Page 96 of His Fate
I slump back into the chair as I lift a hand to my forehead. "Because we know for a fact vampire blood possesses the same properties their saliva does and can conjure a shift, can force a shift to human form. At the very least a bullet infused with Havok's blood will instantly make a dragon vulnerable but—"
"Could also potentially be fatal." Henrich nods. "Gods, it's genius."
"And you seriously questioned that?" Havok scoffs. "My sanity may be compromised but my intelligence is far from it."
I roll my eyes then look to Milos. "Is this possible? Do you have what you need to create ammunition? Will we be able to lace it?"
He nods. "I have a complete inventory of our armory as well as what the rest of what our people possess. It will take time, much time, but with Vok's help we should be able to create enough to take out three of Cyril's army."
I look to Henrich. "Will it be possible to obtain enough venom, enough blood to accommodate that?"
"With my Gracie's help, yes. It'll be rather uncomfortable for us dragons, but since we are all well past the age of our first shift, as well as mated, our bodies produce triple the amount of venom they did before. It should only take a few days to acquire what we need."
"Good." I go back to the map. "So with my beloved, Hank, and Grace positioned here with their enhanced weapons, it gives us full coverage at our backs so long as we make sure Cyril attacks in the valley. And since Havok is staying here,"—I point to his new cave—"he will be on the ready when the sun sets."
"You think Cyril will wait until dark?" Posey asks from my side.
I nod, as do my brothers and Karel. "He is a coward, a scared little shit that wants to take everything without having to work for it. If I know him at all, Cyril will wait until just before sunset to get into position, the valley being the best place for his army to hide until then, and he will execute his attack once the final rays disappear behind the mountain."
"So ultimately we get to the valley before they do, hide and just wait..." My beloved nods and scans the map. "Why do I get the feeling Havok is some sort of secret weapon?"
The bastard snorts, actually laughs a little as he leans out of the shadows. "Because I am, my queen. I am that Molnarva bastard’s worst nightmare and I shall remind him of that the second he tries to fuck with my family."
Posey grins—a little evil, mostly beautiful—as her eyes find mine. "Oh I like him, sugar. I like Vok a lot."
"As I knew you would." I turn back to the group. "Is everyone clear on our plan, understand their positions and roles?"
I'm met with a series of firm nods, a few grunts.
"Excellent. The next step will be calling an entire clan meeting. I want everyone aware of what my expectations are, what they are required to do but not without the understanding that now is the time to voice concern or decline my request so we can regroup. After that, Hank, uncle, I would like for you to start a vigorous training regimen for those who will be fighting. Hand to hand combat, weapons, everything. I want our army finely tuned and capable of working as a unit." Jack flashes through my mind briefly and I smile at my beloved for sending me her thoughts. "And you may want to go over some of the basics of shifting again for some. I have a feeling our grizzly brother may be a little out of practice."
Hank bursts into laughter, laughs so hard he honks like a goose just as his daughter does. "Absolutely. I'd put money on that big old bear not shifting in almost as long as I have. Robert too, for that matter. Hell, some of them have hardly had any reason since their young left. Without packs or prides to run with, it's not as much fun." He chuckles a bit harder. "Shifter 101 for us old farts, eh, Josey Posey?"
My mate giggles, then honks. "I'd love to see that. Jack's huge when he shifts, I bet his bear will be so happy to see the light of day, it'll be just like the first time all over again."
Hank nods and Karel chuckles. "I've not had to assist anyone with shifting in battle for many years, I may actually enjoy this."
"If I'm not overstepping,"—Henrich smiles warmly at my beloved—"perhaps you should join them for their, we'll say, shifting refreshers, my queen? Even if you are unable to shift still, it could be beneficial to be around a large number who are. All of the magic that comes from it may encourage your dragon to wake."
"That," Posey chirps as she points to Henrich, "is a fabulous idea. And even if I don't go all flame on, at least I'll get some enjoyment out of watching my dad try to call his dragon after being wheelchair bound for twenty years. That will be so worth the frustration from potentially not shifting myself."
Hank scowls at his daughter. "Pain in the ass."
"Old fart," she quips back.
"Wait," Havok says as he leans out of the shadows again. "A dragon was wheelchair bound for twenty years?"
We all nod and I sigh. "If you do not need sleep, then perhaps maybe now is a good time for me to catch you up on the entire story, brother. There is much more to this than Cyril eliminating dragons and coming after my throne."
He nods and stands to his full height. "I haven't slept in two hundred and seventy-four years, why start now?"
He is an angry, miserable bastard right now but he is our bastard and I am beyond fucking glad to have Havok back with us.
Now I pray it will be long term, indefinite.
I pray we win our battle, pray we defeat the enemy and eliminate the threat posed to my people.
I pray that when we do and our purpose has been fulfilled, Havok stays, stays with us so that we may all begin to heal from the multiple losses we share.
