Christine Feehan - Dark Celebration 17

Juliette's spirit flinched from Gregori's strong personality; the terrible white-hot light that shone on her drew her upward, back toward pain and suffering. She retreated, but Riordan was there, blocking her path to the other world, forcing her back toward the healer. She tried to struggle against Riordan, somewhat hurt that he had sided with a stranger, but she was weak and it was easy to force compliance.

Pain hit her-him-a raw, fiery burn that tore through her body. She screamed and screamed, pleading with Riordan to make it stop. She fought him, her spirit fought him, but he grimly held on, blood-red tears tracking down his face while Gregori and Francesca did their best to work fast in her resisting, struggling body.

This vampire's blood not only carried acid, but also parasites, and he had licked her wounds and punctured her throat with his teeth, depositing the hideous creatures into her bloodstream. They immediately moved to invade every cell-every organ, an army bent on destroying her.

Gregori. Francesca's normally calm voice was filled with alarm. Look where the concentrated attack is.

Riordan couldn't see, the light was too bright. Gregori swore softly in their language. Tell me what is wrong, Riordan demanded.

Our enemies are becoming more sophisticated in their attacks. The parasites are after her eggs. Gregori delivered the news on the Carpathian common path of communication.

The chanters faltered as the enormity of the news struck them. The men looked at one another, and several put their arms around their lifemates.

«Can you save her children?» Mikhail asked.

Raven slipped her hand into Mikhail's waiting for the answer.

We are trying.

Gregori left Francesca to work on broken ribs and the lacerations and burns while he attacked the parasites, driving them away from their prize. It was daunting to see the damage they left in their wake. He could tell Rafael's blood made a difference, giving her starving cells a chance, flooding tissue and organs with strength to help combat the vampire's poison. He worked fast, destroying the parasites where he found them, chasing them when they fled.

When Gregori was certain he had killed the last one, he began to work on the damage, first repairing the ovaries, ensuring no egg had been penetrated. The parasite would attach itself, replicate and feed off the internal organs. They had voracious appetites. It seemed hours, when in reality it was far less with both healers working together, before Gregori was able to regain his own body. Francesca swayed beside him, pale and exhausted. They had worked a miracle in record time.

«She needs more blood and good rich soil,» Gregori said, «but she'll be fine.» He inspected Riordan. «You, however, need a little help.»

«The soil will aid me,» Riordan said. «I can't thank you enough for saving her life. She was far gone from us.»

Mikhail held up his hand for silence. «There is one among you able to heal the earth. Would you step forward?»

The Carpathians looked at one another. Over in the corner where the Dark Troubadours had gathered, Barack took Syndil's hand and led her to the front. «Syndil is capable of healing the earth.»

Mikhail let his breath out slowly. The woman was one of the children Darius had saved, her Carpathian lineage strong and true. She looked nervous, but stood quietly waiting. He smiled at her. «So you are our miracle worker. I saw the land after you worked on it.»

She spread her hands out in front of her. «It is my calling. A small talent, but strong.»

The prince shook his head. «I do not believe it is a small talent. We would give this couple to Mother Earth to heal. If you could choose, where would you put them?»

«Here,» Syndil pointed to a spot without hesitation.

«The soil is rich there, no toxins?»

She frowned, holding her hands over the spot. «It is the best in the caverns, but I can make it better.» She glanced at Riordan. «If you don't mind waiting.»

«Not at all,» Riordan replied. Gregori was healing him even as Mikhail was watching the woman prepare the soil. «I am grateful to you.»

Syndil knelt and closed her eyes, palms down toward the earth. She sang softly, calling to the soil, encouraging the wealth of minerals to double.

Mikhail tightened his fingers around Raven's. My God, Raven. She's the real thing. She can do this, enrich our soil for us.

It takes its toll on her. Look at her.

Syndil swayed, pale, much like Francesca and Gregori, when she stood. Barack reached for her, circling her waist to steady her. Mikhail nodded. We will all aid her as best we can.

Syndil stepped back and smiled at Mikhail. «There. The soil should really help both of them.»

Riordan, holding Juliette to him, floated down into the bed of rich loam. Around them,

the dirt filled in to cover them. Rafael stepped forward and began to weave safeguards while the Carpathians drifted back to their homes.

Mikhail bowed to Syndil. «If I asked you, would you consider choosing the birthing place for Shea? I could take you around and have you look at various sites we're considering. I would greatly value your opinion.»

«I know nothing of birthing.»

«But you know much about soil.»

Syndil glanced at Barack, who nodded. «Of course, although I doubt I'll have time to make anything for the dinner tonight.»

«Believe me, this is far more important,» Mikhail assured.

Raven agreed. «I have the dinner well in hand. Shea's birth is the most important thing we have going and our biggest reason to celebrate.»

I think this very humble woman is our greatest reason to celebrate, Mikhail declared.

Chapter 12

«We're in for it now, Ginny,» Colby De La Cruz said with a small sigh as she braided her younger sister's hair. «Rafael is going to be crazy now. He hardly lets me out of his sight as it is. And I was just making progress too.» She cast a quick glance at Rafael, her lifemate, pacing furiously the length of the room, every now and then casting her a smoldering, warning look.

«Why is he so upset?» Ginny asked.

«Your Aunt Juliette was injured.»

Rafael spun around, his dark eyes flashing with anger. «Your Aunt Juliette disobeyed a direct order from her lifemate. She ignored her own safety and nearly got both of them killed.»

Ginny gasped, one hand flying to her mouth. «Are they all right, Rafael?»

«They're both fine,» Colby answered, glaring at her lifemate. «There's no need to try to scare her to death.»

«There's every need,» Rafael declared, reaching out a hand to tangle it in the mass of red-gold hair surrounding Colby's face. «And just who are these kids-that boy over here? What do we know about him?»

«You mean Josef?» Ginny asked. «He's nice.»

Rafael's scowl deepened. She does not need to be thinking that boy is nice. I do not want her around boys at all.

Colby sighed. Ginny is not yet in her teens and she's human. I hardly think Josef is going to look at her that way.

I looked at you that way.

I'm a grown woman and in any case, Paul is with Josef. You know her brother would never allow anything improper.

I'm going to go show my teeth to that young man. If he knows what's good for him, he'll go home. Rafael stalked from the room, his face set in harsh lines, his jaw stubborn. «And wear your hair down tonight for this thing. I like it that way.»

Colby rolled her eyes at Ginny. «That man has way too much testosterone. He's going to scare Josef.»

«Why?»

«Because Josef might look at you wrong. Lord help you when you get old enough to date, Ginny. I think he'll have ten bodyguards-all female-surrounding you.»

«All my friends are afraid of him,» Ginny conceded, «but he's always sweet to me. And Paul spends most of his time with Rafael.»