We creep to a stop and when I look over the dog I fear is mine, I take a shuddering breath.
I couldn't identify him as mine or some poor stray because there is barely anything left.
"Havok..." I cry. ”Please..."
"It isn't him, my love."
"How do you know? I can't tell, I..."
"I can tell by his scent, angel. Through the smell of burnt hair and..." he swallows hard. "Despite that putrid smell I cannot find anything that indicates this is our boy. The scent markers are different. Sammy shares one very distinct fragrance with you, shares that sugary sweet undertone against his other traits. This poor soul smells of trash, roadkill and a slight touch of rose. I swear to you on our bond that this is not our boy."
I sag against him, my tears never ending, "But what if they got in, what if that monster took my baby, took our baby? What if he has Samson and this was just some sort of distraction?"
Havok shakes his head. "Impossible. No other vampire can set foot in our home, in any home on Dragovihk land because they have all been protected by my blood as well as Andrej's. No vampire or shifter not of our clan can enter into our homes because of blood we shed and the words we spoke while we did it."
"How can you be sure?" I sniffle hard. "I'm not trying to question you but, but I just need to be sure, I need to know."
"I understand, angel." He strokes my hair and turns me away from the wreckage. "It is something only vampires can do, typically old vampires with great power, but when Henrich found the Prayer of Protection we decided to try it, decided to put my abilities to the test, and when it not only seemed to work but actually appeared to create some sort of forcefield, we took it a step further. We did it just before Cyril attacked and it is the only reason any of the structures in the compound remained standing."
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"Ok. That's not my baby dog, he's safe in our home thanks to you. I will never question you again."
"But you must, my love.” Havok places his thumb and index against my chin, tilts my head back so I meet his eyes. "If you do not question me then who else will keep my overinflated ego in check?"
I give him a small smile, lean up and press a kiss to his lips. "I love you, Havok." One more kiss. "Can you take me to see Samson now?"
He kisses my lips, my nose, but instead of responding we hear another voice.
"You should take her home." We both turn to see Andrej standing there in basketball shorts, a stoically sad look on his face. "The little one should rest now."
I watch as four enormous beasts circle in the sky, three black, one red, and even though I'm a hot fucking mess and totally exhausted, I smile.
It's been a really long time since I've seen those beautiful creatures, our brother dragons, and I don't think it's ever brought me as much relief as it does right now.
They touch down with more grace than should be possible for such gigantic beings but they do, and one by one Kai, Henrich, Milos, and Karel emerge from the tree line, all sporting shorts like Andrej.
My lovey sighs, tightens his grip and nods. "Once she is settled I will return to help. It shouldn't take too—"
“No." Andrej shakes his head. "Stay with the little one. We will extinguish the flames, dispose of what's left."
"That is greatly appreciated, brother, but it does not seem right. I will settle my angel then I can help. Perhaps hunt down the bastard responsible for scaring my mate, for causing such damage, for threatening those I hold dear."
Andrej smiles but only a little. "Time for vengeance draws near but it is not tonight. Stay with your mate, protect her, console her, let us handle the rest."
"I could not have said it better myself,” Kai says as he stops next to us. "Besides, daylight is only a few hours away, you will be of little use after that."
Karel nods. "And the wolf, Colt, has already been informed of the situation. He is speaking with the others to put them on high alert, Hank is issuing lockdown orders and instructed Colt to meet us at sunrise to see if he can scent anything useful, possibly track the bastard vampires through the poor animal they led to slaughter."
After a few more minutes of listening to their plan, Havok drives us to our cabin, parks his bike in the garage built into the hill then carries me through the tunnel and secret passageway. The minute we're inside I start bawling again as my baby, my good sweet boy, leaves his post by the window to greet us.
I swear he seems relieved, almost like he was just as worried, just as upset by the scene outside and the destruction of what was once our home rattled Samson as much as it did us.
Havok sets me on my feet and the second he does I drop to my knees and cry into Samson's fur, hug him, hold him, and thank whoever is listening that he's still here. And my love lets me. Havok gives me space to fall apart, periodic glances and soft smiles are all he offers as I cradle my dog while he moves about the cabin, putting it in early lockdown.
He grabs one of his t-shirts, a pair of sweats, a few towels then disappears into the bathroom where I hear him start to fill the bathtub. When he returns, my love is in nothing but his jeans, belt gone and button undone, then he walks over, lifts me in his arms once again and motions for Samson to follow.
