“Boring as eff,” Fury chimed in, finishing my sentence. “Pixie and wolf-man don’t have a single thing worth listening to. Except if you need advice on flea maintenance or how to work out a mirror timetable … you know, because they’re both pretty and need equal time admiring themselves.”
Lucy, who had her wings back in action, fluttered them a few times before doing this weird cough-sneeze at the Crais half. Within seconds Fury’s white hair and creamy red skin were coated in green glitter. Fury blinked at the pixie for a few moments; I think she was in shock or something. Then she shrieked. It was loud, echoing across the space, and all faces turned in our direction.
Crete, who had been curled around her feet, suddenly gave an almighty roar – which was much too loud for an itty, baby kitten – and he jumped between Fury and Lucy. He hissed once at the pixie and then with a popping sound the tiny, fluffy kitten disappeared. In his place was a pony-sized panther.
I stared for a moment, trying to take in Fury’s sacred animal. My initial thought had been panther, and he was definitely from that animal tree, except Crete was all prehistoric-like. Not smooth like a modern panther, but all ropy muscles and broad features. He also had a mane like a lion, it was black with wisps of white throughout. Dude! Fury’s baby kitty was a scary-ass monster. That was sure to make her happy.
Of course, before she could celebrate this, she’d have to stop rolling around on the ground. Laughter and curses were flying from her mouth.
“I’m going to kill you, pixie,” she managed to holler out a few times.
Cerberus had shifted himself to my side, and was covering my flank. I knew he’d step in if Crete tried to eat me. I turned to Lucy, lifting my brows as if to say “what the eff?”
She shrugged. “Pixie dust can be used for a few different weapons. This particular one is quite … itchy. Don’t worry; it’ll wear off in a few minutes. She’s just lucky I didn’t use the blinding ability.”
I sighed. Wrangling all these hotheaded females was more than a full-time job. I needed a pay rise. Lucy had been right, though; within a minute Fury was back on her feet and coming for my friend.
I held out a hand. “Now is not the time. We have an effing world to save and any moment the Seventine could be freeing the last of their brothers.”
And we all knew what would happen then. We’d still have a shot to lock them away, but it would most probably cost us our lives. Somber expressions flittered across each of the half-Walkers’ faces. Fury huffed a few times as she visibly calmed herself. Most of the green dust was gone; she just had a few clumps in her white hair. The moment Fury calmed, Crete returned to his cute kitty size and jumped into her arms.
“I knew you were a badass,” Fury crooned, snuggling her face into the black fur. “Best sacred animal ever.”
Cerberus and Sass – Ria’s giant snake – both glared at the Crais half. They clearly took great offence at those words. I noticed then that Eva was standing dead center of the group. She hadn’t flinched during the fight and she didn’t look scared. She was going to fit in perfectly with the rest of these crazy chicks.
We didn’t delay any longer. As a group we marched into the entrance of the dark mountain.
The eyes of many followed us. There were lots of Walkers, faeries, pixies, and First Worlders lingering around us, but no one physically ventured after us. The sacred animals made sure of that as they brought up the rear.
Eva had managed to squish herself in next to me. “So, there’s an animal for me out there, right?”
Just like the rest of us, a deep respect and love for animals was in her tone.
“Yes, I expect that your sacred guide will be here very soon.” I shot out a small energy ball to light up the dim underground cavern.
“I’ve always wanted an animal,” Eva said.
I felt I had to warn her then, even though I believed she was one of the good ones. “They aren’t like pets on Earth. They’re powerful and beautiful. We don’t own them; they’re our friends and fight beside us.”
Humans had a terrible way of thinking of the animals they shared their world with. I hoped there was more Walker in Eva.
“I’ve never treated a living creature as anything less than an equal. I consider most of them superior to ninety percent of humans I’ve met.” Her reply was instantly shot at me. “I’m a vegetarian, for freak’s sake.”
“I’m really glad to hear that.”