We will need blood, Benedek,Nicu said after surveying the damage.
I will call my brothers to us.Mataias sounded grim.We will have need of them before this is over.
The poison ran wild. Benedek had seen many poisons developed against the hunters throughout the centuries. This one was new to him. He didn’t panic or hurry. That way lay disaster. He took the time to study the poison, its fast-mutating and -replicating cells. The behavior of the poison. The way it destroyed cells and multiplied at an alarming rate.
He surveyed the damage to Silke’s heart, automatically slowing her heart and lungs in an effort to slow the spread of the poison. It wasn’t that difficult to stop the original strain—the structure of the poison was known to him, a very basic beginning. He studied the various mutated strains, each seemingly more aggressive than the last. Each more complicated.
We have to separate the faster strains,he told the others,the ones causing the most damage. I’ve counted four.
I agree—aside from the original, there are four mutated variations,Mataias stated.
It took precious time to repair the walls of her heart and destroy the original strain. By that time, Benedek had some knowledge of how the poison invaded cells, reshaping them and multiplying quickly inside them. He shared that knowledge with the other two healers working to save Silke.
Nicu was driving the poison from her lungs. Mataias ensured that the brain was free of all poisons. Benedek began work on her arteries. Poison surged toward him, on the offensive, aggressive in its determination to slay its victim. Benedek sent antibodies against the poisonous cells. He had to change his tactics several times, reshaping the antibodies so they could fight each mutation even as he forced the poison out through her pores whenever he could.
Tora destroyed the demonic toxic substances as they dropped to the floor of the cave. She’d lit aromatic candles and filled the space with herbs and healing scents. She sang the healing chant. From a distance, Fenja’s voice blended with hers. Lojos and Tomas arrived, both chanting the healing chant as they assessed the situation.
It took tremendous strength for Benedek, Nicu and Mataias to remain light and energy, pure healing spirits as they battled the ever-mutating poison long into the night. The toxin changed often to escape the antibodies created by the men. At times, they burned through the poison as well as pushing it out of pores to eradicate it. All the while the three struggled to keep Silke alive.
Benedek whispered to her, his voice at times compelling. Sometimes commanding. Always holding her to him with ruthless determination. He refused to acknowledge defeat, no matter how many times her heart stuttered and the poison raged. He would not lose her. His brethren fought just as hard. Twice he returned to his body for blood. Both times Lojos fed him. The moment Lojos had given blood, he returned to the village to feed so he would be at full strength to give more. Tomas provided for Nicu. Tora gave her ancient blood to Mataias. Not a single one of them faltered or felt the task too great. They aided Benedek without reservation, giving everything they had to save his lifemate.
The moment Silke was free of the poison, Benedek gathered her into his arms. She felt light, insubstantial, almost as if she’d already left her body. He kissed her gently. Her lashes fluttered in response, but she didn’t open her eyes.
“I will take your blood, Silke, and then you must accept mine. It is the only way to save your life. The only way to bring you into my world.”
He felt her move in his mind, a caressing stroke of assent, and he buried his teeth in her without hesitation. They had no time to waste. None. She had to be converted fast. Her strength was waning. As it was, it would take his brethren and Tora, even Fenja, to aid her through the conversion.
When he had taken enough blood for a true exchange, he opened the line she was familiar with along his chest. Silke was too weak, although she tried for him. He aided her, cradling her head to him, using his skills, merging deep with her to aid her in drawing out his ancient blood and holding it in her body.
When she had taken enough, they prepared for the conversion. It was always painful and rather terrifying. The five men and Tora exchanged as much information as they knew of the process and the various ways other women had been helped into their world. It didn’t take long for her nearly dead body to be taken very savagely by the change.
Organs reshaped with the fierce fire of a blowtorch. It was impossible to shoulder all the pain, but Benedek and the others did their best as her body convulsed and seized. The transition was so violent Tora and Fenja wept and Benedek didn’t blame them. Dawn crept toward them when Silke was finally far enough into the conversion that Benedek felt it safe to send her to sleep and put her into the healing ground.
Exhausted, the hunters and Tora found resting places close to one another, something rarely done. All felt as if they needed to protect the newest Carpathian woman when she rose.
Chapter
21
Aromatic candles and the flickering flames in the fireplace were the only lights in the room. The small table Silke used to read the cards was made of ancient wood and had been in her birth mother’s family for hundreds of years. Fenja had told Silke that the table had been made centuries earlier when Tora had given blood to the tarot cards, giving them the power and wisdom to see into whomever touched them.
Silke loved that little table. The cards felt at home there, as if they knew that piece of furniture had been made specifically for them. Although she knew it was necessary, she felt a great deal of trepidation reading for the men who had come to her village in their time of greatest need.
She looked across the room to where Tora was seated. Tora didn’t want a reading. She feared what the cards might say. Now that she wasn’t needed to guard the gate, she could go out into the world, visit the places where Carpathians lived and perhaps find her lifemate. She told Silke she feared that fate. She’d been on her own far too long to be a partner to someone, yet she longed for a family of her own. Still, even knowing the cards would give her clues, she refused the reading.
It was Mataias who sat across from Silke. She liked him. He wasdifferent, but then, wasn’t everyone different? He didn’t look at all nervous, when she had such anxiety she was trembling inside. Outwardly she remained composed, but inwardly she was a mess. Benedek, so tuned to her, realized and stepped up to stand directly behind her, his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
Mataias gave her a reassuring smile. “Whatever you see is going to be fine, Silke. I need the reassurance that somewhere in the world is the lifemate I’ve continued my existence for. Just knowing she is still in this world and I have the chance of finding her gives me added strength.”
Mataias is telling you the truth, Silke,Benedek confirmed.It matters little the danger he may face, only that he knows his woman is somewhere in the world waiting for him.
It has been my experience that few women these days sit around dreaming of their man. Especially if she is human. None of you should count too heavily on that fairy tale.
Benedek burst out laughing and shared Silke’s observation with his brethren.
Lojos mock-scowled at her. “I’m certain my lifemate has been dreaming of the day I claim her.”
Tora made a single sound of derision. She and Silke exchanged a long look and both burst out laughing.
