The giant black feline lifted its head as if in answer.I was trying to wrap my mind around the idea that someone could go from being a flesh and blood man, then to this giant, sleek creature.As Mardichi had turned into the wolf.Back at home, in my village, I’d heard many tales of creature’s that could do such things. Demons that could come to your door in any guise.Or steal the bodies of your loved ones. I wondered if that was what I was witnessing. Demons taking other forms.Is that what Mardichi is? He could alternate so quickly between being ice cold and being laughing and warm, that I was having an impossible time gauging him.And Sebastian, whom I instinctively trusted, had said Mardichi was a far better man then he let on.I already knew he was no mindless barbarian, as I’d first assumed.But this slinky black creature was very real. One look at the flinting gold eyes and I had that same dizzying feeling that I was looking into an eternity, that I’d had when I looked upon Se

They’re shapeshifters. That much was obvious to me now.Not just wolves.Not just a panther.The bird set me down and hopped after me as I stalked toward the towering creatures. Each of which looking as big as a castle as it peered down at me.The red one crooned softly and lowered his head to rest along the sand. He dropped to his belly and awaited my approach.When I drew near enough, I put a palm to each side of that massive, intimidating snout. Peering into nostrils bigger than me as it tipped its nose down enough I could peer into those huge eyes. Recognizing the vivid sky blue the moment I saw them.Mardichi.“What are you?” I asked softly.It huffed and a tendril of smoke rose from a nostril. Smelling acrid.Like eggs kept too long.***“Dragons.” Sebastian appeared from behind him. Thankfully wearing pants and a billowing white shirt.Mardichi put up a clawed paw to block my view of him.To keep me from looking at him.And falling under his bloody spell. I laughed slightly. St

“Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?” I asked them.“Come, Lass.” Mardichi wrapped his large, muscled arm about my shoulders and turned me toward the hut. “Let’s have some ale.”“How about I go to the next house.” Sebastian nodded in that direction. “And see if I can purchase you a real dress.”Mardichi snorted.Clearly not approving that idea.He likes me running about naked.Sebastian was already strolling off in the opposite direction.Mardichi led me inside. “Don’t listen to everything he says.”“He says you can’t keep me?” I asked softly. “Why?”Mardichi opened a cupboard and pulled out a wooden cup. Popping the cork from a strange cask with square markings and pouring himself a glass and then me one.I lifted it and swirled the strange brown liquid. The smell emanating from it was anything but delicious.It may have gone bad. I debated.But Mardichi was already tossing back his head to throw it down in one hearty swig. “Let’s wait for the Lad to get back. He’s a bit mor

Mardichi turned the key in the door and forced it open.Causing the small creatures to scream in fury as he squished one behind the door and dragged it over the tail of another.Mardichi and Sebastian were an explosion of movement. Once the door was thrown open, Sebastian skid out on his knees. Stabbing through the backs of creatures.One tried to leap at Sebastian’s face, but Mardichi caught it by the scruff and dropped it level over his foot which he brought up to send the thing flying into the brush with an audible crunch.I winced as I watched their dangerous movements.They were vicious killing machines. Working through the swarm of black creatures.I was most horrified by the glinting orange eyes staring up at me. Bits of yellow and red coursing through them like a fire was reflected in black eyes. They licked at pointed yellow teeth greedily and seemed fixated on me once they’d spotted me.They divided around Sebastian and began to swarm into the hut.I shrieked and leapt atop

Mardichi did not miss that the demon master implied he was a fool. Something he was more than happy to let lie.“She’s not made for your ilk, Radix.” Mardichi grinned. “I’ll not give her to you. Not now. Not ever. Keep your slimy old hands the hell off her.”Mardichi slid to his feet. “I’ll bid you good day.”Radix leapt to his feet a bit to agilely for his seasoned age. “I wouldn’t harm a pretty hair on her head if you give her to me. If I find her on my own…I’ll let each of my minions have a go at her pretty tail.”Mardichi rounded and descended on the man. Grabbing a fistful of beard in his meaty fist. “Watch what you say to me.” He pointed finger in the man’s ancient face. “Lest I be tempted to rip your bottom jaw from your ugly face.”He gave that beard a purposeful tug.“You wouldn’t dare.” Radix sneered through his pointed teeth. “My minions would come from every corner of this tavern to tear you apart.”“Ah.” Mardichi gestured broadly. “But if you were going to do that, you’d