Because I will be the last.
Aurora’s voice floats through the chilly air as she calls for Louie.
The hellhound turns to leave with a loud yip to let her mistress know she’s coming. But she doesn’t get far.
I shift into my Umbraeth, tightly wrap myself around Louie’s furry body, and fucking squeeze.
The forest holds its breath. Leaves freeze mid-rustle. Even the wind stills.
“Oh, sweet little pup,” I croon, my voice the only thing still moving. “You’ve severely miscalculated. And now? You’re in a predicament I’d fucking savor if I didn’t have a reason to behave. If you value your life, you will listen to what I have to say without being rude or belligerent. Wag your tail if you understand.”
My voice echoes ominously over itself, and I watch with a flicker of amusement as the mutt’s ears twitch wildly.
Louie goes still, muscles pulled tight as she weighs her chances. After a few long seconds, her tail wags.
At least she’s not altogether daft.
“I mean Aurora no harm. But I’ll admit … I’m infatuated with her. There’s a pull I can’t explain, and I need to know why. No one has ever done that to me before. Now, you, sweet pup, could be a huge wrench in my plans, especially now that I know you’re a hellhound. So, to keep your life, you must agree to a few things. Wag your tail again if you’re still willing to listen.”
My shadowy body squeezes harder.
Beneath me, Louie’s breathing becomes ragged and her heartbeat thumps loudly against her rib cage.
But her tail wags, nonetheless.
“Excellent choice, my dear. So tonight, Louie, you will fuck off. I want to be in the house alone with her. I will do my best not to harm her. I need this time to understand the hold she has on me.
“If I want to fuck your mistress, you will stay out of my way. As long as she is willing, you have no say in the matter. I have never taken what wasn’t freely given—though what happens after consent … Well, sometimes that can get blurry.
“Surprisingly, I don’t wish to see her tears. Not yet, anyway.
“Whatever happens, do not attack me. I promise it will not end well for you. In return, you can keep your life. Please wag your tail again if you agree to my terms. Then we can both move on with our evening.”
I apply a bit more pressure to make my point really fucking clear.
Louie’s breath is shallow, but her tail wags.
I pull back, shadows dissolving as I return to my Løkkda.
Louie lies on the ground, panting and gasping for air. I smile as I stand over her.
“I do hope this benefits us both, pup. You’re obviously her protector. And I respect that. But I’ll find the root of your bond, whether you help me or not.”
I tilt my head, eyes locked on the wheezing hellhound, searching for whatever secret keeps her tethered to the little goddess.
Louie sits upright, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead where I stand.
“Just what … the fuck … are you?” The hellhound gulps in air between her words. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like you and I’m a thousand years old. I think … Wait …”
The hellhound looks confused, but I truly don’t give a single shit about this mongrel’s muddled thoughts.
“Oh, my dear little pup—”
“Call me that again, you ancient fucking twat, and I swear to Hell, I’ll bite your goddamn dick off!”
“My, my, aren’t we a bit humbled? You’re thousands of years old, are you? That’s fucking cute. I’ve been alive since this piece-of-shit planet came into existence. I’m far more powerful than you and have seen more things than you could ever imagine. Now, do we have a deal?”
The hellhound seems to consider this new information before responding.
