Chapter 14
Barnabus looked at the replies coming in and smiled.
It would seem contacting rogues was a good idea.
He would have a multi-species army to match the King’s defence teams. Now all he needed to do was release as many demons as he could, recall his shadow and see what he had discovered. First, though, time to release demons.
He walked outside and picked the first four wolves he saw. “You four, come with me.”
They looked at each other in concern before walking over and joining Barnabus.
They vanished and reappeared in the underworld just by the back entrance.
Before he could even register what he was seeing, he was swiped by a giant paw, which ripped into his arm.
He let out a cry of pain and stumbled backwards.
He tried to vanish back to the Hayes Pack, but at the moment it looked like he was trapped.
He heard snarling and screams as the hounds attacked the men who came with him.
Two hounds came at him, one from the front, the other from the back.
Barnabus was momentarily in fear of his life, but he spun quickly, throwing out fire bolts. He tried to mimic the hell hounds' abilities, but for some reason, he couldn’t.
The hounds jumped out of the way, although one of them wasn’t quick enough and let out a howl of pain as the bolt hit his side.
Shadow managed to jump Barnabus from behind.
He fell forward onto the ground with a thud, the hound standing over him.
Shadow dipped his head and howled loudly in Barnabus' ear.
Barnabus managed to conjure another fire bolt and fling it backwards, hitting Shadow in the face.
The hound was thrown backwards into the wall of Tartarus.
“Stop,” shouted a voice from behind. The hounds stilled immediately, and Barnabus stood up and turned to see one of the men he had fought at the Stanley pack; next to him was a warrior angel, sword drawn.
“No, I don’t think I will,” he replied, grinning.
Maletayah had met both the dragon and gargoyle generals. The four of them had agreed to meet up later and discuss tactics, and now Frederick was leading him to the newly formed angel residence.
“Once you’ve looked around your new accommodation, if you need anything, just let me know.”
Maletayah nodded. “I will do, but I'm sure Zeus provided everything we will need. Indeed, I’m expecting all my belongings to be in my quarters.”
“A handy way to move,” Frederick commented.
“It is. I liked both generals.”
“They’re good and open to everything. It wasn’t always ..,” he broke off when he heard a hell hound talk to him
Alpha, we’ve caught someone trying to get into Tartarus by the back door.
Maletayah looked at him. “Frederick?” he queried.
“I need to get to the underworld.”
“I’ll come with you. Is your mate in trouble?” he asked, drawing his sword.
“No, but we have to go. Grab my arm,” Frederick said. As soon as Maletayah did, he rubbed his tattoo, thinking of the underworld and the hell hounds, hoping that would work.
No one was more surprised than Frederick was when they appeared outside of Tartarus and not at Hades’ home.
They arrived just as Barnabus threw a fire bolt at the hound standing over him. He watched as the hound went flying into the wall.
“Stop!” he shouted. Barnabus is by the back entrance. He told Hades.
Barnabus stood up and turned around.
Frederick took notice of his shredded arm, the blood still flowing down it.
“No, I don’t think I will,” Barnabus said, pulling a sword from the ether.
The hounds quietly crept close to Barnabus; suddenly he spun around, slashing out with his sword.
Frederick shifted into his wolf quicker than he ever had before and ran towards Barnabus. Maletayah ran as well and reached Barnabus well before Frederick.
The angel and demon’s swords clashed, the sound resonating around them, both of them moving fast. Straight away Barnabus was on the defensive, with Maletayah attacking with such precision that cuts started appearing all over Barnabus’ upper body.
Frederick went to jump Barnabus when a hand on his head stilled him. “Stay; they are moving too fast for you to jump Barnabus, if that was your intention, sweetheart,” Hades said from beside him.
In an impressive move, Maletayah flicked his sword in the air, distracting Barnabus. Using the distraction to his advantage, the angel kicked Barnabus in the chest, who went flying, landing on his back with another loud thud and a puff of dust around him.
Barnabus let out a scream and vanished.
Frederick quickly shifted back and ran to the still unconscious hell hound. He knelt beside him. “Shadow,” he said softly, stroking him gently.
The other three hounds joined him.
Frederick looked up and looked at them. “How serious are your injuries?”
We are almost healed, Alpha. Shadow should be waking up in a moment. Wally told him.
Hades knelt by Shadow’s head, gently stroking him.
“The demon fought well, but not as good as me,” Maletayah said, blood still dripping from his sword.
“He can mimic powers,” Frederick said. “His fighting skills should have been on a par with yours. When Shiloh fought him in his gorilla form, Barnabus matched him move for move. But with you he was on the defensive the whole time.”
“Maybe that is how we defeat him, surround him with angels and attack him all at once,” Maletayah suggested.
“It could be that being this close to Tartarus, his powers were affected,” Hades said.
Before he could reply, Shadow sighed loudly and opened his eyes. He looked at Frederick. I’m sorry I failed you, Alpha
“Wait, what?” Frederick exclaimed. “You didn’t fail me. I’m sorry you and your brothers were hurt.”
Shadow looked at him with sad puppy eyes. But I was knocked out.
“That doesn’t mean you failed. You four stopped Barnabus from getting into Tartarus and releasing any demons. I’m so proud of you all,” Frederick replied, looking at the four hounds.
Shadow sat up as the other three hounds surrounded them. Frederick and Hades stroked them all.
“I’ll have another shift take over here for tonight so you four can rest up, eat lots and come back again tomorrow,” Hades told them.
We can stay, my Lord. Storm said.
Hades shook his head. “No, rest and come back tomorrow. More of your brothers want to meet their new Alpha; you’ll not deny them that privilege, would you?”
The hounds as one shook their heads.
“Thank you, my friends,” Frederick said, stroking them again. “Go and rest now.”
The hounds dipped their heads at Frederick and vanished as four new hounds appeared.
Frederick and Hades both stood up.
“Frederick, meet Cloud, Dorma, Darma, and Rain. Boys, this is my mate and your Alpha, Frederick Barbuda, and this is Maletayah, a warrior angel.”
They nodded to the angel before looking at Frederick. Greetings, Alpha, they said happily, moving around and surrounding Frederick. Cloud nudged Hades out of the way.
Frederick stroked them all, laughing as they head-butted him for more strokes.
“Alright you lot, that’s enough,” Hades said.
The hounds moved back.
“Let me clear that mess away,” Hades said, waving to the dead bodies, bodies that had been ripped apart.
Or we can eat them. Dorma suggested hopefully.
“If you want to, go ahead,” Hades said, stroking Dorma’s head.
Dorma gave a happy huff and wagged his tail.
We’ll protect this entrance for you, Alpha, Rain said.
“Thank you. I doubt Barnabus will try again, but you never know,” Frederick told them. “I’ll come and run with you soon.”
The four wagged their tails happily. Thank you, Alpha.
Frederick held his hand out to Hades, who happily took it. “Maletayah and I need to be getting back.”
Hades nodded. “I’ll see you at dinner and bring Han with me.”
“Good,” Frederick said, giving him a quick kiss. “See you later.”
Hades dropped his hand and the next moment Frederick and Maletayah vanished.
We like your mate. Rain said to Hades.
Hades laughed. “So do I, my friend, so do I.”