Page 36 of Pooch Planet

Chapter Thirteen

“Run!”

Benji’s pained expression radiated back at Antoine, the inner struggle clear in his eyes. But Antoine couldn’t risk what might happen to his mate if he failed to bring down the vampire and Benji slaughtered as a result.

“You must protect our children!”

Something seemed to pierce through the frozen horror that held Benji in its thrall, because in an instant, his clothes fell to the ground and Benji the Chiweenie struggled free of the fabric pile.

A shrill, unholy cry drew closer than the one before it, and Antoine tore his gaze from Benji to lunge at the filth who had dared to threaten his mate. As Antoine soared higher, the vampire came at him until they crashed into a tangle of wings, claws and fangs. They grappled and fought, Antoine’s roar combining with the vampire’s shrieks.

The stench of the undead creature made Antoine want to retch, but he fought off his nausea. Nothing could distract him from destroying the demon now that he finally had it in his clutches.

Antoine rolled the demon mid-air, desperate get it in a choke-hold, which would then leave him free to rake his claws into the vampire’s rotted flesh, injecting him with the lethal poison that was a hallmark of Antoine’s Clan. The Constantines had long been warriors against the paranormal species that had been banished to the Hades Galaxy.

Right as Antoine thought he had the demon where he wanted him it twisted free, and in a blur, the vampire was upon him again, fangs bared and lunging for his throat. Antoine whirled around, using a wing to shield his neck. The move left Antoine’s side exposed and he let out an agonizing cry as the beast sunk its teeth into his flesh, tearing a chunk away.

In a fury, Antoine struck back with his tail, the powerful appendage like a sledgehammer. The demon hissed and snarled as he floundered in the air, seemingly dazed by the massive blow. Ignoring the searing pain in his side, Antoine dove at the monster, swiping his claws at the demon again and again. He struck wherever he could—across its arm, shoulder, thigh, face, chest…

Adrenaline surged through him as he continued the onslaught, never able to get close enough to sink his claws in deep, to end this struggle between two creatures with opposite intents. One who existed to protect and another who existed to destroy.

The demon shot upward, but seemed sluggish, no longer seeming capable to move in a blur. This was Antoine’s chance—the demon was weakening. Antoine ignored the fact that he was as well.

Antoine moved in for the kill, his quarry racing away and leaving himself exposed to an attack from behind. As Antoine prepared to strike, he fanned out his wings and raised his arms to expose his claws. The vampire whirled around, his face twisted in a maniacal expression, and he lunged for the wound he’d already caused.

Antoine curled a wing around his side then turned it to stone. When the demon struck the solid rock, it was knocked to the ground. But before Antoine was able to finish it off, the vampire zipped into the air again, barreling right toward Antoine as if it meant to crash into him head on.

Because of his injury, Antoine didn’t think he could get into another close struggle with the demon, so he feigned to the side just before they crashed together. The vampire seemed to have anticipated that’s what Antoine would do, because it swung at him, using Antoine’s own momentum to send him plummeting to the ground.

Antoine clutched his wounded side, screwing his eyes shut, his teeth gritted in pain.

Can’t give in. So close.

He rolled onto his back, ready to face his attacker. He blinked repeatedly, his mind not ready to accept what had just happened.

The bat demon had disappeared.

* * * *

Benji tore through the woods, his heart thundering, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth as he gulped in air.

Run, run, run, leap, run, leap.

He focused on the trees, the rocks, the fallen branches—everything he needed to be aware of so he wouldn’t stumble. All the night sounds of the forest surrounded him like a chaotic orchestra of nature. His big, pointy ears were probably as sensitive as that evil thing that Antoine was fighting off at that very second.

Benji yelped as he tripped over his own paws. His balance was ripped away, the momentum of his frantic sprint propelling him down the side of an embankment. He landed with an oomph, then lay in the damp leaves and pine needles, desperate to catch his breath. His lungs burned and his chest heaved as he attempted to recover from the fall.

Almost immediately, he realized where he’d ended up. It was his favorite spot by the waterfall and his fear eased somewhat. He took in the background noise of the crashing water and the scent of wet leaves, moss and…death? Decay? Benji rolled over and sat on his haunches, scenting the air with his long, powerful snoot. He could smell a honey badger from a mile away, but whatever this stench was, it was much, much closer.

He sniff, sniff, sniffed.

Oddly enough, the foul odor seemed to be emanating from behind the waterfall. He squinted, his night vision enhanced by both moons already having risen for the night. The glow from the orbs caused the water to sparkle in a glittery dance. However, the enchanting display couldn’t off-set the disgusting smell that Benji was now certain was coming from somewhere within the rock face the curtain of water was tumbling over.

Benji leaped to his paws, his tail snapping up into a tightly coiled curl, a low growl reverberating in his chest. Whatever was responsible for that gruesome scent had to be of an aberrant nature. He’d never smelled anything like it, knew it wasn’t merely an unfortunate animal that had died recently.

This was demonic.

A strangled wail rent the air from above, and Benji hurled himself into the pool of water. He dog paddled with all his strength, his sausage body making him work extra hard to keep his snout above water. A huge splash next to him sent cold liquid into his ears and nostrils. He choked and sputtered, struggling to keep from going under. But the bat demon that had somehow managed to escape Antoine was now bent on eating him alive.