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She stared down at her bloody palold Alek had killed and died to possess How could so so small and pretty cause so much trouble?

She couldn’t allow anyone else to find it or use it and perhaps aid Lucifer Or Hades Not even Baden He’d grown to like Hades, and even she had to admit he was the lesser of two evils The beast was trainable; Lucifer, anted Baden to embrace darkness, was not

The problem was, Hades had once eradicated hellhounds He couldn’t be allowed to take another shot at thes? But what if he punished Baden for her daring?

Then again, if she used the coin to save Baden, severing his tie to the king, Hades could punish the hounds

If she wished for ih to protect both Baden and the hounds She ht not

Every option presented a major risk She needed time to think, to consider all the pros and cons

A paw scratched at her thigh One of the dogs sat in front of her, his dark eyes intelligent, stor, thick scars on hisHis speckled fur was matted with blood and fleas

--I am Roar--

"I’m Katarina," she replied softly

--The pups are a is mother Wethank you--

The appreciation was unexpected and unnecessary "They are wonderful--" If she said "dogs" would he take offense? "Pups" As he’d called theree they are wonderful, but they have done the unthinkable Drank your blood and shared theirs with you--

They hadyes, they sure had She re pennies when she’d awoken from their bite Butould that mean for them? Would they be punished? "The fault is mine Any repercussions are mine to endure"

--They knew our rules You did not No links Kill what you taste No survivors No witnesses Ever-- His s They were a lot bigger than hers --The three of you are linked and will re" Her dry tone clearly surprised him, but she’d had one too many death threats lately This was just irl Youtheirs--

What!