Hell Hounds

              Ian felt himself roughly pulled through the portal. Of course, he couldn’t keep his eyes closed, and it was extremely difficult to keep his balance. With his balance, off and his mind couldn’t find a place to lock his eyes on. There wasn’t a horizon to stare at, and everything moved about him in an unsettling way. Thankfully, it ended as abruptly as it started, and he didn’t embarrass himself by puking.

              Once he composed himself enough. Ian took in his surroundings. They were all in what looked like was an unused storage warehouse. This wasn’t the same place they started in.

              “Looks like we all survived in one piece. Now, where are the others?”

              A large black bird settled on a table not far. It came from the rafters. Ian found server also more birds in the rafters. They’d sent shifters to spy on this cult. A cult against shifters, but not smart enough to understand shifters came in different creatures. Not just wolves and bears.

              “Well met there. Sorry to ask this, but could you mind shifting so that we can communicate better please? It’s just the time limit that has me a little anxious.” Arianna said this directly to the bird.

              Who squawked in response and flew into the darkness of the large space? The group waited patiently, and their reward was a slender woman in a short dress and barefoot returned to the like. “Evenin’ Ambassador. I’m Pippa Wilson. We have everything ready for you, but first, we’ve got news for you.”

             “Good evening. Excellent, please lead the way and tell me what you know of these people.”

             Arianna fell into step with Pippa, expecting them to follow her. “It wasn’t easy, but we’re able to capture one of the cult’s lieutenants just moments ago. I’m afraid he is rather resistant, and it will take a little longer to bring him in. Once he’s here, I’m sure you’ll be able to handle him. I’ve encountered him before and let me tell you, he’s not the brightest lightbulb in the pack. I suspected he doesn’t fully believe everything he’s told and stays with the cult because it’s a place he can bully others and get away with it.”

             “Delightful. Misogynistic monster. I wonder what he’ll experience when he meets an actual monster of his nightmares.” Yolanda happily followed, glad that she was on the same side as Arianna. Arianna’s heavy boots thumped on the concrete floor. Which was a feat since her boots must have three-inch heels on them. Arianna made Yolanda look like a shrinking violet. With her military-style jacket and pants, a shock of violent red bangs paired with straight black hair. She often changed her hair colour on a whim. But she would not apologize for her six-foot height and dressed how she felt comfortable. She was not the stereotype of the anachronistic late Victorian woman who became a victim of a vampire attack. Arianna didn’t have a tragic love story, as books and movies often portrayed. Well, at least, not that anyone was aware of.

             “Just remember we only need information and not a body count.” Yolanda piped up with this reminder.

             “Oh, by that won’t be necessary. However, I may use your ability to shift to scare him. Mind you, when I’m done with him, he won’t remember anything beyond. Dogs and wolves are scary and to be avoided at all costs. That and he’ll have found respect for women from now on.”

don’t get to play.” The three women smiled at each other as they conspired about what they would do to

any words. They both could see how this would go south. “Ari, please just stay on the plan? Please. Just get the information, make him forget his time here, and we can all leave here. We don’t

          “That’s what I plan to do. Now you don’t need to worry about any of this

and hissed at him. Her eyes flashing with violent warning. “That’s enough. Your words are noted and not

       George backed off immediately. Ian could see he didn’t want to back down, but he did. Whatever their relationship

           “Let’s all stop this right now and get this job done with no one friend or foe getting injured or worse.” After a moment

           “The guy’s name is Laurence Jarvis or Larry. He’s a

  “What is with these men and their course names? It’s like a flag

         “No idea. But you are right. This guy is a walking stereotype.

         “Oh,

rip-roaring drunk at a bar and followed a decoy out into the parking lot. Passed out before he

   “Lovely. He’ll be hungover. I can work with that. Let’s get to it.” Yolanda knew the type. The biker community had those types. That meant they’d have to deal with a sweaty guy that smelled of stale

        “You are going to owe me for this.

           “What do you want the two of us to do?” Ian asked as he looked around. He thought they needed to

doing as witnesses so that we don’t get questions. You’re here to represent the human race and act as a voice. We’ll try to prevent anyone from forcing you to speak or answer

leaving Pippa outside. A man with stringy hair sat

         Everyone stayed silent. “So, this is the big, dangerous second-in-command? What a sad state they’ve come to then.”