Page 39 of Mongrel
Down again.
When I glance back at him, his shoulders have canted inward, defeated. Wishing I had better news for him, I whine and rub against his leg.
He pets my ruff. “The other three, are we still on their scents?”
I look up. At least we have that.
The first roll of distant thunder rumbles low and ominous. Well, I needed to tell him about the storm, so I guess that covers that.
Bowie’s face caves to misery. “Oh no, not rain! This is the worst possible timing.”
We need to talk. I shift, slow and steady. Bowie’s hand on my ruff remains in place while I gain height and lose fur. My bones morph and lengthen, as commanded, until I stand naked at his side, his hand on my nape.
Before I can say anything, Bowie has pressed himself against me. Though he’s slightly taller, he seems to shrink in my arms as I hold him.
“This can’t be happening,” he says as another round of faraway booming sounds from the east.
Rubbing his back, I keep my voice calm. “It’s going to be all right. If we must stop, so must they.”
He listens as I share my thoughts that Cecily has probably been taken through Pest, which is our next destination after Ecsed. Surely we’ll pick up her trail, then. I tell him not to fear. I make promises I hope I’ll be able to keep. We’ll find her, Bowie. She’ll be all right, Bowie. Don’t worry, Bowie.
His back shakes. He clutches my waist. I knew he’d been hovering on edge, but I didn’t realize how close he was to stumbling over it.
“What now?” he asks against my neck.
I glance up at the sky. Fat-bellied clouds tumble along, readying to let loose their burden. “We’ll need to take cover. Somewhere safe to pass the storm and for you for tomorrow during daylight.”
“Right.”
“Have you any ideas?”
Bowie sucks in a deep breath and pulls himself together. He stands back enough to look me in the eyes. “I can always go below ground in an emergency, but I imagine that wouldn’t work well for you.”
Just thinking about it makes me shiver. “I can curl up somewhere in wolf form if I must.” Though in this weather and marshy landscape, it wouldn’t be comfortable. I’m used to a higher elevation. We’ve been on a decline since we left Varad. This land is one muddy bog after another and makes me thankful for the decently maintained road we’ve been on.
“Let’s see if our last resort options can be avoided.” He scans the stunted trees and brush beyond the road.
We’ve passed several small villages and settlements, nothing so big as to have its own inn. And the terrain is such that I can’t imagine we’d be lucky enough to find a natural shelter like a cave.
As I’m coming to terms with the idea of being quite wet for a long time, he speaks. “We’re not far from a river crossing. The Tisza lies ahead. I’m actually much faster than you. Why don’t I scout ahead while you take your time? I’ll come back once I’ve found something suitable.”
I don’t like the idea of splitting up, but if his little show of chasing me down and catching me at a sprint back in Varad was any indication of his speed, then it shouldn’t take him long at all.
I look up.
Bowie huffs. “Andras, use your words.”
Oh right. “Erm, yes. Do that. Maybe I’ll get lucky and find a meal while you’re away.”
His eyes widen, and his mouth opens in ano. “You’re hungry! Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been so selfish and forgotten your needs. Yes, you must eat. Please never let me stop you again.”
“You didn’t,” I assure him. I was on a mission. Food could wait. Though if it waits much longer, I may fall over.
A flash of lightning streaks sideways, splintering across the otherwise black expanse of sky.
“We should hurry,” says Bowie. “If you veer off the trail to hunt, just come back to it when you can, and I’ll find you.”
I nod.
