Page 7 of The Satyr's Guilt
Great! A test case.
If his plan succeeded, he and the Spriggansmight escape. As a satyr, his concentrated gaze could neutralize anenemy, rearranging their memories, making them groggy or knockingthem out cold. Or if used just right, seduce a female. He’d neverused it for that. Of course, sexual side effects usuallyaccompanied his gift. Maybe the hounds would hump each other untilthey were too tired to give chase. If his powers worked at all withbeasts.
Hell. What do I have to lose?
“Hey! Big guy.” He bent as low as hedared.
The lead hellpup cast blazing red orbs atRam. The Firebrand’s own translucent irises turned neon green,glowing bright while they held the killer’s gaze.
Eyeball to eyeball, they snarled andgrowled. The savage beast versus the Firebrand. A clock ticked inRam’s head. One second. Two seconds. Five seconds. Ten. Finally,the lead bearer of death staggered. He dropped to the ground,causing what felt like a minor earthquake. His bestial companionssnapped their heads up to stare at Ram.
Plop. Plop.
They both hit the dirt.
Three down. Better odds.
Ram swung to the lowest limb to taunt a fewanimals lunging at the other trees. “Here, doggie, doggie. Come topapa.”
Four Darque monsters snapped their yapsshut, went silent, and pivoted their short but thick necks in thedirection of his voice. They spied their fallen pack leader. Theypaused. Then the barks, yips, and howls resumed while they racedtoward Ram. He scrambled back up his tree, locking onto the eyes ofthe charging hellhounds. The first pair crashed, followed by theother two, all within seconds of the stare-down.
Ram called out to the remaining five hounds,their red eyeballs shifting to their fallen comrades. The Firebrandtapped near his pupils with two fingers. “Look here, puppies.”Three beasts toppled, followed by the final pair who fell prey tothe Firebrand’s bright green gaze.
Dropping to the dirt and stepping over thewildings’ bodies, Ram called to his Spriggan companions. “Let’s getout of here. No idea how long this will last.”
The tallest guy clapped a hand to Ram’sshoulder. “Well done, satyr.” The others nodded their approvalwhile they dashed off.
They raced back to the Narobi Flats whereRam had originally scented the missing kid. When he caught itagain, the team searched the foothills while the hellhounds enjoyedtheir nap.
The trail led halfway up a heavily boulderedrise. Ram raised a hand. He drew a deep breath, brushed aside ashrub, and stepped around a hickory tree. The odor was strongernow. His sharp hearing detected sobs coming from behind nearbyrocks. He signaled he was heading up the hill. When the cries grewlouder, Ram tripled-timed his pace.
A motion out of the corner of his eye caughthis attention. He sighted branch-like things which protruded fromevery Spriggan’s noggin like deer antlers. Pulling himself onto aslab of rock, he spied her. Crouched in the dirt. Her head tuckedin tight.
“Hey,” he said.
Nobody could claim this species was goodlooking. Except maybe another Spriggan. Their broad lips, longnoses, beady eyes, and skin the color and texture of bark were nothis idea of beauty. To make matters worse, they weren’t known forbeing friendly with the Firebrands.But damn. The kid wascute as hell.
Her little peepers opened wide when she sawRam peeking over the top of her hiding place.
Assuming a non-threatening stance andpretending to glance around, he said, “I’ve been looking for a lostfemale, about so high.” He raised a hand to his waist. “You haven’tseen her, have you?”
She jacked off the ground, straightening hershoulders. “I’m a lost girl.”
“What luck.” He held out a hand, winking ather. She wiped the snot from under her nose with the sleeve of hershirt. After she blinked, she curled her lips into the brightestsmile ever. Scooping her into his arms, Ram lost his heart to thefrightened child.
She clasped her thin arms tightly around hisneck as if she feared he would leave.
His thumb wiped the tears from herdirt-stained cheeks. “What are you doing this far from home?”
“First I knew where I was. Then I didn’t.”She suddenly spotted the three Spriggans climbing toward her. “Areall you peoples looking for me?”
“You know it, little one. You’re veryimportant.” Ram handed the girl over to the female, but not withouthaving to tug the child’s hands off his neck.
With the girl asking nonstop questions ofRam, the five headed back to the enclave.
“Are you a Scion Firebrand?”
“Yep.”
