Page 53 of Investigation of a Quest

“I thought you just said that you almost hit me.”

“I was being gracious.”

“Fine,” Bel laughed. “Get home safe and think about it, okay? Hanging out with Ewan might be awkward, but uncomfortable is better than dead.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry,” Olivia said as she eased her car away from Bel’s. “Ever since I saw him shift, he’s been checking in. It’s been nice.”

“Oh, has it?”

“Don’t start. I just meant this case is clearly beyond my mortal ability, so it’s comforting to know something so… massive is looking out for me. Okay, and it’s been nice to talk to him. I really loved him, but the betrayal left so many open wounds. It’s been good to get some closure, though.”

“I’m glad,” Bel said, following her partner’s lead and finally leaving the parking lot. “But I’m going to hang up now because I don’t have Eamon’s driving skills.”

“Same. I’ll see you tomorrow, but call me if Eamon gets that smuggling information for you.”

“Will do.”

The women hung up and drove off in different directions, joining the other commuters inching their way home. The drive made her already torturously long day endless, and when she finally arrived at her cabin, Bel practically had to swim to her front door. A wave of wind and raindrops shoved her sputtering through the doorway, where Cerberus greeted her from his hiding spot under the bed. It didn’t matter that he was pure muscle and teeth. Thunder was scary, and he made no move to go outside. He refused to leave his makeshift cave, so Bel threw a wee-wee pad on the floor and left him in peace. She’d bought the pads for emergencies. He never used them, but it was worth a shot, and with the second great flood about to destroy the world, she’d rather mop up pee than brave any more soakings.

But Cerberus had no intention of removing himself from under her bed, so Bel changed into a dry outfit, forgoing a scalding shower while lightning still electrocuted the night, and made a quick dinner. She put on an audiobook to keep her company, and looking forward to a few minutes of peace before she surrendered to her exhaustion, she sat on her couch, propped her feet up, and lifted the spoon to her mouth⁠—

With an earsplitting bark, Cerberus lurched from his hiding spot, startling her so badly that she threw her fork, seasoned rice and all, to the floor. He bolted for the front door, all signs of fear left under the bed, and shoved his snout into the cracks, his barks echoing off the wood to vibrate the house.

“What’s outside?” Bel had her gun in her hand before she realized she’d put her dinner down. “What’s wrong?”

Cerberus barked his answer and pawed at the door. Knowing better than to open it, Bel parted the curtains over the kitchen sink and peeked at the yard, holding her breath as she expected to find their killer standing on the other side of the window. But there was nothing outside.

“Buds, why are you freak⁠—?”

Crack!

A bolt of lightning startled her into silence, and she flinched as the blinding light revealed the reason her dog was angry. She’d been staring at it this entire time, yet she hadn’t even known it was there.

“Oh god.” The pinprick feeling of being watched faded as relief stepped into its place. “Poor thing,” she exhaled. “How did you end up out there?”

A small, black terrier huddled in her yard, shaking with every rumble of thunder. He was soaked through, holding his tiny front paw up in pain. He must have gotten scared in the storm and run away from home. Hopefully, he wore a collar with a dog tag so she could return him to his worried parents.

“It’s okay, baby.” Bel cracked the door and called the pup closer. “Come here. It’s okay.”

But the black terrier just shook uncontrollably, refusing to budge. Bel would have to venture into the rain if she wanted⁠—

“Uff!” Bel slammed against the wall, her brain scrambling to reorient her body, and for a split second she didn’t understand why she’d fallen until she heard him. “Cerberus, no!” She stumbled to her feet, realizing he’d knocked her over to escape out the front door. “Cerberus, get back here!” She slid her gun onto the entrance table and grabbed his leash, shoving her feet into her shoes and throwing on her raincoat before bolting after him. “Cerberus, stop!”

But the pitbull didn’t listen. He charged for the injured terrier, and terrified at the seventy pounds of muscle barreling down on him, the small pup darted off, his little limp struggling to carry him into the dark forest.

“Cerberus!” Bel screamed at him, the yard a giant puddle dragging her down as she chased after him. Both black dogs vanished into the night, and without a second of hesitation, she raced after them. She couldn’t lose Cerberus, not in this weather. He was too important to her. He was her son. She had to get him home.

“Cerberus, get back here right now!” she screamed as she dove into the darkness, following his barking, her stomach so upset at his sudden disappearance that she thought she might throw up. What if he got hurt? What if he broke his leg? What if she couldn’t find him? She needed Eamon. She should hit her panic button so he could come track her dog.

“Cerberus!” she shrieked as his voice faded behind the thunder. “Cerberus, please come⁠—”

Lightning illuminated the trees, highlighting the forest floor for a split second in high definition, and Bel skidded to a muddy stop. She wasn’t alone. Someone was with her. Someone stood blocking her path. Someone she recognized, and with fear spiking her heart rate, she reached for her gun only to choke on her panic. She’d put it down on the table. She’d left it at home, and now she was alone and unarmed in the woods with a witch. The same witch that not even Eamon had been able to capture, and her brain chastised her for not recognizing the trap. Like the flying monkeys, the witch had conjured an injured dog to lure her outside. That’s why Cerberus had reacted so strongly. Had the terrier even been in her yard, or was the animal black magic made visible? Not that it mattered. She thought she was rescuing Cerberus, but she was racing right into this woman’s arms.

Lightning illuminated the witch again, and Bel’s hand flew for her necklace as her foot shifted backward. She just had to run until Eamon arrived. He was fast. He would answer the call. She just had to keep running.

Bel’s finger brushed the book pendant turned panic button, but as her thumb slid toward salvation, the witch threw out her hands.

“No, stop!” she screamed as magic pulsed from her outstretched fingertips, and in the darkness, Bel swore the woman wasn’t looking at her. But that was her last thought, for no sooner had the witch screamed her warning than a blast of power slammed into Bel and flung her mercilessly into a tree. Her skull crashed into the rough bark, and the world went instantly black.