Page 146 of A Soul to Steal

He paused when it opened a crack, and the smell of warm stew filled his nose.I shouldn’t... I should leave it.Yet, he couldn’t take his eyes off that brown case.

Longing to take something of his own back, he lifted the window. Wincing every time it creaked and squeaked, he opened it slowly.

He quickly climbed inside, ducked down, and headed over to it. He made sure to pay attention to the thudding footsteps above, just in case he needed to make a quick exit so he wasn’t caught.

Just as he grabbed the smooth handle of the case, a whine from down the hallway sounded, coming from what Gideonknew to be a lounging room with a warm fireplace. Little claws pattered against the distressed timber floor as a dog slowly made its way up it.

Fuck!If it started barking, it’d give him away.

Heart in his damn throat, he turned to it as he gripped the case to his chest. His feet were ready to bolt, until he watched it hopping its way down the hallway, ears flopping as it did.

Black and grey all over its face and back, with brown eyebrows and feet, its tail wagged excitedly as it drew closer.

“Holy shit,” he whispered, kneeling down to greet the dog. “Hey, boy.”

Before the black-and-grey Cattle dog even got to him, his whines turned into acute cries. Dex jumped up to place his paws on Gideon’s shoulders, and gave frantic, wild licks to his face, hair, and any part he could reach. With a long, fluffy tail wagging, his dog from eight years ago greeted him as if he’d been missed dearly.

“I can’t believe you’re still alive.” Gideon kept his voice low, and scratched at the back of his neck, then his furry cheeks where he used to love it. “Has Beau been treating you good?” He leaned to the side to take in a missing back leg. “I bet you’ve been doing your job well, huh? You taking care of everyone for me?”

A creak far too close to the top of the stairs snagged his focus.

“Dex?” Beau’s booming voice yelled. “What’s got you crying?”

Before Beau could even stomp a heavy foot down on the top step, Gideon was fighting Dex’s love as he headed for the window. He shoved the large and awkward case through it before ducking his head outside. Dex clawed at his pants, jumping up and down on one leg, desperate to keep him inside.

“Sorry, boy, but I have to go.”

He gave him a last pat, then dropped down to the ground just as Beau’s shadow crept to the lower level. Dex continued towhine with his head out the window before barking at him as he bolted.

ShitshitSHIT!That was too close.

He clung to his precious case, disbelieving he’d actually stolen it without getting caught. Then again... he didn’t technically steal it since it belonged to him.

Adrenaline pumped in his veins as the cold air chilled further at his speed, whistling over him as he sprinted. His feet echoed and sounded far too loud as he rushed down the side of the house before exiting onto the street.

Needing a quick getaway, he waved at Aleron as he ran, about to make him the partner of his crime.

Within seconds, the Duskwalker landed in front of him, and Gideon almost faceplanted into his damn chest. Just as Aleron collected him into his arms and was about to lift off, the front door of Beau’s home slammed open.

“Get back here, you fucking thief!” Beau roared, braving the dangerous outside world.

Gideon winced, knowing the man rarely swore unless truly enraged, and never shouted unless absolutely necessary. Especially at night, where Demons could be lurking – no doubt his neighbours would be enraged for making such a fuss in the dark.

Beau looked like a woolly mammoth as he shook his fist.

Aleron flapped his wings and jumped up before Beau could land his sights on them. With his heart beating like crazy, Gideon stared down at Beau as he ran further outside. Beau frantically searched for the person who had stolen Gideon’s precious guitar, never knowing it was him that had taken it.

Sorry, Beau, but you knew how much this meant to me,he thought, hugging it to his chest like his life depended on it.

He was sure it meant a lot to Beau now as well, and likely had all their memories attached to it. Gideon couldn’t believe he’dkept it, or named their son after him, but he didn’t wish to linger on it.

It was selfish of him, but it was time for them tobothlet go.

I can’t believe I did that.A bright smile curled his lips and crinkled his eyes.And I’m really glad I was able to see Dex again.

He’d loved that dog. He’d given him food scraps under the table even though Beau told him not to, unable to handle how his hazel eyes looked up at him, begging,pleadingfor just a little taste. Dex had been a great dog, and a wonderful protector, who had saved his life twice from Demons loitering in the shade of trees in the day.

“Who was that?” Aleron asked as he flew away from the street Gideon had walked countless times.

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