Fang-Kissed

Chapter 26

Raphael remained passed out for far too long – it was starting to freak me out.

Eventually Ren returned with Kami and we hauled him onto Ren's back, and then we all returned to Kami's treehouse.

It was my first time being within it, and it's a small platform in the treetops, but with room enough for a kitchen, a water bucket on a rope and pulley – and two sleeping areas. Raphael is pulled up to the tree house through Kami's magic of controlling the plants in her Wild Garden. Now he rests in a roll of vines, looking a little imprisoned, but Kami wanted him warm.

Ren stayed at his side until he woke, and what transpired when he did awaken, was quiet bonding time. Raphael just silently gazing upon his daughter with an obvious headache, while Ren spoke about her life for the next two hours, nonstop. She ranted and raved while sitting by the bed, holding his hand in both of hers. It was mostly tales about how she pranked Kami, and eventually I needed to relieve myself.

"I'll be back," I tell them all as I reach down for the ladder carefully.

"Don't fall and die," Raphael calls out, dead-serious.

I look back at him, shaking my head, but smiling with the sternness in his grey eyes.

"If she's as adept as I am, she won't stumble –" Ren says sweetly, and sarcastically, sending me a smirk.

"You get the agility from me, darling," Raphael smiles softly, not hearing her joking side, only hearing his sweet daughter being beautiful and perfect.

"From Beowulf, I am Silver, not Gold," Ren snaps back with passion, "I am legendary. Just no one knows it yet."

"Okay, youngblood," Raphael chuckles, he sounds so at ease, so incredibly proud.

Kami sits by a brewing soup of freshly picked vegetables, while I descend to the ground.

I had assumed Ray's Fang would be long gone, as he loped off into a separate direction.

I get a shock I suppose I shouldn't have had in the first place, when I reach the bottom rung and spring off into the soft fall leaves, turning toward grey eyes with a silver bite.

The injured, dirty Fang is hiding in the bushes, laid down, nose poking through the leaves, eyes wide and on me.

No snarl.

Just flat ears, which occasionally twitch up with a flurry of fleas. Raze blinks, and doesn't move, doesn't say anything. He is there, he can see me, I don't know if he remembers me... but he's not lunging out for the kill, so that tells me something.

I could warn Kami, Raphael and Ren... but something keeps my tongue still, as I take one step toward Ray.

He stops breathing.

I take another tentative step.

He starts to growl.

I lower myself to my knees.

I lower my eyes.

I wait with one hand out.

I know he's not a wild animal, but if the Fang is in control and his memory is stifled by wizardry, I need to rely on the senses of the animal.

I hope he can smell who I am at least. His mate.

I wait and nothing happens, aside from the growl subsiding.

I glance up after a minute and Raze remains in the bushes, his ears twitching again, his eyes wide and focused. Scared.

I think he's scared.