Once Upon A Fae

Chapter 27

"Even peace may be purchased at too high a price."

Benjamin Franklin

Chapter 27

The warriors dug frantically until the sky began to darken and the moon peeked over the trees. The battle had long since ended and the survivors stood gravely among the dead and injured. The males hoping to hear a cry, a whimper, anything that would let them know that the pups had survived.

As the hours had passed those digging had broken through the fire hardened soil and their job had become easier though the pace no faster. Each section they unearthed had to be carefully supported to avoid another possibly worse cave in.

Dmitri was the farthest into the tunnels. Using all four paws he dug forward while pushing the dirt behind him. Caging himself into the narrow pathway. Not caring if he died as long as he was buried with his family.

The first mangled body caught him by surprise. His claws dug into cold flesh instead of the dirt he was expecting. Jaws gently gripping the arm in front of him, Dmitri pulled the body from the rubble.

A young male maybe sixteen. Bones poking through skin covered with blood the pup had no chance even if they had found him sooner. Dmitri's soul died a little with each broken boy that he passed to those working behind him. His wolf's soulful whimper filled the small space as he dragged the teenage female that Ebon had saved. Her damaged body nearly unrecognizable as a human form.

Soon the shifted trainees were accounted for but there was no sign of Faith and the pups. Digging deeper he carried on. No matter how far he had to dig, how long it took him, Dmitri would not stop until he was once again with his family.

As Dmitri's paws dug into the dirt before him, he broke through. Desperately widening the circle he pushed through until he saw the open space before him. The beautiful sounds of whimpering pups filled his ears as he slid into the room.

Sniffing frantically at each of the young he pushed them towards the tunnel and the help waiting within. As he approached the back of the room his wolf retreated allowing Dmitri to flow back into his human form and take his mate into his arms.

The wait was interminable. Shiraz stood near the entrance of the tunnel listening for any signs of life. Each ravaged body that was passed out from the line of diggers tore through his heart like the twisting of a knife. All strength left him though as a small female was set gently to the ground.

Falling to his knees with a cry of pain, Shiraz stared down at the mangled corpse. Long hair that had once been a chestnut brown was now black with blood and dirt. Her innocent face crushed, her tiny body maimed. The female didn't look old enough to shift, barely passed the blush of childhood, just starting to show signs of the beautiful shifter she would have become.

Luch approached the distraught vampire as he dropped to the ground. As he drew near he could hear the mumbling litany of "I'm sorry" as he cradled the female pup in his arms. Laying a gentle hand on his shoulder, Luch tried to comfort Shiraz.

Though he could not heal the wounds of the mind like Faith, Luch could send a comforting warmth into the grieving male. With a jolt Shiraz stared up at the tiny, purple shifter. His eyes filled with the horrors of his actions.

"What have I done?" He cried out brokenly. "How can I yet live with this dark stain upon my soul?"

Not knowing how to help, Luch looked to the commotion at the tunnel entrance. A shaking Rafe emerged from the ground clutching Micah close to his chest. Tear tracks had left clean spots in the dirt covering the boy. His clothes were in tatters and his fingers bloody. Other than that he was healthy and whole.