Page 137 of Hoofin’ It

“He climbed the steps to the top as an otter.” I was aware of Ernesto holding his hands apart in a rough estimation of an otter’s size. “He’s about this long when he shifts and cute as a button.”

“A long walk indeed,” Fang Jaihao Yi said. “I will not let you fall, Marian. The darkness only lasts until the top.”

“And it’s entirely possible we’ll walk straight into a fight, especially if O’Conners got within range of your parents’ teeth. They aren’t going to for us if they get a chance to tear into the man who tried to kill their pup—twice, if our speculations are correct.” Ernesto chuckled. “This doesn’t bother me, as I’d rather have two happy lycanthropes than two grumpy ones robbed of the chance to rip their son’s assailant to bits. I’ll be satisfied with Ricci. He’s decent prey.”

“Should we emerge at a canter?” Bai Bao Chen asked. “I do not mind. A nice challenge, taking the steps at a canter.”

Fang Jaihao Yi whinnied. “If we do that, I will take up the rear and come at a respectable, safe walk, as I do not think my rider would appreciate a trip down the spillway, however fun.”

Marian tightened her grip on my hand. “Pass.”

The kirin laughed while I gave Marian’s hand a final squeeze and freed myself so I could pull out my Ruger. “With your wrist in a brace, you’re better off guarding our backs. How’s your aim with your good hand?”

“I’m good. I put in my hours on both, and I’m double qualified. I can guard the rear.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve brought a knife to a gun fight,” I admitted, a little happier than I should’ve been at the idea of taking a knife to a gun fight. Six bullets wouldn’t last long, and I regretted not having extra ammunition with me. I couldn’t remember why I was one bullet short, which bothered me. We both should’ve had a full set of seven.

I hoped the extra bullet helped Marian.

“Have you ever taken a knife to a gun fight?”

“Yeah, every time Dad took me to the range. We played a game. He’d shoot me with blanks, I’d chase him around with a knife. Dad usually won.”

“Usually? Not always?”

“His blanks hurt; not quite empty shells, not rubber, either. Don’t know where he got them, but they were probably magic of some sort. Think of them as paintball rounds from a handgun. Well, I can’t dodge a bullet, but it’s possible to make Dad aim where I’m not. The times I got him before he got me, that’s how I did it. I think after this is over, I’ll have to go for a few rounds at the range to get back in shape.”

Marian laughed. “I’d like to try that.”

“I’ll make you use a practice blade, because I’d like my father to survive to tell the tale.”

“Flirt.”

I smiled. “So, if you can get me close, Bai Bao Chen, I can take care of myself if I run out of ammo.”

“While on my back?”

“You could buck me in the right direction, I suppose. I am happy with either. Dad’s horses are old and tired, but when they could still be ridden, he liked to play another game with me.”

Ernesto snickered. “I can imagine the games a werewolf would play. Toss the puppy?”

“Toss the puppy,” I confirmed. “I’d ride one of the horses. He’d chase us in his hybrid form. Skunk loved it. He was still a stallion then. Since there were no stallions for him to fight, he’d fight with Dad. So I’d ride the horse, Dad would chase the horse, and if I didn’t ride just like Dad wanted, he’d either toss me off or the horse would buck me off.”

Bai Bao Chen pranced beneath me and snorted, tossing her head high. “I may have finally found a rider worth his weight.”

“Please forgive my mare. She gets quite excitable at times, and there is a limited number of humans she actually likes and doesn’t want to eat.”

When would I learn to keep company with beings who didn’t view me as food? Probably never. Oh well. I’d survive—maybe. “What’s your range at a canter?”

“We could start our run now. That would give us time to clear any unwanted company before Fang Jaihao Yi catches up. The barrier and water should mask our hoofbeats. I am the fleetest, so we shall draw fire, Shane Shui Cheng. Do not get shot. I would rather not drink your blood this day.”

“I don’t want to be shot, either. I’ve already been shot, at ground zero of a detonation, and bitten by two vampires. I’ve reached my quota for injuries for at least a year.”

“Ernesto, take the other side of the canal. Quinton, guard my rider’s back. Marian, when you and Fang Jaihao Yi catch up with us, you will be the lookout. Your eyes to the sky. You never know what might come from above, especially since the shedu can fly. They are not the most fearsome of allies the Babylonians have, nor are we, and the shedu do not care for what happens to those who get in their way.”

Chapter Forty-One

Since we didn’t have a real plan, no one could ruin it for us, although the idea of flying blind into battle worried me enough I shifted in the saddle and tensed, preparing for the worst. Bai Bao Chen snorted, pawed the step, and surged forward, hurtling upwards faster than any mere horse could hope to manage.