Christine Feehan - Dark Celebration 17

Mikhail swore as the hole closed, trapping the hunter beneath the ground. He shifted to the body of a badger, plowing his way through the layers of soil, reaching for Manolito, all the while sending waves of tremors through the earth, hoping to disorient the monster.

Both hunter and hunted were blind now, the eagle having done its work. Manolito tried to utilize the senses of the giant mole he had become in order to find his way to the top. He heard the prince digging, felt the earth shake and knew Mikhail hadn't left him. He began frantically tunneling up toward the prince.

It was the mole that sensed the creature coming up behind it, but Manolito went silent, shrinking the mole to normal size, waiting until he felt the hot breath on the mole's face before he struck hard, leaping forward, ripping with his own claws, a savage attack that scored. He couldn't see it, but he could feel the blood burning through his body, heard the horrible howl of pain, and suddenly it was gone, dropping through the soil where Manolito had no hope of following it.

The dirt above him was nearly gone, thanks to Mikhail's efforts. He made short work of it and as he broke through the surface, he shifted once more, throwing himself across the top of the ground, breathing in fresh air.

«Your blood or his,» Mikhail demanded.

«Mostly his,» Manolito answered, desperately trying to regain his control. He couldn't afford for the prince to realize he'd regained emotion and for the first time in his life, he had experienced claustrophobia. «It feels like vampire blood, it burns like acid, yet he did not act as any vampire I have ever encountered. He didn't seem experienced in an actual fight.» Manolito sat up slowly, buying a little more time. «He laid a great trap, but he cannot really fight. He was relying on poison to stop us. It's in his claws.»

«Are Juliette and Riordan safe beneath the surface?»

«I don't think he can get to them. He cannot get past the safeguards. Don't you find that strange? He can do so much, yet he falls short when it comes to finishing.»

«I fear Razvan was not slain as we had hoped.» Mikhail reached out and circled his ankle, inspecting the damage. «He is good at the planning of a battle, but from what I understand he was unable to make up his own spells and safeguards. That would mean he could not unravel them.» I am tired, Raven. So very tired.

Gregori comes to you, my love. Her voice was a soft caress. There have been so many battles lately. This is my fault. I should not have insisted on bringing everyone together. The responsibility of their safety weighs on you.

Gregori tore into the passageway, a thundering cloud of vapor, already shifting. He came striding toward them, his silver eyes blazing, his long hair streaming behind him, his face a grim mask. Muscles ran like steel beneath his skin and he moved with fluid grace. He simply bent and ran his hands over Mikhail, looking for every scratch that could have opened a doorway for poison. «Our people are grateful to you, Manolito. We cannot thank you enough for your intervention.»

Ah, old friend. Must you treat me like a child in front of the children?

Do not make a joke. How many times is this now that our enemies have set traps for you? Raven and Savannah are both distressed, both in tears. For that alone I could tear out your heart. His hands were extraordinarily gentle as he examined the prince.

«Manolito has several burns and claw marks,» Mikhail said.

Gregori eyed his prince warily. Mikhail always responded to his outrageous threats, but this time he didn't even attempt a quip. Alarmed, Gregori went over his body a second time to make certain he had assessed the damage correctly. «I will take you home to Savannah to heal your ankle, if you do not mind, Mikhail. It will do her good to see you and I will be able to spend more time making certain I have all the poison out.»

«Whatever is best for you, Gregori.»

Gregori's dark brow rose and once again, his slashing silver gaze probed the prince. He

finally turned to Manolito and cleansed the burns from the acid blood, healing the few claw marks on his face and chest, checking to make certain he had pushed all the poison from his body. «You should rest,» he advised.

«I will go to ground after the celebration. I think every warrior should be close just in case,» Manolito said.

Gregori nodded. «Thank you again for your service to our people.»

«The allegiance of the De La Cruz family has always been pledged to our prince,» Manolito said. He sketched a small salute and left the two alone.

«Are you all right, Mikhail? Really all right?» Gregori asked.

Mikhail was silent for a few moments. «Yes, of course. I am just tired of so many of my people having to make a decision to exchange their life for mine. It is difficult to live with oneself after a time.» He didn't wait for Gregori to reply. He shimmered into mist and streamed from the caverns toward his daughter's home.

Savannah waited anxiously for them, her thick blue-black hair a long rope down her back, anxiety in her deep blue-almost violet-eyes. She threw her arms around Mikhail's neck and held him tightly. «Papa, we were all so worried.»

«I know, csitri,» he replied. «I'm sorry. I'm fine, just a scratch.»

«You've always called me your little girl, but now that I'm grown»-Savannah reached for Gregori, clung to his hand-«you only do so when things aren't very good. How bad are you hurt, really, Papa?» She looked up at her lifemate. «Gregori?»

Gregori framed her face with his large hands, thumbs brushing gently over her mouth. «You know I would never allow anything to happen to your father. He has a torn ankle and I'm going to take a good look at it.» His silver gaze slid over Mikhail.

«Do not look at me like that,» Mikhail snapped, his hand sliding down to his ankle. The pain was nearly impossible to block. «What would you have me do? Stand by and watch a man who risked his life for me die?»

Gregori waved his hand and a cushioned stool slid in front of Mikhail. «Yes. That is what I would have you do. I would not expect it of you, but yes, I would prefer it. One of these days, you are not going to survive these continual attacks on you. If you cannot think of yourself or your lifemate, perhaps you might think what would happen to your people.» His voice was mild as he delivered what was definitely a reprimand.

Savannah ducked her head, flinching a little, her protest dying under Gregori's slashing gaze. She brushed back her father's hair with gentle fingers. «It was courageous of you, but you could have been killed.»

«And what of the hunter, Manolito De La Cruz, who risked everything to save me? He went willingly into the burrow, knowing what it was, knowing he probably would die. I am to ignore that? I cannot, Gregori. I will not.»

Gregori shrugged his broad shoulders. «I suppose you could not. That is why you are the prince. But in truth, De La Cruz did his duty to his people. He has his honor and he can live with that. It is what we all do, Mikhail, and even you have to live within the rules of our society. We cannot exist without you.»

«There is Savannah.»

«We do not know if she is a living vessel for our people. And she is female. She is needed to provide children. If she ruled, we could not chance it.» Gregori bent to examine the wounds in Mikhail's ankle. «This is very similar to the attack on Natalya's ankle just before the big battle. Razvan attacked her from below ground and injected her with poison using the tips of his claws. How are you feeling?»

«Like he tore a hole through my ankle clear to the bone,» Mikhail admitted. When Gregori continued to look at him, he sighed. «The leg is weak and I feel sick.»

Savannah went to wipe the blood away, using a soft wet cloth. «This should help a little with the pain,» she explained. «I know you're having a difficult time controlling it and I put a soother in the water.»