A Hell Hound's Fire

by Siobhan Muir

  “Get out of my way, Alex. I have to save my son.” She hefted the shovel and stared over his shoulder.

  Alex shook his head and snapped at her weapon, trying to tell her he’d do his job.

  “I don’t have time to argue. Get out of my way!”

  Sarah tried to dart around him, but he bounded into her path to keep her back and snarled. The panic suffusing her face made him sick, but he shook his head again and pawed the ground. I’ll make it up to you, but you have to let me do this.

  “Mama!”

  “Dammit, Alex!”

  When he raised his hackles, Sarah paused, considering. “Get on it, then! Distract it while I grab Liam.”

  He growled, but she didn’t wait. She shot for the far side of the Jeep away from the demon. Huffing in frustration, Alex darted toward the vehicle, aiming for the creature’s spindly legs.

  “Come here, little wolf boy. You have nothing to fear from me.” The creature grinned and tore at the metal door, shredding the paneling like tissue paper.

  Revulsion swept through Alex. Had the demon taken on Lisa’s appearance to lure him in? Sonofabitch! He crouched, preparing to leap when the demon looked up at Sarah and cackled.

  “Have you come to save your whelp, little bitch?” A malicious laugh split the air. “I’ll enjoy soaking in your blood as I swallow his eyes.”

  Like hell you will. Alex launched at the creature, but it turned at the last moment and backhanded him across the nose. Searing pain tore through his whole body as he crashed through the gravel. Holy shit that hurt.

  Welts from the creature’s blow laced his muzzle, but the fire of his true form deadened some of the pain. Damn, the thing has toxic skin. He shook his head and bounded back toward the truck, trying to ignore Liam’s screams. He snarled as he collided with the evil thing, clamping his teeth around one leg. His Brother forced his flaming coat to intensify and he locked his jaws as the fire surged higher.

  An inhuman shriek stung his ears as the demon went down under his assault, tearing the metal of the Jeep to halt its fall. Alex tossed his head, shaking the demon like a malignant toy. The creature twisted and grabbed for his throat. Alex flattened his ears and ducked his head, releasing the demon’s leg.

  He’d done some damage because it didn’t rise to its feet, but it swiped at him again and he snapped at the offending arm. The demon roared and caught him with a jarring punch. Alex flew across the ground into Lisa’s marker at the edge of the river and lay there a moment, trying to catch his breath. Chewed bones, the bastard is strong.

  His head rang like a bell and his muzzle burned, but his eyes remained clear. Sarah had gotten Liam out of the Jeep, but now the demon stalked them, crawling through the gravel toward them. Sarah held the shovel and watched it come, her face a mask of tense concentration.

  Alex gathered his strength and pushed to his feet. You’re not going to get them. He channeled all his fury into a resounding snarl and stalked toward the monster threatening his family. His Brother urged him to pounce, but he conserved his energy for the final attack.

  The demon turned toward him, a vicious shriek ripping through the air. Alex answered with a howl and the creature toppled as if blown over by his breath. Surprise hit him just before something cracked and the broken shaft of the shovel stabbed the monster in the stomach, pinning it to the ground with an earsplitting squawk. Alex looked up at Sarah’s intense face as she dug the makeshift stake deeper, and stood stunned at her beauty and strength.

  My True Mate. Satisfaction filled his Brother’s voice as she met his gaze with outrage.

  “Get to it, Hell Hound!” She grunted as the demon jerked on her stake. “Send it home!”

  Chewed bones, now what do I do?

  This.

  Alex’s Brother lunged at the writhing body nailed to the earth and drove his flaming muzzle into its chest. He tried not to inhale the noxious fumes or taste the rancid ichor oozing around his teeth as he latched onto the withered heart shuddering under his tongue. Inhaling a fetid breath, he paused long enough to look into the putrid green eyes and see its fear. Then he exhaled all the fire in his core, setting the body ablaze.

  Sarah and Liam cried out behind him as the flames surged. They reached the height of the trees around the River House, white hot and glorious. Alex reveled in the power and intensity of the Goddess’s heat sweeping the area clean of all the rotten debris, but kept his grip on his target.

  Holy Goddess, send this offal back to its Kilgorem dwelling. I pray this in Your name so it may always be branded with Your seal and never return to this world.

  A shockwave from his prayer echoed off the roiling water of the river. It bounced against the trees, rocks, and house walls until it filled the small clearing with joy, power, and brilliant light. Satisfaction and comfort filled Alex’s soul and the flames cleansed his skin, healing the welts. Beyond the rush of fire and joy, he swore he heard Lisa’s voice whispering words of encouragement.

  Lisa?

  Be at peace, Alex.

  Goodbye. With his farewell, his fiery light dimmed and settled back into his normal coat, little sparks flickering at the ends of the guard hairs. Sorrow remained, but it mixed with understanding and hope in his heart. Thank you.

  “Alex?”

  He looked over his shoulder at Sarah. She stood with her arms around Liam, their faces streaked with soot and dirt. Both appeared a little shell-shocked.

  “He looks like a campfire, Mama.”

  A laugh bubbled out of Alex’s chest and he shifted, rising to his feet in human form. His clothes settled around him like a comforting mask and he’d need his armor to face Sarah’s condemnation. He’d been snared by the demon’s deception and he had to make up for it.

  Admiration for Sarah filled his heart, accompanied by… love? Definitely. She was a warrior, shining in glorious sunset fire, and he wanted her by his side forever. Her and Liam, both. My True Mate and her offspring. A Hell Hound’s perfect family.

  “I try not to be flaming very often.” Sarah didn’t laugh and he smelled wariness in her scent. She studied him with her pale green eyes and he swallowed his humor.

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. The demon caught me off-guard. I had no idea it could shift shape, but I’ve learned and survived. It won’t happen again.”

  “How do you know that, Alex?” She squeezed Liam tighter. “This one took on the likeness of your dead mate. How can you say you won’t be tricked again? You nearly took my bloody hand off.”

  Chagrin ate at him from the inside. “I can’t say I won’t ever be tricked again, but I can say I now know the energy signature of a demon, and I know none of them can dredge up Lisa again. She’s gone to rest. You’re my only Mate.”

  “Am I, Alex?” Sarah tipped her head, her eyes filled with uncertainty he desperately wanted to make disappear. “If a demon can make you turn on your Mate, how will I know we’ll be safe?”

  “Because I’ve tasted the sweetness of your blood.” He stepped toward them until he stood no more than a foot away. “I know your scent and the essence of you in here.” He thumped his chest over his heart. “You’re branded on me forever, Sarah, and without you, and Liam, I’d be lost.”

  “But the demon—”

  “No demon can ever twist what’s in my heart. Not now. Not after what we’ve done, together.” He grasped her arm gently. “Our connection will only grow stronger if you stay. And I want you here. Please stay, Sarah.”

  “For how long?” She met his gaze with fierce determination, her arms bracketing her son.

  “Forever, if I can convince you.”

  Some of the fierceness faded. “What if more demons come?”

  “Then we’ll fight them together.”

  He cupped both their faces in his hands, switching his gaze between them. “I’d be honored to have you as my mate, Sarah. And you as my son, Liam. Please stay.”

  Sarah searched his eyes and Liam looked between them, his brows drawn together with concern. Alex prayed
to the Goddess Sarah would believe him and stay with him forever. Chewed bones, what if she says no? His gut clenched and sank to his feet.

  “Perhaps we should start with a warm bath and a bedtime story.” Sarah offered a careful smile. “And then we might work on strengthening our relationship.” Her eyes hinted at more.

  Alex chuckled to hide his relief. “Done.”

  “What about an action-adventure story this time?” Liam asked.

  “Didn’t we just live through one?” Alex grimaced as they took in the scorched earth where the demon had lain. “Let’s get the groceries out of the Jeep and make some lunch.”

  “Lunch?” Sarah blinked in surprise then glanced at her watch. “Good Goddess, it is only early afternoon. The storm clouds threw me.”

  Fat rain drops punctuated her statement and Liam shrieked with mock-fear as the first few drops became a deluge.

  You gotta love Colorado. “You go inside. I’ll get the bags.”

  “Don’t be daft. We’ll all help and it’ll go much faster.”

  They gathered the bags and ran for the house. Alex cursed when he dropped the keys and Sarah laughed, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. The warmth of her amusement and the presence of her at his back eased some of his tension. He had a family, one he’d take care of come hell or high water. Which seemed likely, given the wash of rain outside the porch.

  “Welcome home.” Alex threw the door open and ushered them inside.

  Sarah looked over her shoulder as she passed. “It’s good to be home.” Her smile cleared more of the dust from his heart.

  “Mama, can we get more books now?”

  “I think so, Liam. Help me put away the groceries.”

  “We can get a whole library of books.” Alex squeezed Liam’s shoulder. “In fact, I think I know just the room to put them in upstairs.”

  “Really?” Liam looked up at his mother hopefully.

  “Well, it wouldn’t be a home without a library, now, would it?” Sarah said.

  Liam cheered and Alex grinned. “We’ve moved mountains, so let’s eat lunch. We’ll go shopping afterwards. Sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect.” Sarah smiled. “Thank you, Alex.”

  “For killing the demon?” He slid the milk into the fridge and closed the door. Sarah cupped his cheek.

  “For giving us a home.”

  Heat and love bloomed in his chest. “Thank you for filling it.”

  He dipped his head and kissed her, sealing the deal.

  THE END

  About Siobhan Muir

  Siobhan Muir lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he's never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good.

  In previous lives, Siobhan has been an actor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, a field geologist in the Aleutian Islands, and restored inter-planetary imagery at the USGS. She’s hiked to the top of Mount St. Helens and to the bottom of Meteor Crater.

  Siobhan writes kick-ass adventure with hot sex for men and women to enjoy. She believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.

  Connect with Siobhan online at:

  http://siobhanmuir.com

  http://www.facebook.com/siobhan.muir.35

  http://twitter.com/SiobhanMuir

  http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.com

  Also by Siobhan Muir

  Her Devoted Vampire (from Evernight Publishing)

  Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (from Siren Publishing)

  Coming Soon

  Not a Dragon’s Standard Virgin (from Siren Publishing)