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I lunged, vaulted onto its metal back, and clung on. I hadn’t really thought this through, which became immediately apparent when the dog began bucking, trying to toss me off. I hugged it tight, stuck like a limpet on a ship. Or maybe a flea on an actual dog?
“Hold on, Kitten!”
“I am!”
The dog bounded in a circle. The corridor turned into a spiraling whirl. I hugged it tighter, already dizzy. Around and around it bounced.
“Do the squish!”
Right. The squish.
“Ride it!” Zee encouraged unhelpfully.
“I am!”
“Own that puppy.”
I hugged tighter, clamping the armored body in my arms and squeezing, while it bounced and bucked, each leap jarring through me.
“Do it doggy style!”
“You are not helping,” I growled through clenched teeth. My chin hit the gun, the impact knocking through me, but finally its outer armor crumpled like a tin can. The bouncing dog missed its stride and toppled, with me on it. Then under it. I still clung on, crushing it harder and harder against my chest. Metal twanged. Bolts pinged. Its legs kicked at the air, then slowed and twitched until the doggo stopped moving.
“Is it dead?” I asked.
“I don’t know. It looks the same, just wrinkled.”
Carefully, I eased my grip, shoved its unresponsive body away, and clambered back to my feet. Yeah, it was definitely dead. Sparks sizzled from its joints and some hydraulic fluid dribbled out.
“Poor pupper.” Zee pouted.
“You told me to do the squish!”
“Yeah, but I still feel bad. This place sucks. It’s ruining my birthday vibe. I need mac and cheese. Then sex. Or sex first. With you. And Fancy Fangs—but don’t tell him. I’m still half-high on whatever Tom put in my drinks. I should really find out what drugs he has.”
I snorted a laugh and turned toward the barrier. “So, how do we—”
“Allow me.” Victor appeared, looking scruffy and distractingly sexy, then pressed his hand to the pad beside the grate and the barrier lifted, retreating back into the ceiling.
Zee sniffed. “Why do I smell almonds?”
“It’s the gas. Translocate ahead until you reach the next barred door. I’ll race ahead and open it for you. Adam, the pathway should be clear. Follow quickly behind and keep your breathing calm.”
“Got it.” I agreed.
Victor vanished and Zee poofed away, leaving me to calmly jog along behind. The sweetness in the air tasted nice, but after a few breaths its effects began to drag my steps down. Maybe I could stop, a little voice in my head suggested. Take a breather? Catch up with them later? That seemed like a great idea. Just a little break? I was real tired.
No.
Nope.
The gas was trying to slow me down.
I fell into a jog again.
What kind of building tried to drug people trying to escape a hypothetical fire?
Oh yeah, a vampire-made one.
