Pegasus in Peril

by Crystal Dawn

  “I have this doggy restrained so he won’t go after us again. Let’s see what pops up at us next.” Julio suggested.

  Herk nodded and he walked first now. It was only fair they take turns. Moments later another jumped out at them, but this one wasn’t as big or as strong as the first one. Herk hit it under its chin knocking it out instantly.

  “Show off.” Julio teased as he restrained this one too.

  “How many of these do they have?” Tommy asked nervously.

  “If they had one litter, they might have six. If they’ve been breeding them for years, they could have a lot.” Herk answered.

  “These things look wild and out of control. Why hasn’t someone reported them to animal control?” Tommy wondered.

  “I’d say people stay away from here. The smell is enough to keep people away.” Julio observed.

  “That’s true, but why isn’t anyone investigating this horrible smell?” Tommy asked.

  Herk shot him a look. “As long as they stay here, no one cares. These people have no one worrying about them. Cleaning this up will cost a fortune. Who is going to pay?”

  “I never thought about it that way.” Tommy admitted.

  People in human form begin to come out of the buildings. An old female approached them. “How did you take the wolves out?” She asked.

  “It wasn’t hard. Were they keeping you under control?” Herk asked.

  “Those two and a couple more. They killed a dozen of our males. I don’t know what we’ll do now.” She replied.

  More people came out and everyone was talking at once. “Be quiet. This is my human guide Tommy. Julio and I are here to help run off your enemies. My name is Herk. Who is your leader?”

  “I’m the elder. My name is Sondra. We are simple people and were not prepared for this attack.”

  “That was why they chose you. Now with your males gone, it will be harder to keep your people safe.” Herk explained.

  “What will we do?” A female carrying a baby with a small child clinging to her legs asked.

  “I wish I had an easy solution. For now, we will deal with those who are attacking you. There must be a way to keep you safe and we will find it. What did they do to cause this place to smell so bad?” Herk wondered. The smell made his eyes water and burned his nose.

  “The sewer pipe broke. We are at the edge of the system and got free water and septic. If we report the break, they will fix it and shut our services off.” Sondra explained.

  It was sad they couldn’t live a better life. They had no electric or gas services and lived primitively. “Show me and Julio the leak. While your people show Tommy around.” Herk directed.

  “Come on, Herk. I don’t like being around sewage.”

  “I know, but you have abilities you can use to help these people out. Shouldn’t you?”

  “I suppose. Let’s go.”

  Herk was glad Julio was willing to give these people a gift from a unicorn. Had they realized what Julio was, they would have all tried to catch him. Everyone knew if you could get a unicorn, they could grant you a wish. That’s what Julio was about to do. Probably not the wish they would choose if they knew.

  Sondra led them to the broken pipe herself. “Tell me Sondra, exactly what do you want us to do with this problem?” Herk asked.

  “I’d like the pipe to be repaired and the odor to clear out.” Sondra said.

  “Well we have some magic between us. My mate is a witch so the pipe should be fixed now and the smell is already gone.” Herk pointed out.

  “Thank you. No one ever helps us.” Sondra said with tears of gratitude in her eyes.

  “Maybe you never gave them a chance?” Herk asked.

  “We do stay isolated, but you know why.” Sondra explained.

  “You don’t have to stay isolated from others of your kind. That’s what allowed these others to come in and take over.” Herk pointed out.

  “I don’t know how we got separated from them all. Now no one ever comes here, but we don’t feel welcome in the other communities.” Sondra explained.

  “Try to pull some defenses together. We need to check on other communities to see if they are also being attacked.” Herk noted.

  Hoping Sondra could come up with some defense for the community, he and Julio needed to move on. Maybe tackling the communities near them would help remove some of the danger. As they moved on, two communities didn’t seem to be affected. They were slightly wealthier so maybe that helped them. The last community they intended to stop at for the day looked like a huge warehouse full of people.

  It turned out to be the hardest place to bring under order too. As soon as they stepped inside, they were attacked and not just by a single adversary. Each of them found themselves on the bottom of a dog pile. Wolves didn’t like to be called dogs, but even other supes used the terms to describe them. Dogs were a domesticated version of wolves. Most wolves liked dogs, but as far as anyone knew, dogs didn’t have a shifter version.

  That made shifters feel they weren’t on the same level as dogs. The wolf shifters felt they shouldn’t be compared to a group that was strictly animal. Herk thought dogs were superior to some werewolves he knew, some humans too.

  As soon as they jumped him, Herk began to fight throwing wolves in all directions. He needed to free himself so he could save Tommy who was only human. Maybe he shouldn’t have, but he morphed to his horse form and ran in a circle so fast, no one could see him. Faster and faster, kicking high sending wolves scattering in every direction, he morphed back quick so no one would see his other form.

  Now he went to work on those piled on Tommy. The boy would suffocate if he didn’t get him out from under the wolves. Julio joined him and they soon had Tommy free. He gasped for breath, struggling at first before he stabilized.

  Herk looked around inside the massive building. Most families used card board to separate their living space from those others had. There were group bathrooms where the bathrooms had been originally when the building was a warehouse. These people lived poorly and needed more. The little children were skinny, dirty, and wore thread bare clothing, at least those with clothing did.

  This war was bringing some terrible conditions to light. He’d seen conditions like these in some of the third world countries, but never here. There was no reason for anyone to live like this is the land of the free and a country that had help for the poor. Herk watched some young children who looked miserable fighting over an apple. The fighting was vicious; the only thing making it tolerable was the older child that won gave the apple to a little child. A sibling?

  This place was steeped in pain. Something had to be done to get these people some help. “Who leads here?” Herk demanded answers.

  The problem was snakes were everywhere. Maybe this was where they’d begun. “I’m the leader and you’re not welcome here.” A big and tall guy with a snake tattoo said.

  “I don’t care. Your people have attacked me everywhere I’ve gone and declared war on me and mine.”

  “You are not a local. Why are you here?” He asked.

  “I’m a citizen of this country and allowed to travel wherever I choose without being attacked. As soon as you did that, you declared war on me and those I represent. The one who recruited you wasn’t honest. All of you are fools to follow him. You’ll learn this the hard way.” Herk explained.

  “Let’s call in our forces and destroy them.” Julio suggested.

  “I don’t want to hurt the children and noncombatants.” Herk explained.

  “We can send the children away, kill the rest.” Julio said.

  “No, most of our people are peaceful.” The leader said.

  “Your name?” Herk asked.

  “Dyar, I am just trying to help my people.”

  “Dyar, you are taking them down the wrong road. They will all be destroyed if they keep following you.” Herk pointed out.

  “Many are starving and dying from illness. I do what has to be done. Who are you and what
are you?” Dyar asked.

  “I am just a poor soldier. My mom named me Herk with high hopes.”

  “All parents have those hopes, but few see fruition. I don’t know what to do. The unnamed one will kill me if I turn from him.” Dyar declared.

  “We’ll kill you if you don’t.” Julio replied.

  “That helps clear things up. Since you are here now, I guess my choice is made. Will you help us defend ourselves against this enemy we both have?” Dyar wondered.

  “We will do what we can. Our leaders will contact you with more information. Now can you help us find others that support the unnamed one?” Herk asked.

  “Come with me and I’ll see what I can do for you.” Dyar offered.

  They followed him to the edge of town where a building sat. It resembled a plastic igloo so they entered the low doorway leading to the center of the building. As they entered, Herk noticed a fire pit in the center with smoldering wood. A bench curved around the pit, it was large enough to seat twenty people.

  “Sit please.” Dyar gestured to a spot on the bench.

  A male had followed him in and he added wood to the fire. Dyar went to a chest on the floor behind the bench, unlocked then opened it. He pulled out a bong, the type that could be used for incense but normally was used for marijuana or other drugs that were smoked and inhaled. Herk and Julio exchanged looks.

  “This is the way we cement our treaties and agreements. It is safe and I’ll take a turn too.” Dyar explained.

  It made Herk think of movies he’d seen about the Native Americans doing something similar. If a wolf could handle this drug, so could he and Julio. At least that’s what he thought. After he poured some water in the bottom of the bong, Dyar placed what looked like chopped weed in the funnel shaped part. Now that he’d sat down Herk noticed the hole in the ceiling. Once he lit the cut weed, he took a hit and passed it to Herk.

  Herk had done some similar things as a youth, it was common at the time among his people and not illegal or even frowned upon but it had been a long time. He took it and breathed in deep and had a coughing fit. Julio hit him on the back but it took a while to catch his breath. Now he handed it to Julio who inhaled without a problem then grinned at Herk.

  It was embarrassing not to appear as manly to their host, but since he’d kicked the shit out of their forces, he’d live with it. No one could do everything perfect and fighting was more important than smoking. Besides, Herk was feeling pretty damn mellow right now. He didn’t know exactly what this was they’d smoked, but it was good shit.

  “Got anything good to eat?” Julio asked Dyar.

  “Yes, let’s finish this smoke and we’ll see what the females have made for us.” Dyar replied before he took a long and deep breath on the bong.

  There was smoke in the building too that was increasing Herk’s good feelings, but he was ready to get his second shot at that bong. Grabbing it, he inhaled deeply. This time he didn’t cough and he breathed in again.

  “Give me that. It’s my turn.” Julio said as Herk allowed him to grab the bong. That was alright because Herk felt great!

  Chapter 6

  Pru’s Challenge

  She looked around the pool area noticing those that looked as if they didn’t belong. Her partner, Janel, looked like a swimsuit model for good reason. It was her regular job and she was good at it. They were down here looking for their enemies, but they weren’t here to fight this time. Their job was to find out where all the enemies were and where they had dug in. If they could capture one to take back with them, that would be the cherry on top.

  These guys were so busy drooling over them they didn’t realize they were being watched. Her mom called it using beauty on the beasts. Fort Lauderdale was the perfect place to use that strategy. The males were hanging out at the pool instead of wherever they were supposed to be.

  “Hey, Baby! Why don’t you come hang out with me a while?” The guy asking was hot, but not the guys they were watching.

  “Sorry, Sweetie. I just feel like sunbathing right now.” Pru said. The guy was what her perfect type was before she discovered her mate. Not unlike her mate, actually. Tall, dark, and handsome, he was also muscular like a runner.

  He went to hit up Janel too but she also turned him down. They weren’t good for his ego. The males they were watching saw what happened and mistook it as interest in them. That might help them catch one or two males to flash back to Pru’s mom.

  She’d been disappointed when her mom had sent her away right after she and Herk had agreed to give mated life a shot. Only finding out that Herk was on a mission as well had held back the disappointment she’d felt. Pru was a patriot making this mission important since it could be the turning point of the war that was headed their way. Any point where they got ahead or behind could change the outcome of what was to come. A realist, she knew it was true. One person or one event could make all the difference so she would do all she could and she was glad Herk was doing his part too.

  The timing had sucked. It was the first time she’d felt disappointed in being called out to do her part. Usually she was charged and ready for action. She’d shake off the disappointment and looked forward to when the mission was over. Herk should be done about the same time then they would meet up and celebrate. Two missions accomplished would be twice the cause for celebration.

  Janel was flirting with one of their enemies. It was the best way to set them up. His friend hung back a bit watching her every move. Pru smiled at him to encourage while Janel laid it on thick. The male was drooling over her ready to do whatever he had to in order to be with her. The other guy was staring at her with puppy dog eyes. Yeah, a wolf joke, sort of anyway.

  “Why don’t you two escort us to our suite?” Janel asked the male. Pru thought his name was Buddy and his friend was James.

  “We would like to go with you. I bet we’d have a real good time.” Buddy said as he pumped his hips. How crude.

  “Good doesn’t begin to cover it, Baby.” Janel whispered.

  Buddy giggled and snorted. “James likes your friend. We can have an orgy. Have you ever had one of those before?”

  “No, can’t say I have. You probably have them all the time. I bet you’re very experienced.” Janel suggested.

  “Yeah, we go to group fucks every weekend. You and your friend can go with us this weekend. You’ll love it.” Buddy offered.

  “Sure, if everything works out. We can go and have a blast.” Janel agreed.

  Pru was glad Janel was here to deal with the loser. She didn’t believe he’d ever attended a group anything. He was slobbering and it was running down his chin. At least James was quiet and thoughtful. Not that he was a catch either. These two guys should realize something was wrong when females like them even paid attention to them.

  It made her wonder for a second if the guys were setting them up. She’d watched them the day before from the window seeing them get shot down by every female they approached. Now suddenly they were getting lucky and that didn’t set off alarms? If that was true, they were stupid too.

  Janel stood then motioned for her to follow. Buddy trailed after her with James walking behind her. They were headed to their hotel suite where they would restrain these guys before sending them to her mom. Pru giggled in her head. Mom wouldn’t like dealing with these two, but Pru was glad it was her not them.

  They rode the elevator to the top floor before they entered their suite. “Great room you two ladies have.” Buddy observed. “The view is great, but not as good as it will be once you’re naked.”

  Janel rolled her eyes but Buddy couldn’t see it. “Don’t you want us to get to know each other better? Like I work at a big corporation in management. What do you do?”

  “We work as muscle for a rich eccentric guy.” Buddy explained. “Can we get naked now?”

  “No, not yet. Who is the guy you work for?” Janel asked.

  “You aren’t really after sex, are you? All you seem interested in is my boss.”
Buddy complained.

  “We should go, Buddy. This doesn’t seem right.” James offered.

  “Sorry about this boys.” Pru said as she cast a spell that froze them in place. They were completely paralyzed. Next she flashed them to her mom. Wouldn’t she be surprised? “I’m glad we didn’t have to touch them. What should we do now?”

  “Maybe change our looks and go back to the pool. I’m interested in how the others will react over those two disappearing.” Janel wondered.

  “They’ll think they’re having sex and won’t notice until tomorrow.” Pru suggested.

  “Maybe not. Both of them were on the clock. Surely they had things they were supposed to do.” Janel pointed out.

  “If they did, they managed not to do them yesterday and today.” Pru said. “If I had an employee like that, I’d fire them.”

  “They’ve been acting like that a while and still have a job.” Janel observed. “Let’s see who comes around when they don’t show up.”

  “Okay. Let’s use some glamour to look different.” Pru said.

  Now Pru and Janel were prepared both looking lovely but not at all like themselves. Again they laid out by the hotel’s pool. The hotel had been selected for its nearness to what they had determined was a community taken over by the enemy. Their biker bar was next door to the hotel and the males hung out near the pool scoping out the females at the pool. It looked like their strategy had been successful so far.

  They’d barely gotten settled in by the pool when two big males walked by. “Where did you say Buddy was?” The dark haired one asked.

  “He and James were sniffing around some females. I don’t see either of them here now. Maybe they finally got lucky.” The blond said.

  “They won’t have to beat themselves or each other off then, Fred.”

  “Yeah, right. Maybe if they pay those females.”

  “If I was a female, you couldn’t pay me enough.”

  “Hey, Daryl! Did you find those two lazy fucks?”

  “No, Boss. They disappeared.”