Free Tangling With Topper by Donna McDonald Page B

twin flashes of red ran across the path in front of them.
    “Look—it’s the jaguar’s dogs. Get them!” Topper exclaimed.
    She started running after them, only to see Stark pass her as his long legs raced ahead. He was like some sleek animal himself, all muscle and speed, and exhibiting a strength she found astounding. She slowed to a walk after a minute, promising herself she was going to start using that freaking treadmill Lacey had given her when she’d turned fifty. Apparently, the occasional safari or white water river rafting jaunt hadn’t helped her stay in great physical health.
    Between Alfred’s house and his neighbor’s, there was an alleyway. She caught up with Stark there. He had both of the giant mastiffs gripped behind their necks and dangling in front of him. Those dogs had to weigh over a hundred fifty pounds each, yet Stark held them like they were mere puppies. How freaking strong was he? No wonder she was sore all over.
    “Wow. You got them,” Topper said, unable to stop herself from stating the obvious.
    Stark chuckled. “They were a lot easier to catch than the thetta bears on Glacier, and are much lighter to carry. Look on their stomachs. Do you see a dakkari attached there? I can’t let go to check properly.”
    Stark lifted them high and dangled both whimpering dogs in front of her. Topper dipped her head slightly and searched their undersides. Sure enough, there was a good size dakkari attached to each animal. All four limbs and most of the face was now buried beneath the fur and not visible anymore.
    Topper turned away and stepped back, covering her mouth to give herself a moment. She took a couple deep breaths to fight her stomach’s reaction, then turned back to Stark.
    “Sorry. I got a bit queasy there for a second. Normally, I zap things that make me feel like this. They’re there. Did we get to the dogs in time to save them?”
    Stark lowered one dog to the ground while lifting the other. He turned it toward him as best he could. He studied what was left visible of the dakkari.
    “We might be able to save the host creature, but there will be some damage to the animal after we disconnect them. The level of damage depends on how deeply the dakkari has gone into the creature’s vital organs.”
    Topper winced at the grossness, but nodded. “Okay. More than I ever wanted to know, but I guess that can’t be helped. So the beeberg must be nearby, right?”
    Stark tightened his grip on both animals, looked around, and nodded. “Yes. We need someplace to secure these two. If possible, we need to keep them nearby so the beeberg doesn’t get concerned. She will know if we take them too far away.”
    Topper held up a finger. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”
    She transported herself and landed with a flash in front of Theo’s desk. Purple sparks of magic flooded the air and had both her and Theo coughing.
    “I’m nervous. Sorry, Theo,” Topper said in apology, waving a hand.
    “Damn it, Topper. One day you’re going to scare me into roasting you.”
    She wanted to laugh at Theo’s complaining, but there was no time. “Call Malcolm and tell him to bring the containment van to the alleyway next to Alfred’s house.”
    Theo’s brow wrinkled. “You mean the one we had made to hold first time shifters?”
    “Yes—that one,” Topper confirmed with a nod. “We found both dogs and two of the missing dakkari are on them. We still have to look for the beeberg. Stark says we need to keep the dogs close at hand until we find her.”
    “Okay. I’m on it,” Theo said, picking up the phone.
    Topper lifted a hand and when she lowered it, she was back in front of Stark. “A containment van will be here in two minutes. Can you hold them that long?”
    Stark’s eyes twinkled. “Yes. They will not struggle much because they know it could mean their death. I am what on your planet would be called an apex predator—probably the highest form here outside of Frost. I