Our space was substantially larger, missing a few walls, and I hoped lacked the additional architectural feature of magic ice. We had the same hallway which led back to the sleeping quarters. In our space, we also had the conference room, and the additional door that led to Uncle Dex’s room, which was best left unopened.
There was ice everywhere. In the background, I could hear the sound of distant wind blowing.
“That sound. Is that—?”
“Cecelia, yes. That sound would be the location of the source we need.”
“A question,” I said, looking around. “The ice, is everywhere on the floor at this point, does this mean our place is currently a winter wonderland?”
“No,” Monty said, stepping farther into the space. “Cecelia is powerful, but the defenses on our space are considerably stronger.”
“That’s reassuring,” I said. “I’d hate to have all my things frozen.”
“This isn’t typical ice,” Monty said, looking around a corner. “Once it’s dispelled, no water will be left behind.”
“Do you know a dry ice dispelling rune that can handle that?”
“Let me clarify,” Monty said. “Once Cecelia dispels the ice, there will be no water residue.”
“You can’t do it?”
“No. Remember, we want to keep the building intact. If I attempt to remove this ice, it can result in a collapse, with us inside of it.”
“In that case, we’d better let her do it, then,” I said. “Do you think she will listen?”
“Hard to tell. It depends on how deep into this shift she is.”
“I’d say she’s in pretty deep,” I said, taking in the surrounding ice. “Can you sense where she is?”
“No need,” Monty answered and pointed to a closed door. “Over there.”
“I’ll take the runically enhanced ice storm behind door number one,” I said, staying back just in case the door flew off its hinges. “That doesn’t look good.”
I realized the temperature had dropped when our exhalations formed little clouds that quickly crystallized into ice, falling to the floor. The door was forcibly vibrating, and the sound of the wind had increased from stiff breeze to approaching hurricane.
Lying still in front of the door was Rags, Cece’s guardian. I focused on Rags’ body first, dreading the worst, until I saw her flank slowly rise and fall with each breath. Around her, ice and blue energy swirled as the intensity of the wind rose and fell. Frost was slowly forming on and around her body.
“It’s worse than I thought,” Monty muttered under his breath. “We need containment.”
“I’m guessing the gale of destruction is the source of the ice?”
“Yes and no,” Monty said over the whine of wind. “Cecelia is the source; the storm raging around her is an expression of her shift.”
“I’m not going to enjoy the next words you’re going to say, am I?”
“We need to open that door.”
“I was right. We need to move her guardian first.”
“Agreed. Her guardian needs assistance,” Monty said over the rising whine of wind. “Have your creature take her outside. She can’t help in that state. I’ll begin the cast to get us inside.”
Peaches let out a low rumble finishing with a soft whine.
<Boy, can you take—?>
<Yes!>
<You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.>
<You want me to take the cold girl’s guardian outside. I can.>
<I keep forgetting you can understand me.>
<I’m a hellhound. My level of understanding is elevators.>
<You mean elevated.>
<Can I use my saliva to heal her? She looks hurt.>
<Let’s hold off on the magic drool for now. We don’t know why she’s in that state. Your saliva might make things worse.>
<My saliva can never make things worse. It has healing properties.>
<Once we know it’s safe, you can use your saliva and drool on her. Until then, wait.>
<She’s waiting for me to rescue her.>
<Don’t think so, boy. I suggest not starting your next conversation by explaining how you came to her rescue.>
<Why not?>
<Trust me on this one. Powerful vampires—I mean, powerful females don’t need to be rescued.>
<Should I start my conversation with meat? Everyone loves meat. I’m sure she likes meat.>
<Maybe just let her know you helped her keep the cold girl safe. She is a guardian, after all. She’d probably like that.>
<That makes sense. Not as good as meat, but good. Can I get her now?>
<Don’t get too close to the door, and take her outside.>
<Can I have extra meat at the place once I rescue her?>
<You’re asking now?>
<Frank says I need to do things for a living wage. He says I need to form an onion.>
<Frank needs to keep his radical ideas to himself. Once we’re done with this situation, you and I are heading downtown to have a word with that lizard.>
<Dragon. Frank is a dragon.>
<Frank is going to be extinct when I finish with him.>
<Can I form an onion?>
<He meant union, and no, you can’t form a union of one hellhound. Are you going to keep Rags waiting?>
<No, but meat is important.>
<I know. Meat is life. I’ll make sure to speak to Ezra once we get to the place.>
<Thank you. Frank says negotiations under a dress are the best kind.>
<It’s duress, and that’s what Frank is going to feel when I see him. Once you get near her, blink out.>
<What do my eyes have to do with walking in-between?>
<That’s what I call—never mind, go take her outside. Now, boy.>
Peaches padded down the hallway to where Rags lay. If the wind was affecting him, he gave no indication. It wasn’t until he was closer, that I saw him square his body and dig into the ice covered floor to stop from slipping.
His massive paws dropped an inch into the ice as he fought the energy of the wind with each step. He gently placed a paw on Rags’ side as the runes along his flanks blazed with red energy.
With a low bark that shook some of
