An actual hellhound.
Seb had claimed that Jasmine was a puppy but the hellhound was bigger than any dog that Atlas had seen in the human realm. She was also the sweetest. Even if Atlas was a little worried about the flames that appeared and disappeared around his legs. Apparently, Jasmin was growing into her power.
With his free hand, Atlas petted one of Jasmin’s floppy ears. Such a good giant puppy. At least with Jasmin as a full hellhound Atlas could enjoy being around her without the worry of any flickers.
Atlas had to avoid looking at Adam and any paranormal that had dual natures. Or that was what Seb had suggested might be the real issue that Atlas was faced with. Not a glamour problem. His new friends had been busy before Atlas had even arrived.
Seb had explained that if shifters were mostly the issue, then they might not be able to count on magic being the answer. Glamour relied on magic but shifters could transform naturally. He was still looking for a better answer. At least until Bel had gone into the human realm.
Bel had been hesitant to leave Atlas. With the mage Dean unable to come to him, Bel was transporting to the pack. And since the pack was full of shifters, it was better for Atlas to stay in hell with demons who didn’t cause his flickers. Atlas didn’t mind. It gave him time to get to know Seb, Ari, Asmos, and Adam better. Along with some of the minions that Adam had claimed as his own.
The minions were all demons. Some big and some small. Different colors, body types, and personalities. Atlas liked them already. And they obviously adored Adam.
“Oh!” Asmos bounced. “It’s time for the sword practice.”
Swords. Long gleaming blades of black and silver flashed in the sunlight.
Seb sighed. “My mate could take on all these warriors.”
“Not mine,” Ari argued, his gaze locked on his own mate. “My mate is the strongest.”
“Uh, guys,” Adam said with a laugh. “Mated to the master of punishment and a duke.”
Seb and Ari groaned good-naturedly.
Atlas cleared his throat. “Demon prince.”
Asmos squealed so loudly that everyone in the area turned to look at them.
“Shh!” Seb smacked at Asmos’s arm.
Ari ducked his head, nearly hiding behind Asmos’s bigger body.
Adam grinned and laughed.
“You’re going to mate!” Asmos screamed.
“Inside,” Seb ordered. “Everyone inside now!”
Ari jumped up and scurried off without waiting for them. Asmos hopped up, somehow managing to get Atlas in his arms. Atlas didn’t have much of a choice with being carried as Asmosraced toward the doors. Adam and Seb and Jasmine followed at a slower pace, obviously amused by Asmos.
“I promise I can walk, buddy,” Atlas said, patting Asmos’s shoulder.
“Not fast enough,” Asmos argued. “I need all the details. All of them. I’ll tell Cary, don’t worry!”
“So you just want the gossip first,” Atlas teased.
Asmos bounced him like he was a toddler. Not that it was his fault that Atlas was a normal human size surrounded by giants. Okay, he was small for a human too. It was just being surrounded by demons Atlas had no chance of ever getting the upper hand.
“Yes! I am so glad that you understand. I knew we were going to be great friends.” Asmos carried him up the steps to the archive building.
“Asmos is going to have all the friends,” Adam declared behind them.
“I am!” Asmos agreed happily.
“I would be proud to be your friend,” Atlas told him. And he meant the words with his whole heart. He’d always been the odd kid. Having flickers and keeping that secret meant that Atlas stood out to the kids that he’d gone to school with. At least Atlas didn’t have to worry about fitting in with his new friends. They just accepted his differences and made plans on how to work around them.
Asmos smacked a loud wet kiss on his cheek. “I’m so glad Bel found you!”
