Falcon

I could stare at her for hours as she looked through textbooks. She caught me staring at her and lifted her eyes to mine. “I don’t have the supplies needed to draw blood nor the samples since they were all destroyed,” she said. I left her in here two hours ago while I took in all the changes and went over possible improvements on security. Since we wanted our babies to be born here, we had set up a delivery room as well. It would happen on its own, but I wanted to be there to make it easier, and there was no reason to have Nora go through it without the best there was to offer.

I smiled, shaking my head. She couldn’t wait to get started, learning of her name’s meaning made her more determined to work hard. “I ordered some of the things you’ll need, but it won’t arrive until next week.” I didn’t order everything until after the whole name thing because I didn’t want her to work on it anymore. The thought of them coming after her was more than I could handle, and with the war raging on, I needed to be on the battlefield, not protecting her. That’s what this place was for after all - a way to keep them safe as we battled. Draco’s security measures seemed to be on point.

“Can we sneak them from hospitals?” she asked. I shook my head because she was willing to resort to theft and I wasn’t going to let her taint herself like that. I knew she felt the burning desire, but it would have to wait.

“No, I don’t want to start doing illegal shit like that. That’s the difference between them and us. Morality.”

“Well, you didn’t mind sneaking in to do an ultrasound,” she countered, and it was well played, but I wasn’t going to let her win this one.

“Technically, we didn’t steal anything but a bit of gel and electricity,” I answered, letting her know that it wasn’t going to work.

“Whatever. I’m going to take these back to the castle to read.” I was ready to head back as well. I left Pietro and Placido along with Gideon in charge since Dante and Mary were still asleep. I watched as she nervously looked down at the microscope again. “Have you heard anything about Vigo yet?”

I took the books from her hands, tucking them under my arm. Then I pulled her to me. With a kiss to her forehead, I shook my head and said, “No, our men are looking into it, but no one knows where he’s being kept.” I had a feeling that we wouldn’t know. I asked Charlotte if I should ask around about Vigo, and she agreed it was best to keep it quiet. Nora’s heart was too good. Once you were her enemy you were in trouble, but until then her heart bled for you.

She looked at me with a serious and determined expression and said, “We need vampire sniffing dogs on it. Do you think there’s such a thing?”

“There’s no such thing as a vampire dog. But I think it’s possible to train a dog to our scents. I don’t know if it will work, but we could always try. They don’t like us that much, but they can be trained.”

“They can be? Cool, we need some like on the double.” My little demanding love had such a look of glee that I couldn’t tell her no.

“We can pick out two that like you tomorrow. Okay?” I was a pushover where she was concerned. If she could find some that actually liked her that would be a miracle, but we could always try.

“Yes,” she squealed, jumping up and down, almost making me drop the books.

I gave her a peck on the lips, then asked. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, sir,” she said, clinging to me.

* * *

The next day, I took her to the nearest human village. There were several dog owners with many pups for sale. It seemed like they used them because they believed the rumors of vampires at the castle and in our village.

Several people began to stare at us. Many of them still lived without modern technology due to the town losing most of its crops a decade ago from flooding. The town hadn’t recovered and may never do so if they didn’t change their ways.

I walked up to one of the villagers that had been unafraid to look me in the eye. “My wife wants a dog, and for her protection, I’d like to get her one. Do you know where I may find a strong breed?”

“Yes, sir. Three houses to your left they sell dogs, and they are the best the town has to offer.”

We thanked him and turned to the direction of the seller. We walked through the unpaved road to the house. After knocking, an elderly woman answered the door with a smile. “Lord Lombardi, it is a pleasure. Please come in,” the woman said. “We have many breeds.”

“Excuse me, but how do you know me?”

“Sir, I lost my sight when I was a young girl. A sense of smell is something I have and I remember you. You came here after the flood and offered to assist us. You were turned away, but it is because they are stubborn people and believe you are who you are.”

“And who am I?” I asked suspiciously. For a blind woman, she knew a lot more than those who could see.

“You’re Lord Lombardi among other things. Then again, I don’t believe I need to explain it to you. You’re a good being. I can sense it, and no matter what others believe, I believe in you.”

“Thank you, madam. Please tell us which animal will suit my wife best.”

“They will love her, but I suggest the husky named Thor. He is a worthy boy. My grandson will lead you to the kennel. I must rest.”

“Thank you, again.” She waved me off as a young man with a fair complexion who looked to only be about twelve with bright eyes and warm smile approached us.

“Sir, ma’am, this way, please,” he said, pointing toward the door he’d just come from. We followed him to a room full of twenty or so dogs. I was already not liking this idea, but she was overly enthused.

“Oh my, they’re all so adorable,” she cheered, clapping her hands to her mouth excitedly.

I saw the large husky that the lady had recommended. “What about that one?” I asked Nora. She looked at the dark grey and white dog with bright blue eyes, her own lighting up with happiness.

“Wow, he’s gorgeous,” she said, leaning forward as the dog came toward her. I was nervous, but the dog sat and looked up for attention.

The boy looked between Nora and the dog. They must be something nonhuman. That dog don’t like anyone. “He’s yours. We haven’t found anyone that wants him.” The little bastard is possessed.

“Why not?” she asked as the dog bounced happily, wagging his tail at her.

“They say he’s been cursed.” I sure as hell thought so.

Nora and I looked to each other. “You want him? He seems to like you.”

“Sure, let’s get him.”

“How much?” I asked the boy, needing to get this over with. There was something about the dog, but I liked him anyway.

“He’s free. Go on and take him.” The devil dog needs to go.

“No, we can’t do that. Here, how about 2,000 euros?” I asked, holding out the bills. The village needed the money. The boy’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t take it.

“Sir, I can’t take the money.”

“Yes, you can. What are you worried about?”

“That it’s the devil’s money.”

“I’m not the devil, and I’ve earned this money as a business man and scientist. So please take it. Your village needs it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t thank me,” I said. “Come on, Thor. Let’s go.”

The dog came along without a leash, another thing that caused the boy to weird out. Wow, that dog loves them.

Nora, I want to contact a wizard I know. This dog seems off, he smells different.”

I noticed it, too.

It’s almost like he’s one of us. He kind of smells like Charlotte. Crazy.

Yeah, crazy. But let’s not say that aloud. You don’t want Draco to bite your head off.

We left the place with everyone in the town looking at us. I helped Nora into our car and the dog into the back seat. He laid down like he was going to sleep. We made a trip to the store and purchased all he needed for food. I didn’t think this was a dog. It was a bigger husky than any other one I’d seen before.

We took him into the castle and Draco said, “That’s one damn big husky. Are you sure that’s not a wolf?”

“The lady breeds dogs, she said this one was right for us.” I looked over at the dog, who was as pleasant as can be. It was almost as if he was trying to be a good dog so he could stay.

“Did she breed with wolves?” he joked, looking at the beast with a quirked brow.

“I was thinking this guy was big, but he seems to love Nora, so he’s a keeper. But he’s not sleeping in our room.”

“No, we can set up his bed in the other room. Come on, boy. Let’s get you settled.” Nora led the dog through the halls and up toward our bedroom. I shook my head at their immediate bond. She was so good with the dog and he with her. I wondered if I was going to lose a lot of her time to him.