Page 12 of Hellhounds and Homicides

“Yes, behind the warehouse on division. I’ve used it before to enter his realm. We have less than an hour if we want the sun to be in the right place.”

“I’m going with you.” Dumas declared.

“I don’t know if he will allow it.”

“I am a hellhound, and I will go wherever I damn well please.” He stated with considerable bite. "I'm staying by your side. You came close to being victim number five last night, and I am taking no chances with your safety."

“Understood.” Rowen was not going to fight him on this. Besides, he was a better, stronger man with Dumas by his side.

They left the meeting and went directly to the lowlands, a place that never got better, even as the rest of Pittsburgh healed. It always radiated a musty, sick aura that got into your senses and into your mood. It was a hard place for anyone with a heart or feelings to live in, and it accounted for the majority of crimes in the city. The Master referred to a source, something that Rowen had not heard of or considered but suddenly made sense.

Master Hadden had put the run on magics in the Pittsburgh area, cleansing and purifying them all the way. It brought back a sense of community and safety that had deteriorated as the effects of magics had wormed their way into society and the very structures. But with that said, there remained a shadow of evil that had retreated to the lowlands and refused to die.

Every effort was met with modicum success, but the negativity would seep back in and eventually have to be driven back once again. It happened over and over again. Rowen had walked the streets and alleys of the lowlands many times as a stray and witnessed sadness and depression at every turn.

He knew it didn’t have to be this way, but he didn’t know how to change it apart from doing his job and capturing the criminals. If there was a long term remedy for what was eating away at the lowlands then he wanted to be a part of that solution.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dumas found his unease peaking several times during the meeting. It was clear why they wanted the strays, but he wished it wasn't his mate who had to pursue the Wazir. He'd heard many things about that man, but very few were good. It was true few knew anything about him, and even fewer had ever met him. But still, there was always a seed of truth to every rumor. He would not let his mate face the man alone. If they were on bad terms, then anything could happen.

“When was the last time you spoke with the Wazir?” He asked when they pulled up to the old, abandoned warehouse.

"I was fifteen, and my father went missing. He refused to help me find him and said I was better off without him." Rowen spoke hurriedly and did not look at Dumas.

“Were you?”

"Probably." He just left it there, and Dumas did not press for more. They had a lifetime to learn about each other, so there was no need to push.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be I suppose.” They got out of the vehicle and began walking around to the back of the old warehouse. He could see memories coming back to Rowen in his expressions upon seeing the area once again and he could feel his apprehension.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” He reminded him while putting his arm around his shoulders.

“It’ll be okay.” He said and smiled up at Dumas. “I have you.”

"You'll always have me," Dumas answered.

Dumas didn’t like the idea at all, but he could not tell his mate what to do, all he could do was be there for him. The area behind the warehouse was cloaked in a dark shadow except from a small area that was bathed in sunlight that came through an opening in the trees that bordered the property. The delineation between the light and the dark was a hard line and apparently the entrance to the Wazir’s realm.

Rowen took his hand and side by side they stepped onto the line and suddenly they were moving through space and emerged into what appeared to be an entrance hall. It was cavernous and also beautiful with stone and color and design similar to Master DuCane’s Palace entrance. The walls were adorned with Egyptian imagery and decor. It felt like a blend of the old world and the ancient world. A blend of Kings and Pharoahs.

As they walked further, going forward, rooms, hallways, and even a ballroom rose up on either side, indicating that the place was endless, just as alternate realms tended to be. What he found interesting was the amount of sunshine, or what looked to be sunshine, lighting every room.

“We will be met shortly by his guards don’t underestimate them. They are not large but they are fast, agile and deadly. The guards of the Wazir have claws that are poisonous.” Rowen warned.

“Good to know, thank you.” Dumas replied. “Do you have the same capability?”

"No, only the guards, but the rest of us can lay a person up for a while. It's a poison as well but not as toxic and can only be delivered in our shifted form.” Dumas was learning more every day.

Just as Rowen said, two guards dressed in a uniform of flowing pants and a long, snug jacket walked up to meet them. The outfit had an Egyptian flavor to it and was quite stunning, actually. They looked at Rowen first and then glanced derisively at Dumas.

"I request a meeting with the Wazir," Rowen stated firmly and clearly.

“Why do you bring a hellhound here?” One of them asked disapproving.

"He is my mate, and we have bonded," Rowen stated again, firm and clear. They looked surprised for an instant but quickly covered it.

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