“Do as you are told. You’re not strong enough to fight. The best thing you can do is avoid getting in the way.” I can feel the scowl on her face, but she doesn’t argue.
I turn back to the men—and minotaur.
“Ludo, you’ve probably the best chance to come out of this uninjured. Can you be the distraction? Then we three will strike from the shadows.” There isn’t time to discuss further, as another rumbling growl lets me know the beast is almost upon us.
There.
Yellow eyes glowing from the far end of the tunnel. “Get into position,” I hiss. Donovan, Cosmo, and I scatter into the shadows.
Ludo flexes his giant form.
An unearthly snarl reverberates down the tunnel, the pitch so low it makes the silt beneath my feet vibrate. I glance over myshoulder and see Theo crouched behind the rockfall. She’s on the balls of her feet, a boulder in her hand. Good girl.
The beast remains in the shadows, just its eyes visible.
Is it being cautious, or is it toying with us?
Does it like to play with its food?
The creature steps closer and becomes visible for the first time. The yellow eyes belong to the head of a dog-like creature. Black fur covers a considerable body, and when it lifts a paw, it’s almost like the thing is showing off its wicked-looking claws.
The word ‘Helvetinkoira’ springs into my head.
The bull stands as solid as a granite statue, as the wolf stares him down. Then it lifts its muzzle, scents the air and turns in my direction.
I see the muscles in its powerful hind legs tense and coil.
The next second, the beast shoots forward. Its intended direction is unclear, but anywhere near Theo is not acceptable. I throw my body into its path. I’m instantly slammed onto the rock floor. The dagger-like claws pin me down as it snarls, drool dripping onto my face like all the worst nightmares come true.
I try to take a breath, but the weight of the creature is compressing my lungs.
In my periphery, there’s a blur of motion; Ludo, with his head lowered and muscles bulging, is poised to charge. Donovan runs towards Theo. Good
The maw of thehirvittäväbeast yawns wider, impossibly wide, and ragged canines gleam in the dim light. I strain, with every muscle screaming, to push against the weight pinning me down. My ribs protest, a moment away from snapping.
"Run!" I wheeze, shoving my scarred forearm into its jaws to keep the teeth from ripping out my throat.
But the creature doesn't bite.
It pauses, a long, thick tongue lolling out to slide across my face in a mocking, sloppy lick.
What the...?
Ludo slams into us, knocking the beast off me.
I scramble back, gasping. "Finish it!" Cosmo yells. As Ludo raises a massive fist, the air shimmers. Green sparks fly, and the wet sound of bones shifting fills the cavern. The wolf is gone.
In its place lies a man, grinning up at the Minotaur's fist hovering inches from his nose. "Hey, cuz," Maximus says.
Voi kyrpä!Of course, it makes perfect, unfortunate sense. “You’re a fuckingHelvetinkoira?”
The minotaur looks at me, and I think the expression on the bull’s face is confused.
“Let him up, Ludo,” I sigh, pushing myself upright, feeling bruised and battered. “It’s just my cousin.”
“Your cousin,anda hellhound,” Maximus says, still grinning. “But I’m also a very good boy.” He kneels, raising his hands like a dog begging for a treat. “Woof, woof.”
Good fucking Gods.
