Fiends and Familiars - Debra Dunbar Page 0,16

even longer and sharper than Yeth’s were bared, gleaming white in the porchlight. I suddenly wished I hadn’t left Drake inside. Yeah, he was a vulture, but he seemed to be an intimidating figure to these animals.

“Hey pups,” I said softly. “Hungry? I’ve got some ham here.” I’d intended on giving it all to Yeth. Hopefully there was enough here for four because I didn’t want to know what these guys might do if they didn’t get enough food. I wasn’t in any danger. I had the skills to protect myself against animals if I needed to. I just didn’t want to have to resort to that—I didn’t want to ever have to resort to that.

There was a back-and-forth of growls and snarls between the other three and Yeth. I gathered they weren’t happy with him accepting ham from me.

“It’s not poisoned,” I assured them, tossing a few more pieces of ham onto the lawn.

The three swiveled their heads in synchronized precision to stare at the meat. I felt their indecision. Yeth moved in to eat them, and one of the others snapped at him, deciding to take the risk. While he was chewing I tore off more ham and flung it in front of the three, making sure to toss some Yeth’s way. Finally they all gave in and I relaxed, throwing ham as they ate so there would always be another piece waiting. There wasn’t much more left on the bone, though. And I had no way to divide the bone between four hellhounds. What else did I have in my fridge? Maybe that pack of hard-boiled eggs? I’d definitely have to swing by the grocery in the morning and get some dog food.

Which made me think of something else.

“Are you littermates? Do you all have a home to go to? I can fix up a nice warm spot in the garage for the four of you.” I’d thought about letting Yeth inside the house, even though the squirrels were afraid of him, but I didn’t know these other three well enough to have them sleeping on my living room couch and rug.

Yeth looked up at me and spoke, eyeing the bone as he chewed on a piece of ham. They weren’t littermates, but something close. I couldn’t make out exactly what their relationship was. Not quite family. Not quite friends. Packmates? That seemed the closest word to what Yeth was communicating.

Then someone must own them—or had owned them at one time. Perhaps their owner had moved and left them behind. Lucien had said there was a demon in hell who took care of the hounds, but maybe some had slipped their leashes? Run away? Or maybe that demon didn’t take care of all the hellhounds. Maybe hell had a problem with strays just as we did here.

“Where are you sleeping tonight?” I asked Yeth, since he seemed to be the only one inclined toward communication.

He tilted his head, eyes still on the bone. Evidently they weren’t sleeping tonight. No, he’d said they weren’t supposed to sleep tonight.

“Nocturnal?” Maybe they slept during the day and hunted for food at night. Poor puppers. Clearly they’d somehow become separated from their home and their demon-Master if they were roaming around all night long, searching for food.

“Tell you what. I’ll leave the garage door open enough for you and your buddies to go inside. I’ll put some nice soft cushions and blankets for you all, and bowls of water. You’ll be safe there. Stay as long as you want, and when I get home from work tomorrow night, I’ll have more food for you all.”

Yeth looked as if he were about to cry. His bottom lip quivered, and his red, glowing eyes stared up at me soulfully. I reached out a hand and stroked his wiry, coarse fur. He leaned into me, making a little whimper as my fingers found an especially good spot.

Then one of the others growled and Yeth jumped back, sending me a guilty look.

“It’s okay Yeth,” I whispered. “I’ll save the bone for you. It’ll be in the garage.”

Then I turned to the other three, tearing off the final tiny bits of ham from the bone and throwing them onto the lawn. While they were eating I got up and made my way backwards toward the house.

“Goodnight pups,” I said. “Happy hunting, and I’ll see you all tomorrow night.”

Only Yeth glanced up at me as I walked into my house. I locked the door and set the