If she wished for immortality, she might be strong enough to protect both Baden and the hounds. She might not.
Every option presented a major risk. She needed time to think, to consider all the pros and cons.
A paw scratched at her thigh. One of the dogs sat in front of her, his dark eyes intelligent, stormy—and locked on her. He had long, thick scars on his muzzle. One of his ears was missing. His speckled fur was matted with blood and fleas.
—I am Roar.—
“I’m Katarina,” she replied softly.
—The pups are mine. I am father. Werga is mother. We...thank you.—
The appreciation was unexpected and unnecessary. “They are wonderful—” If she said “dogs” would he take offense? “Pups.” As he’d called them. “I loved every minute I spent with them.”
—Agree they are wonderful, but they have done the unthinkable. Drank your blood and shared theirs with you.—
They had...yes, they sure had. She remembered tasting pennies when she’d awoken from their bite. But...what would that mean for them? Would they be punished? “The fault is mine. Any repercussions are mine to endure.”
—They knew our rules. You did not. No links. Kill what you taste. No survivors. No witnesses. Ever.— His mouth pulled back in a scowl, revealing his fangs. They were a lot bigger than hers. —The three of you are linked and will remain so...until death.—
“My death, I’m guessing.” Her dry tone clearly surprised him, but she’d had one too many death threats lately. This was just more of the same.
—No, girl. You misunderstand. Your death would bring theirs.—
What!
“Katarina!” Baden’s voice sawed through the tension.
She spun as new growls rang out, her heart seeming to soar and drop at the same time as she stuffed the coin in her pocket. “Don’t hurt him,” she shouted. “Please. He means you no harm.”
—He is yours?—
“He is.”
—He smells of another pack. A pack we thought long dead.—
Biscuit and Gravy had mentioned the fact that Baden smelled like Hades. And if Hades smelled like another pack... Was Hades connected to hellhounds?
Maybe. But if the male were, in fact, bonded to them, he would have died when they’d died. Yes? Unless...had he found a way to sever the bond?
To her shock, the dogs remained in place, simply watching Baden as he stalked across the sea of carnage to reach her.
His hair stuck out in spikes. His skin was bleached of color, but his eyes were brighter than ever, a frothing mix of fury and concern.
“Are you all right? You’re bleeding. Why are you bleeding? And you’re fucking crying?” He wiped his thumbs over her cheeks, collecting her tears. “What have they done to you?” He whipped his attention to Roar. “I’ll kill you in ways you’ve never imagined.”
The promise earned him another chorus of growls.
Katarina gripped his forearms and forced his attention to return to her. “I’m fine.” For now. “The blood I’m wearing belongs to others. Alek is dead.” She motioned to what remained of her tormentor’s body. “See for yourself.”
Baden glanced down at the motionless husk, silent for a moment. He withdrew a dagger, crouched down and sliced through Alek’s neck, until the head detached. “Now the bastard can’t regenerate.” He straightened. “But why the tears?”
“My family,” she told him, then turned to Roar. “Spare my man. He had no part in my dealings with the pups.”
“I will do the sparing. But only if I’m assured the hounds will never attack you.” Baden stepped in front of her, her sword and her shield, but she was far past the need. She moved to his side, where she belonged.
—The pups can no longer exist without you— Roar scowled at her. —Which means you’re stuck with the rest of us. We’ll stay with you, and we’ll guard you. Your man is safe from us.—
She gasped as the implications of his words dawned. The hounds were coming out of hiding, and there would be no keeping Hades in the dark.
She would have to do something. With or without the coin.
“What’s wrong?” Baden hadn’t heard Roar’s speech, and must have assumed the worst, considering her reaction. “Tell me before I lose control.”
“The hounds...they’re going to...they’re mine, all of them. My family. Now and always.” But they were Hades’s enemy, and Baden was Hades’s man; that wasn’t going to change anytime soon. If ever.
There had to be a way to coexist. There just had to be.
A flood of possessiveness...ferocity...filled her, her inner hellhound making itself known.