Page 38 of Pooch Planet

Chapter Fourteen

Benji came to an abrupt halt the moment he spotted Antoine’s fellow investigator, Tully. He rolled to a stop at the startled detective’s feet then shifted back to human.

“Q-quick! Antoine! Needs help!” He sobbed, choking on his words. “He’s hurt, oh please hurry.”

Tully let out a roar in a language Benji didn’t understand but had heard before when the troops were being called to action.

As Federation soldiers arrived, many hovering around them in their gargoyle forms, Tully grabbed Benji by the shoulders.

“Where is he?”

“The old road leading from the forest surrounding the village, the smaller one.” He pointed in the direction he meant. “He collapsed on the ground.” Benji’s lip trembled and tears streamed down his cheeks. “The bat demon took a chunk out of his side, bit him maybe. I’m not sure!”

Benji fell into more wracking sobs.

Tully shouted to the assembled gargoyles. “You heard him. Go!” He returned his attention to Benji. “Is that thing still out there?”

Benji shook his head. “No, he killed it trying to protect me. It’s my fault!”

Somewhere deep inside, buried by his pain and guilt, he knew that wasn’t true. But the helplessness gripping him had allowed the irrational thought to take over.

Tully gave him a slight shake. “Stop that. Protecting and guarding is the sworn duty of all gargoyles. Even if you weren’t his omega who’s carrying his children, he would fight to the death to save you.”

“Death!” Benji buried his face in his hands, wailing.

“Uh…what I meant was…” Tully patted him on the head like Benji was a nice doggy. “Why don’t you go lie down and rest while I notify the medic to be ready for when Antoine arrives.”

“Like Hades I will! I’m waiting right here until they bring him back!”

Tully rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe you should put on a robe or something? You’re trembling, and if Antoine sees you standing here with me naked, I’ll be the next one he claws to death.”

Benji sniffed then swiped the back of his hand under his nose. “O-okay. But show me where the medic tent is first.”

Wherever Antoine was, that was where he would be too.

* * * *

A sensation of weightlessness filled Antoine, and he feared he might be slipping into the nothingness where he’d forever turn to stone.

Never hold Benji in my arms again. Never see our children.

The sound of agitated voices and clattering metal reached his ears and he was laid on something solid. He could detect a strong light, and he struggled to open his eyes. Through his hazy vision, he determined he was on a cot in the medic’s tent.

“Where’s Benji?” He croaked out as he tried to raise up on his elbows. A searing pain tore through his side and he collapsed back on the bed. “I have to know! Is he okay?”

Doctor Ramon hovered in his view, his palm pressing down on Antoine’s shoulder. “He’s fine, but you need immediate attention. The vampire’s poison is spreading, so you need an infusion of holy water to keep it from destroying you from the inside out. Lie still so we can work on you.”

“Let me see Antoine! Is he alive? Is he going to be all right? Please tell me!”

Antoine relaxed against the makeshift bed at the sound of Benji’s pleas. His omega sounded strong, like his typical feisty self.

That was all that mattered.

* * * *

Benji chewed his thumbnail as he waited by the fire pit outside the medical tent. The doctor and his team had been working on Antoine for over an hour, but it felt more like the revolution of the two moons. A tent flap swept to the side and Doctor Ramon emerged. Benji shot to his feet.

“Well?” He hadn’t been feeling very polite all evening.