BLOOD MOON

T W E N T Y - T H R E E

ZEPHYR

I woke up with a raging headache, foggy brain, and a throbbing cheek. 

I laid back on my couch...

My couch...?

Why the hell was I on my couch?

A memory tried to break through my hazy brain but for some reason, my stupid brain wouldn't compute it. 

I groaned, clasping my hands in front of my eyes. 

A wet nose touched my side, where my shirt rode up. 

I peeked through my clasped fingers and smiled. 

"Hi Shadow" I said, rubbing my Hellhound's head "Where have you been?" 

He nuzzled my ribs again and I smiled as his fiery fur licked my skin, the flames tickling my side. 

He rose to his full height and look back towards the door where I saw a smaller, and female, Hellhound gazing at us. 

I raised an eyebrow and Shadow nipped my skin playfully. 

My hound, the size of a panther with the bulk of a lion, sat down next to me and growled for the female. 

She took a hesitant step in and sniffed my floor rug, her obsidian eyes shining with curiosity. 

"Oooh..." I chuckled, wincing when a sharp pain went through my head "Someone has a girlfriend." 

My hound snarled, fire dripping from his mouth and scorching my carpet.

I just patted his head as the female hound took a weary step in front of us. 

I held my hand out and she took a hesitant sniff. 

When she deemed I wasn't a threat, she crept up next to Shadow and curled her body against his. 

I raised an eyebrow and puffed out his chest proudly. 

"What's her name?" I murmured softly as the pain in my head became more prominent. 

I put my hand on his head and he used his limited knowledge of language to communicate one word with me. 

"Midnight." 

"Pretty." 

Shadow barked in agreement. 

"Shadow, I need you to do me a favor" I murmured to him as one particular gut wrenching memory came back to me.