Page 49 of The War is Coming

He got up without waking his love and dashed into the bathroom to get showered and dressed. He left Baylan still sleeping and blew him a kiss as he closed the bedroom door.

Blake hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. For once, the room was empty. He made himself a coffee and drank it quickly, before walking out of the kitchen and into the garden.

The sun was just rising, painting the sky in magical colours of pinks and yellows. The rain clouds of the day before long gone.

His first stop was to see Silver and Brook. He wondered if he would be able to get through the dome. He stopped at the edge, took a breath and walked through, sighing with relief when he didn’t end up hitting it and looking like an idiot.

Demi was awake, leaning against Silver, talking quietly to him. The children were asleep, covered with blankets.

Demi looked up when Blake walked in. “Morning, Blake.”

“Demi, how are Silver and Brook?”

“No change, still resting.” He looked at the children. “They wouldn’t go to bed.”

“I’m not surprised. They wouldn’t want to leave their brother or you.”

Demi gave them a gentle smile. “I know. Tobin has slotted into the family as if he has always been here.”

“I noticed that and I am glad for you all.” Blake patted his shoulder. “I’m going to check on the others. I’ll make sure food is sent out for you all.”

“Thanks. Don’t worry, I can sort food out for us.”

Blake nodded. “Okay. If you need anything, just shout.”

“I will, thanks, Blake.”

Blake’s next stop was the hospital. He walked in and saw Puff, Mateo, Atticus, Paris, Peyton, Grayson and Chase still sleeping. Ash was asleep, his head resting on his arm, which was lying on the bed next to Paris.

Nick was asleep in the chair next to his brother. Henry was missing.

Cade was just waking up, as was Oz; the General’s bed was empty, and his son had left.

Oz stood up and stretched. “Morning, Blake,” he said, realising the man was standing at the bottom of Puff’s bed.

“Hey. How is everyone? Did the General already wake up?”

“He did. He awoke in the early hours, and the others are still resting but they should wake up soon.”

“Have you seen Silver?” Ash asked in a just woken up voice.

“I’ve literally just come from seeing him. He’s still resting as well.”

The ward door opened, and Ajax, Gary and the General walked in .

“Morning,” Blake said to them. “General, are you okay?”

“I am, thank you, Alpha Blake. I woke up a few hours ago. The others are together and still resting.”

“Together?” Cade asked. “You mean here?”

The General shook his head. “No, our dragons and we were somewhere together, maybe a dream plane. Our dragons were sleeping. We chatted until Brook woke up, then all went back to sleep again.”

“How come you awoke so early?” Blake asked.

“I’m a lot older than the others here. Only Bob is older than I am, but he used more magic than all of us, which is why he’s still asleep.”

“Bad business, black magic,” Blake said.