Page 17 of Boundless Magic

“I won’t hurt you, lovely lady,” Alastair said in a soothing, seductive voice.

As if she understood, the mutant canine inched closer.

“Knox, please be ready to stop the saliva as it drops. This is my favorite suit, and I wouldn’t care to have it ruined.”

Keaton’s mouth dropped open even as his wife snorted her amusement.

“He’s crazy,” he muttered beneath his breath.

“Not at all, my boy,” Alastair answered in Autumn’s stead. “I merely don’t take life as seriously as you do. No one gets out of it alive.”

LJ grinned. “I like you more and more, tight-ass.”

“I’ll go to my grave with a smile on my face, knowing I have your admiration,” Alastair deadpanned.

“Darling, I don’t mean to hurry you along, but my grandchildren are wandering without supervision.” Aurora placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. “You know what Thornes are like when left unattended.”

“Indeed I do, my love. The evidence is staring us right in the face.”

“Yes, well, work your—well, for lack of a better word—magicon the thing and be done with it.”

The dog-like creature inched forward until her massive center head was only a foot from Alastair. The other two heads were pointed outward, as if to keep guard should anyone else move toward her.

The one facing LJ whimpered as it gazed up at him, and frowning, he squatted beside Alastair, fearlessly extending his hand to stroke between her eyes. Those same eyes closed in bliss as her jowly mouth turned upward and her tongue lolled out, spilling more sizzling saliva onto the floor.

“I think someone’s in love,” Autumn quipped. “Why am I not surprised you could charm the wild out of a Cerberus?”

“It’s one of my many talents,” Alastair and LJ replied at the same time. They paused to exchange a highly amused glance, then concentrated on the monstrous acid-dripping dog.

“You must be confused, girl,” LJ said softly. “Everything’s different than you’re used to, huh? I feel the same. How ’bout we take care of your little droolin’ issues and get you back home?”

The three-headed canine promptly sat on her haunches.

“We’re going to do a nifty little spell, and then you’ll get all the lovin’ your big ol’ heart desires.”

Her tail, the size of a battleship’s towline, swished back and forth in her agreement.

Spring moved through their awestruck crowd and handed Alastair a piece of paper. “This spell should do what you need it to,” she told him.

He took a moment to study it, then nodded. “Thank you, child. I agree. This should work nicely.”

“You don’t need to cast a circle, Uncle, unless your new friend is protected by magic.”

“I hadn’t thought about that.” Alastair gave the beast a considering look. “I believe you understand me well enough, lovely lady,” he told the dog. “I’m going to send a light current your way. Don’t be frightened.”

It was the damnedest thing, but the Cerberus cocked her heads, and hers was an expression of understanding. She stood perfectly still as Alastair stretched his fingertips to shoot a test wave her way. A blue crackling light appeared between them and was gone an instant later.

“She’s got magic of her own, but she’s not protected. We’ll be able to neutralize her saliva.”

Keaton sighed his relief. “Great. Let’s get on with this, please. My anxiety is at an all-time high.”

Within minutes, the Cerberus’s drool was as harmless as any old pup, and she tried her best to become a three-hundred-pound lapdog, with all her affection directed toward the two Alastairs.

“This feels like a bizarre dream,” Keaton murmured to his wife. “What is happening right now?”

“I don’t know, but I’m heading to the clearing. The pull is strong.”

Autumn faced Alastair.“Bring your new bestie, and let’s go.”

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