Malachi swiveled his head towards Chuck and tilted it in confusion.What’s true?
Chuck smiled again, this time sheepishly. “I told her about you, Mal. I hope you don’t mind, but I didn’t want to show up and spring this on her without warning. She did laugh herself silly, but she was willing to listen.” She shrugged.
Tapping her finger on her lips in contemplation, Glenda narrowed her eyes while a small snore erupted from Reena, who had fallen asleep again. “Well, one wink does not a human make. Kelly said she can hear you telepathically?”
Malachi shrugged, then nodded. He saw no reason to stick to doglike responses when Glenda obviously knew better.
Her eyes growing wide, Glenda nodded automatically in return. Suspecting it was one thing. Seeing it with your own eyes was another. “How about a test?” she blurted. “Malachi, if you’re willing, my bedroom is down the hall, last door on the right. There’s a dress lying on my bed. Go in there and look, then tell Kelly what it is. Then she’ll tell me.” At his disgusted expression, she chortled, rocking back and forth. “Oh, thatface was enough to convince me there, but humor a woman, would you, handsome?” She batted her eyelashes at him.
Always a sucker for womanly wiles, Malachi huffed in resignation and trotted down the hall to the indicated bedroom, where he surveyed the scene. There were colorful fabrics everywhere. It looked like a herd of rainbow butterflies had been massacred in the messy, cramped space. Wrinkling his nose in distaste, he glanced at the bed and noted the details of the dress in question. He almost laughed out loud at the pattern, but kept himself together as he hurried back to the living room.
A wheeze slipped from his lips as he approached Chuck, glancing over at Glenda as she watched him closely. He was surprised Glenda would want to reveal this, but as he had no shame, he wasn’t going to disappoint.Alright, so I don’t know if you’re going to believe this, but I got an eyeful of that dress.He shook his head in amusement.Also, please let her know her room looks like a herd of unicorns threw up in there. Anyway, the dress is teal with a square neckline, sleeveless, and covered in skeletons riding giant purple dildos.With that announcement, he sat and stared at her expectantly.
Chuck stared back, her mouth slightly open and her glow wavering in confusion and embarrassment. “That’s not funny, Mal,” she scolded as she narrowed her eyes.
Huffing a laugh, he shook his head.I’m telling you the truth. That’s really what it was!
Turning to Glenda with an expression of pure disbelief, Chuck straightened her shoulders. “Um, Malachi said your room looks like a herd of unicorns threw up in there.”
Glenda burst into bright laughter so loud it woke Reena up with an irritated grumble. “Sorry, Princess,” Glenda told her, wiping tears from her eyes. “Go on!” she encouraged Chuck. Her eyeswere sparkling with mischief.
Malachi realized now the woman had set this up on purpose.
“Sleeveless square-necked teal dress with skeletons riding purple dildos,” Chuck blurted out.
Malachi narrowed his eyes.Giant!he corrected with a small growl.
Rolling her eyes, Chuck stared at the ceiling. “Sorry.Giantpurple dildos.”
Glenda shrieked in laughter, squeezing Reena tightly as she rocked back and forth. “Oh my stars, that is incredible! Malachi, you are a treasure! Now, my darling. Let’s figure out what’s going on with you. Sorry, Princess, I need to set you down and take a look at your brother for a moment.” She gently set Reena on the floor and smiled indulgently as the small dog stretched and trotted over to Chuck before circling and settling by her feet, watching the proceedings with wide eyes.
Nervous again, Malachi made his way slowly to Glenda, sitting politely at her feet, and cocked one ear.Now what?
“Hmm,” Glenda murmured in interest as she gently took his head in her soft hands. She turned it side to side, lifting his lips and staring at his teeth. She ran her hands over his ears and stroked down his back. Low mutters and curious humming noises occasionally came from her while she inspected him. Finally, she clicked her tongue in satisfaction. “Okay, well, there’s good news and bad news,” she announced firmly. Her lips were pursed in slight distress now as she glanced over at Chuck.
“What?” Chuck breathed, leaning forward, her hands clasped anxiously. Her fingers were clenched so tightly that they were turning white.
Malachi’s heart bumped and skipped a small beat at the sight of Chuck, so worried on his behalf. He shook his head, startled by the onset of some feeling. He couldn’t name it, but it was soft and warm in his stomach. A chuckle caught his attention, and he noticed Glenda was watching him closely.
“You wouldn’t know, would you?” she murmured. Turning back to Chuck without explaining her cryptic comment, she pointed at Malachi. “First, bad news. He is cursed by a demon.”
Chuck and Malachi both gasped, but for different reasons.
I am well and truly fucked,he bemoaned to himself.Here’s where I get outed.
“What’s the good news?” Chuck asked, her voice tight with an emotion Malachi didn’t recognize.
A long pause stretched out before Glenda smiled like a mischievous cat. “I think I can help him.”
No Fur Equals Naked
Malachi held his breath as Glenda grabbed some crystals and foul-smelling herbs from one of her shelves. She’d claimed she could help him but hadn’t yet elaborated on what that meant. He watched as she muttered to herself, collecting more ingredients for whatever ritual she was about to perform. Chancing a glance at Chuck, he noted she was watching Glenda with just as much anticipation and trepidation as he was.
Chuck,he called quietly,I just want you to know… no matter what happens… I mean… I…He sighed, unsure how to put what he was feeling into words. Shaking his head, he pushed his body against her leg.Thank you,he finished lamely.
“I know, Mal,” she whispered, taking his head in her hands and staring into his eyes. “Me too.”
They stared at each other in silence for a while until the loud clearing of a throat had them both turn to look at Glenda.
