Chapter 17

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.

The small three-year-old boy, with tangled blond hair that appears a muddy brown from layers of dirt and grime, stands barefoot. His large, crystal blue irises are strikingly clear against his grubby face. He looks up at me with a giant smile. His face tells the story of a child who has never known the comfort of a bath or the luxury of fresh clothes. His garments, tattered and stained, hang loosely on his tiny frame, revealing his bare feet, which are calloused and dusty from constant contact with the ground. Despite his unkempt appearance, there is an undeniable innocence and curiosity in his bright blue eyes.

My memories flood back as I watch Serafim cling to my leg. I remember the countless nights under the stars, questioning if I would ever find my mate. The solitude had been unbearable, and the ache of my heart a constant companion. Yet, the moment I heard my mate's call, it was as if a sunbeam had pierced the dark clouds of my existence. I have a purpose now, a reason to keep going. Two purposes.

He lets go of my leg. "He told me you would come."

I kneel in front of him. "Who told you I would come?"

Serafim shrugs. "He didn't tell me his name, but he was so bright I couldn't look at him without my eyes hurting." The clarity of his speech at such a young age surprises me.

"What else did the bright man tell you?"

"That you're my patér, and that you would save Momma."

A tear slides down my cheek into my beard. I can't bring myself to tell this little one who already has my heart that I don't know if we will save his momma. No matter the outcome, he's mine. But an outcome without her isn't acceptable to either of us.

"Incredible, he hasn't budged from Lena's side," a woman behind me states.

Serafim looks behind me. "Georgia, what's a patér?" he asks the newcomer.

I look back at the woman who tells my son, "I don't know, sweetie."

How can she not know?

I turn back to him. "A patér takes care of his mate and children. He makes sure no one ever hurts them, that they don't go hungry. They protect them at any cost. They would die for the ones in his care."

"So, you're nothing like Poppa?"

I stifle a growl at the mention of that monster. "That is correct."

"I need to get started," Frank interrupts. "It might be best if the child waits outside.

Serafim throws his arms around my neck. His grip tight.

"Serafim, can you let go and look at me?"

Teary blue orbs bare deep into my soul. "I bet you've seen a lot of bad things."

He nods.

"Your momma has a tooth that is making her sick. My friend here is also nothing like your Poppa, but he has to pull your momma's tooth and give her medicine. All of this is going to hurt her. We can stay if you promise to be brave and let my friend do what he has to do."

"And she'll wake up?"

"Not right away, but soon." I promise, knowing it might be a lie. A lie I pray he can forgive if I break my word.

"I'm brave. I promise."

I nod at Frank to proceed.

I saw the post outside with the bloody ropes and a whip on the ground next to it. What this child has seen in his brief life is unimaginable. First thing I plan to do when I leave this tent is rip the post from the ground and toss it into the fire. And not long after that, we'll gather everyone together and give the heifers in the cave a proper funeral.

The desolate camp symbolizes the cruelty they faced. Tattered tents flapped in the wind, and emaciated figures moved like corpses in the dim light. Despair fills the air. I paid no mind to the people watching me as I raced to Lena with curiosity and fear in my heart.

"Isaak, I'll need you to hold her down in case she moves from the pain."

"Serafim, will you hold Momma's hand while I make sure she doesn't move and get hurt more?"

"I can do that," he agrees with a smile.

With gloves on, Frank props open Lena's mouth to examine her teeth. After finding the one causing the problems, he places a stick on the opposite side to hold her mouth open, and to keep from getting bitten.

"There's going to be blood, but don't worry, it will stop," Frank explains for my son's benefit.

"I'm not afraid of blood," he says, holding his head high. Serafim must be the bravest child ever.

Frank takes a set of pliers and pulls the infected tooth from the root. Frank works methodically. The tension is palpable, though. Every time Lena's body jerks or twitches, my heart skips a beat. I whisper soothing words while Serafim clings to her hand. His gaze is wide with fear but filled with determination.

After setting the tooth in a bowl, Frank pours peroxide into the wound and packs it with gauze.

Suddenly, Lena convulses—her body shaking violently. Frank springs into action, trying to stabilize her.

Serafim cries out in terror, but my calm words reassure him. "It's okay, little one. She's fighting, and so are we."

When the convulsions stop, and Lena lies still again, I'm overcome with relief and dread. I turn to Serafim, who valiantly holds back tears. "You're so brave, Serafim. Your momma is lucky to have you."

Frank is still hard at work. "I've got to put a needle in her arm to get the medicine into her body quickly. The needle has to stay in her arm. It's just a small prick."

I appreciate Frank's care with Serafim.

My son watches closely.

Once it's done and Frank hangs the IV bags full of antibiotics and nutrients, he looks down at Serafim. "I need you to watch these if I'm not around. When the liquid is all gone, I need to know so I can put another bag on there. Can you do that for me?"

He nods vigorously.

Thank you , I mouth to Frank.

Georgia had stepped out for the procedure and returns to the tent afterward. Her vision scans the scene. "How is she?"

"We're doing all we can," Frank replies with a strained but determined voice.

I look at Georgia, then back at Serafim. "We won't give up. Not on her, and not on anyone here. I promise you; we will fight with everything we have."

Outside the tent, the camp seems to hold its breath. I know that their battle has only just begun. But as I look at Serafim's trusting gaze and feel the strength of my mate's spirit, I know they all have a chance. A slight chance. But sometimes that's all we need.

And so, with renewed resolve, I prepare for the night ahead, ready to face whatever challenges come while we watch Lena and wait.

For in this fight, every life saved is a victory against the darkness. I'll not rest until she wakes.