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“Did it try to break the ward?”
“It was on the outside. It was going to hurt you.”
“Did it attack you?”
“I didn’t give it time.” Dominique’s eyes faded to blue but her expression didn’t soften, her fangs still protruding.
“You did good. But it’s okay now. It’s dead. I’m here now.” Julian took another step toward her. He avoided influencing her with his power. She was slowly coming back from whatever bloodlust she’d fallen into and she’d need to control her own destiny. “You’re okay.”
“Of course, I’m okay.” She held out her arms, her palms bright red with blood.
“I need you to step away. You can put away those fangs now.” More of a demand, not optional. He cocked his head waiting on her response.
She released an audible breath and rolled her eyes, but did as she was told.
“Kak, kak, kak.” The sound of wings flapping echoed in the bayou.
Julian looked up to the branches of a tree. Cassia. The large peregrine falcon settled on a branch, continuing its shrill vocalizations.
“Aren’t vampires allergic to hellhound blood?” he asked her.
“Not me.” The fiery vampire wore a cold expression. “I’ve been exposed to Hell and demons one too many times. They can’t hurt me now. As I see it, this is payback.”
“Okay.” Julian nodded. He knew all too well the damage Hell did to a soul. He was far older and stronger than Dominique and it still affected him as well. “I know what it’s like, Dom. But this feels different, doesn’t it? The kill. You can smell it. But this isn’t Hell. This is Acadian Wolves’ pack land. You must fight the temptation to lose control. We all must.”
“Some days are easier than others,” Dominique acknowledged.
“You can do this. You’re strong now. And you’re not alone.”
She nodded.
Cassia transformed next to Julian. “A hellhound?”
“Yes,” Julian confirmed.
“This woman fights with you?” Dominique asked.
“Yes, she does.” Julian glanced at Cassia, impressed at the spectacular sight of her in flight then shifting back to her human form. Her wild locks brushed over the tips of her breasts. Unfazed by her nudity, she stood with strength and confidence. “She’s my mate.”
Cassia’s eyes widened, but she quickly regained her composure. “May I see it?”
Dominique stepped aside and gestured to the limp carcass. The fur stank of sulfur. But the glow in its eyes hadn’t quite faded to black.
“Don’t get too close,” Julian warned her.
“This is my fault. I called it here. I know it was me.” Barefoot, Cassia circled the corpse, inspecting it. She glanced to Logan who’d come up behind Julian. “There is something about this hellhound. Something peculiar. This is not an accident.”
“This beast would have killed you. Killed all of us,” Dominique claimed.
“There’s something about it.” Cassia knelt beside it.
“Cass, no. Jesus.” Julian shook his head. “Don’t get too close.”
“No. There’s something they are warning us about. You. Me.” She flashed a knowing look to Julian as she placed a hand onto the hound’s head.
Bright white streaks of magick crackled around the body as it transformed. As Cassia snatched back her hand and jumped to her feet, a gray wolf materialized.
“It’s a wolf,” she whispered. “Oh Goddess.”
