Darren gives us a few more notes on his research but still, it’s nothing too useful. It seems the most we can do is trap the mutts and hope the witches can cast them back to their guard posts in Hell.
I don't see that working though. If these are the Hellhounds of old, they wouldn't be topside unless....
"What if someone conjured them?" I ask after Darren pops out of existence. He's heading back to headquarters to continue his research. Plus, he knows we don't like for him to hover while we complete a mission. He becomes that annoying backseat driver you want to run over.
Roxy giggles while her ram horns grow out and curl behind her head as a huge manic smile splits her face.
“I hope so, I love challenges,” she says as she swings her iron-spike ball and chain.
“You're right, this is going to be fun.” I jump high off the ground and shift. My crow’s eyes are sharper and have night vision. Perfect for hunting these pups.
My flight takes me around the quarter multiple times, seeing nothing between the buildings. I continue to fly, swooping low and landing on Rory’s scythe as she slinks through the darkened streets.
After skipping along the streets humming her lunatic’s tunes, Roxy is now walking along the rooftops while I rest my wings. I don’t get tired easily, but I haven’t fed as much as I’d have liked so keeping my energy is a priority, especially if we do find these dogs.
Using our telepathy gifts, orsister speakas Roxy calls it, I say into their minds,
Did you see anything in the file about their sleeping habits or where they like to sleep?
I didn’t read the files but if I were a stinky, fleabag dog from hell, I’d sleep somewhere hot. Someplace that smells and feels like home. In their case, maybe a dumpster that’s been lit on fire.
Roxy’s silly words make sense, in a nonsense sort of way.
Roxy’s right. Let’s get inside the greenhouse. The place is humid and warm, even in the fall season.I’m about to shift but Rory stops me.
Wait, teleport in there in crow form. Stay high and report their location if they’re in there.
I hop off her blade and fly around the building, trying to spot movement or, you know, a large mangy dog through the windows. I see nothing on this side of the greenhouse so I swoop around the corner.
As soon as I turn the corner I feel a shift in the air right before a big ass paw knocks me out of the air.
I shift before hitting the ground so that I can roll away fast. I jump to my feet and bring out my short swords. I let out a long warning hiss while searching the darkness for the beast that hit me. My eyes land on three sets of red eyes. No pupils, just red glowing eyes that watch me. They don’t move so I take a moment to examine these three Hellhounds.
Found them, Southside of the building.Three big ass dogs.
They are huge! I stand at five feet, eight inches and I can easily see that I’m at eye level with the jaw of the largest beast. They’re eerily silent too. I only know they’re breathing heavily because of the plumes of smoke puffing out of their four-barrel noses. Their pointed ears twitch a millisecond before my sisters appear beside me. That tells me they’ll have that second to know our moves, a slight second to predict and prepare.
“The Hellhounds have found us, sisters.”
I don’t take my eyes off the beasts as I speak so I catch when the second largest Hellhound flinches slightly, barely noticeable. The smoke from his nose stops as if he’s holding his breath.
Then he moves, charging straight for me as the other two jump into action against my sisters. Even as Rory and Roxy move against the other two beasts while yelling obscenities. I stand there for a second—part shock and part admiration—as I watch this creature’s muscled body flex with his movements. Shaking myself out of my stupor, I teleport myself to the spot he just vacated and whistle at him like he’s a puppy.
“Here doggy, doggy. I’m over here boy.” The beast spins in place and snarls at me. Can he understand me? I crouch quickly when the beast jumps high into the air, pretty agile for a giant dog, before shifting into a gloriously tattooed man and landing ten feet from me.
Oh. My. Fangs!
This unknown creature-man-thing is tall and muscular andbutt-ass-naked.
Let me tell you, this guy was gifted with a body that can put the best male model to shame. He’s mind-numbingly beautiful.
My eyes follow the tattoos that start at the sides of his head and flow down to his jaw. They’re intricate and detailed but his face is completely blank, almost like he’s nothing but a walking tattoo and his ink-free face is a mask. The ink flows unhindered down his sculpted body. I try not to stare at his dick but give me a break, man! You can’t stand there naked and expect me not to stare.
I mentally wipe the drool from my mouth just as he softly snorts, making my eyes shoot back up to his face, straight to his olive green eyes that are blush inducing.
But that’s not all, there’s something tapping on my mind like an elusive memory knocking at the door.
Brows furrowed, I continue to stare into his eyes when suddenly it clicks. I don’t know how it happens but somehow I see this guy’s soul open up before me and it seems that he can feel it as well.