Hell To Pay: Hellhound Champions Book Two, page 20
“Well, that doesn’t sound good. What’s got his feathers in a knot?” Ezra asked.
Dasan landed and shifted in a fluid swirl of feathers and skin. “They approach. Hours to the east, but heading our way. They are using stealth but are easy to spot when you know what to look for.”
Keziah inhaled sharply, and Sol turned to the coven.
“We’ve got to tamp down on their magic. It’s the only way we’re going to beat them.”
“Not the only way,” Gideon said.
“No, not the only way,” Sol agreed.
Cosmo stepped up from the crowd of others who stayed behind. “Blood lust,” he said quietly. Then he held up his arm. “Start with me.”
“Cosmo—”
“Start with me, Solomon.”
The others would be braver if Cosmo went first. They both knew it.
“Take it to the perimeter, into the trees. Gideon, assist them. We’ve got to get these things riled up and confused. Their instincts will go crazy, and they’ll go after the blood. Dasan, Ezra, protect the coven. No matter what.”
“Got it.”
“Aleron, you—”
“I’ve been training with the blade as well, Solomon. Since our compound was attacked, Augustus insisted we all renew our efforts at defense and prepare ourselves for war.”
Solomon had heard that the griffin leader wasn’t impressed with his clan’s defenses but hadn’t heard about his upgrades to security. “Good for him. Then do your thing. And for the goddess’s sake, don’t get hurt. I need Eduard to keep making me money, and he’ll quit if you get hurt.”
Aleron grinned, but it quickly faded. “I want to know what is going on. First, my cousin. Now this. What is happening in our world, Solomon? We had peace for so long.”
“Did we?” Solomon asked. “Because I don’t think it was peace at all. I think we’ve been living between times, and the reckoning has come.”
“What do you mean?” Keziah asked.
“Magic is changing. Some force we don’t know or understand is using it in ways that should not be possible. Our goddesses know what is going on, but do not share this information even with their champions.”
“Dark days,” Dasan said quietly.
“Yes. My alpha and his mate are away on business for the goddess at the same time the Chosen One and his guardians are away from this realm. They were attacked by a banshee, even though the fae prince was with him. Something powerful is dividing us, breaking us into smaller and more vulnerable groups. Going after weak links, and in turn, attempting to weaken the entire chain of magic. But we will not be one of those weak links. They will not break this chain. We will destroy anyone who comes for us.”
He heard growls and snarls of agreement all around.
“Keziah, focus on the ghouls. That part of their spirit is weakest, and it’s one we can’t defeat with claws or blades. See if you can figure out a way to help us with the shields they’re managing to put up. I was able to get through the last one easily enough, but it wasn’t pleasant by any means.”
“I understand.”
“Is there anything you need?”
“No. I have everything.”
“Then rest until it is time. I’ll let you know when they draw close.”
“Thank you.”
Keziah turned to the others in his coven and they sat in a circle near the front of the bar. They joined hands and seemed to slip into some sort of meditation. Calli appeared beside him and glanced around at the others.
“The smell of blood is going to fuck them up. What made you think of it?”
“How crazy they got during the last battle. When one of us went down, they were all drawn to it, unable to focus completely. I hope it gives us enough of an advantage.”
“It will,” Calli said.
“Any suggestions, strategy-wise?”
“Spread out and take them down. It’s going to get messy, but as long as we stay paired up, we should be able to keep them from feeding. If we keep them from feeding—”
“Then we all stay alive,” Sol added.
“We’ll have to be fast,” Achim said.
“Yes. And we’ll have to work in teams. That’s the key.” Sol paused and turned to Walt. “You ready for this?”
Walt nodded. “I’ve kicked ass a time or two before.”
“I know. Remember your training. Listen to your beast. If it says go left, you go left. Understood?”
“Got it.”
“Jedrek!”
“Here.”
“Stay with Walt.”
Cosmo sidled up beside him with what appeared to be a torn strip of shirt around a cut in his arm. “Solomon?”
“How bad is that cut?”
Cosmo seemed confused and glanced down at it. “It is already healing.”
“Good. I want you to help me keep these fuckers distracted when they get here. Does the faun song work on them?”
Cosmo grinned. “I will be happy to find out, although it could distract you all.”
“Hmm. Good point.”
“I do have another idea, which is why I approached.”
“Now’s the time,” Sol said.
“We are using the mages to distract the ghoul, and the blood to distract the vampire. What of the wolf?”
“Go on.”
“I do believe marking your territory is in order.”
It took Sol a second, and then he started laughing. Everyone within listening distance did as well, the dire mood lifting a bit.
“You heard him. Mark it up, boys.”
Calli scoffed. “I’m glad you said boys. I believe I’ll refrain.”
“I thought you might,” Sol said. “Thank you, Cosmo. Meshaq will be impressed. Spread the word to the others. The more the merrier. Let’s confuse the hell out of them.”
Cosmo cackled and ran off to tell the others.
“This is crazy enough to work,” Calli said.
“They had the advantage last time. This time, we do.”
“Now we just have to wait,” Calli griped. “I hate this part.”
Solomon did as well.
It took hours, as Dasan had predicted. Night had fallen by the time Solomon felt the familiar prickle of unease he’d felt when they’d gathered the pack at Shaq’s the night before. It felt like forever ago. Everything changed in the blink of an eye, proving once again that whatever magic was behind this was dangerous and powerful.
“Get ready,” Sol said. “They’re here.”
Everyone moved into position. The coven chanted and the flow of magic began to fill the area. It sent a chill down Solomon’s side. He retained his human form, even though he ordered the rest of the pack to shift. He needed to be able to communicate with everyone, not just his pack. Instead, he let the half-shift come over him, walking the edge between man and beast.
“Ezra,” Solomon growled. “Get ready with a distraction.”
“On it.”
Sol could hear them approaching through the woods. The ghoul part of them kept them quieter than even a wolf would have been. They were being stalked, but they were ready. Ezra whispered the words Sol had only heard a few times before. His was a rare water gift, one which most of their kind would never have seen. Sol could only hope Ezra’s ability would buy them a little extra time. Every second would count.
They’re spreading out, Calli said through their link.
“Watch your flank, everyone,” Sol said quietly. He didn’t need to be loud. They would all be able to hear him.
It’s working. Achim and Teague were on the far side of the lot, protecting them from the back. The aswangs hunted like their wolf part dictated. Surround and attack as a pack. But the wolf side was getting caught up by the scent of so much piss in the wind. Sol couldn’t help but grin. The whole area reeked, and Shaq would probably try to figure out a way to fumigate the whole place. Between the overwhelming scent of other shifters’ pee and the scent of blood from so much wounded prey, even Sol’s instincts were on overload.
But he’d had time to adjust to it, and so had the others.
The aswangs on the other hand, were already in a near frenzy.
“Steady,” Solomon said.
He didn’t want anyone heading into the woods. This was one of the few times when cover wouldn’t serve them well. They needed open ground to work best as a team. Dasan had estimated a couple dozen of the aswangs, and they had about half that on their side. They were outnumbered, but not out-skilled.
The first of the aswangs burst through the trees and into the clearing. Ezra was ready for them. He finished his chant and conjured three playful looking otters which danced around the two aswang, and as expected, they immediately turned their attention to the tiny animals. It left them vulnerable to Gideon’s blades. He spun in an action-hero worthy move, slicing them through the neck as he whirled. In one hand he held a long sword, and in the other a second, shorter blade. Both dripped with blood when he stopped moving.
“Stay clear of the bodies,” Sol reminded them. He forced himself to hold back, not to charge into the fray. “Ezra, two o’clock.”
The otters danced that direction, confounding the aswang who’d begun emerging from the trees. Calli took it down with a powerful thrust of her claws.
Then chaos.
A dozen emerged from the trees all at once, and the fight was on.
“Ezra, fall back.”
The otters disappeared, and Ezra resumed his position guarding the coven with Dasan. Solomon’s attention darted around the clearing, searching for trouble. So far, so good. They were doing well, pairing up and taking down aswangs as they emerged. But there were so fucking many of them and they’d come on fast. Sol had been hoping they’d get to take out a few more before the rest of the pack converged.
Sol charged forward, knocking an aswang off the big tiger shifter who’d held himself back from the rest of them, but had stayed behind to fight. Calli fought near him, taking on two at once. Solomon took one out and spun around, hearing the clash of metal, the screams of the aswangs as they died, and grunts of pain. The scent of so much blood filled the air. Walt went down under the attack of three aswangs, and Solomon sped toward him. Jed managed to fight off the one he’d been fighting, and between them, they were able to get Walt clear. Blood dripped down his side, but he appeared to be more pissed than injured.
“Fuckers move fast,” Walt griped. “I’ll get ‘em next time.”
Next time came fast. Cosmo charged an aswang who’d managed to take down one of the smaller dryads who’d remained behind. Somehow, Cosmo managed to stab the aswang with his horn, flip it over his back, and fling it to the side. He followed the momentum and rolled to his feet, roaring at the aswang as it tried to regain its footing. Sol hadn’t known Cosmo was such a badass. He liked it. Teague used his claws to take the head off the aswang while Cosmo had it distracted.
They’d taken down about half of them, but they were starting to get closed in. “Hold your line,” Sol shouted. They couldn’t let the coven be put at risk. If the aswang had access to their magic, they’d have an advantage Sol didn’t want to think about. The hellhounds would be okay, but the others wouldn’t. Sol couldn’t risk them all.
Sol growled in frustration. And then, movement in the trees. Stalking, but hiding. Looking for an opening. Sol pretended to let his attention get drawn to another fight. Walt and Jed were doing fine, but it didn’t look like they were. He’d seen them doing the very same moves in training, though, working as a team to take down a threat in the form of Sol. They were good at it. He should know. They’d managed to take him down a couple times using the same method.
He waited until he could practically feel the breath of the aswang trying to sneak up on him before he spun and tried to take it out with his claws. He missed. It was big, twice the size of the others. And fast. He’d found the alpha. It moved again and somehow managed to take a slice out of his arm. Sol cracked his neck and grinned ferally at it. The three forms inside it were battling for dominance. The ghoul wanted free, but Keziah’s magic had it tamped down. The vampire wanted blood, Sol’s blood, which was steadily dripping down his arm. But the wolf? The wolf knew it was facing a serious predator. If it could take Sol down, it would have a feast of blood and power.
Calli, take command.
Sol shifted, finally letting his beast free. The alpha aswang had more experience than the others. It was a skilled fighter and circled Sol, getting in as many hits as Sol did. His back was a bleeding mess, but he’d landed a few good hits as well. Floating fucker had aerial moves worthy of Dasan. Sol shut out all noises and scents, seeing nothing but the aswang in front of him. He gave control to his beast, allowing the instincts gifted to him by the goddess to take over. Each blow sent searing pain through him, but as the fight dragged on, the alpha in front of him began to slow. Sol’s fangs and claws were finally taking their toll.
Then Sol’s pack joined him, and together, they took out the weakened alpha aswang without any further trouble. Scanning the clearing, Sol couldn’t help but roar. They’d done it. Survived. They were weak and wounded, some of them severely. But they’d made it.
Everyone joined and the sound of victory echoed, voices raised to let all who heard know that they’d defeated their enemy. When the sound faded, Sol shifted to his human form. He limped his way around the parking lot, checking on the injured. Of his pack, Achim and Jedrek had the worst injuries, but Teague wasn’t in great shape either. Calli had a pretty bad wound down her side, but she was already helping the others.
“Teague,” Sol said, “get the coven out of here.”
“On it.”
The other champions were bloody messes as well. There were four dead aswangs near where the coven had been sitting. Ezra and Dasan had kept them safe, though. That was the most important thing. “Ezra, go with him. Make sure nothing follows them home.”
Ezra nodded.
Solomon stood in front of Keziah, who looked exhausted, and bowed his head. “Thank you, Keziah. Your coven’s service will be rewarded.”
Keziah bowed his head in return. “You’re welcome, hellhound. Your pack treats us with honor and we are happy to serve.”
All four of them looked shaken, but they hovered around Keziah as they followed Teague through the portal he’d opened. The young man was so very powerful.
“What’s next?” Dasan asked.
Aleron limped over to them. “I need a shower. Those damned things ruined my clothes.”
Solomon gestured to the others. “We’ll take them to the Jerricks and get them medical care. And I’m sure we can find the diva a shower.”
Aleron snorted. “If you could see yourself, you’d wish you had a shower, too. That pretty little mate of yours is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”
But Cody wouldn’t. He’d fuss and gripe and complain, but he wouldn’t lose it. “Watch and learn, my friend. Watch and learn.”
Aleron scowled but moved toward the portal Solomon opened. He helped a couple of the more wounded to stand and guided them through. Dasan pulled the wounded tiger to his feet and half-carried, half-dragged him through the opening. Enough of them cleared so Solomon could take stock of those that were left. He found Cosmo sitting against a tree, holding a bleeding gut wound.
“Dammit, Cosmo.”
“I’ll be fine. I need a beer.”
Sol laughed and reached out a hand to him. Cosmo held his stomach with one hand and reached for Solomon’s with the other. “Free drinks for life after this,” Sol said as he pulled Cosmo to his feet.
“Why do you think I stayed? It wasn’t for some brave or noble reason.”
Sol laughed again. He glanced at the parking lot, shivering as the aswangs bodies turned to mist and floated away. The stench lingered, and probably would for days.
Ezra and Teague returned and Solomon waited for the last of them to go through before he stepped into the portal himself.
Cody
Cody had never seen so much blood before in his life.
When the portal swooshed open and shifters began stumbling through, Cody stood. Waiting. Watching.
Ollie grabbed his hand. “He’ll be here,” Ollie said gently. “He’ll be last, okay?”
It didn’t help Cody’s nerves even if Ollie was right. “We’ve got to help. There’s too many.”
All of the Jerricks had immediately started to work. They were experienced in this type of event, often called to scenes where medical decisions needed to be made. The two senior Jerricks went inside, already prepping a couple of the more seriously injured for treatment. Ben, his siblings, and half the pack began a triage of the injuries. Cody wanted to help. But he needed to see Sol. None of the hellhounds had come through.
But of course they wouldn’t. Cody knew that. He wasn’t an idiot. His very own pack of super soldier hellhounds would be the last ones through. So he waited, squeezing Ollie’s hand. And finally, familiar faces emerged. Walt. Jedrek. Teague. Achim. Calli. And finally, the face he needed to see most.
Cody sucked in a breath. Sol looked like he’d been beaten to a pulp, but he had a grin on his face. Their eyes met from across the yard, and Cody couldn’t help it. He ran. He somehow managed to stop without plowing into Sol, but barely, and only because he didn’t know where to touch without hurting him. It didn’t matter. Sol grabbed him, pulled him close, and then proceeded to kiss him senseless.
Everyone cheered and Cody wasn’t sure if he was as hot as he was because of the kiss or because he was embarrassed. It was probably a combination of the two. Damn, his man could kiss. Even if he was absolutely covered in blood and— not that Cody wanted to complain— he smelled pretty horrible.
They broke apart and once Cody caught his breath, he glared up at Sol.
“Did you have to come back disgusting?” Cody asked. “Seriously?”
Sol grinned and looked over his shoulder. “See?”
“See what?” Cody asked. He looked around Sol at the other guy. “I can’t remember your name. In my defense, I haven’t slept.”
“Aleron.”
“Right. Aleron. Sorry. What’s the joke?”
