Malachi coughed to cover his laugh at her reaction.
“Bless you, sweet baby!” Candy cooed at him. She turned a dirty look on her co-anchor, snapping, “Buck, mind your hands. I’m sure Officer Charles wants to keep our interactions as professional as possible.”
“Sure, Candy,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “No offense intended, Officer. Just always good to see strong women in positions that have typically been male-dominated. Very impressive, my dear. The audience is going to love this message of positivity and community outreach.”
Smooth.Malachi admired the man’s recovery, although he still didn’t like the way Buck was oozing on Chuck.Heh, Buck and Chuck. Wait, ew.He grimaced and stuck his nose in Chuck’s hand, trying to nudge her away from the slimeball anchor.
Chuck dropped to a knee and rubbed his head, effectively moving away from Buck. “I know, buddy.” She turned to Candy. “Malachi is a little confused about all the lights in here. Where should we set up?”
Don’t blame me,he huffed as the reporter led them to a set with cozy chairs and decorative tables that were too low to actually be useful. At least the rug looked soft.If you would just let me bite him, the problem would be solved already.
“Shh,” Chuck cautioned firmly. “No biting.” She stopped in her tracks and stared at him; her eyes slightly widened. Her grip tightened on the leash, and her hand trembled for a moment. Squaring her shoulders, she continued her march towards the set. The anchors indicated a chair, and she called softly to Malachi, “Heel, Sit,” she said, before taking her own seat.
He was still too stunned that she seemed to have heard his thoughts to even consider being contrary. Plopping down with an ungraceful thump, he stared at her intently, chanting,Chuck, Chuck, Chuck, Chuck.He wanted to growl in frustration. If she heard him, she was doing a good job of pretending she didn’t. Turning back to Candy, he idly wondered if that was her real name or a stage name. He was willing to bet she stripped to pay for college because that rack was certainly not real. Those tits were one hundred percent financed.
He glanced at Buck, who was once again openly appreciating Chuck, and narrowed his eyes disdainfully. His upper lip lifted slightly, showing one fang. Buck noticed the stare and leaned back warily. Malachi slowly winked at the man who jumped out of his chair and swallowed heavily before scurrying away, calling for makeup. Chuck squinted at Malachi in suspicion, but he let his tongue loll out and panted innocently. He was a very good boy, and one of these days, she would know how good.
Malachi turned back to Candy and listened intently as they gave Chuck instructions, while the rest of the crew wired her with a microphone. Another lackey came over and asked if she could brush him. He turned eagerly to her, knowing it would feel awesome, and he was certainly acreature who enjoyed his comforts. A small, wicked smile curved his lips as he noticed the tiny crucifix dangling around her neck; he would love to corrupt her. Sitting perfectly still while she ran a comb through his fur, he waited until she was done, then put his paws on her lap and licked all over her face.
“Oh, aren’t you just the sweetest baby!” she gushed and rubbed his head. She squealed as he stuck his snout down her blouse and licked over the top of her bra. “Oh!” she exclaimed again as he pulsed dark energy into it. He sat back and watched the flush creep over her face at the sensation it had given her.
One corrupted intern, check,he chuckled. Sitting back, he pondered further on what just happened, surprised it worked. He’d been trying to use his demon powers since he woke in the shelter without success. Now, today, they seemed to be almost within his reach again. He smirked at the young woman who still stared at him, confused by what had happened. Wagging his tail, he gave his best good boy happy bark. He put a paw out to shake, sitting up on his haunches.
“Look how cute!” cried Candy, the former stripper.
The young woman jumped to her feet and hurried away, looking back over her shoulder at the large black dog who had just put a smudge of darkness on her soul. She shook her head as she wandered off.
“Behave,” came Chuck’s low warning.
Malachi huffed out a frustrated breath. Chuck was raining on his corruption parade yet again. He turned and sat next to her, determined to be a good boy until they left. He didn’t want Chuck to be too mad at him.
Soon, the cameras were rolling, and they were live.
The interview was boring for him since they didn’t ask about his opinions. He enjoyed hearing Chuck brag about him and his skills, how smart he was, and what an asset he was going to be to the squad. The rest wasgross, a feel-good story. One of those heartwarming ones meant to make people soften up towards shelter dogs and cops, then donate to both. Barf. His concentration wandered a bit, and he caught a glimpse of something dark.
As a lover of all things dark, his attention snapped into focus, and he quickly zeroed in on the source. He saw a man hunched in an oversized coat that seemed a little out of place in the large studio. The man was glancing about furtively, but no one was paying attention to him. They were all focused on the broadcast. Malachi had a cold pit in his stomach; it wasn’t a feeling he was used to having. Causing, yes. Experiencing it on his own? Not so much.
He watched the man a little longer, trying to figure out what was creating the feeling. Then it hit him. The furtive man intended harm, and Malachi was fairly certain the creep was going to cause it. A deep rage boiled inside the stranger, his soul oozing malice. Malachi narrowed his eyes, concerned the man wanted to hurt Chuck as well. He was not going to let that happen. Whipping his head to Chuck, he gave a soft woof.
She stared at him, startled. He wasn’t supposed to be doing anything right now, and it had caught her off guard. “Not now, Malachi, heel.” She smiled reassuringly at the anchors and cameras. She gently placed her hand on his head and rubbed, trying to calm him.
Malachi grunted in frustration and glanced back to the man who was now creeping up behind a cameraman. No one had noticed him yet. He whined lightly and turned frantically to Chuck. He slapped his paw on her leg.
Now she gave him her full attention. “What’s the matter, Malachi?” Ignoring the anchors who were trying to redirect the interview, worried about what this would look like live, Chuck was focused solely on him.
Grateful for her attention, he stared into her eyes and thought hard.DANGER, DANGER.Assuming his ‘alert’ position, a low rumble built in his chest.
She blinked once. “Retrieve!” she commanded as she unclipped the leash.
Like a shot, Malachi took off, an unearthly snarl ripping through the studio as he rocketed across the stage and ran straight at the ill-intentioned man. With a leap and a howl, he tackled the would-be attacker and incapacitated him like he’d been taught, holding his arm away from his body. The man was screaming, fear and pain mixing as Malachi bit down harder on his limb.
Shouts and screams erupted from the crew as the cameras panned to the man, while Chuck ran over in full officer mode, assessing the situation before calling, “Release!”
Malachi let his captive go and lay next to him, growling in warning that the man shouldn’t even think of making a move towards his Chuck.Hurt her, and I’ll eat your soul,he thought at the now sobbing man. Sure no one else could see, he flashed some Hellfire through his eyes to drive his point home.
“I won’t!” the captive yelled, his voice trembling with terror. “I won’t touch her!” he cried, sobbing and hiccupping now. He obediently held out his hands towards Chuck and let her turn him on his stomach with his hands behind his back.
She searched him efficiently and found two pistols in his waistband, along with a wicked-looking knife in a sheath on his leg. She cuffed him and pulled him to his feet. “I think this interview is over, Candy, Buck. We appreciate it, but my partner and I have work to do.”
