Sorceress Rising (A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale Book 2) by Lisa Blackwood Page A

blinked
rapidly until her vision cleared. More barking pierced the air, closer this
time. Too close.
    When she could
trust her legs to keep her upright, she returned to Gregory’s side. She ran a
gentle hand down his dark mane.
    “Gregory, I
think those are sniffer dogs. We’re about to get uniformed visitors.” Lillian
forced herself to take one step away, not liking how she was about to leave him
at what could be a very vulnerable time, but seeing no other choice. “Stay,
take the time you need to finish the spell. I’ll delay our company.”
    Magic brushed
against her skin and in the touch she felt Gregory, his thoughts sharp with
alertness, but not undo concern. “Be careful, my love. I scent no evil in
the humans coming near, but I sense they are well schooled in the weapons of
this world and smell of anticipation and a touch of fear. Never a good
combination.”
    “Guess I better
be careful not to surprise them then.”
    After one last
glance in Gregory’s direction, she started back the way they had come. The dogs
were closer now, the tone of their cries fiercer. In the distance lights
flickered through the dense undergrowth. Lillian began to run, wanting as much
distance between the newcomers and her gargoyle as possible.
    As her long-legged
strides closed the distance, Lillian realized she had reacted with her usual
rashness and absolutely no plan. Out this deep in the forest, with darkness
falling, she needed an ironclad explanation, and she imagined anything as
mundane as a simple walk would be sure to flag whatever investigator would be
accompanying the dogs. No one was stupid enough to wander the forest at night,
at least not without good reason, a strong flashlight, and a backpack—or a
campsite nearby.
    “I have none of
the above. And no wits to save myself, either,” Lillian muttered to herself in
disgust.
    “No great
lady, you may not have yet gained wisdom in this life. But that is why you have
allies.” A dower voice invaded her thoughts. And
accompanying it, the pooka trotted out of the darkness between two trees. “You
have two groups of humans converging on your location.”
    “Which one of
the Fates did I piss off to warrant so many?”
    The pooka
snorted as he came alongside her shoulder. A sunny yellow halter encircled the
pony’s head, the color a near match for his bright yellow otherworldly
eyes—though there was nothing sunny in his expression. A lead was clicked to
the halter. The pooka held the excess clamped firmly in his teeth. With a shake
of his head, he tossed the lead at her. “Take it. And try to look like you
know how to lead a horse. When the humans arrive you will say a predator
spooked your horses and you followed our trail into the forest.”
    “Would a horse
bolt into a dark forest where who knows what predator could be waiting in the
shadows for its next snack?”
    The pooka
chuckled. “No, but when they find us and assume their dogs have been trailing
me and the One-Horned Fool over all this distance, they will be so disgusted
with themselves and the dogs, they will call off the hunt.”
    Being within
touching distance of the pooka was not always the best place to be, but once
again she found herself grateful to the evil-tempered beast. Following his instructions,
she took the lead he offered and looped it around her hand, then glanced in the
direction of the lights.
    “What part of
‘look like you know what you’re doing’ didn’t you understand? Don’t loop it
around your hand—do you want me to drag you around? And stand on my left.”
    Lillian juggled
the lead rope, and then situated herself at the pooka’s shoulder, still
fighting to untangle the rope.
    “Left! My
other left. Hurry!”
    Lillian grumbled
and switched sides. She didn’t have long to wait. Two excited dogs, their
handlers only a few feet behind them, burst from between the trees. Retina-searing
light flashed directly into her face, blinding her for several vital seconds.
She raised