Page 21 of The War is Coming

Okay, I’ve not sent it yet.

PPS, can you try and get a copy of the email? Again, if not, don’t worry.

Anything else before I hit send?

“No, I think that’s everything,” Paris said. “It will be good to see Padraic and his family again.”

It will. We can offer them a place here.

“We can,” Paris agreed.

CHAPTER 11

Blake walked outside looking for Frederick, hoping he was back from the underworld. He wanted to know what protection Hades had in place to stop Barnabus from releasing any demons. He found him on the new pack lands, watching Ares and the defence teams. Arms folded, nodding occasionally at something one of the team members had done.

“Ares has them on a rescue mission. They have to get past all these obstacles to rescue those trapped inside the house,” Frederick said when Blake reached his side.

This section was new, a more complicated design after Ares realised the first section was too easy. The new obstacles were dragons, gargoyles, wolves and Shiloh, who was in his gorilla form, as well as hidden traps.

“Shiloh is amazing. I never thought I would see a gorilla shifter,” Blake said.

“You should have seen him fighting against Barnabus; he was incredible.”

“I can imagine,” Blake looked at Frederick and noticed how much stronger he now was. “So, your mating to Hades has made you stronger.”

Frederick nodded and turned to face Blake. His arms falling to his sides. “Battle is as well. We’re both faster, our hearing is better, and so is our eyesight. But there is something else.” He paused, not quite sure how to tell him the rest.

Blake turned to face Frederick full on and grinned. “Don’t tell me, hell hounds are real, and you are now their Alpha.”

Frederick nodded. “I am.”

“Holy crap!” Blake exclaimed, “I was just joking. Hell hounds are real?”

Frederick laughed. “Yes, they are very real, and some are now guarding the entrance and secret back door of Tartarus. That’s how I met them. They liked me and declared I was now their Alpha.”

Blake shook his head but smiled at him. “Hopefully you’ll invite me to run with you and them sometime.”

“I can do that. You’re still my Alpha though; nothing has changed,” he put in quickly.

Blake put his hand on Frederick’s shoulder. “I wasn’t worried, just surprised that hell hounds were real. I’m also surprised that Hades hasn’t asked some demons or hell hounds to join the pack to protect you.”

Frederick groaned. “He has mentioned it, but thankfully that’s all he’s done. I’m honestly surprised Zeus hasn’t sent anyone to protect Battle, if I’m honest,” Frederick shook his head. “I can’t wait to see what our families say when we introduce our mates.”

Blake laughed. “Yeah, good luck with that. If you want to invite your families here for the meeting, you’re more than welcome.”

“Thanks, I’ll talk to the others and see what they think.”

Just then, they heard a loud howl. They both turned and saw wolf Battle jump a dragon; there was a loud thud and a puff of smoke as the dragon fell onto its side.

“Whoa!” Blake exclaimed.

“Yeah, Battle and I are larger and stronger. Didn’t know we could bring down a dragon though.”

“I might have helped,” Zeus said, appearing beside them.

“I’m sure your mate appreciated that, but Zeus, if this had been a real situation, you wouldn’t be able to interfere. You know that, right?” Blake asked seriously.

Zeus sighed and ran a hand down his long-platted beard. “I wish we had never created that rule.”