Page 55 of Demon Unleashed

20

Zoltan had hoped they’d have more time, but the discovery of the dead demon meant he had to improvise. Unfortunately, he had no idea where in the meeting room Enya was hiding out. He could only trust her instincts and hope she’d make herself known to him by touch as soon as she could.

“Everybody to your stations!” he said, wanting to clear the meeting cave as quickly as possible. “Alert your men and assemble search parties. Comb through every inch of the Underworld! I want her found!”

While the lieutenants rushed out, Yannick came toward Zoltan. “What about the vortex circles? What if she tries to hitch a ride with another demon?”

Zoltan growled. “Well, since you still haven’t found a way of shutting down the vortexes temporarily, you’ll have to double the defenses. And warn everybody as to what she may be trying to do! Now go!”

While doubling the guards at the vortex circles would make an escape somewhat harder, he had no choice but to order such a measure. Anything less and Yannick would smell a rat.

Finally, everybody was leaving the room, everybody but Silvana and her pit bull.

“I shall remain at your side,” she announced. “Together with Baby.” She petted the dog’s head.

Figured that she’d name one of the most vicious dogs in her kennel Baby. But no way was Silvana staying by his side. “I’ll take the dog myself. You’re needed with the other dogs. If anybody can find the prisoner, it’s you. I’m counting on you.”

“But, oh Great One, you need protection.”

“Baby here will protect me. Now go. That’s an order!” he said.

Finally, she bowed her head, handed the dog’s leash over to him, and left the room. He watched her hurry down the corridor then disappear into a side tunnel, before he turned around and walked away from the open door to a spot where he and the dog couldn’t be seen from the corridor.

“Enya?” he murmured.

Almost immediately, he felt a hand on his back, then a breath at his ear. “What are you gonna do about the dog?”

Already, the animal was growling, smelling Enya, despite the shirt with Zoltan’s scent.

“Don’t worry about the dog,” he said. “All dogs down here are trained to listen to my command.” He looked at the dog. “Sit, Baby, sit.” The dog followed the command. “Down.” The pit bull lay down completely. “See?”

“Good. But we’re not taking the dog with us.”

“We have to, at least until we get to a vortex circle. If we run into Silvana and she sees me without the dog, she’ll become suspicious.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Enya said. “She won’t see you. I’m taking no chances. We’re getting out of here invisibly. Leave the dog here.”

The dog growled again.

“See, he doesn’t like me,” Enya said.

“That’s not it. He believes I’m in danger, because he can smell and hear you. He won’t leave my side now. Protecting me overrides any commands I can give.”

“Then drug him.”

“Sorry, I’m out of the sausage.”

“Fuck!” Enya cursed.

“Just walk on my other side, and if somebody comes toward us, walk behind me and put your hand on my hip so I know you’re there.”

“Fine.”

Judging by her tone, Enya was less than pleased about the turn of events, but Zoltan knew it was the best way. Marching through the tunnels and encountering other dogs would mean drawing attention if he and Enya were invisible. If he remained visible, the dogs would simply acknowledge him and pass, and with some luck, his scent and footfalls would drown out Enya’s.

“Let’s go.” He held out his free hand and felt Enya clasp it. It was still an odd feeling to touch somebody who was invisible, but he could get used to this.

“Come,” he ordered the dog, and started walking.