Fall Into Darkness by Valerie Twombly

gone when he returned. He would have to find another way. His gaze landed on an ax leaning against a woodpile. It would have to do.
    He slunk forward and grabbed the handle. “Hey, you piece of shit.”
    The beast swung its head, red eyes bore into him, and it snarled.
    “Yeah, I’m talking to you. Come pick on someone more your size.”
    The hound stepped over its prey and stalked closer; its nose raised in the air. “Hunter, you have lost your wings,” it replied in a throaty growl.
    “Don’t concern yourself with my body parts. I’d be more worried about losing your head if I were you.” He wielded the ax through the air to drive his point home.
    The beast tossed its head back and snorted. “I shall enjoy feasting on you, angel.”
    “Like hell.” Eli didn’t relish battling with the demon. The hound was at least six feet long if not more, and its head came to his waist. One big mother that wouldn’t go down quietly. Without his wings, he’d have to be quick on his feet.
    He lunged, but the hound swerved right and vanished. Shit. Eli tried to do the same only to discover they had not only taken his wings and dagger, but also some of his powers. “Fucking evil bitches,” he snarled under his breath. He would have to rely on his keen sense. At least he still had that going for him.
    He scented the beast behind him, spun, and swung the ax, making contact with only air. “Come face me, beast to man, you chicken shit.”
    From out of nowhere, the hound lunged, knocking Eli off his feet. The ax skated across the icy tundra. The beast reappeared on top of him. Red eyes pierced his soul, and fangs sank deep into his shoulder. He should have felt the pain, but he was too pissed off.
    He threw a right punch into the side of the hound’s head, loosening the beast’s grip on his shoulder. He kicked up his right foot and swung his leg over the dog’s back then pushed off with his left to roll the beast beneath him. He swung again, his fist making contact with the hounds left eye.
    “Subdue, motherfucker.”
    “Never,” the hound growled and sank its teeth into Eli’s fist.
    Eli clenched his jaw through the pain as he ripped his flesh across sharp fangs. Blood dripped everywhere, both his and the beast’s. He’d had enough of this game and grabbed the dog’s muzzle with both hands and twisted. The beast whined as its vertebrae popped, yet it continued to struggle. Eli found one last surge of strength and finished snapping its neck.
    He leaned back, gasping for air. Every muscle ached, but his job wasn’t done. The hound would only be down a short time before it healed. The head needed to be severed. He scanned the area and spotted the ax. Pushing to his feet, he swayed, shook the dots out of his vision, and walked to where the weapon lay. When he bent to retrieve it, he had to put his hand out against a nearby tree to keep from falling. He glanced over at the girl and noted the rise and fall of her chest. He grabbed the ax, walked back to where the hound lay, and in one swing removed its head. The body turned to ash and blew away with the wind.
    Dropping the weapon, he moved back to the girl and fell to his knees beside her.
    “Shit.”
    Her hair was matted with blood and there appeared to be a wound on her left thigh. Even in the darkness, he could see how pale her skin was. He assumed the cabin at the edge of the clearing belonged to her and she was alone. As much ruckus as the fighting made, any other humans nearby would have shown themselves. He gently scooped her into his arms and trudged through the snow toward the house.
    With a swift kick, he had the back door open and found a kitchen on the other side. Before he stepped in, he scanned for any other life and found none. Walking through the doorway, he strode into the living area, and spotted a hall. He walked down and stuck his head in the first doorway he came to.
    Bingo.
    He crossed the threshold and laid her on the bed. Looking around, he spied a