by V Domino
Rory has always been a little worried for her because she thinks she somehow messed up while raising her. She didn’t though. Roxy is perfect. So what if she giggles like a creepy child and skips around singing her own fucked up songs--like the one about guts and dolls. That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with her.
Darren huffs at Roxy’s fire joke, cause you know, fire fairy and all that. Clever.
“There’s been reports in the human news that abnormally large dog-like beasts have been spotted roaming the Quarter. The human police have done checkups but nothing more, I’m sure they think it’s pranks or drug induced callers. We’ve questioned clan leaders and the heads of races but no one knows anything.”
“How about the Werewolves? Have you spoken to Freda?” Freda is a badass Werewolf queen. She keeps her race in check and her people only change on the week of the full moon.
“I’ve spoken to her but none of her people were in the city during the sightings plus they look like large wolves. These creatures have been described as beasts.”
“Did you question the witches? Maybe they conjured something on the last moon.”
Everyone looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I roll my eyes.
Power, like the kind the witches have, can go to a person’s head.
“What?!” I ask. “It’s not like it’s impossible. One wrongdoing and a witch can create an entire race out of vengeance.” Darren nods but the pity filled look he has in his eyes makes my lip curl. I don’t need pity, I love my life and abilities. I’m just saying… Witches are like any race, they can seek justice but the difference between witches and everyone else is that they have incredible powers.
We Crows know firsthand what they can do. Although, the original Crows deserved the justice the witches gave.
Many, many years ago a human, William Crow, and his followers were rounding up the witches in the village. He was murdering anyone who was accused of witchcraft or being anything other than a human and though he killed fifty-four people in total, none of them were actual witches. But then one night he finally caught an actual supernatural, only this one was just a baby.
Elsie was the two-year-old infant of the Hound family and she was spotted making a rock float in the village square while her family sold the deer meat their hunting dogs caught. In retaliation to Crow’s despicable murder of the infant, a curse was placed on the Crow family and all those who followed William, making them the very things they hunted.
Immortals.
The entire Hound family died to create the curse, giving up their lives while turning the Crows into the immortals they hated. Effectively turning them from hunters to prey.
After years of being on the run from both humans and witches, the original Crows were caught and put into eternal captivity deep in the bowels of Hell’s vincula. Jail.
Unlike the despicable William Crow, the supernatural world leaders let the children of the families live freely. After years of good behavior from these children, the leaders partially broke the curse, allowing any future Blood Crow offspring to have a wider food source and special abilities such as cloaking, teleportation, strength, speed and telepathy within bloodlines and between bonded mates.
Despite the fact that witches haven’t been hunted or killed since the original Crows, I still have a feeling they’re brewing something. Perhaps that’s what this supernatural dog is.
“I’ve tried contacting their leaders but since gaining new leadership, the witches spend most of their time off the grid. Finding them is difficult.” Flicking his wrist, a file appears in his hand. “I pulled the records of the 911 calls and used their description of the creatures to check our archive files. I believe I’ve figured out what these creatures are.”
He hands over a manilla folder with the word Hellhounds across the top.
“This is the only file we have on the race but they’ve not been around since the first Crow.”
I snatch the file from him and flip it open. The first thing I see are hand drawn pictures of what looks to be doberman pinschers but upon closer inspection of the sketches, I see holes along its body. Similar to fish gills. They’re broad and muscular but they also stand much taller than the sketched dog next to it.
Hellhounds are host to many different stories but the truth is, they were the enemies of the original Crows. They’re rumored to be the bringers of death, that’s true but the only deaths they cause are of my kind because Hellhounds control Hellfire.
It’s said that when the Hound witches died casting their spell on the Crows, their souls were bound to their hunting dogs. No one knows how true that is but it’s believed because William Crow and his followers were hunted and stalked by the animals. Other stories say that because of the dark spell they casted, the souls of the witches were bound to the hounds of hell and never found Elsie again. Therefore the Hellhounds began hunting and killing Blood Crows in order to quell their need for retribution.
Whatever the truth is, it doesn’t matter much, if Hellhounds are here that means my sisters and I are in danger. We’re the only True Bloods in New Orleans.
“This file is useless, Darren. It says nothing helpful. How do we find these creatures and kill them?” Rory asks while tightening her grip on the scythe at her side. It’s vicious blade has tasted blood from almost every creature in the supernatural world.
Darren heaves a sigh and before answering. “You can’t kill them. They’re creatures from hell.”
My first thought is, oh fuck. My second thought is, fuck that.
“But they can be immobilized with spells. I’ve got my team working on the ingredients as we speak.”
Well, that’s very fucking helpful.
There’s no way I’m going to let these mangy pups hurt my sisters. I’ll find a way to kill the fuckers. Every creature has a weakness. I’ll find their’s and I’ll exploit the hell out of it. I’ve lived too many years, seen too many things, and survived too many wars to be taken out by a mutt with a centuries old grudge that has zero to do with us.
Hell no.
Looking at my sisters I see the same determination. Rory’s eyes have gone completely black with a silent snarl on her pretty face as she looks between us.
“Let’s go hunting sisters.”
Darren gives us a few more notes on his research but still, it’s nothing too useful. It seems the most we can do is trap the mutts and hope the witches can cast them back to their guard posts in Hell.
I don't see that working though. If these are the Hellhounds of old, they wouldn't be topside unless....
"What if someone conjured them?" I ask after Darren pops out of existence. He's heading back to headquarters to continue his research. Plus, he knows we don't like for him to hover while we complete a mission. He becomes that annoying backseat driver you want to run over.
Roxy giggles while her ram horns grow out and curl behind her head as a huge manic smile splits her face.
“I hope so, I love challenges,” she says as she swings her iron-spike ball and chain.
“You're right, this is going to be fun.” I jump high off the ground and shift. My crow’s eyes are sharper and have night vision. Perfect for hunting these pups.
My flight takes me around the quarter multiple times, seeing nothing between the buildings. I continue to fly, swooping low and landing on Rory’s scythe as she slinks through the darkened streets.
After skipping along the streets humming her lunatic’s tunes, Roxy is now walking along the rooftops while I rest my wings. I don’t get tired easily, but I haven’t fed as much as I’d have liked so keeping my energy is a priority, especially if we do find these dogs.
Using our telepathy gifts, or sister speak as Roxy calls it, I say into their minds,
Did you see anything in the file about their sleeping habits or where they like to sleep?
I didn’t read the files but if I were a stinky, fleabag dog from hell, I’d sleep somewhere hot. Someplac
e that smells and feels like home. In their case, maybe a dumpster that’s been lit on fire.
Roxy’s silly words make sense, in a nonsense sort of way.
Roxy’s right. Let’s get inside the greenhouse. The place is humid and warm, even in the fall season. I’m about to shift but Rory stops me.
Wait, teleport in there in crow form. Stay high and report their location if they’re in there.
I hop off her blade and fly around the building, trying to spot movement or, you know, a large mangy dog through the windows. I see nothing on this side of the greenhouse so I swoop around the corner.
As soon as I turn the corner I feel a shift in the air right before a big ass paw knocks me out of the air.
I shift before hitting the ground so that I can roll away fast. I jump to my feet and bring out my short swords. I let out a long warning hiss while searching the darkness for the beast that hit me. My eyes land on three sets of red eyes. No pupils, just red glowing eyes that watch me. They don’t move so I take a moment to examine these three Hellhounds.
Found them, Southside of the building. Three big ass dogs.
They are huge! I stand at five feet, eight inches and I can easily see that I’m at eye level with the jaw of the largest beast. They’re eerily silent too. I only know they’re breathing heavily because of the plumes of smoke puffing out of their four-barrel noses. Their pointed ears twitch a millisecond before my sisters appear beside me. That tells me they’ll have that second to know our moves, a slight second to predict and prepare.
“The Hellhounds have found us, sisters.”
I don’t take my eyes off the beasts as I speak so I catch when the second largest Hellhound flinches slightly, barely noticeable. The smoke from his nose stops as if he’s holding his breath.
Then he moves, charging straight for me as the other two jump into action against my sisters. Even as Rory and Roxy move against the other two beasts while yelling obscenities. I stand there for a second—part shock and part admiration—as I watch this creature’s muscled body flex with his movements. Shaking myself out of my stupor, I teleport myself to the spot he just vacated and whistle at him like he’s a puppy.
“Here doggy, doggy. I’m over here boy.” The beast spins in place and snarls at me. Can he understand me? I crouch quickly when the beast jumps high into the air, pretty agile for a giant dog, before shifting into a gloriously tattooed man and landing ten feet from me.
Oh. My. Fangs!
This unknown creature-man-thing is tall and muscular and butt-ass-naked.
Let me tell you, this guy was gifted with a body that can put the best male model to shame. He’s mind-numbingly beautiful.
My eyes follow the tattoos that start at the sides of his head and flow down to his jaw. They’re intricate and detailed but his face is completely blank, almost like he’s nothing but a walking tattoo and his ink-free face is a mask. The ink flows unhindered down his sculpted body. I try not to stare at his dick but give me a break, man! You can’t stand there naked and expect me not to stare.
I mentally wipe the drool from my mouth just as he softly snorts, making my eyes shoot back up to his face, straight to his olive green eyes that are blush inducing.
But that’s not all, there’s something tapping on my mind like an elusive memory knocking at the door.
Brows furrowed, I continue to stare into his eyes when suddenly it clicks. I don’t know how it happens but somehow I see this guy’s soul open up before me and it seems that he can feel it as well.
For just a couple of seconds, a kaleidoscope of different colors flash in my mind; emotions and memories all mixed into one body. I see tears that have fallen in misery and I see thunderous rage but I also see celebrations of victories and joyous moments with family. Each color is tied to the emotions of those memories. I blink and pull myself from this strange vision. What the fuck was that?
Swinging my eyes from him, I look around to my sisters, not that I have to check on them, they’re deadly as fuck but I need to get my jumbled thoughts together. I was not expecting this.
Fuckity-fuck-fuck!
I see that my sisters seem to be fighting the same trance or maybe they’re mentally drooling too. Holy hell, what do these hounds eat?
Like my man over here, these guys are gorgeously muscular and covered in detailed tattoos as well, only they don't zing for me like green eyes did.
The one staring at Roxy like she’s his next meal, is downright wicked looking with a sinister smile plastered on his sharp face. Like a sexy Joker, without the ridiculous clown makeup. The other guy who is currently making Rory squirm in her tight pants is the coldest looking of the three men. His brown hair hangs over his eyes and he has his head tilted to the side like Rory is an abstract painting. He is absolutely mouthwatering.
Oh my crows, these guys are definitely dangerous and I definitely need a cold shower.
Movement from green eyes has me bringing my attention back to him. He stops advancing when I step back and into a defensive stance; right leg back with my hips slightly turned towards him. I bring my short swords in front of me, in a ready position. I don’t know this man but I will not hesitate to cut his dick off if he comes closer.
And keep it, too.
The smoke that puffed from his Hellhound’s nose no longer appears as this godlike man tracks my movements with keen eyes. I’m already stunned and off my game with the fact that this hellhound just turned into a beautiful naked man but then he speaks and I swear my lady parts sing with lust.
“Doggy? Now that wasn’t very polite, black bird.”
My breath catches at the sound of his voice, the smooth accented timbre of it felt like a shock wave floating over my skin. He takes a few steps to me but stops four feet away. He sniffs the air like he’s taking in my scent and for some crazy reason, my heart begins to race and desire rushes through me. It feels like I took an aphrodisiac. His eyes flare as he takes another inhale. I watch as the color drains from his face and his jaw slackens but then his voice rings out... in my head!
Mate.
I gasp and cloak myself. Nope. No fucking way. I didn’t hear him, nuh uh.
Let’s get the fuck outta here, sisters. I mentally shout.
Green eyes frantically searches the area and heads for Roxy who squeaks before cloaking herself. I don’t move from my spot, I’m cloaked after all, but now all the guys are staring at Rory expectantly. Her guy snaps his teeth at his brothers in warning when they step too close to her. Like he's possessive of her.
“Where are they, pigeon?
Joker asks at the same time Green demands,
“Where’s my black bird?”
Rory smiles at the men, “Catch us if you can, pups.” Then she flips them off with both hands before cloaking herself.
Once we’re standing in the living room of our house, my sisters and I stare at each other in shock. No sounds except for our heavy breathing.
What the hell just happened?
My emotions and thoughts run rampant but my body stays frozen. Who was that? Why did I hear his mental voice? Can he hear me now? What did he mean by mate?
Round and round my thoughts tumble, like a hurricane destroying my thought process.
Interracial mates happen, that's not such a big deal but I don't want a mate especially not one who is my mortal enemy and is currently hunting me.
This is so fucked up.
"Did you hear his voice?" Rory asks no one in particular.
Since my thoughts are on myself and Green eyes, I assume she's talking to me so when Roxy says yes... I don't think, I don't consider what the fuck I'm doing, I just react to the intense jealousy and possessiveness that slams through me.
One moment I'm standing across the room, the next I have Roxy pinned to the wall with my blade to her throat.
"Mine!" I hiss in her face before realizing what the hell I'm doing. I drop my hold and jump back, letting my swords fall to the floor.
"I'm so sorry, Rox. I don't know what that was. I'm sorry." I drop into a squat and rub my temples.
"It's all good, Ronny but just so you know, I was talking about the guy who's charming smile could melt the panties off a priest." What the fuck?
There’s so many things wrong with that sentence.
"I don't know about charming, more like demented," Rory mumbles.
"That's what I said, charming." Roxy looks completely looney for the guy.
I shake my head and stand up. "Can we focus for a minute? Green eyes said the word mate but he mentally spoke it. Not to mention, I just attacked my sister in a fit of possessive jealousy. What the hell is happening, Rory?"
Rory looks straight at me with the same confusion running through my own head.
"I don't know but let's call Darren. Maybe he's found more information."
God, I hope so. This handsome Cujo is messing with my head and I can't have that.
“What just happened, Draven? Where did they go?” Drac asks as he moves around the alleyway, grasping the air in front of him like he’ll grab ahold of the girl he was drooling over.
Not that I blame him, the little pink hair Crow was beautiful even with curled horns growing from her head. But the one who spoke to me, the one with black and white hair, like a woman with two sides. Yeah, she’s the one who captured and held my attention.
More than that actually, her beauty is from a different era; feminine yet fierce. She had tattoos all over her body like I do, only not as many. Her skin was pale like she’d been kissed by the moon, and I can only imagine her blush while in the throes of passion. Her eyes had been fully black when she first shifted from crow to beauty but it was her voice that pulled on the embers of my soul.
Yes, even when her eyes changed to sky blue as she looked upon my human form, it was her voice that caused the fire within me to grow hotter and the heat they caused to rush through me is one I haven’t felt in many centuries.
“They teleported, Drac."
Drac turns to look at Draven with a sardonic look on his face. "You don't say? I had no fucking clue!"
