Red Blooded

The thing paced back and forth and huffed out of its double snouts. My wolf had her muzzle open and a snarl on her lips. My fingertips tingled. I was close to changing.

Lili glanced at me like I was clueless. “A blanket and this.” She pulled a tiny vial out of her pocket. Her latex jumpsuit apparently had pockets.

“Is that a spell?” Ray asked.

“It is indeed a spell,” she answered. “It’s a special concoction I made long ago for some of the beasts here, including the orthrus. It will put it to sleep, but it needs to be ingested.”

“And how exactly are you going to get that thing down its gullet?” Ray asked.

“It’s a curious beast,” she answered. “If I can get close enough I can toss it, and then follow with the blanket to subdue it before the dose takes effect.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. Why does it need to be subdued?” Rourke asked. “Shouldn’t the spell take effect immediately?”

“They are very large creatures,” Lili said. “It must absorb the entire spell… and before the potion takes effect there may be a few… complications.”

“Just spit it out already,” Tyler insisted. “What complications? What happens to it when it ingests the spell?”

“It will go a little crazy for a while,” Lili admitted with a sigh. “Which is also why we need something to shield both sets of its eyes. It can become quite… rambunctious.”

“Rambunctious in a small hallway isn’t going to work. Is it venomous?” I asked.

“Only the tail,” she warned. “Stay clear of it.”

“That sounds easy enough,” Ray snorted. “You’ve got to be kidding us, lady. There has to be someplace else to go.”

“There is no other place in all of Hell to go,” Lili countered. “This is it. We are in a secluded hallway that most don’t know exists. This orthrus has been stationed here likely since my first arrest. The Prince thinks even I cannot best it. But he is wrong, as usual.” Her voice was bitter. “He underestimates me at every turn and it will cost him dearly.”

The orthrus stamped its huge clawed feet and let out a dangerous howl. Its tail was as thick as my thigh and slashed back and forth over its shoulder. It truly was an awful monster.

“I shouldn’t have to mention this, but we don’t have a blanket,” I said, glancing around the group. “I mean, who really carries a blanket around anyway? Unless you have some demon ultra throw in your jumpsuit, Lili, you’re out of luck.”

Rourke moved between us, tugging off his shirt in one motion. “We’re getting this over with now,” he declared. “Not only are you going to get that vial in its mouth”—motioning to Lili and the potion—“but we’re going to hold that thing down until it goes to sleep. I’m not going to risk it damaging us. None of us have time to heal.” He glanced at Ray and Tyler. “Are you with me?”

“We’re with you, brother,” Ray said. “Whatever it takes.”

“I’ll take the tail.” Rourke motioned to Ray. “You take the heads.” He nodded at Tyler. “You take the flank. Get it to the ground as quick as you can.”

It wasn’t the best plan ever, but I might work. I nodded my head grudgingly in agreement. Tyler turned to me, squaring his shoulders. “Once we get it down,” he added, “you three move down the hallway and open up a door. This thing is going to make noise. We need to be out of here quickly if any demons come running.”

“Got it,” I said, glancing at Selene. Her expression was still only one step away from shell-shocked. I guess finding out you’re already dead is a lot to take in, even for a queen bitch. A teensy bit of sympathy welled up in my mind and my wolf snarled, snapping her jaws at me. I know, but she’s pitiful. Why do we have to bear witness to her unraveling? That doesn’t seem fair. My wolf flashed me a picture of us with power, taking down evil. I know it’s our job. I also know that if Selene were at full strength she’d be trying to kill us and exact her revenge. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make this any easier to tolerate. Did you get a good look at her face? My wolf gnashed her teeth. It doesn’t make me weak, it just makes me human. And guess what? I like being human. My wolf glanced away, nosing her muzzle at me. For a supernatural diva, that was a hard compromise. I understood why, but forgiveness and empathy were the only two things keeping me rooted in reality. And once I lost that, I didn’t want to think about what the world would look like.

Lili took Rourke’s proffered T-shirt. “I guess this will have to do. It’s bigger than anything else we have.” She shook it out.

Yes, yes it was.

“There’s no time to debate this,” Rourke said. “Let’s move. I want Jessica safe.” He eyed the orthrus. “If we make this a concentrated effort and act at the same time, we can best it, at least for a few moments. If that spell doesn’t work, it will be a different story.”

“It will work,” Lili said. “I swear to it.”

“I can help,” I added. “If I morph to Lycan, it won’t be hard. I can hold it down with Tyler.”

“No,” Rourke said, shaking his head. “There’s barely any room for us to maneuver around with that thing in this hallway. Your job will be getting us into the rooms.”

Ray went shoulder to shoulder with Rourke. “This thing is going to be like a bucking bronco,” he commented. “Sounds like my idea of good time.” He grinned and rubbed his hands together, his irises jumping to silver.

Tyler stood right behind them. “On three,” Rourke said, turning to Lili. “You get its attention, toss the vial and the shirt, and then we’ll spring.”

Lili took a step forward, her voice low and soothing. “Here we go, boy,” she coaxed. It snarled and shook its heads. “You love this stuff.” She shook the vial in front of it. “Remember? The last time you woke up you didn’t remember a thing and the sleep is so very peaceful.”

Last time?

The orthrus paced to the side like a crab as Lili took a step closer. One of its heads extended and right as it snapped its jaws, the demoness tossed the vial.

There was a crunch and she took several paces forward and threw Rourke’s T-shirt at its two heads.

It grabbed the shirt and shook it like a puppy with a rag toy. Worst plan ever.