Page 53 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
He leans against me. “Don’t need a blanket. I have you.”
“You do.”
On the bedside table, Bram’s phone buzzes. He picks it up and his forehead creases. “Charlie’s calling.”
Late night phone calls are rarely good.
“Better get it.” I shift away so he has more room.
“What’s wrong?” Bram asks, by way of saying hello to his brother. Then he laughs. “Don’t worry about it.” He glances at me and murmurs, “butt-dialed.”
Smiling, I pick up the architectural design magazine Alaric lent me and turn to the article on restoring antiques.
Charlie’s voice echoes through the speaker, his words coming fast and furious, talking about a cake delivery going wrong and his mad dash to the venue to bring a replacement. He sounds stressed and I’m glad he called. Talking to Bram will help him unwind.
Downstairs, Bandit barks.
The haunted house closed two hours ago, but the pub is open for two more. I saw several of the inn’s guests there earlier.
The sound of a jangling collar comes from the hall. Bandit trots into the room and barks again. A deeper “Woof!” comes from Hades seconds before he enters the room. Instead of sniffing Bandit, he looksat Bram and me. Both dogs bark again.
Bram sits up and says into the phone, “Yeah, that’s both dogs. I don’t know, they don’t usually do this.”
I tap his forearm. “I’ll let them in the yard. If that doesn’t settle them, we’ll go around the block.”
He gives me a smile. “Thanks.”
After tugging on sweats and a hoodie, I shove my feet into sneakers in case the trip to the yard doesn’t work and the walk around the block is needed.
The dogs run into the hallway and glance back to make sure I’m following. They stop once more at the base of the stairs and bark again.
When I get to the bottom step, they run to the front door.
“No boys. We’re going to the yard.” I point to the kitchen. Bandit trots in that direction, but then runs back to the front door. Hades doesn’t budge, staring and pawing at the wood.
“Fine.” I attach their leashes and unlock the door. As soon as I open it, they pull me forward, barking again.
“Boys, quiet.” Tugging the door closed behind me, I step outside. Cold air seeps through my clothes.
A dark creature standing on the lawn in front of the carriage house startles the hell out of me. Short, black, and hairy.
My blood runs cold.
Sharp barks like battle cries, the dogs bolt down the steps, leading the charge, dragging me along so fast I have to jump the last two steps so I don’t take a tumble.
The creature turns and runs, crossing in front of the mansion. The flood lights hit its fur, and the line where the mask meets the collar of the suit.
As we pass the carriage house, Hades veers to the right and Bandit to the left, like they’re planning to take it down from both sides, though we’re still half a block away. Reining them in so they don’t pull my arms from their sockets, I keep my gaze glued to the creature and run faster.
It smashes through the pine trees lining the edge of the inn’s property. Branches catch and drag on its fur. Something dark falls to the grass. The creature doesn’t stop. Tree branches snap back, shaking. A car engine roars to life, then tires squeal as the car peels away.
We reach the tree line and crash through the pines. I catch the tail of a pale blue Mini Cooper rounding the corner.
“Shit.” I know of only one person in Maplewood who has that car in that color.
Bandit pulls me to the trees.
The creature’s mask is on the ground.
