“Not a dog…” she whispered and leaned back, her eyes growing round in surprise. “So… what were you?”
He whimpered now. For the first time in his existence, he didn’t want to admit his demonic heritage. Not if it would make her send him away.
“I guess that wasn’t a yes or no question. Hmm. Are you a… person?” she asked hesitantly.
He nodded vigorously; he did have a human form.
At this, Chuck jolted upright and clenched her fingers in his fur. “You’re a person trapped in a dog’s body? How… why… how…?” She trailed off again and stared. Her face went pale, and her hands began to tremble. “I… I don’t understand.” She gasped, “Are you a werewolf? Weredog? Oh my god, you watched me undress!”
Wanting to reassure her, Malachi placed a paw on her leg and whined low in his throat, ducking his head.
Slowly, her breathing steadied, and she tentatively ruffled the fur between his ears. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t fair. You were trying to comfort me. You’ve never been anything but good, well, except when you’re around Jaxon, but he makes me want to puke on his shoes, too.” She smiled at him softly.
Wheezing out a laugh, Malachi inched closer and nuzzled her shoulder, searching her face for acceptance. When he saw it, he sighed in relief and flopped next to her.
“Right, so you’re a person trapped in a dog’s body somehow. Who the hell knows how or why, and now the question is… how do I get you back to normal? Do… do you want that?” came her worried words.
Malachi didn’t know any of those answers and didn’t want her digging too deeply. He burrowed against her side and sighed again, hiding his face.
“You’re right,” came her sleepy reply. “It’s too late to think these philosophical things. Too much to unpack right now. Let’s get some sleep, and we can talk more tomorrow.” She slid down under the comforter and shuffled around until she was comfortable. “Mal?” came a quiet whisper.
His ears perked up, and he raised his head slightly.
“No matter what, I’m here for you. I care about you a lot.”
He made the smallest happy woof he could,Me too.
“Reena?”
This time, he huffed out a small laugh and hummed low in his throat, a clear negative.
“Right. Just a crazy dog who likes reality TV, then. Okay. Night, Mal.”
Yes, You're Still Pretty
Malachi woke in the middle of the night to a cold, wet nose shoved against his own. He bolted upright, almost knocking Reena ass over teakettle off the mattress.Geez, short stuff, don’t scare me like that.A wheezing laugh came from the other dog as she righted herself. A quiet yip from her had Chuck fretting in her sleep. Reena and Malachi both paused to study her until she settled back down.
Jumping down to the ground with an undignified grunt, the smaller dog glanced back over her shoulder like she wanted Malachi to follow.
He was curious. Reena had never acted like this before. Intrigued, he gently stepped over Chuck and quietly lowered himself to the floor before trotting after the Chuglet. He watched her curly tail wagging as she hurried to the back door, pausing to glance at him again before squeezing through the flap to the backyard. His interest was on high alert, although an oppressive feeling was slowly working its way over his body. An unexpected ripple rolled over his back, and his hackles raised on their own. Tension squeezed him tightly, and a sick sense of dread streaked through his veins as he poked his head through the plastic door.
Sitting in the grass, pulling on a tug rope with Reena, was his former commander, Hyacinth the Destroyer. It was quite possibly one of the worst and most un-demonly names possible, but no one dared say that in his presence. Malachi wasn’t sure whether he was named that because of his bulbous shape that resembled the actual flower bulb, or the fact that he reeked of dead flowers instead of brimstone. Regardless, it was his name, and no one cracked a smile towards it.
“Malachi…” Hyacinth crooned quietly. “Come. Face me.”
With steps dragging only slightly, Malachi reluctantly continued his trek towards the higher demon who had placed him in the dog’s body.
Hyacinth chuckled as he lifted the rope in the air, Reena dangling from the other end. Her teeth were clamped around the toy as she growled and snorted, refusing to let go. The demon shook the rope, laughing harder as Reena’s piggy noises grew louder and her eyes rolled wildly. “So much fire and spite in this one. She’d make a fine demon!”
Agreed, sir. I said as much when I met her. That’s why I petitioned to keep her around me, so I could bring her along when I get back to the sixth ward.
“When…” Hyacinth drawled. “So bold of you to presume. Maybe I’ll just give her your post instead.”
Reena suddenly let go of the rope and plopped on the grass. She stood and shook herself on wobbly legs before trotting over to Malachi. Turning, she faced the other demon, lifting her stubby snout in a snarl.
Booming laughter escaped the shriveled lips, wafting the smell of a decaying spring garden over the two canines. “Oh yes, all the feisty best in that tiny creature. Look how loyal she is to you. I have much to think on small one, but be at ease. I have a proposition for your Malachi.”
Snuffling, Reena relaxed and scampered off to water the garden.
