Page 30 of The War is Coming

“A handy way to move,” Frederick commented.

“It is. I liked both generals.”

“They’re good and open to everything. It wasn’t always ..,” he broke off when he heard a hell hound talk to him

Alpha, we’ve caught someone trying to get into Tartarus by the back door.

Maletayah looked at him. “Frederick?” he queried.

“I need to get to the underworld.”

“I’ll come with you. Is your mate in trouble?” he asked, drawing his sword.

“No, but we have to go. Grab my arm,” Frederick said. As soon as Maletayah did, he rubbed his tattoo, thinking of the underworld and the hell hounds, hoping that would work.

No one was more surprised than Frederick was when they appeared outside of Tartarus and not at Hades’ home.

They arrived just as Barnabus threw a fire bolt at the hound standing over him. He watched as the hound went flying into the wall.

“Stop!” he shouted. Barnabus is by the back entrance. He told Hades.

Barnabus stood up and turned around.

Frederick took notice of his shredded arm, the blood still flowing down it.

“No, I don’t think I will,” Barnabus said, pulling a sword from the ether.

The hounds quietly crept close to Barnabus; suddenly he spun around, slashing out with his sword.

Frederick shifted into his wolf quicker than he ever had before and ran towards Barnabus. Maletayah ran as well and reached Barnabus well before Frederick.

The angel and demon’s swords clashed, the sound resonating around them, both of them moving fast. Straight away Barnabus was on the defensive, with Maletayah attacking with such precision that cuts started appearing all over Barnabus’ upper body.

Frederick went to jump Barnabus when a hand on his head stilled him. “Stay; they are moving too fast for you to jump Barnabus, if that was your intention, sweetheart,” Hades said from beside him.

In an impressive move, Maletayah flicked his sword in the air, distracting Barnabus. Using the distraction to his advantage, the angel kicked Barnabus in the chest, who went flying, landing on his back with another loud thud and a puff of dust around him.

Barnabus let out a scream and vanished.

Frederick quickly shifted back and ran to the still unconscious hell hound. He knelt beside him. “Shadow,” he said softly, stroking him gently.

The other three hounds joined him.

Frederick looked up and looked at them. “How serious are your injuries?”

We are almost healed, Alpha. Shadow should be waking up in a moment. Wally told him.

Hades knelt by Shadow’s head, gently stroking him.

“The demon fought well, but not as good as me,” Maletayah said, blood still dripping from his sword.

“He can mimic powers,” Frederick said. “His fighting skills should have been on a par with yours. When Shiloh fought him in his gorilla form, Barnabus matched him move for move. But with you he was on the defensive the whole time.”

“Maybe that is how we defeat him, surround him with angels and attack him all at once,” Maletayah suggested.

“It could be that being this close to Tartarus, his powers were affected,” Hades said.

Before he could reply, Shadow sighed loudly and opened his eyes. He looked at Frederick. I’m sorry I failed you, Alpha