“It’s still a risk,” Bel growled. “How else can you explain the hound finding us here?”
Mist spoke up. “Hellhounds have been known to escape their keepers before they’re tamed. It is possible he went through a hellgate by accident.”
Bel shook his head. “It’s too far-fetched.”
“So is the idea that we’re being hunted by a puppy,” Raum said.
Ash snickered. “Maybe they hired this little guy to replace Mist. Watch out, guys, the new Hunter is coming for us.”
Bel was grinding his teeth, but it was obvious he knew the others had a point. “He’ll need training to learn to hold his Earth form. The hellhound form is his natural state.”
“Would regular people even be able to see him like that?” Eva asked, referring to the naturally occurring glamor that hid the supernatural world from those without the Sight. When presented with a demon in demon form or some other supernatural entity like an angel or vampire, most humans would either see nothing out of the ordinary, or their minds would devise a logical explanation for whatever they had witnessed.
Blood-born witches like Iris, Lily, and Suyin were born with the Sight. Witch practitioners, like most of the members of the Montreal coven, had to train their minds to see what was really out there. With enough exposure and practice, eventually anyone could develop their Sight.
“Not at first glance, no,” Belial admitted, looking angrier by the second. “But it won’t stop him from eating everything in his sight.”
“So basically, I have to give him the most rigorous training a puppy has ever seen,” Iris said, already feeling overwhelmed.
“No,” Belial snapped, “you have to send him back to Hell.”
The idea was abhorrent. She’d only just gotten him. She didn’t even want a dog; it was the last thing she needed right now. Yet she’d already become attached to him somehow. He’d turned up on her doorstep, after all.
“But who would take him?” Lily asked. “We can’t just abandon him.”
All the demons instantly looked at Belial. Bel looked between them. “No.”
The pointed looks continued. Bel’s nostrils flared. “I saidno, damn it.”
“You’re the only one with reliable contacts in Hell,” Ash said. “If you want to get rid of him, that’s the best way.”
“I still say we just open a gate and toss him through.”
“And I still say no,” Raum replied. “If you won’t take care of it, I’ll just keep him here and find a way to make it work.”
“No.” Belial pointed at him. “You are not adopting a hellhound. And speaking of things we’re not doing, what did I say about bringing that damn cat into my house, Eva?”
The damn cat in question was still purring at Raum’s feet, ignoring everyone else.
“He misses Raum if I don’t bring him up here,” Eva replied, seemingly unfazed by the murderous glare the seven-foot-tall blond was pinning her with. “At least he’s not howling at you guys anymore. Raum makes him feel safe.”
Belial’s jaw clenched. Raum looked smug.
“Maybe Eligos and Natalie could take the puppy?” Lily suggested. “They have a big property with lots of room to run, and I already know Natalie takes in stray gargoyles.”
Iris had heard all about Lily’s road trip to the Gaspé to make friends with more demons. Apparently, Eligos and his human girlfriend, Natalie, had declared their intentions to visit Montreal and catch up with the crew here, but they’d decided to wait until summer when the weather cleared up.
Belial was still glaring at the dog. “I still think—”
“We’re not tossing him through a hellgate,” Raum said, “so shut up about that.”
Ash held up a hand when Bel looked ready to attack. “How about Raum takes him for now, just while we find somewhere he can live permanently?”
“I told you,” Bel snapped, “I don’t want a fucking dog—”
“I’ll take him,” Iris said quickly. “I found him, so he’s my responsibility. I’ll just have to figure out a way to train him.” The idea was daunting. She looked at Raum. “But I can’t keep him with me all the time. Maybe you could take him when I have to work and stuff? Dog-sitting or whatever?”
“No,” Belial snapped.
