Page 26 of Damian

Isaak

“Amid darkness, I choose faith. I will fight for her survival against all odds.” ~ Isaak

I’ve walked this world for forty-nine years and part of me doubted I’d ever hear a mate’s call. My head told me Helios never failed to send a male his mate. However, my heart struggled with the promise after so many years alone.

When I first heard my mate’s clock, joy threaded its way into every crevice inside of me. I made the journey toward her with a hop in my step.

Anxiety coupled my newfound happiness when I arrived and discovered the barrier keeping me from her.

I’d told no one, but a few days ago my joy turned to sorrow and near panic. I’d believed it was just the impatience of my bull at not being able to get to our mate.

I stood close enough to Willow when she answered Emjay’s phone call to hear her words. “One of them is dying, and we don’t know why.” The news sent my bull into a deeper panic. He threatened to take control and shift, believing he could tear down any walls keeping us from our mate.

When Willow told Emjay that she needs her mate if she stands a chance, my bull settled down. He’d have challenged the old seer otherwise. He’d have lost, but he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t do everything in our power to fight for her.

Willow waved her hand in the air while she spoke on the phone. I didn’t wait another moment to enter the labyrinth with Frank.

Rage takes hold of my senses over the carcasses rotting in the corner. Is that what they’d do with my mate if she didn’t survive? Over my dead body.

There’s a bite in my tone when I ask Frank, “Are you qualified to save her?”

“I’m a vet. I’m relieved Willow knows it’s a rotten tooth. I’ve pulled many impacted teeth from dogs and even a horse. I’ve got antibiotics and IV equipment in my bag.” He stops and puts his hand on my arm.

“Isaak, we’ll give her a few hours, and if she doesn’t improve, I’ll insist they let us take her to a hospital.”

“Won’t the doctors draw blood and discover she’s not human?”

Frank shakes his head. “Priscilla has been to doctors her whole life and recently spent time in the hospital. They found nothing out of the ordinary. Helios’ protection I imagine.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I’m not, but we won’t let her die without a fight. No matter the risk or consequences.”

We step out of the caves and into a camp. The homeless camps in San Diego where I’m from look like paradise compared to this nightmare.

“I wish I could raise the motherfuckers from the dead and kill them again. Did you kill any of them?”

Frank nods. “I battled him in our human forms in front of the neighborhood cameras outside of Shay’s parents’ home. My herd assigned me to watch over them in case anyone went after her family. We were right to worry. I think the nightmares might be easier to handle if we’d have fought as animals. In the end, I broke his neck before holding his lifeless body in my arms.”

“What did you do with the body?”

“He turned to dust in my arms. Like a vampire on TV.”

“Vampires can’t die.”

“You know that, and I know that. I don’t think Hollywood has gotten the memo.”

We both chuckle. A small laugh, void of any joy. “What about the cameras?”

He shrugs. “That’s a worry for another day. It’s good we remained human, or the internet would surely have us streaming on every site.”

My heart searches for a familiar face. Finding Emjay standing outside a tent, I take off in a jog toward her.

“Lena and her son Serafim are inside. He hasn’t left her side since she slipped unconscious. Tread lightly with him or I’ll let Georgia kick you out.”

I nod in understanding before slipping into conditions I wouldn’t let my dog sleep in.

My mind takes a moment to survey the condition of my mate. Her lungs struggle with each breath she takes. I don’t study her long before Serafim runs toward me and wraps his arms around my legs.

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