Page 223 of Blood of Hercules
There was a sudden blur near my legs, and Titus fell back screaming.
The eagle flapped its wings aggressively.
Menacing growls echoed.
Fluffy Jr. stood in front of me protectively. His head was at my thighs, and his strange white tufts of fur stood on edge as he vibrated with rage.
Has he grown since I last saw him? Was he always this big?
Titus pointed at my hero. “Get that thing!”
Before the bird could react, I swooped down and picked up Fluffy Jr. protectively with a loud grunt. He was not light, and I had to use both hands.
Are the twigs making him fat?
“That thing bit me,” Titus growled, pointing at his bloody leg.
Kissing Fluffy Jr. on his forehead, I whispered, “Good boy.” His misshapen body trembled with excitement, and he turned his head up, then licked my cheek.
I gagged—his breath was rancid.
“Give me that thing,” Titus ordered. “You know the rules. If a Spartan is attacked by an animal, he has the right to exact revenge. Give it over. Now.”
I held Fluffy Jr. tighter and took a step back. “Oh, please,” I said. “You barely have a s-scratch.”
Titus stuck out his leg and showcased what was left of his shin. “You can see my bone!”
Holy crud. Did he literally bite a chunk out of him, then swallow it?
I gave Fluffy Jr. another kiss on the head. This time for bravery and daring to do what needed to be done during a stressful time.
“If you don’t give it over—right now,” Titus said threateningly, “I’ll take it from you forcibly.” His eagle flapped its wings and leaned forward like it was getting ready to attack.
It was abigbird.
My stomach dropped, heart pounding, because I knew what I needed to do.Nyx is going to be so mad when she wakes up.
“You can’t,” I said. “Because he’s my—protector.”
Titus’s jaw dropped.
“Bullshit,” he said. “You’re just saying that. No fuckingway will you bond with that thing.”
“Back up.” I pointed at him and moved away. “Let us bond.”
Fluffy Jr. squirmed and yipped in my arms, licking my chin with excitement like he knew what was going to happen.
“If you reject me and boil my brains,” I whispered to him, “I willnotforgive you.”
He licked me again.
“You better think my soul is beautiful.”
After a deep, steadying breath, I held Fluffy Jr.’s little body out in front of me and stared into his eyes like we’d been taught.
I cleared my thoughts.
Focused on the feeling of home. Laughter, solving equations, cuddling under a tarp, music, Charlie.
