Page 20 of Beast

I didn’t want to dwell on whatfreshermeant.It was easier to think of hellhounds as terrifying beasts rather than what they really were: genetically modified, reanimated humans.Nope.I’d stick to the image of them as large, vicious dog-like creatures.It wasn’t until King showed me one suspended from the ceiling that I’d been able to see the human features hidden beneath the monstrosity.

A shiver ran through me at the memory, and I pushed it aside.Thinking about dead, warped humans was better left for another time.

I checked behind us.The men waited in a tight group, their backs to the water.I didn’t bother mentioning to King my lack of breasts in this form or how utterly unattractive I looked with gaping jaws and deep-set eyes.King was King, and nothing I said would change him.But I couldn’t take the itching for another second.

Laying my rifle aside, I unbuckled my pack and let it drop.The amazing boots Maylin had given me came off next, followed by my sword and the assortment of weapons strapped to me.Unbuckling the chest straps with my Warrior hands took the longest, but I’d gotten better at it.Those straps carried everything: water, knives, ammo, and, as a bonus, they looked incredibly cool.If I had to go around with muscles up to my ears and teeth that could rival a great white shark, I deserved something that looked badass.

My pants and undershirt were last, and my patience was at an end.It took every last bit of willpower I possessed not to destroy them.I tossed them into a heap, then decided they might as well join me in the water for a wash.I’d put on my spares afterward.

“Are you not coming in?”I asked when King stayed where he was, just watching me.

“This is a quick break.I’ll bathe with the men.”His eyes burned into mine.If my hips weren’t currently deformed monstrosities, I might’ve given them a sexy sway just for him.

The water was cold, and I hated it immediately.I stepped in anyway.After eight more steps, I sank down until the top half of my body was submerged.Grabbing a handful of sand, I started scrubbing the blood from my skin and alleviating the itch.

I was about halfway through when movement at the edge of my vision caught my attention.I froze, my heart pounding.A bloodcurdling scream tore from my throat before I could stop it.

King, still fully clothed, was in the water instantly, sword drawn.He grabbed me, lifting me to him while his sharp eyes scanned the area for the threat.The other Warriors splashed into the water behind him, weapons ready.

“There, there!”I cried, pointing frantically toward the source of my terror.My voice came out shrill, but my massive jaw, designed for housing rows of deadly teeth, dulled the effect.I sounded more absurd than terrified, but I didn’t care.

King’s massive body turned; his arm raised.“Is there a hound below the surface?”

“No!”I screamed again, trying to scramble away from him.He wouldn’t release me.“It’s on top of the water, you damned idiot.How can you not see it?”Desperate, I climbed his frame, my foot bracing on his shoulder, until I was crouched on top of him, my entire body out of the water and precariously balanced.

Without moving, King barked, “A snake?”

I didn’t like his tone.“Yes, a snake!Don’t just stand there, kill the fucking thing!”

The serpent in question apparently decided his life would be safer elsewhere.Its long, slithery body glided atop the water, barely making a ripple as it changed direction and disappeared.I finally let out a breath and became aware of the unnerving silence around me.

I shifted my gaze from where the snake had vanished and caught sight of Beck, Labyrinth, and Axel standing slack-jawed in the water, staring at me.Turning farther, I spotted Garret on the shore, failing miserably to hide a grin.

I was still squatting on King’s shoulders, and the last thing I wanted to do was get back in the water.

“Do you plan on coming down anytime soon, or should I just walk to shore with you up there?”King asked, his tone laced with laughter.

With little grace, I eased myself off him, accepting a small assist from his hands and letting out a few grunts as I was lowered back into the water.My eyes darted warily, scanning a ten-foot radius around me for any signs of the snake.

“You’ve seen enough.Go back to shore,” King growled at the others.

A snicker broke the silence, quickly followed by Beck’s unmistakable laughter.It was a sound I’d only learned to recognize since Missy had entered his life.“I’m glad we finally have someone to climb trees,” he said.“Since the last Warrior died doing it, we’ve been needing that position filled.”

Axel, Labyrinth, and even Garret burst into full-blown laughter.It didn’t let up, even after I finished scrubbing the hellhound crud off me.It finally paused when I stomped out of the water, my feet making loud, wet squelches in the dirt, and grabbed my pack.King stood with the men, all of them facing away.I stuck my tongue out at their backs, a ridiculous gesture, but I didn’t care.

Dressing while wet and dealing with three-inch claws was an exercise in a different form of humiliation.At least I could enjoy the fact that the men were still itching their asses off while I went through the process.

One of them said something I couldn’t make out, and they erupted in laughter again.Once I was dressed, I gathered my soggy clothes and hung them over some low shrubs.Then I turned to them.“Your turn.Hit the lake.”

The sound of weapons and buckles being dropped met my ears, followed by splashes as they entered the water.I stood guard with my back turned, nursing my wounded pride.

“There’s a snake, watch out,” Labyrinth yelled.

Of course, I looked.They were using a long stick, tossing it into the water like they were searching for something.I marched toward the shore, shouting, “It was a huge snake!”I held out my hands, spreading them as far apart as I could to demonstrate its size.

Their laughter drowned out anything else I tried to say in my defense.

“King, I don’t think we can have a Shadow Warrior afraid of snakes.It’s insulting,” Beck called out, making sure I heard him.

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