Bonds of Hercules (Villains of Lore, #2)(72)

My husbands shared a long-suffering look. Kharon nodded at Augustus and their shoulders pulled back like they’d come to a silent decision.

They weren’t the only ones.

Clearing my throat, I gathered my courage. “I think we should—”

Fluffy Jr. let out a loud whine of distress, then collapsed to the floor at the foot of the bed. His eyes rolled back as his body twitched.

I fell to my knees beside him, trying to figure out what was wrong.

Fluffy Jr. stopped convulsing, but he panted, and his neck hung limply, like he couldn’t find the strength to lift it.

The hellhounds sniffed at Fluffy Jr., then backed away warily, while Poco patted his head gently.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked as I ran my hands over my protector, searching for injuries. Kharon and Augustus knelt beside me. “It must be all the excitement …”

The lump on the middle of Fluffy Jr.’s spine quivered beneath my touch like something was moving under his skin.

I pointed at it.

Augustus grimaced. “It’s probably … a tumor.”

My heart twisted, shattering inside my chest. “No—there has to be another explanation. What else could cause this?”

Augustus shook his head, pity written on his face. “Alexis, that’s probably what it is.”

“What else is there?” I snarled.

Augustus stayed silent.

I shook his shoulder. “Tell me—I know you’ve read a lot. What else is there? What other options?”

“I don’t want to give you hope.” Augustus closed his eyes, features harsh in the crimson lighting. “There is another option, but it’s a long shot and most likely doesn’t apply to this—”

“Tell me.”

“Molting,” Augustus said, like it was self-explanatory, and Kharon visibly startled at the word.

Augustus rubbed at his stubble. “It only happens in certain rare beasts … It doesn’t make any sense.”

I hit his arm, desperate for something. “Explain.”

“Certain types of beasts—usually larger, more powerful breeds—have extra appendages.”

We both studied my protector, who was half pressed against the wall, barely fitting into the narrow space at the end of the bed.

“He’s built large,” I whispered.

Augustus winced. “Molting body parts consume a lot of energy to maintain, so they don’t fully develop on the beasts until after puberty. But it’s only certain beasts.” He frowned, his scar pulling tight. “They only occur in Griffins, sphinxes, three-headed dogs, unicorns, and Pegasuses.”

Fluffy Jr. let out a horrible, pained whine.

“Well—” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to his muzzle. “Which one do you think he is?”

“Alexis, he’s clearly not any of those creatures.”

“No.” I shook my head. “He could be—I know it.”

“Look at him.” Augustus gestured at his furry head. “I can’t even tell if he’s a dog or a horse.”

“He’s probably just a mix of the two.”

Kharon looked at me with sympathy.

“Mixed beasts are extremely rare,” Augustus said, “and when they do survive birth, they’re practically … feral … characterized by extremely low intelligence and hostile tendencies.”

“He eats sticks,” I pointed out. “He chokes on them. He’s never been bright—it’s actually something I’ve been noticing and—”

“That’s not what this is,” Kharon said quietly, and from his tone, he thought I was delusional.

“You don’t know that,” I said, anger rising. “He’s my protector—I understand him better than either of you. I’m telling you, something’s happening. He’s changing. He must be molting.”

Kharon ground his teeth. “You need to accept that it’s most likely a tumor. These things happen with beasts all the time.”

“I don’t need to accept anything.” A wave of calm washed over me. “He’s going to be fine. I know it.”

Tears blurred my eyes, but I blinked them away. I would not cry because he was going to be okay. There was no other option.

Fluffy Jr. sighed heavily, eyes closed as he slept.

He looked peaceful.

Poco stroked his ears and Nyx slid off my arm, an indent parting Fluffy Jr.’s fur as she slithered around his neck. She would never admit it, but I knew she had a soft spot for him.

Inside my chest, my protector bond still strummed. It was slightly tinged with pain, but for the most part it was strong.

Fluffy Jr. will be alright.

Toxic fear drained out of me, leaving nothing but exhaustion.

I climbed to my feet, full of hope.

Everything will work out.

I was going to ensure it.

I took a deep breath and regained my composure as I looked around at our extremely tight sleeping quarters. This won’t do.

Turning, I faced my husbands head on. “Since we’re all stuck here, I’ll sleep in the bathtub.”

They both froze.

“Excuse … me?” Kharon asked acerbically. Augustus arched a dark eyebrow, his Chthonic eyes glowing.

“I’ll sleep in the bathtub,” I repeated with conviction.