Free bedeviled & beyond 06 - bedeviled & befouled by sam cheever Page A

thought about this for a minute. It might come in handy to have them, but it would also make passage into the Hell dimensions more time consuming. “I don’t think—”
    A horrendous crash sounded in the main part of the office and, in the blink of an eye, everyone in my office was in battle mode.
    Brina and Slayer clutched their swords at the ready, Darma had a ball of energy fizzing in each pale palm, and my father and Myra were exponentially larger, their combined glow of power pulsing against my skin.
    Gerch was already running for the door, his own sword clutched in his fist. I grabbed my knives and took off after him.
    I stopped in the doorway and gave the place a quick scan. I didn’t see anybody in the main part of the office, but it appeared to be raining in the center. Below where the skylight used to be.
    The window was currently lying in a shattered pile on the floor.
    Sorry, mother halfling. My bad.
    I rolled my eyes and turned to the assembly still behind me in my office. “Stand down, everybody. It’s just Glynus.” Walking toward the watery mess in the center of the office greeting area, I craned my head to look up. A huge, elegant snout filled the space. Glynus’ head was tilted so she could fix a bright-turquoise eye on me.
    Why is part of the ceiling lying on the floor, Tadpole?
    I was just trying to see inside but I might have accidently stepped on it.
    She didn’t mean to do it, dragon fighter.
    I smiled. Glynus’ new mate was with her. Hello, Spence.
    Greetings, dragon fighter.
    I shook my head. I’d told the young dragon to call me Astra repeatedly but he insisted on the formal title. Why are you two here?
    I came to help you. You are upset and worried.
    But I didn’t—
    You didn’t guard your emotions, mother halfling. I sensed your turmoil and came right away.
    Sighing, I realized she was right. I had assumed our connection would be broken with the loss of my power. But apparently my borrowed energy was enough to fuel it. I’m fine, Tadpole. You and Spence can go on home.
    You’re not fine and I’m not going home. I clearly heard the new note of haughtiness in her tone. My Tadpole was quickly assuming the mantle of royalty she was destined for.
    I glanced at Slayer. He’d spent a lot time around the dragons and knew their ways much better than I did. I knew he would have heard our telepathic conversation.
    He shrugged. “They might as well come with us, Astra. They could be a big help.”
    When I still hesitated, he added, “She’s not going to take no for an answer anyway. That dragon is more queen than her mother is.”
    I knew he was right. “Shit.”
    Mother halfling, do you still have the swear jar?
    Glynus’ voice warbled with good humor and I smiled. No matter how regal my dragon got, some things would never change. I got rid of the frunkin’ thing, it was sending me to the poorhouse.
    Glynus giggled in my mind.
    “All right, you can come with us,” I shouted up to the hole in the ceiling.
    Snoopy’s coming too.
    I expelled a frustrated breath. You really shouldn’t call him that, Tadpole.
    Spence’s elegant white head showed behind Glynus’ in the opening. I don’t mind, dragon fighter. It’s a term of endearment.
    Let’s see if you still feel that way when your enemies start calling you Snoopy.
    I felt Glynus bristle in my mind. They wouldn’t dare, mother halfling. If they did Snoopy and I would have to kick some major ass.
    I laughed, shaking my head. I’m sure you would. In the meantime, feel like returning to Dialle’s castle in Hell?
    Glynus and I had spent some time there one Christmas, trying to find out how the green dragons were escaping Hell. She’d made some good friends among the greens while she was there.
    I felt her frown in my mind. Of course. What will we be doing there?
    We need to find Dialle and bring him home.
    It would be an honor to serve you, dragon fighter , Spence told me in his usual stoic, careful tone.
    Stop sucking up, Snoopy.