Page 23 of The Hellhound's Mate
I opened my mouth to contradict him, but closed it again. Part of me wanted to be realistic with him, while the rest of me wanted him to believe we’d win right up to the end.
“Fine, Debbie Downer,” Ambrose said with a snarl, “you and Sick Fuck Sally can go ahead and think we’re going to lose, everyone’s going to die, or whatever else, but I’m going to havefaith and do everything I can to beat that fucking necromancer back down intoHell.”
I loved him so.
Grabbing Ambrose, I kissed him and held him close. I could feel the fire inside me burning hotter as he moaned against me, little fingers pulling at my fur to keep me near. He lifted his leg and hooked his knee at my waist as he ground his hips against me.
“You know, I would’ve said you’d kiss like a dog, but there it is. You really don’t.”
I snapped my attention to the ghoul and growled at him. “I’m nodog, you stinking carcass.”
The foul creature stepped back, his hands raised. “No, you are not. So sorry.”
Ambrose patted me before holding my hand and turning toward the ghoul. “You two are really going to need to get along if we’re all fighting the same fight here.”
“Uh, no, actually,” the ghoul said, “we won’t be fighting with you.”
“Excuse me?”
“They won’t be able to resist Gaufrid’s spell,” I explained, “and since they can flee the area, it’s best that they do so.”
“How is that best?” Ambrose asked with a frown.
“Then they can’t be enslaved and forced to fight.”
“Oh.” Ambrose sighed and leaned against me. “Yeah, Bozboq, you and your people should go. Just try and stay out of sight better, okay? You’re creeping everyone out by getting caught on camera.”
I didn’t bother saying that Gaufrid’s arrival and future plans would attract far more attention than a few ghouls walking around in dead bodies would. Necromancers weren’t subtle.
“But, hey,” the ghoul said, “if you give your friends knives and cut us up, we’ll have to go find new bodies before we can fight again.”
“Ooo, okay!” Ambrose said excitedly. “Thanks for the info.”
Just then, a car door slammed around the side of the house. Ambrose pulled back and grinned. “They’re already arriving! Stick around, Saph, and we’ll find out how many people can see you.”
Ambrose practically skipped out of sight. I could scent several people, mostly women, who I didn’t recognize. Instinct had me wanting to run and hide like I always did, but I’d stay for Ambrose.
The damn ghoul gave a whistle, and ten ghouls walked out of the mausoleum. I snarled to know they’d taken over my space like that. At least I’d locked the basement door so they hadn’t been able to get into the house. They each nodded at me as they followed the one I refused to give a name to around the other side of the house and out of sight.
I was glad to see them go for more than just because they were horrible creatures. Their departure meant less conflict for Ambrose and his friends. As he walked back into view, I saw that those with him were various sizes and colors, but they were all just as delicate-looking as my mate. Each of them was dressed in black with corsets, lace, and leather. Were they trying to look ready for battle? They carried wooden staffs of varying lengths, not a real weapon on any of them.
We were going to fail.
And then every one of them came to a sudden halt, the whites of their eyes showing and mouths hanging open as they stared at me. All of them could see me.
Was that significant? I wanted it to be. I wanted some kind of inherent magic to be present in all those who could see me.Somethingthat would give us an advantage.
A person whose gender I could not easily discern marched up to me. “What are you?”
“Hellhound.”
They nodded. “Who’s your keeper?”
I eyed them suspiciously. They were unsurprised by my answer and they knew I had a keeper in Hell?
Ambrose came trotting over with the rest of them. “Can all of you see Saph?” he asked with clear excitement.
“Saph, is it?” the inquisitive one asked me. “If you won’t tell me your keeper’s name, can you summon them?”
