Dave Carver (Book 1): Thicker Than Blood (26 page)

But what really drew the attention were the heads.

Three of them. Growing out of three thick necks, each head was huge with a long snout. Each snout contained a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth and a lolling tongue. Red-hot eyes burned in each canine face.

The three heads moved independently of one another, each one looking at a different Sister.

“By the Art,” Marigold whispered. “What is it? Did we summon it?”

The Professor laughed, a harsh, angry sound. “Please. You could not have the skill to call forth such a magnificent creature.
I
summoned it.”

At that, the enormous three-headed dog whirled to face the Professor, all three heads lowered and teeth bared. She smiled, an evil expression and lifted the chain that was wrapped around her arm.

“Do you see this, dog?” she said. “It took me a long time to find it. It means you belong to me.”

One of the heads barked, a sound less like the dogs of Sage’s youth and more like the threat of a monster.

The Professor laughed again. “But I am not without mercy. You are my pet, but I do need your help. In exchange you may feast. These four are the appetizers.”

What
? Sage’s head spun. Before she had time to work out what exactly the Professor meant, the giant monster pounced. Its front paws landed on Marigold’s chest and she fell to the ground, screaming. One mouth grabbed her by the top of the head, another around her ankles. The two heads pulled apart from each other until…

Marigold was ripped apart.

The contents of Sage’s stomach forced themselves violently free and she vomited all over the ground.

Chyna was running. The dog bounded after her, barking gleefully. The night shook with the sounds. With one massive bite, it tore Chyna apart. She fell to the ground in two separate pieces, ropy tendrils of intestines dangling free.

Amy stood her ground as the monstrous dog advanced on her. She raised her hand, fingers spread wide in a
stop
gesture
. To Sage’s surprise, the dog came to a stop a few yards away from the blond girl. It snarled and snapped at empty air, but it didn’t seem to be able to get any closer. Amy’s blue eyes, full of tears fell on Sage.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. Then, in a flash of pink light, she vanished.

“That one is stronger than I anticipated,” the Professor mused. “We’ll have to deal with her. First you need to finish this one.” She pointed at Sage, still laying in a puddle of her own puke.

“Why are you doing this?” Sage cried as the dog approached.

“It’s like I said, child. Power. It’s all about power.”

All three heads converged on Sage, severing muscle, cracking bones, and puncturing organs. She was still alive when the dog began to eat her. She screamed as she died, the pain was so horrible.

But at least it didn’t last long.

About the Author

Andrew Dudek is the author of the Dave Carver series of urban fantasy novels. Currently he lives with his family in that most terrifying of places: New Jersey. He’s also really not as mentally disturbed as he may seem. Promise.

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Also By Andrew Dudek

Dave Carver Series:

Fist Kill: A Dave Carver Novella

Thicker Than Blood

To The Dogs (Coming Soon)