Hell Hounds

Chapter 48: Briefing a Little Late

Ian sat with the others, listening to the various groups of people talking about their lacklustre patrols.

Hal and Jaxon sat with him. They ate while making small talk. The twins’ expression told him. They’d

something they needed to discuss with him in private. Though there was no space for that. More

people entered the conference room. Dragons, by the clothing they wore, along with serious

expressions.

Gregory followed them in. He stepped to the table’s head. The dragon leader to his left and the Fianna

hunter to his right. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? Thank you. I know you

are all tired. We have news for you. It’s not great. But it’s news.”

“While you were out patrolling this realm. Others within the Dream Realm discovered a barguest. The

last word we’ve received they are attempting to follow it. We’ve got a bunk room set up down the hall.

Please try to get some proper sleep now. We don’t know when or if we’ll need of your services. Before

anyone goes off and believes because they can’t enter the Dream Realm, this precludes them, it

doesn’t. These creatures can exit the Dream Realm at will, anywhere. If you believe you are alone,

don’t. You’re lying to yourself. That means. No one is alone from now on.”

Faces looked about the room. Voices mingled in a low rumble. Everyone struggled to make sense of it

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“I’m sorry. Especially to the newly mated. I have good news to report. Many factions have agreed to

return. The merfolk have agreed to return to act as backup support for transporting supplies and

providing medical support.”

Mario leaned between Hal and Ian. His words quiet as he expanded this announcement. “Think

mermaids, sea going shifters. They make great scouts. All the water in the area. It acts like highways

for them. Merfolk also have an affinity for making great medics. Or guards for the medics. Their faction

has an aversion to attacking anyone. Though they will defend and protect.” Jaxon nodded

appreciatively at the explanation.

“The Vampire and Druid Factions are also returning. This means we’ll have a full house again. By now

we’re accustomed to it. I expect everyone to be on their best behaviour. We’re the hosts. Talks will also

begin on building a permanent plan for future events, such as these. This means your reports must

include all the issues you have with your involvement. Your ability to function. Improvements for future

missions. We need your input.” Gregory took a breath. “The last reported location of the barguest was

the old Colton graveyard. It headed northwest. The creature is the size of three to four shifter wolves. It

also has magic that allows it to send its victim into a state of terror. It’s always hungry, and its favourite

meal is fresh meat. Preferably human or humanoid. Iron weapons will affect it. We’re waiting now on

our enforcer, who is tracking the creature to find their location. Best-case scenario they can return with

rough numbers, too. Questions?” Gregory looked for raised hands.

Ian put his hand up. “Who’s tracking the thing?”

“We have a group in there currently. Yes, before you ask, Yolanda is leading them. Ragnar, the dragon

ambassador, and leader, will speak now. After, Llewellyn will update about the evidence.

Ian wasn’t paying attention after that. Yolanda’s tracking the fae thing. He wanted to be there with her.

By her side. He wanted to have her back. Ian couldn’t believe this. Now, he understood how wives of

terrorist teams and hostage negotiators felt. He sat here twiddling his thumbs. While Yolanda was

stalked monsters.

The Dragon shifter leader stepped forward. Ragnar cleared his voice to ensure he’d have everyone’s

attention. Ian’s mind clashed with images from the actors of the television show, Vikings. But he was

listening. “We will send teams into the Dream Realm to form re-enforcements in case they are needed.

Time is of the essence. The re-enforcements will include dragon enforcers. We are at war now.

Whether we want it. Or not. So, when from now on. Humans will space out throughout the community

once they are here.”

Ian now assumed he meant the Fianna. So they were considered human. Mario leaned in again and

gave his commentary. “The Fae will expect only the supernatural creatures they created. When they

were driven out, we avoided most humans. The Fianna were humans that hunted us. The magic they

will use on the general population of shifters won’t affect humans. The twins too as they are human/fae

combination.”

Hal and Ian nodded glad to know why and not wasting others time explaining it to them. Ragnar

continued to talk. Explaining known Fae attacks. Creature strengths and weaknesses. As he spoke a

woman wandered between the teams handing out documents. When Ian received his, it was what

Ragnar was saying, along with images of the Fae detailed in the notes. Many were nightmarish in

appearance. Claws, teeth, fur mixed with scales. Then there were the delicately beautiful. There were

warnings with every creature. The warnings were about their devious natures. Each creature appeared

more dangerous then the next.

“Shifters will be expected to protect those in the physical realm. Fill in spaces in hunting parties. Mages

will be our portal keepers. Remember there’ll be a lot of traffic. It will be a target. The merfolk will again

be our runners, protectors, and assistants to the medics. If one needs help you step in. If one of your

people are charmed or enslaved. Try to contain them. Killing our people is our last resort. If you think

you saw horrors on the fields with the Lich in control. He was a beginner compared to him. This is

entertainment for them. Questions?”

What was going on with Yolanda? She’d been in there for hours. Ian’s education on Fae didn’t ease his

mind. She was in a dangerous position. He just wanted to be there. Keep her back protected. This was

killing him a little inside. He raised his hands. “Do we have any idea when we’ll next hear from the

current hunting party?”

“Right now we have people waiting and listening for the hunters news. There are Fae that can hear

thought communication within the Dream Realm. Since, we don’t know whether they have one in their

group. We are taking things carefully. The hunters know to keep a low key. You’re one of the new

human mates I was informed about?”

“Yes. I’m afraid I’m mostly in the dark about these things. However, I’m trying my hardest to catch up.”

Jaxon leaned closer to Ian. His hand on Ian’s wrist under the table. His fingers making signs Ian knew

to tell him something Jaxon learned. A finger trailing in circle. The dragon wasn’t happy. Probably,

being forced to interact with a dumb human.