The Dragon and The Hellhound

  Vampires of Blood and Bones Vol. 12

  B.A. Stretke

  Superiorland Publishing

  Copyright © 2022 B.A. Stretke

  All rights reserved

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13: 9781234567890

  ISBN-10: 1477123456

  Cover design by: Art Painter

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  About The Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Keep running, Pete, don’t stop now.” Dion grabbed Pete’s hand and drug him along as he raced through the forest. “If we can make that hill, we can stop for a while and let the inhibitor wear off. Then I can shift and carry us to Mt. Pleasant.”

  “Are they following us?” Pete was out of breath and barely keeping up, but Dion held tight to his hand. He would not leave his friend behind.

  “I don’t know, but we can’t stop until we’re further away. The hill is still a few miles off, and we can watch the entire valley from there. If we can put enough distance between them and us, they won’t be able to track us, and maybe you’ll be strong enough to put a cloaking spell on us both.” Dion explained his plan as he continued to run, tearing up the ground under his feet, never pausing or slowing down.

  They escaped from an experimental lab along Lake Michigan in an isolated and secluded forest. Dion wasn’t sure where they were until he saw the White River light and knew it was located near Whitehall, and that gave him the point of reference that he needed to find his way to Mt. Pleasant. Mt. Pleasant was Pete’s idea; not sure if it was a good idea, but Dion had nothing, so he agreed.

  The assholes who were keeping them captive weren’t going to give up easily both he and Pete were unusual in their own way and valuable to those researchers. Dion had been captured first and was at the lab for three months before Pete showed up. Thankfully, they put Pete’s cage in the room with him, and they hit it off. He never thought he’d find the company of a hipster elf to be enjoyable, but Pete proved him wrong.

  They were close in age and attitude, and both were determined to find a way out of that lab. Together after a few months of planning, they managed to escape. Pete had left his community out west and was traveling with friends when he was captured, and Dion had been on his own for nearly four years when he was picked off the streets, so there was no one to help, and they only had themselves to rely on.

  He continued to haul Pete along behind him as the elf got weaker with each step. "I can't, Dion; I'm spent. I can't take another step." His voice was raspy and barely audible, and Dion felt for his friend, but they had to make it to the hill. They could hide there, and Dion could regain his power to shift while Pete focused on his magic.

  "Just a little bit further, Pete." He held him by the shoulders, and half carried him to the top of the hill. Once there, he placed Pete under the shade of a huge pine tree and then stepped away to survey their surroundings. He could hear Pete wheezing as he struggled to catch his breath. Dion found some wild blackberries and picked a couple handfuls. They would stay here on the hilltop until nightfall, and he would shift.

  …

  Silas offered him the job, and Ronin decided to take it. As bodyguard to the Bard since his takeover of the pack decades ago, Ronin liked the job of a bodyguard, and it had, at the time, given him a sense of purpose. But after visiting Mt. Pleasant and seeing the hellhounds who had made their lives here, he saw that there was more to the world than just pack life. He'd been a pack soldier and bodyguard for the past four hundred years and was ready for a change.

  Kass, the Sheriff of Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding county, and his fellow hellhound suggested he apply to the Sheriff's department, for they had several openings since Master DuCane had decided to expand the office. He applied yesterday and was offered the position today, so he took it as a sign to give it a try.

  “You can start immediately,” Kass told him as he slapped him on the back. “The desks along the wall are all free pick whichever one you prefer.”

  “How many more hires will there be?” He was just curious

  "Two more, but we haven't gotten any viable candidates yet. We've had a few humans apply, but I'd prefer we keep the Sheriff's office paranormal." Kass shook his head. "I have nothing against humans, but they can be very fragile. This county cannot afford weak law enforcement."

  “Understandable.” Ronin agreed wholeheartedly, for humans, as a rule, tended to bring trouble when mixed with the supernatural.

  “It’s great to have you on board,” Kass stated.

  "It's great to be here, Kass, and thanks for putting in a good word for me." Ronin knew he would not have been hired so quickly if it were not for Kass.

  “DuCane has a soft spot for hellhounds, so you were a shoe in.” Kass chuckled.

  “Good to know.”

  He spent the rest of the day getting familiar with the office and his fellow deputies. It was going to be a definite change of pace from guarding someone like Evrard, the most lethal ruler in the paranormal world, to guarding the citizens of this small town, and he looked forward to the challenge. From what he'd heard, the place was a hotbed of paranormal activity, both good and bad.

  "Come for dinner tonight." Kass offered. "Jasper and I are having a few people over for a barbeque, and it will be a nice opportunity for you to meet some of the locals."

  "I'd love a barbeque; what time?" Ronin

  “Things get rolling about six.”

  "See you then." Ronin had a few things to do before heading to Kass's place. He'd rented a room at the Skyline motel until he could find himself a suitable home or apartment to rent, and he wanted to pick up some appropriate beverages for the barbeque, perhaps wine and beer and maybe something harder.

  Working for the town of Mt. Pleasant, or rather for Master Louis DuCane, was going to be interesting. He wasn't sure if this was where he wanted to stay, but it was the beginning of discovering more of what life had to offer. He was a foot soldier under the old ruler and had lived through unfortunate, petty, and hateful battles and grievances. Duce was a terrible leader and a despicable being, and the day Evrard killed him was a day of rejoicing.

  Evrard was good and fair and had brought the pack out of the oppressive state to which it had descended. Ronin had been content in his position of a guard to the Bard until the day they'd come here to the Palace of Luis DuCane, and he witnessed the freedom and fascination of life among a diverse population. It might prove to be a fascination that would run its course quickly, and he'd end up returning to the structure of a hellhound pack, but for now, he was satisfied.

  …

  Pete layout under the sprawling pine, resting and gathering his strength. He might be a bit more civilized than most, but Pete was still an Elf and felt nature healing and giving him strength. Dion had surveyed the area, and they were safe, for now. "You really think this plan will work?" Dion had doubts once he had time to think about it, but Pete was confident he could pull it off. Pete responded without moving or opening his eyes.

  "I overheard a couple of people in the lab discussing the treasures of Louis DuCane. They claim he has a hoard of gems and gold and such but also, they said he has a few items of power. They specifically mentioned the blood sapphire, which was first discovered by a sorcerer in the fifth century and is purported to have powers that expand and increase the powers and abilities of the person who wears it.” Still sounded like a long shot to Dion.

  "From what I know of Master DuCane, his home is a fortress, so how do you purpose to get in, and after you're in, how do you propose to find the blood sapphire? The place is modeled after Versailles and almost as big." Dion sat down next to him, leaned his back against the tree trunk, and closed his eyes. They weren't going to try anything until after nightfall.

  “I can conceal myself. No one will even know that I'm there. I'll just walk right in and take what I want." Pete was still filled with that unfortunate confidence. Dion didn't think they needed the gem since they had their own powers and abilities, but Pete was adamant that in order to live and thrive and wreak vengeance upon the people at the lab, he needed this gemstone.

  “Do you know what it looks like?” Dion asked.

  "No, I've never seen it, just heard about it. I will know it when I see it. The blood sapphire has an aura that is unmistakable and reflects the power of the sorcerer who fashioned it into existence."

  Pete had his powers neutered by the drugs that were pumped into him, just as Dion's ability to shift was controlled through massive doses of a combination of muscle relaxers and neuron blockers. He's coming back int
o himself now and clearly feels the need to juice his power through outside influence, such as the blood sapphire.

  Dion knew himself well and would rely on his own strength and abilities once they returned in full. He didn't need a talisman or stolen magic. He was complete unto himself, but he would not deny Pete whatever it was he thought he required.

  "Okay, do what you have to do, Pete, and I will back you up."

  "This will work, I know it will, and then I'll have all the power I need to make those motherfuckers pay." The venom dripped from his words, and anger filled him. "Those fucking bastards are going to suffer just as they made us suffer."

  Pete was abused beyond what Dion experienced, for their captors feared what Dion was still capable of doing even under sedation, so they dealt with him from a distance with their terror forever present. He was too drugged out to have done anything, but thankfully they never knew that. On the other hand, Pete was strapped down and experimented on for hours at a time. They were cold and brutal in their execution, never taking into consideration the pain and torture they were causing.

  "We'll make them pay, Pete, with or without the blood sapphire," Dion promised.

  …

  "I understand that we have enticed another hellhound to join our number here in Mt. Pleasant," Louis commented while relaxing on the patio off the music room with his second, Ismael. It was getting towards dusk, and they were enjoying a little brandy and a little quietude.

  "Ronin Braeden, one of Evrard's guards, decided he wanted to try out life here with us, for a while at least. He's searching for something, and I don't know if he will be with us long. But Kass is happy to have him on board." Ismael explained the situation as he saw it.

  "So am I, Ismael; the word is getting out that hellhounds are taking up residency in my territory and effectively keeping the evil and the corrupt from my door. I’ll welcome every hellhound I can get for however long they wish to stay.” Louis was emphatic. He then suddenly turned his attention to the flower garden before them and just stared for a few seconds and listened.

  "What is it?" Ismael could not help but ask, seeing the intensity of Louis' expression.

  "Someone is coming," Louis spoke slowly and kept his eyes on the horizon beyond the garden. "Magic is stirring in the air and moving toward us. It's not dark magic, but it is purposeful and directed." He stood and walked to the edge of the granite patio and stared out at the garden seeing beyond the darkness.

  Ismael contacted the guards patrolling the gardens and put them on alert and the palace guards. "Everyone is on prepared and ready for whatever is coming.”

  “I don’t know what it is, but the magic is reminiscent of a mage. There hasn’t been a mage in this area for decades. The last mage community left when the dark magics began to fill the forests.”

  "The darkness has been pushed back and, in many ways, defeated, so maybe the mage is returning?" Ismael offered a theory.

  "This is isolated energy, one person, and their focus is my palace."

  "That's very specific for a passing magic, and a risk few would take."

  "Let's move to the great room, turn on the lights and open the doors," Louis said with a slight grin. "Let us welcome the intruder." His tone was anything but welcoming.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Pete stood and practiced a few invocations forcing the flowers to bloom and then pushing them back into their buds. Then he cloaked himself disappearing from sight to then reappear, standing next to Dion. He ran through several parlor games such as this until he felt he had his magic back at full power and under his control.

  "How are you feeling?" He asked Dion, who sat there observing him as he flexed his abilities.

  “Nearly as good as you.” He stood and stretched.

  "You ready to fly?" Pete was now bouncing with excitement, eager to put his plan into action and totally convinced that it would work.

  “I’m ready.”

  They moved back under the heavy tree cover on the top of the hill. It was fully dark now, so his shift would be covered in darkness and shadow. It had been many months since he'd shifted, and the need to do so now was like a rush, and then an unstoppable blast of urgency overtook him, and he transformed.

  The shift was as swift as ever. The drugs had not dulled his performance or speed. He was growing and filling outstretching to the heavens and spreading his wings. The exhilarating feeling of being free took over, and he lifted off the ground.

  "Oh my God, Dion, you're beautiful and terrifying. I didn't realize you were so huge. It's amazing, you're amazing." Pete was in awe of the dragon that stood before him. "I understand now why they never got too close to you. How the hell did they ever catch you, man?"

  Dion couldn't speak in his dragon form but shook his large head covered in bluish-lavender scales that sparkled in the moonlight. He quickly circled the sky before setting course for Mt. Pleasant to ensure everything was in working order.

  He had been stuck in his human form for nearly a year, and the feel of his dragon taking over was invigorating. He loved the power, the size, the flexibility, and the ability to take flight, not to mention the amazing eyesight and the fire; he loved to breathe fire. It felt like his life was returning to normal.

  On the second circle of the sky, he dipped down to earth and grabbed Pete picking him up and holding him in his right claw, pressed tightly against his lower chest, safe from the wind and any arrant flames. He could hear Pete hollering and laughing. He was having a great time, and he was not worried in the least. His trust and excitement were all it took for Dion to want to show off.

  He twisted and took off straight up through the clouds and across the sky, going at lightning speed before turning and hurtling straight down, just pulling up within feet of the ground and cruising along for a few miles before repeating the action. Pete was happy, and it was nice to hear him happy. Finally, Dion settled into a cruise that was just below the clouds.

  Dion couldn't get too close to the Coven proper, or else they would be detected. Pete was a pretty good mage, but he didn't have the juice to cloak a dragon. He listened as Pete laid out the plan once again.

  "Drop me north of their territory in the tall pines about a mile from the clearing that edges the garden with all the covered plants and trees." Pete's directions put him over five miles from the Palace itself. He must have sensed Dion's concern because he explained further. "They will detect your dragon if you get too close, but I can slide under and through their security. I can also transport myself from where you drop me to the palace grounds in a matter of seconds. My magic is good, and I have a few tricks. Don't worry, I'll get in and get the gem and get out." He was trying to reassure, and part of Dion was starting to think he might succeed. "I'll meet you back at the drop-off, don't worry."

  Despite his massive size, Dion landed carefully and quietly within the tall pines just outside coven territory that Pete had indicated. He sat Pete on his feet before stepping away and shifting back to his human form. It was as seamless as ever, and he still had the ability to not lose his clothes. Most dragons could shift back and forth and never lose or destroy their clothing, and it was a talent he trained for years to master. It took skill and a little bit of magic, and he still had it.

  "It will be okay." Pete moved a few steps away from Dion. "Your dragon is amazing, by the way." He added with a smile.

  "My dragon and I will be here waiting for you, and if things go south, call for me, and I will hear you." Pete gave a tight nod and abruptly disappeared. Dion looked out into the darkness, watching, waiting, listening.

  …

  Ronin was having a beer at the Zen when he received the call from Deputy Lawson. "I know you just accepted the position today. You haven't been through orientation or anything, but we have a situation. Magics have been detected, and the Master has a real dislike for their kind due to the upheaval they've caused over the years throughout the county." Lawson briefly updated past issues with magics and the present threat.

  "I'm at the Zen and have had a few, but alcohol has no effect on hellhounds." Ronin was sure the wolf shifter already knew that, but he reiterated it just in case.