HellCat: Guardian Of The Gate
by wizardtho
Hell Gate Clearing
Skylar
Chapter 12:
I felt Isa pushing forward as Peter ran with me in his arms. Less than 30 seconds later, Captain pushed forward while asking two simple but very telling questions. "Alice, why didn’t ya see this happenin’? Come to think of it, why the hell didn't my know-shit meter alert me that this was gonna happen?"
I dropped down from Captain's arms and turned, but I honestly couldn't believe what I saw.
Where the small clearing had been for the cabin, now stood a newly-formed valley, which was 10 times larger but looked like it had always been there. It was set deeper into the earth, already had grass, worn paths, and sparse trees, then at the end stood exactly what Em had said... a huge ass fiery gateway. It looked like it was set far back into a cave entrance, so if you weren't looking directly at it, it might very well look like only a grassy hill with a worn path on either side.
That wasn't the only thing about this that worried Isa, though. The not-quite-dogs I had seen in my dreams were here. Four of them to be exact, the largest one pacing an agitated path in front of the others, between us and the freaky Hell gate.
I didn't even get a chance to think or let Captain know what was going on, before I was charging forward passed the Cullens, facing the large beast head-on.
Something niggled at my mind, letting me know this was a female, their queen, and she was called Skylar. I automatically said in an authoritative voice, “Skylar! Ferse!”
(Skylar! Heel!)
I heard Carlisle gasp as Edward murmured something about German, but couldn't concentrate on any of them right now. I needed to calm the queen before her hostility got taken out on the Cullens or my mate.
I watched as her eyes glowed a brighter red, her whole body seeming to relax as she made her way to stop in front of me. I said in a calmer tone, now that all of them had relaxed at her acceptance of my command, “Ich weiß nicht was machte Sie unruhig. Wenn Sie weiter reißen Furchen in der Erde, Sie können nicht zeigen was machte Sie aufgewühlt.”
(I do not know what made you restless. If you continue tearing furrows in the earth, you can not show what made you agitated.)
Skylar dipped her head, then nudged me toward the gateway. I went, but had to calm Captain, who ended up following right behind me. When I got within ten feet of the gateway, I saw that there were remnants of an actual gate strewn around on the ground. It gave me a sick feeling, so I turned to Carlisle, the agony clear in my voice as I spoke. “Tell me you got this far in your reading. Please, Carlisle.”
He nodded, then quickly came to my side, rubbing my back as he said sadly, “The only reason the gate and Hellhounds would appear here, on your property, is if your dreams were reality. If the last handler were indeed killed, it's hard-wired in both the gateway and Hellhounds for them to appear to their next guardian.”
I shook my head in horror, then something clicked. I gasped, “James!” feeling like I was about to throw up, then Skylar growled her agreement.
I looked around, but Captain pulled me into his arms as he asked, “Is that the blonde you recognized, Isa?”
I nodded, then took a deep breath to compose myself. There was a lot of shit to be done, yet not much time to do it in, “James was one of the ones that killed the last beast master... him and a werewolf that was really bad news. The other vamps didn't live, but those two were able to kill her before leaving the area. Now, looking at this, I think it's safe to say that there's been a break-out.”
I could see the worry creeping into everyone's expressions, so I let out a breath. I walked over to inspect the torn-apart gate, knowing it would have to be repaired before other supernatural creatures found out the gateway was open.
The metal looked like the same metal that some of the weapons were made of, so I assumed it must have magical properties. I stood to assess the spot on the cave wall where the gate would have bolted in, but as soon as my hand touched the stone part of the wall, I felt a searing burn in my palm.
I couldn't help but kick the damn stone wall while ranting, “What the fuck! Really?! If you seriously want me to guard your fucking supernatural gate, Hades, you will stop torturing me, God damnit!”
Captain growled at the gateway menacingly as he looked at my hand, but I saw Skylar's posture tense while slyly wrapping her tail around Captain's ankle. I barked at her, not at all willing to let that pass, hissing while Captain started tenderly licking my palm to heal it, “Skylar! Nein! Er ist meine Liebe, und kein Schaden werden zu ihm kommen. Ever! Er ist wütend, dass etwas mich verletzt. Das ist alles. Jetzt entwrappen Ihre Steiß aus seinem Bein!”
(Skylar! No! He is my love, and no harm will come to him. Ever! He is enraged that something hurt me. That is all. Now unwrap your tail from his leg!)
Skylar's tail immediately retreated. After she watched Captain tending to me for a second, she sniffed his leg, then rubbed her cheek up against it. I calmed, knowing she understood my bond to Captain, then relaxed into his healing of my palm.
He was done only moments later, but his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at his work. I peered down at my palm when he released it, but I was just as confused as him. I turned and held my palm out, wondering aloud, “Anyone want to take a crack at translating Hades' joke of burning the fuck out of my palm?”
Carlisle and Edward both looked, but it was Jasper who spoke. “The four words mean 'Protected, Hell, Hound, and Handler. Most languages don't have a single word for Hellhounds, which is why I think it's split here. The symbol looks to be a mixture of things melded into one image.”
He pointed in a row, from top to bottom, saying, “This could represent Hades' scepter, while this could have to do with the gateway, since it looks like flames in the center. The bottom one is the symbol always used for Hades himself. The words are written in Hebrew instead of Greek, which could be a combining of the two beliefs. I think only one person could answer that question for you, Isa.”
I thanked Jasper, then scowled at the broken gate before looking to Skylar. I spoke in German again, which she seemed to understand well, “You have more under your command?”
With a dip of her head, I nodded, “Your most trusted... your named ones... put three guarding the gate, send another one directly to Hades to report the break out. He needs to fix that gate before others realize it is demolished. Bring the rest of your named ones and the younger pups. We need to go back to the house, so Carlisle can do research while I prepare.”
She rubbed her cheek against my jeans, which was an oddly calming gesture, then turned and growled for a second. One of the hounds' eyes glowed a brighter red right before it turned into a plume of black smoke near the gate. Just as the smoke dissipated, another plume appeared, transforming into a slightly smaller hound. It bowed its head to Skylar, then took up a position near the gate.
With that apparently settled, she stalked gracefully over to stand in front of me, so I held out my hand to her. She nuzzled my healed palm, and I could sense that she was telling me in her own way that they were ready to go. I looked to the Cullens, noticing their slightly unsettled demeanor, “We're going back to the house to figure shit out. Carlisle, you’re getting on those books as soon as we reach the house. I need as much knowledge about this as you can stuff into my brain.”
He nodded seriously as he took Esme's hand, then we all gathered to go back to the house. Captain picked me up to snuggle his face into my neck, then chuckled before looking down over my shoulder, “You're gonna hafta wait for your cuddle time, Skylar. It's not common for us to heal our mates in public, because it's a pretty intimate thing. I didn't get to privately heal her, so I need to feel close for a bit.”
I turned my head to see Skylar pacing and rubbing her sides against Captain's legs, not at all listening to what he was saying, so I translated it into German after calling her name. She rubbed her side gently against the leg of my jeans, then made me laugh when she stalked around behind him and nudged her nose against his butt, telling him to get going.
He nipped my neck after letting out a slight yelp, since I was giggling like crazy, then offered, “We'll see how ya like it when she does that to you, Hellcat. Come on, let's getcha home. You're makin’ hungry sounds again.”
When we reached the back veranda, Captain carried me up to the game room door, but I saw Skylar stop in the middle of the yard. She looked to me, then I could somehow sense that she wanted me inside. I let out a breath, then said, “Take me in, please. I can feel she doesn't want something to happen.”
Just then Carlisle offered while looking through an old leather-bound book, “Yes, inside would be preferable, especially if she is about to call the others to her. If she were to howl while you were in range with Captain, he would be paralyzed for a time. You are immune, but their howl is said to be spine-chilling and paralyzing to anyone else who is too close to them.”
Captain hurried to take me inside. Only a second after Carlisle closed the door behind us, I felt Captain shutter under me at Skylar's piercing howl echoing through the back yard.
I watched as Skylar's eyes glowed an eerie bright red, plume after plume of black smoke appearing around the back yard. When all the smoke cleared, there had to be around 20 or so Hellhounds all gathering toward their queen, then laying down on the ground around her.
She seemed to make sure all of them were accounted for and unharmed, just before she looked directly into my eyes through the french glass door. I knew it was time for her to introduce me to them, so I grabbed Captain's hand as I said, “Time to go greet them. Everyone else stay inside please.”
Skylar came to nuzzle up to both me and Captain, then looked to her hounds. She nuzzled me again, looking up to me, so I said as I pointed to myself, “Isa,” then to her, “Skylar.”
When she nuzzled Captain's hand in mine, I said, “Meine Liebe, meine Gefährtin ... Kapitän Peter Whitlock.” (My love, my mate... Captain Peter Whitlock.)
She looked to her hounds again, and must have been relaying something to them, because they all relaxed at her look, then slowly scooted closer. Skylar dropped down to lay covering both of our feet, so I chuckled in German, “You are definitely too big to be a lapdog, Sky.”
I bent down to pat her head when she gave me sad eyes, then offered, “You'll still get cuddle time, but when you stand as tall as my waist, you can't be considered a lap dog. We'll have to improvise just a bit. Now, tell them to go inside and scout the house all they want. You can stay with Peter and me.”
A few minutes after all the hounds had happily strode into the house, I walked into the house with Captain and Skylar, only to start laughing at the look on Em's face. He looked like he was torn between being scared out of his wits and being tortured to death, yet the hound was only sniffing him tentatively.
After a second, the hound stopped sniffing to nod to his queen. “Em, Jesus. Even I know that if it scented something wrong with you, it's posture would be all around different right now. It's scales would be raised, plus if I'm not wrong, the color would turn to have more crimson in it around the head. Its tail wouldn't be able to stay still, and it would be growling in a very agitated manner.”
I didn't know how I knew, but I just felt it deep inside me. Carlisle chuckled, then calmly looked down at the pup sniffing up his pant leg. After a second the pup sat back, so Carlisle offered his hand to it while saying, “They are only making sure that their new master is safe around us, Emmett. Isa is right. Once they have deemed us all safe, they will likely seek out a warm place to settle down, keep watch. Think of this in terms of earth dogs being protective of their owners.”
Jasper grinned while patting the one that came up to him, but it sat back on its haunches and tilted its head sideways. I got a feeling of familiarity as Skylar looked from Captain to Jasper, causing me to say in German to both hounds, “Vampir Schöpfer. Major Jasper ist Kapitäns Vampir Schöpfer. Aus diesem Grund Major Jasper's Duft werden nachklingen in meiner Liebe.”
(Vampire creator. Major Jasper is Captain's vampire creator. For that reason, Major Jasper's scent will linger in my love.)
It looked like each hound's eyes suddenly held recognition, letting me know that they understood. Carlisle smiled at me, then offered a few tidbits of information. “The lead female, your Skylar, is their queen. I don't think you realized it when you spoke earlier, but you were right about her named ones being her most trusted. Hellhounds do not become eligible for naming until they reach the age of 100, then earn a name only if the gift they present her with is favorable to her. If the gift is not up to par, so to speak, the hound will need to wait a full year before becoming eligible for naming again. Their names are honors given, a sign of rank among the younger pups. Males will fight amongst each other for position in the queen's favor, but rarely will a male fight a female. Females are darker in color and larger physically, thus making them stronger and more agile than their male counterparts. In a fight between a male and a female, 99% of the time, the female will kill the male.”
Jasper looked down to the one who had sat in front of him, then pet its head and said, “So you're a female, huh? Not as dark as your queen, but darker than at least 3/4 of the others. I think you may have some competition, Ali.”
She chuckled, then giggled as one of the lightest and smallest hounds nuzzled her side, “I'm not the only one with competition it seems, Jazzy, because this one's downright friendly.”
Jasper looked to the small male, saying with a laugh, “Alright, boy. Go find your own female. This one's all mine, and I don't share well.”
I chuckled along with everyone else in the room, as Skylar let out a snort, causing the small male to scamper off. I looked to Carlisle as Captain and I sat together in the overstuffed chair. He watched Skylar settle at our feet before saying, “Queens and handlers have a bond that forms. It is not as strong right now, as you are getting to know one another, but will be nearly as strong as yours to Peter. You will be able to sense one another's emotions, as you do with Captain. A Hellhound queen will die if she is without a handler for a certain span of time. Without their queen, the others would descend into chaos... the entire pack would fall to ruin. They need the structure, guidance, and care of their queen, just as she needs the same from you.”
I didn't want to think of what would have happened to Skylar if she had not popped into that clearing in time. She must have sensed my sadness, because she cuddled closer up to my legs, wrapping her tail around the backs of them before laying her head on my feet. I looked to see Carlisle smiling softly as he explained, “Your bond is already strengthening. That is a good sign. As for their physical and supernatural attributes, there are a few things to note. Males will usually have rips in their ears due to fights, which along with color and size, are good indicators of male or female. They are agile, similar to cheetahs, plus their senses are extremely acute. Their sense of smell is uncanny, as you noticed with Jasper's characteristics in Captain's scent. Their ears will flatten to dampen sound, and because their hearing is so attuned, they detest piercing noises such as dog whistles. Their tails are used like whips during fights, being able to move in any direction. Their eyes hold all of their powers, including their ability to teleport, and have been hunted for just the use of that ability.”
I winced, and couldn't help but look down at Skylar's vivid red eyes. Carlisle continued, saying, “They prefer dimly lit environments, as their vision is as sensitive as their hearing, so they usually sleep during daylight when on Earth. They can still see just as well in daytime as they can at night, but the reduction in color at night is preferable. When being summoned by you, Hades, or their queen, all hounds' eyes glow a brighter red. It also happens when teleporting. Their teeth and claws are just as prized in Hell as their eyes, because they will literally tear into any supernatural being.”
I let out a breath at that, but Carlisle held up a finger. “As with any creature, there is a down side. Though Hellhounds are virtually immortal, and have astounding regenerative capabilities, if they lose teeth in a fight, they will die slowly and painfully. If they lose a tail in a fight, it will not grow back, causing the hound to be left almost defenseless. They have a severely high bone-breaking threshold, but once they reach that point, the bone snaps quite easily. Luckily, it will heal within 10 to 15 minutes, but those minutes could be crucial in a fight. As I said before, a Hellhound's howl is both spine-chilling and paralyzing experience for anyone standing too close at the time. I do not know the specific range affected, or how long the paralysis lasts once it takes hold, though. Skylar's caution when you reached the house was telling, which makes me believe that you need to be at least that distance away not to become paralyzed by her howl.”
I nodded, thankful to at least know a bit of information about my new charges, then wondered about myself, along with what was to come of me. “Carlisle? What about me? I mean, it's great to know more about the Hellhounds, because I was seriously at a loss, but I know nothing about how to be a handler.”
He nodded, then offered while opening another old book to a marked section, “You, Isa, are a rare species indeed. Though not immortal, per say, handler mates are always supernatural, which allows the handler to be changed into the mate's species. Did the previous handler display any specific characteristics of another species while fighting in your dream?”
I looked down at Skylar as I thought, but shook my head, “Not that I can remember, no. She was faster and stronger than a human female, but I can feel both now flowing through me, so that's not much help. Sorry.”
Carlisle nodded, then offered, “It's alright, truly. I believe she may not have found her mate yet, which allowed her to be killed without having any backup other than the hounds. It could also be why she was not at full strength. Unfortunately, you do not have the time to be turned now, with the possibility of a break-out. From your comment to Emmett earlier, I assume both the clothing and weapon chests have arrived?”
I nodded, so he said, “It would be prudent to have the weapons spread around the house, easily accessible to you.”
I groaned, then said seriously, “Then someone's going to need to make weapon plaques, because they seriously aren't staying in my closet. That's just freaky.”
I couldn't help but chuckle after a second, “Alice, it looks like you'll have to ask Hades for the tailor info.”
Her eyes bugged out, then she shook her head quickly, “Oh, no. Not me. You can keep them all to yourself if they're part of the job. I like the hounds, but I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, no matter how amazing they happen to be.”
A round of agreements came from the other girls. Unfortunately, I knew we needed to get the chests from the closet so someone could start making the plaques, pronto. “Okay, so who wants to make the plaques, because I have a feeling that the sooner they are accessible, the better?”
Jasper offered, “I would like to, Isa, if you wouldn't mind. Just point me in their direction.”
I patted Skylar on the side affectionately, saying with a smile, “We also need beds for all my new charges. I think the dual-level loft over our wing would be good for their use, Captain. Edward, I'll need UV filtering film put on all the skylights and windows of that loft. Esme, will you and the girls get the needed items to make up large individual pallet beds for them?”
Edward and the girls all nodded, so I said, “I know these guys are all carnivores, and I doubt they want raw steaks, so Carlisle? Please find out what they eat and how, while we take Jasper and Em to get the chests.”
Everyone hurried to do their assigned tasks as I bent down to Skylar, saying, “Jasper und Emmett werden die Waffen aus meinem Schrank entfernen, und finden bessere Orte für sie. Ich nehme an, Sie möchten sich gewöhnen zu meinem Schlafzimmer während dort?”
(Jasper and Emmett will remove the weapons from my closet, and find better places for them. I suppose you want to get used to my bedroom while there?)
She stretched, letting her tongue loll out in a type of yawn, then got up while looking at me expectantly. I guess that was her acceptance, even though I knew she had been alert the whole talk with Carlisle.
I felt Isa pushing forward as Peter ran with me in his arms. Less than 30 seconds later, Captain pushed forward while asking two simple but very telling questions. "Alice, why didn’t ya see this happenin’? Come to think of it, why the hell didn't my know-shit meter alert me that this was gonna happen?"
I dropped down from Captain's arms and turned, but I honestly couldn't believe what I saw.
Where the small clearing had been for the cabin, now stood a newly-formed valley, which was 10 times larger but looked like it had always been there. It was set deeper into the earth, already had grass, worn paths, and sparse trees, then at the end stood exactly what Em had said... a huge ass fiery gateway. It looked like it was set far back into a cave entrance, so if you weren't looking directly at it, it might very well look like only a grassy hill with a worn path on either side.
That wasn't the only thing about this that worried Isa, though. The not-quite-dogs I had seen in my dreams were here. Four of them to be exact, the largest one pacing an agitated path in front of the others, between us and the freaky Hell gate.
I didn't even get a chance to think or let Captain know what was going on, before I was charging forward passed the Cullens, facing the large beast head-on.
Something niggled at my mind, letting me know this was a female, their queen, and she was called Skylar. I automatically said in an authoritative voice, “Skylar! Ferse!”
(Skylar! Heel!)
I heard Carlisle gasp as Edward murmured something about German, but couldn't concentrate on any of them right now. I needed to calm the queen before her hostility got taken out on the Cullens or my mate.
I watched as her eyes glowed a brighter red, her whole body seeming to relax as she made her way to stop in front of me. I said in a calmer tone, now that all of them had relaxed at her acceptance of my command, “Ich weiß nicht was machte Sie unruhig. Wenn Sie weiter reißen Furchen in der Erde, Sie können nicht zeigen was machte Sie aufgewühlt.”
(I do not know what made you restless. If you continue tearing furrows in the earth, you can not show what made you agitated.)
Skylar dipped her head, then nudged me toward the gateway. I went, but had to calm Captain, who ended up following right behind me. When I got within ten feet of the gateway, I saw that there were remnants of an actual gate strewn around on the ground. It gave me a sick feeling, so I turned to Carlisle, the agony clear in my voice as I spoke. “Tell me you got this far in your reading. Please, Carlisle.”
He nodded, then quickly came to my side, rubbing my back as he said sadly, “The only reason the gate and Hellhounds would appear here, on your property, is if your dreams were reality. If the last handler were indeed killed, it's hard-wired in both the gateway and Hellhounds for them to appear to their next guardian.”
I shook my head in horror, then something clicked. I gasped, “James!” feeling like I was about to throw up, then Skylar growled her agreement.
I looked around, but Captain pulled me into his arms as he asked, “Is that the blonde you recognized, Isa?”
I nodded, then took a deep breath to compose myself. There was a lot of shit to be done, yet not much time to do it in, “James was one of the ones that killed the last beast master... him and a werewolf that was really bad news. The other vamps didn't live, but those two were able to kill her before leaving the area. Now, looking at this, I think it's safe to say that there's been a break-out.”
I could see the worry creeping into everyone's expressions, so I let out a breath. I walked over to inspect the torn-apart gate, knowing it would have to be repaired before other supernatural creatures found out the gateway was open.
The metal looked like the same metal that some of the weapons were made of, so I assumed it must have magical properties. I stood to assess the spot on the cave wall where the gate would have bolted in, but as soon as my hand touched the stone part of the wall, I felt a searing burn in my palm.
I couldn't help but kick the damn stone wall while ranting, “What the fuck! Really?! If you seriously want me to guard your fucking supernatural gate, Hades, you will stop torturing me, God damnit!”
Captain growled at the gateway menacingly as he looked at my hand, but I saw Skylar's posture tense while slyly wrapping her tail around Captain's ankle. I barked at her, not at all willing to let that pass, hissing while Captain started tenderly licking my palm to heal it, “Skylar! Nein! Er ist meine Liebe, und kein Schaden werden zu ihm kommen. Ever! Er ist wütend, dass etwas mich verletzt. Das ist alles. Jetzt entwrappen Ihre Steiß aus seinem Bein!”
(Skylar! No! He is my love, and no harm will come to him. Ever! He is enraged that something hurt me. That is all. Now unwrap your tail from his leg!)
Skylar's tail immediately retreated. After she watched Captain tending to me for a second, she sniffed his leg, then rubbed her cheek up against it. I calmed, knowing she understood my bond to Captain, then relaxed into his healing of my palm.
He was done only moments later, but his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at his work. I peered down at my palm when he released it, but I was just as confused as him. I turned and held my palm out, wondering aloud, “Anyone want to take a crack at translating Hades' joke of burning the fuck out of my palm?”
Carlisle and Edward both looked, but it was Jasper who spoke. “The four words mean 'Protected, Hell, Hound, and Handler. Most languages don't have a single word for Hellhounds, which is why I think it's split here. The symbol looks to be a mixture of things melded into one image.”
He pointed in a row, from top to bottom, saying, “This could represent Hades' scepter, while this could have to do with the gateway, since it looks like flames in the center. The bottom one is the symbol always used for Hades himself. The words are written in Hebrew instead of Greek, which could be a combining of the two beliefs. I think only one person could answer that question for you, Isa.”
I thanked Jasper, then scowled at the broken gate before looking to Skylar. I spoke in German again, which she seemed to understand well, “You have more under your command?”
With a dip of her head, I nodded, “Your most trusted... your named ones... put three guarding the gate, send another one directly to Hades to report the break out. He needs to fix that gate before others realize it is demolished. Bring the rest of your named ones and the younger pups. We need to go back to the house, so Carlisle can do research while I prepare.”
She rubbed her cheek against my jeans, which was an oddly calming gesture, then turned and growled for a second. One of the hounds' eyes glowed a brighter red right before it turned into a plume of black smoke near the gate. Just as the smoke dissipated, another plume appeared, transforming into a slightly smaller hound. It bowed its head to Skylar, then took up a position near the gate.
With that apparently settled, she stalked gracefully over to stand in front of me, so I held out my hand to her. She nuzzled my healed palm, and I could sense that she was telling me in her own way that they were ready to go. I looked to the Cullens, noticing their slightly unsettled demeanor, “We're going back to the house to figure shit out. Carlisle, you’re getting on those books as soon as we reach the house. I need as much knowledge about this as you can stuff into my brain.”
He nodded seriously as he took Esme's hand, then we all gathered to go back to the house. Captain picked me up to snuggle his face into my neck, then chuckled before looking down over my shoulder, “You're gonna hafta wait for your cuddle time, Skylar. It's not common for us to heal our mates in public, because it's a pretty intimate thing. I didn't get to privately heal her, so I need to feel close for a bit.”
I turned my head to see Skylar pacing and rubbing her sides against Captain's legs, not at all listening to what he was saying, so I translated it into German after calling her name. She rubbed her side gently against the leg of my jeans, then made me laugh when she stalked around behind him and nudged her nose against his butt, telling him to get going.
He nipped my neck after letting out a slight yelp, since I was giggling like crazy, then offered, “We'll see how ya like it when she does that to you, Hellcat. Come on, let's getcha home. You're makin’ hungry sounds again.”
When we reached the back veranda, Captain carried me up to the game room door, but I saw Skylar stop in the middle of the yard. She looked to me, then I could somehow sense that she wanted me inside. I let out a breath, then said, “Take me in, please. I can feel she doesn't want something to happen.”
Just then Carlisle offered while looking through an old leather-bound book, “Yes, inside would be preferable, especially if she is about to call the others to her. If she were to howl while you were in range with Captain, he would be paralyzed for a time. You are immune, but their howl is said to be spine-chilling and paralyzing to anyone else who is too close to them.”
Captain hurried to take me inside. Only a second after Carlisle closed the door behind us, I felt Captain shutter under me at Skylar's piercing howl echoing through the back yard.
I watched as Skylar's eyes glowed an eerie bright red, plume after plume of black smoke appearing around the back yard. When all the smoke cleared, there had to be around 20 or so Hellhounds all gathering toward their queen, then laying down on the ground around her.
She seemed to make sure all of them were accounted for and unharmed, just before she looked directly into my eyes through the french glass door. I knew it was time for her to introduce me to them, so I grabbed Captain's hand as I said, “Time to go greet them. Everyone else stay inside please.”
Skylar came to nuzzle up to both me and Captain, then looked to her hounds. She nuzzled me again, looking up to me, so I said as I pointed to myself, “Isa,” then to her, “Skylar.”
When she nuzzled Captain's hand in mine, I said, “Meine Liebe, meine Gefährtin ... Kapitän Peter Whitlock.” (My love, my mate... Captain Peter Whitlock.)
She looked to her hounds again, and must have been relaying something to them, because they all relaxed at her look, then slowly scooted closer. Skylar dropped down to lay covering both of our feet, so I chuckled in German, “You are definitely too big to be a lapdog, Sky.”
I bent down to pat her head when she gave me sad eyes, then offered, “You'll still get cuddle time, but when you stand as tall as my waist, you can't be considered a lap dog. We'll have to improvise just a bit. Now, tell them to go inside and scout the house all they want. You can stay with Peter and me.”
A few minutes after all the hounds had happily strode into the house, I walked into the house with Captain and Skylar, only to start laughing at the look on Em's face. He looked like he was torn between being scared out of his wits and being tortured to death, yet the hound was only sniffing him tentatively.
After a second, the hound stopped sniffing to nod to his queen. “Em, Jesus. Even I know that if it scented something wrong with you, it's posture would be all around different right now. It's scales would be raised, plus if I'm not wrong, the color would turn to have more crimson in it around the head. Its tail wouldn't be able to stay still, and it would be growling in a very agitated manner.”
I didn't know how I knew, but I just felt it deep inside me. Carlisle chuckled, then calmly looked down at the pup sniffing up his pant leg. After a second the pup sat back, so Carlisle offered his hand to it while saying, “They are only making sure that their new master is safe around us, Emmett. Isa is right. Once they have deemed us all safe, they will likely seek out a warm place to settle down, keep watch. Think of this in terms of earth dogs being protective of their owners.”
Jasper grinned while patting the one that came up to him, but it sat back on its haunches and tilted its head sideways. I got a feeling of familiarity as Skylar looked from Captain to Jasper, causing me to say in German to both hounds, “Vampir Schöpfer. Major Jasper ist Kapitäns Vampir Schöpfer. Aus diesem Grund Major Jasper's Duft werden nachklingen in meiner Liebe.”
(Vampire creator. Major Jasper is Captain's vampire creator. For that reason, Major Jasper's scent will linger in my love.)
It looked like each hound's eyes suddenly held recognition, letting me know that they understood. Carlisle smiled at me, then offered a few tidbits of information. “The lead female, your Skylar, is their queen. I don't think you realized it when you spoke earlier, but you were right about her named ones being her most trusted. Hellhounds do not become eligible for naming until they reach the age of 100, then earn a name only if the gift they present her with is favorable to her. If the gift is not up to par, so to speak, the hound will need to wait a full year before becoming eligible for naming again. Their names are honors given, a sign of rank among the younger pups. Males will fight amongst each other for position in the queen's favor, but rarely will a male fight a female. Females are darker in color and larger physically, thus making them stronger and more agile than their male counterparts. In a fight between a male and a female, 99% of the time, the female will kill the male.”
Jasper looked down to the one who had sat in front of him, then pet its head and said, “So you're a female, huh? Not as dark as your queen, but darker than at least 3/4 of the others. I think you may have some competition, Ali.”
She chuckled, then giggled as one of the lightest and smallest hounds nuzzled her side, “I'm not the only one with competition it seems, Jazzy, because this one's downright friendly.”
Jasper looked to the small male, saying with a laugh, “Alright, boy. Go find your own female. This one's all mine, and I don't share well.”
I chuckled along with everyone else in the room, as Skylar let out a snort, causing the small male to scamper off. I looked to Carlisle as Captain and I sat together in the overstuffed chair. He watched Skylar settle at our feet before saying, “Queens and handlers have a bond that forms. It is not as strong right now, as you are getting to know one another, but will be nearly as strong as yours to Peter. You will be able to sense one another's emotions, as you do with Captain. A Hellhound queen will die if she is without a handler for a certain span of time. Without their queen, the others would descend into chaos... the entire pack would fall to ruin. They need the structure, guidance, and care of their queen, just as she needs the same from you.”
I didn't want to think of what would have happened to Skylar if she had not popped into that clearing in time. She must have sensed my sadness, because she cuddled closer up to my legs, wrapping her tail around the backs of them before laying her head on my feet. I looked to see Carlisle smiling softly as he explained, “Your bond is already strengthening. That is a good sign. As for their physical and supernatural attributes, there are a few things to note. Males will usually have rips in their ears due to fights, which along with color and size, are good indicators of male or female. They are agile, similar to cheetahs, plus their senses are extremely acute. Their sense of smell is uncanny, as you noticed with Jasper's characteristics in Captain's scent. Their ears will flatten to dampen sound, and because their hearing is so attuned, they detest piercing noises such as dog whistles. Their tails are used like whips during fights, being able to move in any direction. Their eyes hold all of their powers, including their ability to teleport, and have been hunted for just the use of that ability.”
I winced, and couldn't help but look down at Skylar's vivid red eyes. Carlisle continued, saying, “They prefer dimly lit environments, as their vision is as sensitive as their hearing, so they usually sleep during daylight when on Earth. They can still see just as well in daytime as they can at night, but the reduction in color at night is preferable. When being summoned by you, Hades, or their queen, all hounds' eyes glow a brighter red. It also happens when teleporting. Their teeth and claws are just as prized in Hell as their eyes, because they will literally tear into any supernatural being.”
I let out a breath at that, but Carlisle held up a finger. “As with any creature, there is a down side. Though Hellhounds are virtually immortal, and have astounding regenerative capabilities, if they lose teeth in a fight, they will die slowly and painfully. If they lose a tail in a fight, it will not grow back, causing the hound to be left almost defenseless. They have a severely high bone-breaking threshold, but once they reach that point, the bone snaps quite easily. Luckily, it will heal within 10 to 15 minutes, but those minutes could be crucial in a fight. As I said before, a Hellhound's howl is both spine-chilling and paralyzing experience for anyone standing too close at the time. I do not know the specific range affected, or how long the paralysis lasts once it takes hold, though. Skylar's caution when you reached the house was telling, which makes me believe that you need to be at least that distance away not to become paralyzed by her howl.”
I nodded, thankful to at least know a bit of information about my new charges, then wondered about myself, along with what was to come of me. “Carlisle? What about me? I mean, it's great to know more about the Hellhounds, because I was seriously at a loss, but I know nothing about how to be a handler.”
He nodded, then offered while opening another old book to a marked section, “You, Isa, are a rare species indeed. Though not immortal, per say, handler mates are always supernatural, which allows the handler to be changed into the mate's species. Did the previous handler display any specific characteristics of another species while fighting in your dream?”
I looked down at Skylar as I thought, but shook my head, “Not that I can remember, no. She was faster and stronger than a human female, but I can feel both now flowing through me, so that's not much help. Sorry.”
Carlisle nodded, then offered, “It's alright, truly. I believe she may not have found her mate yet, which allowed her to be killed without having any backup other than the hounds. It could also be why she was not at full strength. Unfortunately, you do not have the time to be turned now, with the possibility of a break-out. From your comment to Emmett earlier, I assume both the clothing and weapon chests have arrived?”
I nodded, so he said, “It would be prudent to have the weapons spread around the house, easily accessible to you.”
I groaned, then said seriously, “Then someone's going to need to make weapon plaques, because they seriously aren't staying in my closet. That's just freaky.”
I couldn't help but chuckle after a second, “Alice, it looks like you'll have to ask Hades for the tailor info.”
Her eyes bugged out, then she shook her head quickly, “Oh, no. Not me. You can keep them all to yourself if they're part of the job. I like the hounds, but I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, no matter how amazing they happen to be.”
A round of agreements came from the other girls. Unfortunately, I knew we needed to get the chests from the closet so someone could start making the plaques, pronto. “Okay, so who wants to make the plaques, because I have a feeling that the sooner they are accessible, the better?”
Jasper offered, “I would like to, Isa, if you wouldn't mind. Just point me in their direction.”
I patted Skylar on the side affectionately, saying with a smile, “We also need beds for all my new charges. I think the dual-level loft over our wing would be good for their use, Captain. Edward, I'll need UV filtering film put on all the skylights and windows of that loft. Esme, will you and the girls get the needed items to make up large individual pallet beds for them?”
Edward and the girls all nodded, so I said, “I know these guys are all carnivores, and I doubt they want raw steaks, so Carlisle? Please find out what they eat and how, while we take Jasper and Em to get the chests.”
Everyone hurried to do their assigned tasks as I bent down to Skylar, saying, “Jasper und Emmett werden die Waffen aus meinem Schrank entfernen, und finden bessere Orte für sie. Ich nehme an, Sie möchten sich gewöhnen zu meinem Schlafzimmer während dort?”
(Jasper and Emmett will remove the weapons from my closet, and find better places for them. I suppose you want to get used to my bedroom while there?)
She stretched, letting her tongue loll out in a type of yawn, then got up while looking at me expectantly. I guess that was her acceptance, even though I knew she had been alert the whole talk with Carlisle.
Guardian Tattoo on Bella's Palm