Jude stared at him. “A litter?”
Mack made the mistake of meeting Jude’s gaze. He was not attracted to fancy-boot-wearing witches. That was a lie and had been from the moment he’d first noticed Jude, before he’d known Jude was a witch, but he wanted it to be true so he could blame everything he felt on the magic. His heart beat a little faster, and he wanted to get up and sit on the sofa. He wasn’t used to swimming in attraction. Usually what happened didn’t extend beyond the night, or less. The casual conversation they were having about magic and shifting was unnerving yet liberating. He’d never been able to share even a tenth of this with anyone outside of his family.
If he moved, he could read the screen, and it would be quicker than having Jude relay him information. He should move. But he didn’t trust himself. He’d have happily shared his shower with Jude if he’d had hands not paws. Mack leaned back in the armchair. He was not getting any closer. “They could be a breeding pair, picking up where they left off when they scared off the residents of North.”
Jude paled. “Does that mean they already have babies, or is one of them pregnant?”
“I didn’t get close enough to do a medical exam. How about I call the vet to check them out?” Except the vet had fled. She’d known what the creature was.
“I haven’t read anything about babies, or mating habits.” Jude returned his attention to the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard at a speed Mack couldn’t hope to match even with fingers. Jude scowled at the screen. “There’s nothing here about baby aufhockers.”
“Are you on the dark coven site?” The hairs on his arms lifted.
“Yes, and the Coven database, too. There’s actually more than one dark—”
Mack held up his hand and tilted his head. There was someone outside. Or something. Jude started to crackle. Electricity danced over his skin and flared in his eyes. God, it was beautiful. And painful. Mack wouldn’t make the mistake of getting too close when Jude was like that again. Without a sound, Mack got up and moved toward the front door. Fortunately, it was locked. Jude must have done it while Mack had been busy thinking about his paws.
The scent of sulfur and death and rotting meat seeped under the door. He’d never forget the smell of aufhocker as long as he lived. Somehow those things had tracked them. He’d brought the creatures through town to his place. Fear like ice slid through his veins.
Claws tapped on the wooden porch as the creature paced. The faintest sound that human ears wouldn’t notice. The creature, or was it both, knew they were in the house. Mack twitched the curtain to peek out. An animal the size of a medium dog, but as black as coal, was out there. It didn’t even look that terrifying. Then it turned, and the glowing yellow eyes landed directly on Mack.
The shadows around the aufhocker swelled, and it grew and grew until it was the size of a small horse. Its mouth opened, revealing sharp teeth for biting the throat of the victim. The jaw was a massive vise that could crush bones and shoulders and would have no trouble battering through the solid wood of the front door. The aufhocker stepped up close to the glass.
Blue fire flashed in front of the window, and the creature danced back, shrinking with every pace. The other one appeared beside it, then they became lost in the night. The blue fire didn’t vanish.
“I thought it might be a good idea to stop it before it broke in.”
“Yeah. Though that’ll be hard to explain to the neighbors.” Mack pointed at the blue fire.
“Only if your neighbors aren’t human. It’s a protection circle. I’ll leave it up until morning.”
“I know what it is.” He could feel it on his skin, sealing them in.
His neighbors were human, as human as they came. A family with five kids and an elderly couple on the other side. Were they all inside and safe?
They’d brought the aufhockers here. How would he explain them to the neighbors? Stray dogs? That was all he really could say, and he’d only say that if they mentioned it first, or should he warn them to stay in because he’d seen some strays? He didn’t want the kids getting hurt. Jude and Mack would have to lead the aufhockers away. If the creatures wanted them, they could set a trap.
Jude’s hand traced up Mack’s back. Mack closed his eyes, aching to turn into the caress. If one of them died while hunting these creatures, the other would die. The bond didn’t break with death. That warning had been burned into his brain. Did Jude realize the seriousness of what they were playing with?
“We should eat and get some rest.” Jude was so close, all Mack had to do was take half a step back and they’d be touching. His body thrummed with adrenaline and tension.
“I’m not hungry.” He should eat after shifting, but the scent of the aufhocker was still in his nose, and fear kept his stomach tight. He turned to face Jude. As much as he wanted to close the gap and kiss him, he couldn’t. It had been foolish to do anything. “The guest bedroom is down the hallway. The bathroom is opposite, but there’s no shower. So if you want one, you’ll have to come upstairs.” He glanced up. He was such a coward.
Jude regarded him with a cool stare. He took that half a step, so they were chest to chest, but
