Page 22 of Guarded By the Hellhound
KATHERINE
Time has lost its meaning at this point. I use a big branch to keep myself upright. The cold has me shivering, but I don’t think I’ve waited very long when the back door to the church flies open with a bang.
I realize what I’ve been waiting for and why I have this feeling.
Raider.
The door is brightly lit; literal flames illuminate it as they claw around its frame, though it doesn’t seem to be burning.
The biggest creature I have ever seen jumps out of the flames, and it howls. A familiar sound, though it takes me a minute to register that this is also Raider. He starts shimmering, and I am mesmerized. Every time he blinks in and out of existence, he becomes a bit smaller until he resembles the Dobermann I thought he was in the dog shelter.
I have been so focused on Raider that I missed the witch creeping up at him. When he’s finally back to the form I know so well, they hit him with a huge branch, sending his body flying. He crashes into the side of the church, and when he tries to get up, they hit him again and again untilhe’s not moving. Their hood fell off in the process, revealing striking blonde curls and a high voice calls out in the silence of the cemetery: “Well, that took him long enough.”
A woman. The witch is a woman, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s Scottish because that’s not American English she’s speaking. She’s muttering to herself, being loud and strangely obnoxious.
“There is never good help around when you need it,” she huffs as she tries to pull on Raider’s leg but fails. He’s no longer the terrifying Beast that exited Hell, but he’s not small by any standards. She straightens herself, then looks around before yelling: “VOLARE.” With the flick of her wrist, Raider’s limp body levitates towards some sort of altar, in the center a circle formed with candles.
She mutters under her breath as she plows towards him, making so much noise that I feel confident enough to move. I have no idea what she wants to do to Raider, but she’s not touching my man. After everything he has done for me, now it’s time for me to protect him.
I study the branch I’m leaning on, adrenaline making my pulse speed up. It’s big, it’s sturdy. She doesn’t appear to be that strong, so I think I can take her if I catch her by surprise. The same tactic she used on Raider…
A quick glance at the witch reassures me she’s still chanting, oblivious to her surroundings. Her back is turned to me, presenting the opportunity I need to try and creep up on her.
I do my best to use the branch as a crutch and remain as quiet as possible. Foot by foot I get closer until I breach the line of candles.
The candles flare up again just when I step past them. I hesitate for a moment, but when I see her reaching for a huge-ass knife, I know I need to hurry. My feet are killing me, but Raider’s life is in the balance now, and when shehefts the knife above her head, I don’t think twice, but I let out a warcry, lunging myself towards her.
Swinging the branch like a bat, I hit her right in the face as she turns around to look at the noise. She drops the knife and falls to the ground. She tries to get up, but I know I can’t let her, so I swing again, putting all my strength in that one last blow.
She raises her hand just before I can hit her and sends me flying. My back hits one of the tombstones, making me groan on impact.
“Who the fuck do you think you are!” the witch shouts.
“SPEAK!” she commands when I don’t answer.
“I’m his,” I growl. “And he is mine, so you can’t have him.”
Loud laughter fills the air as she starts cackling. “Silly girl, that Hellhound is mine. I am going to strip him of his power and use it to protect myself. Those stupid white witches won’t look down their noses at me again when I have the power to control the gates of Hell.”
She cackles again; clearly, she’s delusional.
“I won’t let you have him,” I grind my teeth.
“Let them go, Fiona.” I hear someone say behind me.
“Eli,” the witch replies in a sing-songy voice. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“The guard does not belong to you. His powers do not belong to you.”
“And just how do you think you’re going to stop me?” The witch challenges him.
“Dagran, wake up!” Eli commands. I look around, who the fuck is Dagran? But then I see Raider beginning to stir.
“Nooooooo,” Fiona wails, her expression turning sour. “You will pay for this, Eli, you and that stupid girl…”
The words die in her mouth because Raider stands behind her in his human form, snapping her head with one brutal jerk.
“Raider!” I cry out, finally able to make some noise again. He rushes over and gently gathers me in his arms.
