Dark Slayer(123)

Ivory complied and then she was gone, leaving him entirely alone once again.

Ivory had no patience for niceties. She marched onto the healing chambers, uncaring of the owls flitting through the trees and the grim-faced Carpathian males falling in behind her as she approached the series of caves. She felt the wrench of a safeguard and dragged the traitor through the mild barrier with her just to show those around her she didn't need to stop and unravel their pitiful safeguard for either her or the spy.

She entered the caves, looking down her nose at the guards, her expression haughty as she stalked through the tunnels, following her lifemate's scent unerringly. As she turned into the third cavern, making the descent, she was forced to protect her captive from the building heat.

Ivory moved through the tunnel, looking at none of the guards, her head up, her eyes unknowingly fierce, the boy, Travis, firmly in her grip. Her crossbow was slung across her shoulder, giving her wolves a clear view of front and sides as she made her way through the chamber.

Falcon made a movement toward her and she heard Sara gasp. She held up her free hand to halt them. "Take me to your prince, Falcon."

"Put down your weapons, Ivory."

"I am a weapon. I can bring down these caves and kill everyone inside, including your precious prince, and you know it. Do not argue with me. Take me to your prince now."

Falcon stepped in front of her, leading her through the long entry, through the tunnel lined with warriors. "Travis," he said gently, "you will be fine."

"No thanks to you," Ivory said with a sniff of disdain. "I hope you are a better warrior than parent, Falcon."

He flashed her one emotion-laden look over his shoulder, promising retribution, but she merely continued walking. The council chamber was packed with Carpathians, both male and female. Many turned their attention from the trial in front of them to her. She caught a glimpse of Natalya's face, bloodred tears tracking her cheeks, and she felt no sympathy for her at all. She would have liked to give her a reason to cry.

The lines of warriors opened for them, the men parting to reveal Mikhail, his face drawn and tired. Razvan stood to one side, and Ivory tried not to drink him in, tried not to show the relief sweeping though her.

She inclined her head regally at the prince. "I have brought you your traitor." She pushed the child into the circle.

Falcon caught the boy to him, wrapping one arm around him and holding him protectively. "What are you accusing him of? Being in league with our enemy?"

"Exactly. Were you planning on killing my lifemate in your need for revenge against Xavier? How inconvenient that I found the real culprit." She looked around at the faces of the counsel, her contempt obvious. "Whatever fate you chose for him, you now have an obligation to put on this boy."

Falcon pulled Travis closer to him. "She lies to save her lifemate."

Her eyes flashed at him. "I never lie. Healer, examine him. All of you, the entire mockery of accusers. The shadow of Xavier has found a home. The boy must have been hiding in the woods while we battled Xavier's abominations and we only destroyed one of the four shadow fragments. He carries one. He is your traitor, not my lifemate, who has fought to save a species not worthy of life."

Razvan said nothing as he looked upon his warrior woman. Fierce. Proud. Unbending. She looked far more regal than the prince. A queen among men, showing her utter contempt of their stupidity. She took his breath away with her beauty. With her absolute belief in him and her ferocious protection of him-in spite of his instructions. She didn't mind very well, but it was worth it to see her dress down the ancient warriors in the room.

"I examined Razvan as you asked," Gregori said, "although I was reluctant to put him through such an indignity when I already knew he was free of Xavier. I will examine the boy." He was grateful that he had gone first and no other Carpathian had relived Razvan's memories, although he felt it would shame them to know what the man had suffered, as it did him.

"You will not touch my son," Falcon said. "No one will touch him." He laid a hand on the hilt of his knife. His heart lurched. Startled, he looked at his belt. The scabbard was empty.

Travis snarled and flung himself forward, straight at Mikhail, his small arm upraised, his face a mask of hatred as he attempted to plunge Falcon's knife into the prince. Gregori moved to intercept almost before anyone knew what was happening. He caught the boy's small wrist, marveling at the strength in the child as he fought to retain the weapon.

The knife fell to the floor at Mikhail's feet and Gregori held the child to him. "It's all right, Travis. Everything is going to be all right," he soothed, rocking the boy. "I've got to take him to the surface and remove Xavier's fragment."