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A true demon At least it wasn’t Kane

As I yanked out the blade, another hound snapped at ht ankle and shook its head, trying to drag me down I wouldn’t last ten seconds if I fell I slashed the dagger across its shoulder and, with my other hand, swept the sword in a wide arc Black blood cascaded over inky fur, and itsbeyond the blade’s reach They crouched and growled and sprang, only to jump back as the blade swished toward the’s cackle sounded over her hounds’ barks and yips Her bow held ready, she scanned the sky, then turned back to her present entertain If she tried to swoop in as a falcon, the hag would shoot her out of the sky

Pain sliced into h as a hound ducked beneath my blade and sank its teeth into me Its acid saliva burned I stabbed the hound’s flank, but the jaws held tight Behind it another hound crouched, growling, its red, fiery eyes on rabbed my ankle Stars of pain exploded incrunch I slashed the hounds that held o My flesh tore, and the wounds burned, burned, burned I couldn’t ht up runted Its legs flailed as it twisted My blade scored its side The hound landed heavily and lay as if stunned I hacked at the hounds that held o, then the other Acid ate at my ripped skin, and I feared my ankle was broken, but my bronze had left the hellhounds in even worse shape They’d collapsed on their sides Smoke poured froet up

I spun to finish off the other hound, the one who’d leapt at ained its feet and stood, shaking off its fall I lifted uish the cri burst froht to my ear "Not that one!" Butterfly shouted "Look at the blood"

Bright red drops fell froround

Red blood Not black This wasn’t a true hellhound

"Kane?"

A furious screech erupted froed froround

"I co shrieked

The hellhound--Kane--writhed in agony Flames shot fro his fur and contorting his lih , half hopping Whatever I had to do to reach hied me from the left I drovesulfur obscured rowl

"Obey hth the sleas, his entire body in flaet--ain, ears back His muscles twitched as he prepared to attack

I couldn’t raise my sword I would not hurt Kane

Butterfly spoke "You totally owe , and the Eidolon dive-boht into his jaws

The jaws snapped shut

The force of Kane’s leap propelled hi me backward He stood with his paws onas he chewed Acid drool poured over s

Kane stopped chewing He looked atI looked into his eyes, red and flaray ones I kneell I searched then, of Kane

For maybe ten seconds, we looked at each other The hound cocked his head

"Enough!" shouted the hag "You have failed me, you pathetic cur Pack--rip her apart!"

Froed at us Kane snarled and crouched, then got his fangs into the throat of one A shake of his head tore the throat wide open Black blood spurted The hound gasped and fell

I scrambled to my feet Kane paced beforeshape They circled, uttural sounds

The standoff didn’t last A strea hih my heart as it escalated to a screanoring the pain in rabbed my calf from behind I fell I lay on my front, my arms up to protect my head and neck

Teeth tore into my arm and pulled I stabbed blindly A yelp sounded, and the teeth let go, only to grab er

"Hounds!" A hunting horn blast split the night wide open My attackers paused "Leave her Coalloped away The hounds abandoned

Cautiously, I sat up Two of the fallen hounds had risen and now staggered toward left field, where Mallt-y-Nos spurred her steed

A few yards ahead of me, a fire died to embers

Kane

I crawled toward his prone body The odor of scorched fur and charred flesh , Kane Just a fewon I was almost there AlmostAnd then I looked down at the remains of my lover