Page 15 of Black Dog

Kellareal nodded. “And Scotia fae.”

Ram fumed.

“Not the time, Rammel,” Elora said.

He fumed more.

“What do you want me to tell her?” The angel asked.

“Elora’s dog is missing. I can’t track him because I’m…”

“Sick.”

“Yes. Sick. I need her to boost my, um…”

“Ability?” Kellareal offered.

“Yeah. Sort of.”

“Okay.” With that he vanished.

“Great Paddy,” Helm said. “’Twas fuckin’ awesome’ that was. He did no’ even ask where she is.”

“Aelshelm Storm Laiken-Hawking!” Elora said. “The future king does not use that language.”

Helm shrugged. “Why? Da does. He’s prince and, if you want to be technical, next in line. What’s the difference?”

“The difference is that his mother is not standing here objecting.”

Helm gave his mum a slight smile and pressed his lips together. “Just want my dog back.”

Elora stepped close to the boy and gave him a side hug. “Me, too. We’re workin’ on it.”

In the corner of his eye Ram caught movement outside the kitchen window. Storm was outside, near the kennel, talking on the phone while he slowly paced back and forth. Rammel drew hot coffee into a thermos cup, grabbed a boiled wool jacket on his way through the mud room, and headed that direction.

Storm was just ending the call when Ram walked up and handed him the coffee. “Blackjack just like you like it.”

Both of them had shed a little stress during the brief but sincere wrestling match, and felt more like themselves.

“Thanks,” Storm said. “It’s providential that I get a minute to talk to you alone.”

“Why’s that?”

“Just got off the phone with Simon.”

“Simon!” Ram repeated. “Please do no’ tell me we have to go off somewhere to save the world while my mate and my boy are so distraught.”

“Just the opposite. They’re going to help.”

“Help what?” Ram looked confused. “Help find Blackie? How?”

“Yeah. They’re going to help find Blackie because, as I pointed out, he’s not just a pet or even a Black Swan mascot. He’s a decorated hero.”

“’Tis true. Do no’ say it in front of Elora or the weepin’ will begin all over.”

“I won’t.”

“How is Simon thinkin’ The Order can help us?

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