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Evan was crying out as she realized what was about to happen.
She wouldn’t make it in time. Puff was already facing off with a hound who had hundreds of pounds on him. He looked so small standing there, his front paws planted on the grass and his tail up and ready for battle. His growls were nothing compared to the deep rage that came from the other hound.
That hound could swallow the pup in one bite. And then he would swallow Evan, because she wasn’t stopping. She would try to climb in and save her pet.
“Get him,” Lee yelled. “I’ll handle these two.”
I started across the yard. “Try to get the collars off them. I think that’s holding the spell.”
I was almost to Puff when another person crashed onto the scene, grabbing the dog with one hand and rolling.
Liv?
She’d come from the side, not hesitating. She simply tossed her body toward Puff, barely missing the attacking hound’s jaws. She rolled again and cradled the puppy to her chest, her eyes finding mine.
I nodded her way before sending an elbow back. It cracked against the hound’s strong snout, and I heard a whimper.
I didn’t want to hurt them, but I had to keep them from killing us.
When the next one came, I sidestepped him but managed to get my fingers under his collar. I lifted him with my demon arm and tossed him aside in a heavy arc. Like I was throwing a shot put.
The hound flew through the air and landed in a heap in the garden.
“Where did that come from?” Liv was on her feet, passing the puppy over to Evan.
“That is a completely new power.” Casey jogged up to join us. “Uh, should you do something about that one? He looks angry.”
Lee had one of the hounds on its back, and he was pulling at the collar as the dog fought fiercely.
The one I’d thrown was struggling to get to its feet.
And the last one was standing there, growling at me.
I’d had enough for one day. I stared at the big dog and pointed a finger his way. “Look here, buddy. I’m not doing this with you. Stand the fuck down because I will not let you eat my unborn child. He’s going to inherit all of this someday, and you are not getting any treats if you come one step closer. I’m not joking. You are on my last nerve.”
The hound Lee had on the ground was moving in next to the one in front of me.
She. Suddenly I knew she was a she, and she was bound somehow to the other hound. She made a sound almost like a purr and then she was rubbing against him.
She licked his face, and the big, murdery dog seemed confused.
Liv moved in next to me. “Someone sent them after you. It looks like the spell was in the collar.”
It was good to know I was right about that. I moved toward the hound as Lee snuck behind him. I needed his eyes on me.
“Kelsey, how about I be the bait?” Casey said. “I’m not pregnant.”
“She’s not incompetent,” Liv complained. “Do you honestly think a slightly pregnant Hunter isn’t stronger than an academic?”
“That’s very sexist of you, Casey.” Evan looked way calmer now that her puppy was curled against her chest. Puff seemed to have figured out we had this handled. “Don’t kill them. They’re under a spell.”
The hound Lee was sneaking up behind growled and started for me.
Lee leapt on his back, wrestling the big hound. I got in there, pulling on the collar until it came off, and we all fell in a big heap.
I found myself on the ground, staring up at the star-filled night.
And there was a massive canine face above mine, big black doggy eyes staring down, and that sucker could drool.
