The Shadow Howlers

Eros sat at his desk feeling lost. He didn’t like knowing Selena was somewhere he couldn’t protect her, and Psyche’s evil sisters were trying to kill her. He had to do something to help her. He hoped to protect Selena, end the sisters, and get Psyche back. What could he do without going to Selena’s realm himself? Andrew was there, but his power was limited. He needed someone with fighting abilities. That’s when he had an idea.

“Helios, can you come and see me please?” He mindlinked the god of the sun. He was among the few who could travel between their realm and Earth.

“On my way,” Eros smiled as he sat back in his chair. He knew Helios would jump at the chance to help. He was often underrated because he was the god of the sun, and people assumed that meant he didn’t have much to do. Helios appeared in his office, smiling. The power of magic meant the gods and goddesses could teleport just about anywhere they wanted. As you would expect, the god of the sun has a golden tan with pale blonde hair and amber eyes.

“I have a favor to ask. My daughter Selena is in trouble on Earth. She’s mated to King Zaiden, but he alone is not strong enough to protect her from what’s coming for her. Andrew is there, and he’s asked for help from a few people from the underworld. Would you mind going to Earth to help them? Psyche’s sisters are trying to kill my daughter, and they’re keeping Psyche locked away. Selena can live freely once the sisters are gone, and Psyche can return to me. I’m begging you as a friend.” Eros doesn’t beg for anything, but he would get on his knees and plead with Helios if it would help his family.

“I would love to. Are you able to let them know I’m coming?” Helios asked. He loved going to Earth. The people there didn’t know he was a god but knew he was different, so they made him feel special.

“I’ll mindlink Andrew so he can tell the others. Be careful. You know Aglaura and Cidippe are ruthless when people get in their way.” Eros said.

“Yes, I know. Unfortunately, I have been on their shit list in the past. I will arrive at the palace in the morning. Thank you for considering me.” Helios left, and Eros mindlinked Andrew.

“Andrew, can you hear me?” He asked.

“Yes,” Andrew replied.

“Helios is coming to Earth to help. He’ll be there in the morning. How are things?” Andrew laid back on the bed and smiled. He was grateful for all the help they could get.

“Selena is going to put everyone to sleep, and Nyx is going to scan for anyone who may be working with the sisters. Someone tried to kill the two women closest to Selena last night.” Eros was furious. How were they getting the people in the palace to do their dirty work?

“I’m glad Nyx and Hermes are there. Helios will hopefully be an added benefit. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do from here.” Eros would be happy when this nightmare was over. He could only imagine what Selena and the others were going through.

“I will keep you posted. Thanks, Eros.” Andrew closed the mindlink. He would tell Nyx and Selena while everyone else was sleeping. If they were lucky, they might be able to win this battle.

Nyx, Selena, Trisha, and Polly stood downstairs in the foyer. Selena was preparing to put everyone to sleep so Nyx could scan them.

“You’re sure Trisha and I won’t go to sleep?” Polly asked. They were so excited to be part of something big. Nyx smiled.

“Hold my hand, and you’ll be fine. Go ahead, Selena.” She loved the little pups and their eagerness to fight whatever was coming. The pups took her hands and waited.

Selena closed her eyes and hoped she knew what she was doing. As she pushed her power from her body, she imagined everyone sleeping. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes.

“Okay, everyone should be asleep,” Nyx smiled at the pups.

“Girls, are you ready to find a rat?” she asked them. They both nodded and continued holding her hands as they headed down the first hallway. Nyx could use her powers to move from room to room in seconds, but she didn’t want to disappoint the pups by telling them to wait for her.

They started in the downstairs rooms. Selena followed along more to watch than anything else. The four of them went into each room, and nothing felt off to Nyx. They went to the second floor next and walked in on Hermes and Daphne doing something they wished they hadn’t seen. Luckily Nyx was the first in the room and stopped Trisha and Polly. Selena’s sleeping power didn’t work on Hermes, and now he’d marked Daphne, it didn’t work on her either.

“Is Daphne feeling better?” Polly asked as they headed to the next room. Nyx and Selena looked at each other.

“I think Hermes has made sure she’s all better now,” Nyx replied. Trisha and Polly smiled as they approached the next door. They were glad they had been able to help Daphne.

They opened the door to the room, and Nyx stopped the others from entering. She could feel the darkness immediately.

“Stay here,” she told Selena and the pups. Selena took the girl’s hands, and they all waited. Polly and Trish saw how worried Nyx looked, so they didn’t argue.

Nyx walked into the room, and the dark magic almost felt like it was choking her. The room was pitch black, which was okay because she was the goddess of night and could see no matter how dark it was. The further she got in the room, the colder her blood ran. She took each step carefully, afraid Selena’s magic hadn’t affected whoever was there. When she reached the bed, she saw something under the sheet. Nyx quietly made her way over. Her hands shook as she gripped the sheet.

When she pulled it back, she let out a blood-curdling scream. Where were the person’s head and limbs? All that was there was a torso.