Page 44 of Hellhounds Never Lie

Me: Tough one. Maybe a monkey? Then they could climb up to the top of the cupboards and get stuff I can’t reach.

Like today, when I’d had to get that chair so I could reach the top shelf in my closet for the tools. But why would Jer want a raccoon or a squirrel? Although, I could totally see him with either of those so maybe it made sense.

I wanted to tell him mages didn’t have familiars, but I couldn’t. And, now that he’d asked, I wondered where that myth had originated. Did witches historically keep companion animals for security reasons? I could see where either a large or yappy dog would be useful when you didn’t know if your neighbors would suddenly show up at your doorstep with torches and pitchforks. After all, people could turn on other people over the stupidest things. Just like that stupid werewolf alpha in the hills. Why did he have to turn his greedy eyes in this direction?

As everyone ate, conversations were subdued. Anticipation and worry clung to the air, and I was happy I didn't have to smell everyone’s fear like the shifters did. I doubted it smelled very good.

“Do you think we’re overreacting?” I asked Dillon as I debated eating another slice.

“What do you mean?”

“We’re trying to stop someone from stealing things. It didn’t sound like they planned to burn the place down or kill Jake in his sleep or anything like that. It isn’t like we are going to war. Everyone is so somber, though. It’s weird. I’m not saying Rob shouldn’t be stopped, because obviously he can’t be allowed to do things like this. Or is it because everyone thinks he killed his parents and got away with it? Do they think he was planning to do more than just steal?” I looked at Dillon. A cold chill swept over me as I remembered what happened to the guy who’d attacked us last night, and I rubbed my chest absently. “Do you think the wolves would have hurt Jake?”

“I don’t know,” Dillon said. “I hope not.”

I hadn’t thought Chris would try to kill me either. Maybe everyone was right to be worried. Things escalated quickly if no one was there to stop them. Greed, whether for magic or magical objects, could make people crazy. And if these wolves got away with stealing, what would they try to get away with next time?

I shivered.

"What is it?" Dillon squeezed my leg gently. The hellhound hadn't stopped touching me since we’d arrived, and I was thoroughly enjoying it.

"Nothing specific really." I shook my head. "I just don't want this situation to spiral out of control. You don’t think it will, do you?"

“I hope not,” he said again as he pressed a kiss to my temple.

"I don't get why people have to be so nasty to one another. Rob is greedy. He values money and his own personal wishes over everyone and everything. I wish people like him didn't exist. All they do is spread anger and try to rile people up and get people to be selfish like they are. I hate it. And then I wish horrible, horrible things on people like him, and then I realize that just by thinking that I'm horrible too and no better than they are."

"You could never be horrible. Wanting to stop someone from hurting others isn’t horrible," Dillon said as he wrapped his arm around me and drew me against his side. "And we will stop him. You’ll see."

ChapterSeventeen

ASH

By the time night fell, a strange calm had settled over me and the others on Team Van. Hayden’s team had left to start their patrols thirty minutes ago and so far, no one had reported anything suspicious.

“I want you two here,” Van told Dillon and me as he pointed at the check-in desk. The spot was centrally located, giving us a view of most of the public rooms in both the front and back of the building. “Keep an eye out and help as necessary.”

We both nodded.

Dot, Van’s deputy, frowned. “Why are they there?”

“Because that’s where I want them,” Van said before he turned on his heel and left to talk to Doctor Roberts. The smile on Van’s face when he approached the doc made me do a double take. Was Van actually grinning?

That was… strange.

I’d been to see the local GP a couple of times since moving to Willow Lake. He was a quirky guy. I was never sure what to make of him. I mean, he looked like a university grad student who didn’t have time for a haircut or a shave. But he was the doctor who all the supes in town went to. And, truthfully, he was nice and seemed to know his stuff, so I guess his appearance didn’t matter.

“This was supposed to be my spot.” Dot pouted.

“You’re his deputy. I’m sure you have much more important things to do,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile, even though I understood Van's reasoning. Dillon was a hellhound with more brute strength and cunning than any timid deer shifter, even one trained as a police officer. Hellhounds were designed by fate to be supernatural enforcers. If shit was going down, my money was on Dillon, not Dot, to stop it.

“I’m going to check upstairs again,” Dot huffed and slunk away upstairs.

I don’t know why she bothered—no one was supposed to be up there—but whatever. I leaned into Dillon’s side and watched Van march from volunteer to volunteer, checking on them and bolstering the confidence of his makeshift militia like a seasoned general.

“I bet this situation would confuse the shit out of Parker and the other humans in town,” I said to Dillon. “In all those human cop shows, the police always have to do things on their own. No one ever comes together to help them. It’s so bizarre.”

Dillon snorted. “Humans are bizarre, period.”