Black Dog(48)

Benedict, who had been sitting very still while his brother argued with the Master, now risked a glance up. “I could go with him, Master.”

Grayson gave the young man a brief smile. “Thank you, Benedict, but no. I want you here.” He transferred his attention to Ezekiel. “And I want you to return from Chicago as quickly as possible.”

“If Vonhausel–” Natividad began.

“Our enemy lost many of his black dogs today,” Grayson said calmly. “I imagine that those who remain will be wondering whether attacking Dimilioc was such a clever idea. Some will certainly slip away into the forest to look for easier hunting elsewhere. Vonhausel himself may want to attack again today or tomorrow, but I believe he’ll discover he must find black dogs to replace his losses, or else he will have to make a good many moon-bound shifters and then wait for the full moon before he can attack.”

“That’s all true,” agreed Miguel.

Grayson’s eyebrows rose at this impudence, but he said nothing. Natividad hoped Miguel was right and Grayson’s analysis was correct. It had better be. If Alejandro was gone, if he and Ezekiel and James Mallory were gone and all those black dogs came again… Her brother had already come home once to find burned rubble and the bones of his kin. Natividad didn’t think he could bear that again. She and Miguel wouldn’t like it very much, either.

“You are finished with your breakfast?” Grayson said to Benedict Mallory. “Good. Go see how the cleanup is coming. Tell Harrison I want to see him. Then you may help Ethan with any little chores that may remain. Zachariah, if you would be so kind as to take Miguel into town and buy him a real gun. Whatever he wants.”

“Half a dozen rifles,” said Miguel, adding hurriedly when Grayson turned his head and lifted one heavy eyebrow, “Please, sir. Maybe a dozen, if that’s alright?”

The Master surveyed him. “You plan to break them? Lose them? Designate each for a particular day of the week?”

“Well,” Miguel said cautiously, “Any human can handle a gun loaded with silver. Those two human women James is supposed to bring? And there’s Natividad, sir. She isn’t as good as I am, but she does know how to shoot.”

Grayson said, “How reassuring.”

The Master’s dry tone evidently reminded Miguel of the obvious fact that not every Dimilioc black wolf would wish to put silver-loaded guns into human hands. He said quickly, “You should make use of us; you know you should, especially right now when you’re so hard-pressed. Human allies are something Vonhausel won’t have, isn’t that right? Not if his black dogs are so violent and shadow-driven, they won’t tolerate humans, will they? Or if they do they’ll kill them too quickly to use them properly–”

Grayson held up a hand, stopping this urgent flood of persuasion. He said to Zachariah, “A dozen rifles. Let the boy choose them.”

Zachariah nodded. “If you’re certain.”

“Certain of the necessity,” said Grayson.

Benedict started to speak, stopped. Grayson looked at him. “Nothing, sir,” muttered the younger black wolf, dropping his gaze.

“Good. You may help Ethan, but first I want you to get on the Internet and order a lot of silver or silver alloy – Miguel, make a list of what you need. Include the proper equipment for casting your own ammunition. You do know how to make ammunition? Good. Go make up that list now.”

The Master shifted his gaze back to Benedict as Miguel pushed back his chair and went out. “Be certain to ask for same-day shipping,” he said to the young black wolf. “I don’t imagine they’ll manage that, but it would be good if they made the attempt. Remember to call the post office in town and tell them to notify us when the parcels arrive.”

“Sir,” Benedict acknowledged.

“I will show you appropriate rooms,” Grayson said to the girls. “Natividad, you may come with me. You are, I trust, capable of working the Beschwichtigend?”

Natividad nodded, trying not to look nervous. The Calming would counter their natural bloodlust to kill the Pure, but it would not actually make the black dog girls like her, she knew. Amira just looked scared, Natividad wasn’t afraid of her, she felt sorry for her – but she was afraid of Keziah. Alejandro laid a supportive hand on Natividad’s shoulder, glaring warningly at Keziah. Amira cringed, but Keziah met Alejandro’s eyes, arched an elegant eyebrow, and smiled faintly.

Ezekiel stood, a smooth movement that somehow implied menace. He said to Grayson, “You intend to give them the brown suite? I’ll show them where it is.” It was not exactly a challenge, Natividad thought – but it was not far off. It certainly was not a request.