Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan Page A

body was often taken on journeys through soil, but he had never rested in the rich, rejuvenating loam. Xavier had never dared to allow him that luxury. The soil might have healed his body and restored his strength, which Xavier could ill afford. He was left to languish in a kind of half-life in the ice caves. Razvan wasn’t even certain he could survive beneath the earth, or even above it after so many centuries of cold, yet the soil filled him with strength—it just didn’t stop the pain.
    Xavier, unable to enter his mind, had to be attacking him from a distance. Teeth tore into his shoulder, the serrated edges slicing through bone, sinew and flesh, sawing deeper and deeper, injecting the burning parasites into the wound. He was being eaten alive—fitting justice for one such as him. His own teeth had sunk into his daughter’s tiny wrist, and he had watched in horror, unable to protect her, while Xavier had done this very thing, gnawed on her as if she were a bone, a piece of meat to be consumed, his teeth tearing her delicate skin open to get at blood and bone.
    He felt the spray of acid burning through his skin, deep—deeper still, vampire blood running in rivers over his flesh, long streams of it branching out over his hands and forearms and down his shoulder, and running down his arm and chest. He recognized the feeling—his wrists and ankles and even his back had often burned from the vampire blood-coated manacles. He had earned that for his failure to keep his family members safe from Xavier. Time after time, he had fought the demon mage, but he’d never been strong enough or wise enough to defeat him.
    A burst of pain through his ribs shook him, radiating through his entire body. Pain was a way of life to him. He could push it away now, absorb it into his body and let it consume him. He had long ago learned how to live with agony.
    The pain was not his pain. It was too far away. Too distant, the reaction stoic but definitely feminine. Ivory was in trouble . Everything else ceased to matter. He had one reason for his existence—to protect her from any enemy at all costs.
    He cleared his mind and fought back the all-consuming emotions he still found difficult to deal with. He built the image of her in his mind, the image of her as he saw her. Soft and feminine, the loving woman who belonged here, in this home of raw beauty.
    Ivory. You have need. Tell me how to come to you .
    There was the smallest of hesitations. They are hunting you .
    He didn’t argue with her. She was hurt and she was surrounded by enemies. He could feel the burn of the vampire blood, the pain gnawing at her shoulder and ribs, and the trepidation that she was weak and might not be able to fight her way clear, although she was absolutely determined to try.
    Razvan filled her mind with his strength and power, feeding her while he searched her memories and found the information he needed.
    Stall them. I will be there soon. Do not fight. They will not attack you as long as you talk with them.
    I do not have much time . The admission was humbling to her. My strength is waning.
    I will come. I will be there, Ivory. Do not lose hope. He poured his determination and resolve into her mind, knowing she distrusted everyone, and with good cause. And she had every reason to fear and hate him. Xavier’s genetic code was in his body.
    There was another small hesitation, and then he clearly saw the crack cleverly hidden in her bedchamber where she could slip in and out of the narrow, inches-wide chimney. There was caution in her mind.
    Razvan hastened to reassure her. I will scan carefully before I emerge so there will be no trail leading back to your lair .
    Now he had the information in his head and he had to be doubly careful that Xavier could not enter his mind. Before he moved, he took that moment to build every possible defense, thickening barriers, making himself stronger than he’d ever been. Stronger than before he entered the thin crack that