I Kissed a Dog

chapter 26

Roars, screeches, and other animal noises filled the darkness. I could hear the chimpanzees protesting in the distance. My heart thudded as I dashed through the familiar landscape. There was scarcely enough moonlight to reveal my course.

“Luke?” I called, slowing my pace. I’d reached the courtyard gift shop and Luke was missing. Realizing I wasn’t alone, at the glass door, triggered my inner alarm, awakening a new burst of much-needed adrenaline.

A mutant, its fur a tangled mass of filthy mats, blocked the entrance. Its pitiful condition a glaring contradiction to the other creatures I’d seen. I almost felt sorry for it.

“The little girl who talks to animals,” the thing said — its voice a gravelly growl.

I’d never attempted to engage any mutant in conversation, but decided if it might stall my bloody demise it was worth trying.

Where was Zane anyway? And what happened to Luke?

I stood taller, making myself face my gruesome foe. “How is it you know me and I don’t know your name?” My voice sounded much stronger than I’d expected, giving me an air of assurance I didn’t feel.

Confused by my calm response, the beast rocked from side to side. It even cocked its massive head like a curious dog. I wondered how much humanness remained beneath its pathetic exterior.

“A name. What do you call yourself?” I persisted.

“Don’t answer!” a booming voice countered.

In what felt like slow motion, I turned to face my newest adversary. Stryder, the mutant from Miles’ trailer park, loomed just behind me.

Talk about surrounded.

“Stryder,” I said, hoping to surprise him with an air of familiarity.

It worked.

“How do you know my name, human?” he growled, unable to conceal his stunned expression.

I scanned the mammoth beast, noting his fur was luscious and well-groomed, unlike his counterpart. There was something regal about him. He didn’t seem as feral, although I had no doubt he’d kill me with one swipe of his massive claw.

“I’ve seen more of you than you can imagine,” I taunted, remembering the ride I’d hitched in his mind. I realized, too late, how presumptuous I probably sounded.

It also occurred to me Alcuin had been on his way to Miles McCray’s trailer in search of a coin. I wanted to ask Stryder if he’d seen anything, but held back. Mentioning the vampire would be like showing my hand during a high stakes poker game — way too much information.

Leisurely, Stryder circled me, his snout twitching. He moved to stand by his subordinate who looked more wretched next to the large more refined mutant.

“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to be so rude.” I faced the deadly duo.

“I will ask again, human, how do you know my name?”

Not sure how to answer without giving away the extent of my telepathic gift, I kept it simple. “I overheard you talking at Miles’ trailer. I also heard you get angry at your annoying superior.”

“What else did you hear?”

“I know about your mistress …”

“You will not speak of her!” Stryder bellowed, lurching forward.

I took a swift step back, keeping my eyes trained on him.

“Chloe! Don’t move!” Luke shouted, appearing to my right.

Bad timing. A human male was bound to incite the fury of our furry guests.

Glancing at the mutants, I muttered, “Wouldn’t think of moving.”

“Don’t come near her!” Luke commanded over my shoulder. He slid a protective arm around my waist.

Unbelievably, the mutants stepped back, glancing anxiously around the courtyard. I felt Luke stand taller beside me. Styder stepped to the left. The other creature whimpered. Now he sounded as bad as he looked. Again, I felt a twinge of pity for the forlorn man-beast.

“Keep moving. Away from the door.” The one person I’d grown to love and count on demanded. “That’s right, Stryder. Your flunkies took off. You and Mr. Tangles are it,” Zane added. Princess, sorry I took so long.

I thought you’d forgotten me, I scolded mentally.

It was then I understood why the mutants were intimidated. So much for Luke’s temporary claim to fame; it had been all about Zane. My boss’ shoulders slumped as he realized his mistake.

Chloe, you’re unforgettable. Zane maneuvered closer and pulled me to him, disengaging Luke’s arm.

To my relief, Alcuin, back at last, joined Mack and Michael who’d emerged from the shadows, forming a tight triangle around our enemies.

Stryder, though outnumbered, maintained his composure. There was something about the mutant that intrigued me. Maybe it was because I knew he was disgruntled with his leadership. And perhaps he could be persuaded to change sides. It happened in the movies and politics all the time.

“You two have a choice to make,” Zane said to the captives. “We dispose of you right here right now, or, you accompany us blindfolded, back to my residence, where we have a nice secluded spot for you to think about your next step.”

“Go on,” Stryder said.

“The way I see it, you have two options. Die for your cause or live for ours.”

Stryder looked over our little team, allowing his gaze to rest on each member. It took him a few seconds to ask, “Where’s the blindfold?”

With Alcuin’s assistance, Zane managed to convince Luke they would handle the intruders. The vampire used some of his nifty mind-magic to make Luke more pliable, ensuring he wouldn’t decide to call the police the minute we left him alone. As final insurance, he erased Luke’s memories of the wolfy creatures, making certain he remembered them as mischievous men only.

Michael was settled back in his security post when we finally drove off. Alciun had teleported Mack and our two semi-willing prisoners back to home base.

I still had no clue who or what Michael had been pursuing. Now I’d have to wait even longer for his update. At least he was safe at work as if nothing happened.

Alcuin had some explaining to do as well. All I’d been able to garner was that he’d failed to find the coin.

This revelation had surprised us all considering his ability to zap himself from one location to another. His lack of success wasn’t something I’d expected. Maybe Stryder and his gang had found it first. At least we had three of the coins in our possession. Thanks to the help from the ugly cloaked man.

So many questions remained unanswered.

Lucky for me, one key question had been answered affirmatively, by Luke.

I’d asked him to accompany me to the bathroom while the others had bound and blindfolded the mutant captives. After a ton of pleading and a few forced tears, I’d convinced him to cover for me Monday night, when I made my escape up north. I didn’t have a ton of confidence in our plan, but I couldn’t think of anything better.

Once back at Zane’s, I escaped into the bedroom, away from the men. There I let my tears flow. Sure, I’d acted all brave when necessary, but now, all I wanted was a hot shower, a warm bed, and at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Tomorrow was Sunday, the one day my parents had allowed me to sleep in growing up. They pointed to the fact that God commanded a day of rest after six days of hard work. This was one of God’s commandments I was more than happy to abide by.

Thirty minutes later, comfy at last in my pajamas, my teeth brushed, and my hair still damp, I crawled into the bed I would share with Zane until we found a new, more permanent home. We hadn’t discussed it, but I didn’t see any point in moving until the current mess was resolved.

I was painfully aware of the late hour. Almost three in the morning and the men were out in the pole barn. Doing whatever they did to captured enemies. Exhausted, but too jittery to sleep, I let my mind reach out.

I could sense four of them. Alcuin didn’t come up on my radar like the others. I could tell he was there, but no matter how hard I knocked, the door to his mind wouldn’t crack. I blamed that little problem on his non-animal status. Undead beings didn’t register right, unlike humans, who still remained immune to my talents.

Zane and Mack were closed off, but Stryder was wide open, welcome mat out. I slipped right in and took my place in the front row of his mind. He was tense, refusing to answer Zane’s questions. Like so many others, he’d been misled to believe Zane was responsible for the murders, with help from me, of course.

“What about Jazmine?” Zane pressed.

“I told you, I don’t know any Jazmine. Man, when will you get it?” Stryder was exhausted, near collapsing. I could feel his twitching muscles and racing heart.

“Why were you at Miles McMcray’s trailer? What were you looking for?”

“Just kill me. We’re all going to die anyway.”

No you’re not! None of us will die, dammit! I screeched into Stryder’s mind.

“Who said that?” Stryder’s eyes darted sideways searching for the source.

“Said what?” Mack asked.

It’s me, Chloe, the one who knows your name. Stay with us. Work with us. I know you’re not happy with your job.

“Chloe?” Stryder said, his confusion evident.

Zane leapt on the mutant, pinning him to the ground. “What about my mate?” He grasped Stryder’s shoulders, shaking him violently.

You stop it right now! I mind-shouted at Zane. He stopped and glanced around, self-conscious.

“Accept my apology. I guess my girl was chatting you up.” He pulled Stryder to his feet.

“Isn’t she the one who talks to ani … oh, I get it.”

They all chuckled. The animal part must have hit home — hard.

“I guess I’m the one acting like a damn rabid animal.” Zane sounded repentant. “What was her great idea?”

“She wants us to work together.” Stryder shrugged.

“Chloe …!” Zane roared my name loud enough to be heard on the moon.

I yanked the covers over my head and waited.

***