The Hellhound's Un-Christmas Miracle - Zoe Chant Page 0,22

this way.* A strange shiver rippled through the hellhound’s filthy coat.

*You know this guy?* Sheena’s voice filtered into Fleance’s mind. A whisper, directed at him alone. A thin echo of the intimacy of that first kiss—but it was something. Fleance clung to it like a lifeline.

*He’s dangerous,* he sent back, and his hellhound shuddered with relief when he felt his voice slip through a crack in Sheena’s mental defenses.

*Yeah? No shit. Look at him.* She moved to his side, staring wide-eyed at the leering hellhound. *What do we do?*

Fleance’s stomach tightened. Look at him. She was right, anyone could see the creature in front of them was a monster. And that monster had made Fleance in his image.

Shouldn’t have come here, his hellhound whined. Not ready. Not strong enough.

Fleance gritted his jaw. We’re here now, he reminded it. We have to be ready. Sheena needs us. And… look around you. Past the smoke. Snowy mountains, frozen trees—it’s time for another Christmas miracle.

*My car’s at the end of a gravel road a few miles away,* he said to Sheena. *Keys in my back pocket. When I say go, take them and—*

Sheena was already saying *Okay, cool, how long’s a mile in real time though* when Parker growled impatiently. She froze, fingers just brushing Fleance’s back pocket.

*Oh, no, please, keep talking among yourselves. I can see I’m expected to hold up this whole conversation by myself.* His eyes blazed. *Now, where were we? Right, right, your reasons for being here.*

“Don’t matter, because we’re leaving.”

*Damn, Flea, did I teach you that badly?* The monster laughed. *No, no, you’re playing it all wrong. I know something brought you here. Excuse me. Someone. And it’s obvious you and the little lady didn’t know each other before today. There’s only one other person here.* His grin widened. *What were you thinking, Flea? You wanted to take me on?*

*Keys,* Fleance muttered urgently to Sheena. They didn’t make a noise as she snuck them from his pocket.

Smoke hissed from Parker’s nostrils. *But suddenly, whatever it was that brought you here is no longer your priority.* His huge head twisted to look at Sheena and Fleance shifted.

*Now!* he called as his hellhound rose up. It didn’t hesitate. Whatever fear had kept his hellhound paralyzed while Parker was talking dissolved as it took form. Its massive paws hit the ground running and he lunged at his former alpha.

Too late. Parker was already moving. He writhed like a snake, dodging Fleance’s attack and reaching for Sheena with one massive, claw-tipped foreclaw.

Pain ripped down the golden cord that bound Fleance to his mate. He tried to turn in mid-air and landed clumsily.

Sheena was face-down on the ground. Fleance’s hellhound snarled and ran to her, pressing its snout against her shoulder.

“’m fine,” she muttered. Her fingers tangled in his mane as she pulled herself up. “I—sss. Landed on my bad knee.” She hissed with pain and struggled upright. “Can’t even dodge without…” she began, then looked past him. The jolt of her shock in his chest was all the warning he got.

The other hellhound struck him in the flank. Fleance flew through the air. He hit the ground and sprang up against at once, leaping towards Parker before he could get to Sheena again.

*Run!* he yelled to his mate, and then there was no time to say or think anything. Fighting against Parker was like running along a knife’s edge. One slip, one mistake, and Parker wouldn’t hesitate to tear him to pieces.

Old scars pulled and twisted as he avoided Parker’s teeth. Muscles he hadn’t used in over a year burned. Running through Pine Valley’s forests was nothing like this.

He had to get Parker away from his mate. Fleance gave up ground, letting the other hellhound drive him into the nearest burning building. Hellhounds could phase through solid matter, but they couldn’t see through it. If he kept Parker occupied in the flames and collapsing timber, Sheena would have a chance to get away.

Parker’s teeth snapped together less than an inch from his shoulder. Before he could get his balance back, Fleance spun around.

He knew what he had to do. He’d seen Parker do it. Take advantage of his opponent being off-balance. Go in for the kill. Do whatever it took to make him submit.

The memory of blood flashed across his vision, and he stumbled.

Parker laughed soot-black smoke as he slunk into the cover of the roaring flames. *Long time no see, kiddo, but you ever think of calling ahead? I’m in the