Page 144 of Hoofin’ It

“Indeed. At least an explanation for this tragedy is readily available; after all, the police did neglect to replace the grate promptly, and everyone in Chicago knows great evils lurk within the city’s vast underbelly, the abyss only fools brave.” Ernesto’s chuckle possessed a sharp edge. “Isn’t it funny how rumors spread? A little bit of mystery, a little bit of darkness, and a few unexplained lights in the deepest shadows spawn the oddest stories—and such delicious fear. Now, that said, there are worse things than Babylonians and kirin lurking in the deep places of the world… but they won’t bother us as long as we don’t bother them. Right, Bai Bao Chen?”

“You’re a terrible being, Ernesto,” the kirin muttered, shaking the blood off her coat. “Up, Shane Shiu Cheng. One more ride, then you can rest to your heart’s content.”

I should’ve known Bai Bao Chen meant to jump from the roof, and only luck kept me in the saddle when she thumped to the ground. As it was, excruciating pain radiated from my broken collarbone, and I slammed my nose into her neck, breaking it a second time. While I cursed and bled all over her, she laughed.

Dad sighed when reached us, grasped the back of my head in a massive paw to hold me still, and set my nose with a jerk. “Don’t break it again.”

“Wasn’t on purpose,” I grumbled, and my voice sounded strange to my ears.

To add insult to injury, Abil Ili stabbed me with one of his hooks, cutting over my broken collarbone and dripping black fluid all over me before he was satisfied with his work. It hurt like hell, but my father and Bai Bao Chen worked together to hold me still until the Babylonian finished his so-called soothing.

I’d have to explain to them torture wasn’t soothing.

Shortly after Abil Ili finished treating my broken collarbone, Marian emerged from Michietti’s with Pierina at her side, and she clapped her hands to her mouth. “Shane! What have you done to yourself? Are you all right?”

“He decided to play with a vampire master and got used as a chew toy,” my father announced, hauling me from Bai Bao Chen’s back, grabbing me by the back of my neck, and dragging me as he had when I’d been little and prone to getting under foot and causing trouble. “He did score full points for his viciousness in eliminating a threat to you, so you shouldn’t punish him too much. Just a little.”

With a shove, he surrendered me to Marian’s custody. Unlike my father, she wrapped her arm around my back and scooted close to me. “I saw O’Conners fall from the roof. He landed on your father. Was that your doing?”

“It was,” I confirmed.

“Good. I was disappointed I didn’t get a chance at him. I can live with my disappointment if you got a few hits in on my behalf.”

Considering I’d killed him for her sake, I was being honest when I nodded.

“However, we’ll be having a long talk about running off without me during a pitched battle.”

“Why don’t you try to impress upon him why it’s dangerous to attack the master of a brood without assistance.” Ernesto patted my shoulder. “If Ricci had been a little wiser about when to go about it, Shane would’ve been turned. I’ve learned a new lesson about this world of ours.”

Marian tightened her hold on me, and I gratefully leaned against her. “What lesson?”

“I’ve seen many great and terrible things, but nothing quite as daunting as a pair of lycanthropes witnessing someone hurting their puppy. I’d heard rumors of what enraged werewolves could do, but I’d underestimated them. Ricci was no minor vampire, and he stood no chance. It was an honor to witness.”

My parents preened, and my father shoved his muzzle in my face and licked me.

I pushed his snout away. “That hurts, Dad.”

“Shouldn’t have broken your nose. I taught you to ride better than that.”

“She jumped from a third story roof!”

“No excuses. I taught you better than that.”

I sighed. No matter what, I couldn’t win. Then again, I couldn’t lose, either. I turned to Marian and rested my brow on her shoulder. “You know what? Forget it. Let’s just go home.”

“What about the cops?” Dad growled.

“If they want to ask me questions, they’ll have to come to Nebraska.” I waited for Marian to relax against me, listening to her laugh softly. I caught her by surprise, and despite my exhaustion, I ducked and tossed her over my shoulder. Fortunately for me, Bai Bao Chen was close by, giving me the perfect chance to dump Marian onto the kirin’s back. “We’re kidnapping her. I have a bet to win. Game?”

The kirin tossed her head and whinnied her laughter. “Always. Yi? We’re leaving. We’re going to some place called Nebraska. Do you think they have cows in Nebraska?”

Bai Bao Chen’s stallion trotted over from deeper within Michietti’s, chortling when he caught sight of Marian sprawled across his mare’s back. “I would not know. How interesting. I would like a cow, too. Do you think they will give us one still alive? Do cows run fast? I hope cows run fast.”

Ernesto sighed and turned to my father. “I’ll take care of things here. Don’t worry. It’s best for everyone if this remains quiet.”

“Come visit. I’ll even let you into the house before you burn to a crisp, vampire.” Dad rose to his full height, grabbed Marian by her waist, and lifted her up, seating her in the saddle. “Boy, I expect you to teach this woman how to sit a horse without embarrassing us all. Get your ass in the saddle and take her home. We’ll be along soon enough, so try not to destroy the house before we’re back.”

Bai Bao Chen spared me from having to vault into the saddle by stretching out her front hooves in a mimicry of a bow. Swinging my leg over the kirin’s back, I slid into place behind Marian, wrapping my arms around her waist and taking a moment to enjoy the feel of her pressed against my chest. “How many pancakes do I have to peel off the ceiling?”