Book Eight: Chapter 79

Mike pulled the key to the gate out of his pocket and slid it into the padlock. Usually Cerberus hung around the backyard, but the hellhound often got bored and would go back to their usual hunting grounds. Once the gate was open, he stepped through and waited for Suly to follow before locking it from the other side. There was a loud thud from the opposite side of the gate as Abella landed nearby.

“See you in a bit,” said Mike as he passed the key through to her.

Abella grinned at him and folded her wings around her body. “I’ll be waiting,” she said.

Mike moved along the wall and found a small stack of hiking sticks. He picked one out and turned to hand it to Suly, but the dullahan waved him off.

“No use fer it,” he said. “Mah feet dinna tire, and my balance is on point.”

“Suit yourself.” Mike took a couple of practice swings with the stick. “I use it mainly for smacking demons. Small ones, anyway.”

“Yer not afraid of the bigger ones?”

Mike