Guardian Hound

by Cutter, Leah

  Rudi held up his hand to stop Lukas before he said something more. “We had those marvelous pickles of yours. They’re taste like the opposite of the shadows,” he said. “When did you start making those?”

  “The summer I returned to New Delhi. My last year of university,” Virmal said, wariness in his voice. He turned to Harita and asked a question in a language Lukas didn’t know.

  Harita seemed to be trying to convince Virmal of something. Finally, he nodded, turned back toward Lukas, and continued.

  “I have a cousin, Niyati, who wasn’t the most kind,” Virmal said.

  “That’s an understatement,” Harita interjected.

  Virmal glared at his sister. “I was young, well, younger. I’d been raised primarily in England, and I was eager to impress my relatives. So I started following Niyati, emulating her, even.”

  Harita sighed and shook her head.

  “After a long and rather extracted argument with my sister here, I finally agreed to at least cook with her on a regular basis. That’s when I discovered my love of preserving things.” Virmal looked down at his hands, rubbing the palm of his left with his right thumb. “Harita urged me to follow certain recipes, more than others, and I noticed that not only did Niyati leave me alone when I did, so did some of my other cousins. It was a relief, to be honest, by that point. I was tired of the challenges. It was like they no longer saw me.”

  Lukas caught a glimpse of the scar that Virmal rubbed. It ran from the base of his palm almost to the first finger. He could almost scent the old tears still salting the long-healed wound.

  “We suspect that some of the tiger clan is already infected with the shadows,” Lukas said softly. “That it’s tied to their magic.”

  At that, both Virmal and Harita looked up. “We noticed something like that as well,” Harita admitted. “When Virmal came back from any of his charms or spells classes, I force fed him his pickles until he came all the way back to me.”

  “The shadows are real,” Rudi said softly. “We need your help defeating them. Freeing your clan.”

  Virmal stood and strode from the table to the middle of the living room, where he paced. His right hand was clasped strongly around his left wrist, and his eyes watched his feet.

  Was Virmal fighting with his tiger soul? Were they snarling at each other?

  Harita spoke softly. “I’m sorry, you must go now.”

  “But—” Lukas sighed. Virmal just had to see that he was important. Essential! Lukas needed him.

  “We’ll go,” Rudi said, standing.

  Virmal continued to pace, not even glancing at them as they walked through the long galley kitchen and back out to the vestibule.

  “You must convince him that he needs to work with us,” Lukas whispered urgently to Harita after she handed him his coat. “Please.”

  Harita shrugged. “He’s my brother,” she said softly. “Family, clan, always comes first.”

  “And saving the world comes after that?” Lukas asked as he shrugged on his coat.

  “We’ll be in touch,” Harita promised as she opened the door.

  Out in the hallway, Lukas wanted to howl. He was so close! Hamlin pressed against his side, but it didn’t help. Rudi started walking toward the exit, but Lukas wanted to stay right there, to hound Virmal until he agreed.

  With a huge sigh, Lukas followed Rudi out into the cold night. The air here smelled so different than from the States. He wasn’t sure what it was—maybe it was the closed-in spaces, or the age, or maybe it was just the earth speaking to him of his aborted childhood.

  Lukas still wanted to just run.

  “You could, you know,” Rudi said softly.

  Lukas shook his head. Not yet. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, go back into his hound form until he absolutely had to.

  Safe, Hamlin said softly. Trust.

  Lukas bared his teeth and sucked in the cool air. He wanted to run. He wanted to fight. He wanted to do…something.

  “I have an idea,” Rudi said. He ran a calming hand down Lukas’ back, then started back to their car.

  “What is it?” Lukas barked at him, chasing after him.

  “Patience,” Rudi said with a grin.

  Lukas tried to take a deep breath, to relax, but he was too on edge. Ants were crawling over his skin like miniature shadows. He couldn’t pay attention to where they were going; the lights were too bright outside the dark of the car, and the traffic made them slow down too often.

  Finally, Rudi pulled up in front of a modern, one-story building that had only one light in the front and a small sign that Lukas couldn’t read until they were closer: Sportshalle.

  “A gym?” Lukas said. Why would Rudi bring him here?

  “Want to go punch things?” Rudi asked with a toothy grin. “Learn how to fight?”

  Lukas barked a laugh. He’d never had formal warrior training, but he’d watched Rudi go through the exercises twice a week.

  “Yes,” Lukas replied. Though his skin felt too tight, and the world was too dark, he still couldn’t help but be grateful to this man, who continued to be more of a father than Da.

  # # #

  Lukas woke up to the blaring sound of the alarm on his phone. He groaned, stabbed at it, then curled back under the warm duvet. He took a deep breath, his limbs loose. The darkness of the hotel room lulled him to close his eyes. He scented warm water in the air—Rudi was probably already up, showered, and working on something on his computer.

  Today, Lukas would have breakfast with Mama. It would be good to see her again. If only she would stay. But she’d be gone by that afternoon. She was too broken to remain.

  Then, he’d go find Virmal and make him understand just how important he was. Maybe if Lukas transformed? Mei Ling had seemed impressed with his true hound nature.

  Lukas relaxed, feeling more settled into his skin than he had since the curse had been broken. Learning how to fight the previous night had been epic. While Lukas had known joy in his hound form, blocking a solid hit, or landing one, had its own vicious joy as well.

  A knock on the door startled Lukas back awake. “I’m up!” he called.

  “We have a visitor,” Rudi said. He smelled…worried.

  That wasn’t good.

  Lukas was up and fumbling into clothes in a flash. That had been something Rudi had commented on: What Lukas didn’t know in proper warrior forms, he could sometimes make up for in speed. His reflexes were faster than anyone Rudi had ever sparred with, and Rudi had been trained by the best of the hound guard.

  It was only then Lukas smelled Virmal. Why was his scent so contained? Why hadn’t it preceded Rudi? Lukas raked at his hair with his fingers, trying to get his wild curls to lay flat. He didn’t want Virmal to see him like this.

  But Lukas would have to pass through the living room of their suite to get to the bathroom. He tugged on a T-shirt and sweats. He didn’t have time to fiddle with his clothes, change into something else.

  Maybe Virmal had decided to join them, though. Even if he hadn’t, Lukas could convince him. He was sure of it.

  Lukas bounded out into the living room. “Hi,” he said. It was good to see Virmal. He was wearing the coolest blue shirt that set off his dark skin, as well as black trousers and finely made, black leather shoes.

  “Good morning,” Virmal said, not smiling back. “I’m afraid I have bad news. I won’t be joining your battle.”

  “You must,” Lukas said, gently. “The fate of the world depends on it.” He could do this; he could convince Virmal.

  Virmal shrugged. “That’s what you’ve foreseen. But not every vision comes true.”

  “I am a guardian hound,” Lukas told him. “My breed is rare, and only comes when there’s great need.” He didn’t want to transform, but he would if he must.

  “Again, legends, myths,” Virmal said dismissively.

  Lukas wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Do you think the shadows don’t exist?” Rudi asked from the kitchen alcove where he
was making coffee.

  Virmal hesitated. “Something exists. I don’t know if it’s the shadows or not. Harita believes in them.”

  “They’re real,” Lukas said. He didn’t want to be cursed again, but he wished he had some way of showing them.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Virmal admitted. “It will be dangerous, this battle of yours, yes?”

  Lukas couldn’t lie about that, not to one who was to be part of the knight. “Yes.” His dreams had more than once shown the knight slain.

  “Then I can’t,” Virmal said firmly.

  “Harita would want you to,” Rudi said quickly, stepping around the breakfast bar and coming further into the room.

  “And that’s exactly why I can’t,” Virmal said vehemently. “I won’t take her near battle, draw her into harm’s way.”

  “But if we don’t destroy the shadows, she’ll be in harm’s way. You won’t be able to protect her,” Lukas said.

  Virmal snarled. “You’re wrong. I will defend her and keep her safe.”

  Hamlin pushed up hard against Lukas. He was there, ready, if Lukas needed to fight.

  A knock on the door startled them all.

  Virmal’s scent expanded as Harita walked into the room. Somehow, they were connected.

  “You’re already here,” Harita said, looking at Virmal and sounding disappointed. She wore a bright red-and-gold sari today. “I’d planned on getting here before you.”

  “Sorry,” Virmal said, sounding not sorry at all.

  “Hmph,” Harita said. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m here to tell you that I will join your battle.”

  “What?” Virmal asked.

  Harita turned on him. “I’ve seen the cruelty of the clan. It isn’t natural. They’re infested, Virmal. This is our chance to help them all.”

  “No,” Virmal said. “I forbid it.”

  Harita’s merry laughter filled the room. “Has that ever worked? You saying that?”

  “No,” Virmal said, begrudgingly. “But it’s dangerous.”

  “And more dangerous if we don’t fight—am I right, Prince Lukas?” Harita said, looking at Lukas.

  “Yes,” Lukas said. She wasn’t part of the knight. There was nothing in her scent that was part of that vision. But Virmal needed her. He wasn’t complete without her.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from the vicious shadows,” Harita promised Virmal.

  “How?” Rudi asked. “I know the shadows exist. I’ve seen them. I can scent them, even just a trace of them. And yet, too much exposure to the shadows had even me questioning if Lukas was right.” He turned and looked at Lukas. “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you about that yesterday. At the castle.”

  Lukas nodded. “It’s all right.” But it worried him that even Rudi with his natural protection against magic had been affected.

  Harita shook her head. “Even at the tiger temple, they weren’t able to affect my mind or my behavior.”

  “That’s because you’re too good,” Virmal said, teasing. “Miss Innocent and Pure.”

  Harita rolled her eyes.

  Lukas, however, knew what Virmal meant. Harita was good, and there was something pure about her.

  “So you’ll join us, when the time for the battle draws near?” Lukas asked Virmal. Then he added, “Both of you.”

  “We will,” Harita said, stepping forward.

  Virmal grudgingly nodded and stood beside his sister.

  “Thank you,” Lukas said.

  Virmal finally smiled at him. “One thing you need to learn about Indians: When they say no, it’s actually just the start of the negotiations.”

  “Hopefully you won’t say no to our next request,” Rudi said, drawing closer.

  Virmal just looked at him, coolly.

  “We’d like more of your pickled vegetables. And anything else that you’ve used to help keep you safe against the shadows,” Rudi said. He turned to Lukas and simply said, “Greta.”

  “My sister is infected with the shadows,” Lukas said, the words tumbling out.

  “Of course,” Virmal said, instantly.

  Harita nodded. “Anything you need.” She glanced at her brother and they shared a smile that was all about family and clan.

  “Thank you,” Lukas added. “For everything.”

  He didn’t know if he could save Greta, but at least now he felt like he had something he could try.

  # # #

  Lukas marched directly into Greta’s lab. Harita followed, carrying over a dozen jar of pickles, Virmal’s entire supply. He promised more the following week.

  The stench of shadows overwhelmed the fresh earth and plant smells, the bitter chemical smells of magic, and the modern chemicals themselves. Lukas carried an open jar of pickles. The clean mint couldn’t overcome the sludge of the shadows, but still, Lukas was hopeful.

  Greta still sat in her lab, still in her white coat, her curls still perfect and her eyes still glazed. She stood and walked to her side of the dividing tables. “What’s that?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

  “Try one,” Lukas said, pushing the open jar across the table toward her.

  “No, thank you. I don’t like pickles,” Greta said primly.

  “These will help your experiments,” Lukas promised. He reached into the jar and pulled out a carrot, then ate it himself while Greta watched with large, blank eyes. “You should try one.”

  “What is she doing?” Greta said, finally tearing her eyes away from Lukas to watch Harita. The young Indian woman walked from shelf to the next, placing open jars of pickles, then shuddering as she removed the tainted charms, dropping them into jars with just brine.

  “Harita, this is my sister, Greta,” Lukas said.

  “Hello,” Harita said, her accent pure and her German flawless. “I’m a medical student, here to take care of your grandmother.” She continued her work, first down one side of the room, then up the other.

  “Nice to meet you.” Greta turned to Lukas. “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing?”

  “You really should try one of these,” Lukas said. He fished out a baby cucumber from the open jar between them.

  Greta wrinkled her nose, but finally took it. “Pickles?”

  “Preservative,” Harita explained. “You’re doing growing experiments, right?”

  “Yes,” Greta said. She seemed to relax. “And you’re a healer? You understand these things?”

  “I try,” Harita said modestly. “Growing and preserving, and healing, are all related.”

  Lukas watched with interest as Greta finally took a bite. The loud crunching filled the quiet lab. Greta seemed puzzled, her head twisting to one side, then the other. “What are these?” she asked again.

  “They’re preserved vegetables,” Harita said, coming over to stand next to Lukas. “Extending the life of fresh, growing things,” she added.

  Lukas handed Greta another pickle. “They’re good, aren’t they?”

  Greta nodded, still puzzled. But she ate it, as well as the rest of the jar.

  The shadows didn’t suddenly flow away from his sister, and her scent didn’t suddenly change. However, she did look more human, her eyes growing softer, less doll-like.

  “I think that you should experiment with preserving, not just growing,” Harita said. “I could help you, while I’m here.”

  “I could use the help in the lab,” Greta said grudgingly. “None of the lab attendants ever want to stay,” she complained.

  “Maybe you’ll be able to preserve some now,” Lukas told her.

  Greta nodded, and blinked, straightening up again, her voice growing more harsh and chipped. “It is good to see you, brother,” she said.

  “And you,” Lukas said. He wondered if her soul wandered like his had when Oma had first cursed him, returning only for a few moments at a time.

  With Harita’s help, hopefully Greta’s soul could come all the way back, like his had.

  # # #

  “How soon
can you get us to Seattle?” Lukas asked as soon as he said goodbye to Peter and Sally on Skype. He got up out of the hotel desk chair and strode to the kitchenette in the suite. Rudi had coffee going, of course, though he complained about how it wasn’t as good as Seattle coffee.

  Rudi was already working his magic on his phone, the only real magic Lukas knew he had. “Noon, tomorrow,” Rudi said distracted.

  Lukas nodded, though he knew Rudi didn’t see him. It was so great about the mystics. Most clans had some foresight ability, but the vipers were best known for it. And they knew about him! The hound prince. That meant he allies among the viper warriors.

  Surely it was time for the great battle.

  “We’ll have to bring Virmal and Harita,” Lukas warned. He regretted having to take Harita away from Oma, but he needed her more.

  Rudi nodded. “Already on it.”

  “And then…” Lukas sighed. He didn’t know what to do next, what they would do, this disparate collection that made up his knight.

  Sally and Peter hadn’t been able to find the viper warrior again before they left Tulum and returned to Wyoming. Lukas hoped they didn’t need him, that he’d already paid his part by making the shadows physical.

  Physical! That had always been Lukas’ problem, in his nightmares, fighting mere clouds. Now that the viper warrior had made the shadows corporeal, Lukas and the other warriors would surely be able to destroy the shadows for good.

  When Rudi looked up from his phone, Lukas continued his thoughts out loud. “We have a raven, tiger, and crocodile warrior,” he said, then paused. “I need to get them together, to see if that’s all we need.” He’d recognize the knight by their combined scents. “Hopefully that’s everyone, and I don’t need to find a warrior from every clan, like a viper, a boar, and a hound.”

  Rudi frowned, his gray eyes troubled. “What do you mean, maybe find a hound warrior? You’re a hound warrior.”

  Lukas shook his head, the old disappointment pressing against his chest like a solid fist. “I’m not part of the knight. Oma was always clear on that. I just gather the warriors together.” He looked down at his hands, laced together and squeezing tightly, one against the other. It was all right. The knight destroying the shadows was enough. It had to be enough.