»
Vikirnoff shook his head. «I hope your prince knows what he is doing, Gregori.»
«Our prince,» Gregori said. «Each of you swore allegiance.» This time there was no amusement. None. The silver eyes glinted at each of the hunters as if marking them. «Ivory and Razvan refused the offer of the book. Mikhail tested them in every way and they passed each test. I cannot say the same for any of you.»
He simply dissolved and streamed away, up and over the forest with its spider colony, back toward Carpathian territory, leaving the others to follow.
CHAPTER 15
«I think you have a devious mind,» Ivory said as she once again resumed her physical form, standing in the memory room of her lair. «Leading the hunters into the Valley of Mist and then going beneath the ground rather than through the mist was a stroke of genius. There was no way they could track us, not even through the call of blood.»
«The earth welcomes us and covers all tracks. I knew they could never follow our scent, even with the call of blood.» Razvan grinned at her. «I would have liked to have been there when they realized they were trapped in an illusion and fighting with snowmen, not ghouls.» He burst out laughing.
She stretched her arms wide to allow the wolves to take their normal shapes. «We did not make any friends.»
«We do not need friends. In any case, if they are without emotions, they could care less one way or the other.» He frowned. «I do not envy Mikhail his job.»
«Especially trying to destroy that book. He has no idea of the evil things inside of it.»
Razvan was silent for a long moment. «I should have spoken with him more about the book and its destruction. I dislike the idea of my aunts having to deal with anything involved with Xavier, but they, better than anyone else, would know how best to destroy the book.»
The concern in his voice moved her. The man had more compassion in him and more drive to protect those he loved than any person she'd ever met. Ivory turned toward him, her gaze drifting over him slowly. He took up a lot of space there in the confines of her home. His shoulders were broad and his physique very masculine. There was little soft about Razvan, although he had the calmest, most serene nature she'd ever run across as a rule. He glanced up and caught her looking at him.
Her heart leapt. There was stark, raw hunger in his eyes, glittering at her, devouring her, drinking her in. Her mouth went dry. They were alone. She moistened her lips. Wanting him. Even needing him. Fear gripping her.
«Razvan.» His name came out husky, her voice shaken.
His smile was slow, his voice as thick as molasses. «Ivory.»
The way he said her name made her body go hot and damp and her heart pound more. There would be no going back. It was all or nothing with him, she knew that about him. Once he touched her, claimed her, made her part of him, she would be lost. Completely. How much of her would disappear? She ached for this. For him. She was on fire for him. Almost desperate, when desperate wasn't part of her makeup.
She held up a shaky hand before he could take a step toward her. «If you ever betrayed me, I would kill you. I would, Razvan. You have to know that. There would be no forgiveness. I have not trusted another person in centuries. Others do not matter, but you-you would matter.»
«I would expect nothing less from my woman.»
A slow, sexy smile curved his mouth and burned in his eyes. Hunger stared back at her. Desire. Lust. All things she could cope with. But there was love, pure and honest and so real it took her breath away, shaking her to her very core. Something inside her welled up. Burst. Opened to him. For him. This one man. If she took him in, her love for him would consume her. She had so much to give, but she'd been alone for so long . . .