Free Hunter of the Dark by J A Graham Page A

reaching over to clamp his hand over the naïve little eyes. But he was too late. The scream from the little girl tore into the Canine’s senses, exciting him in unimaginable ways. He almost smirked as the innocence in the girl’s eyes flickered and died. The little tot had seen her first gruesome death of nature versus nature. And with this thought of revenge exacted, the dog grinned toothily, gave them a final goodbye flick of his bushy tail, and melted into the night.
     

Chapter Seventeen
     
    “It was like that dog knew what would destroy Saraya!” Cameron moaned, placing his head in his hands. Tanitha placed an arm around him comfortingly, her mind ringing with the morbid description of the night before. It was true that she thought the dog was more than capable of intelligence. She had seen it in his eyes the night he had pounced on her. And she knew now that that was what had sent Sadie wild. The dog had been uncontrollable, thumping into the side of the wall as if trying to smash her way through, and howling like a banshee. She must have known something was up.
    She sighed; thinking of Cameron’s shaken little sister. Tomorrow she would be bundled off in her parents’ Bluebird. They had blamed Cameron, naturally. Cameron had only wanted to watch his little sister for the weekend, to prove that he was more than capable and to delight in the pleasures of the three-year-old. As it was, Tanitha seemed to be the only comfort to his grief.
    “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was what killed the others.” Cameron said with a shudder. Tanitha silently agreed. She had seen the killer herself and she would of thought him an average dog if not for the eyes. It was the piercing emerald that seemed strangely preternatural. She was certain that this dog was in no way normal. She wondered what Christian would say about all this, then brushed it off, but not before the wave of hurt hit her. He hadn’t called since the ball and she was still smarting over his words. She just couldn’t seem to forget about them. But for now she put them out of her mind. The tears would come later. Right now she needed to be strong for Cameron’s sake.
    “ Whatever can I do?” He wailed desolately. “Tockata was her life. She had been with Saraya since she was born! Sure, she had to die sooner or later. But not now. Not like this.”
    He buried his face in his arms and Tanitha felt sympathy for him. She pulled him close into a hug, securely, to show that she was there. She knew Cameron wasn’t crying, he was too tough for that. She felt sorrow sweep over her as her clinging reminded her of the time she found Christian in a state far worse than this.
    No, she couldn’t think of that. Not now.
    He sighed and she felt him relax. As he grew more comfortable, she grew tenser. When he straightened up and drew his own arms around her, she stood up suddenly.
    “Sorry…I…uh…just need to go for a walk.”
    Cameron blinked but merely nodded silently. A wise choice, Tanitha thought, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to explain herself. She let herself and the dogs out.
    Once out in the forest, she breathed in deeply. The sun sparkled beautifully on the crystalline raindrops rolling along the emerald leaves. It was pretty here, Tanitha always felt herself swimming through a sea of freedom whenever she was exposed to this, nature in its truest form. She broke into a quick jog, glad for the pine breeze lashing her face with the fresh morning tendrils. The crispness woke her up, vigorating and reenergizing her in a way that always astounded her. Sadie bolted off after a rabbit, but Tanitha made no attempt to stop her. She’d be back; she was probably just restless from being pent up. She closed her eyes, listening to the crackle of her bare feet as they pounded along pine needles tossed onto the well-memorized path. She had a feeling, as if the Canine was running behind her, reveling in the wind racing through its fur and the adrenaline