the glamour.

Lara felt the surge of power and knew it emanated from the walking stick rather than from her great-grandfather. Razvan cowered from the old man as he approached. She knew Xavier was the oldest mage, the master of both white and black magic. His teachings had been the foundation of not only the race of mages, but of the Carpathian people as well. Her aunts had educated her in the terrible family history of kidnap, rape, murder and war. All because of this one man and his search for immortality.

Xavier stretched a thin arm toward her, his fingers like bones, the nails long and curled. He beckoned.

Razvan shoved Lara away. «You will not touch her. You have your own supply.»

Come close, Lara, now, while they bicker over you. Come close to the wall and aid us in breaking free.

«I can no longer use them as you well know. They have become far too powerful to control. I need the book. We must find the book.» Xavier stumbled closer to Lara, his clawlike fingers reaching for her. «Once I have the book, they will not be able to defy me.»

Razvan swept Lara farther behind him. «This one is mine and you will not touch her.»

«Do not presume to give me orders.» The voice bellowed in the vast chambers. Xavier stood to his full height, Razvan shrinking before him. «I grow old, but I still have my abilities and you do not.»

Lara inched closer to the wall, all the while gathering the energy in the room.

«You cannot even control your own children. As sick as they are they still defy you! You forced me to bring you my own offspring, but you cannot have this one. You kill them with your greed.»

«You will give her to me.» Xavier swung his stick up, the tip pointing at his grandson.