Guardian_The Sanyare Chronicles Companion Novella by Megan Haskell

Author:Megan Haskell [Haskell, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trabuco Ridge Press
Published: 2018-06-18T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

A low growl reverberated through Judith’s bones as she touched down in the sand outside of the Hollows. Cerberus’ offspring—she couldn’t remember this one’s name—clearly wasn’t fond of visitors.

“Hush now,” Judith murmured to the three-headed beast. “I’m here to speak with the sisters.”

The dog didn’t quiet.

“Una and Nashota are inside. You’ve given them access to your charges. I only wish to speak with them.”

Lips pulled back to reveal three sets of slathering fangs. Judith would prefer not to be mauled.

“Una! Nashota!” Judith called into the cavern entrance. The dog snapped its teeth at her. Was it female or male? Irrelevant. “Una! I need to speak with you!”

The sister souls wafted from the caverns in a slow trickle. The beast let them pass without question. Who had trained the thing? It didn’t seem like its priorities were correct.

“You’ve returned.” Una said.

“She only just realized we never told her what happened to the shepherd,” Nashota replied.

“Who attacked her?” Judith asked.

“Come inside with us. Meet the souls Asher has condemned to an eternity of darkness.”

“They’re going to think I hurt her. I saved her. Tell me what happened.”

“Or what?” Nashota demanded. “You’ll pull your sword from its sheath? Send us to the nothing like the rest of the souls who attempted to breach the veil?”

“Of course not!” Judith cried. She hated the death of a soul. It burned her to her core. If she could, she would leave her sword at home each day, but the truth was, circumstances sometimes called for it. Like the Wasteland path. “The sword is a tool. Not a threat.”

“Tell that to the rest of your kind,” Nashota replied.

“She’s unlike the others,” Una smiled. “She listened to the voice of the souls, and she asks us for help now. Come,” she held out a hand to Judith in invitation. “See the truth for yourself.”

Una drifted back toward the cavern, her sister close behind. As soon as Judith rose from her seat, the hellhound growled again.

“I don’t think he’ll let me pass,” Judith said, lifting her hands in a show of peace.

“Shh.” Una passed a hand along the dog’s fur. The dog closed all four of its eyes in obvious pleasure. One of the tongues lolled out the side of its mouth.

Judith’s jaw dropped. “How did you do that? He shouldn’t succumb to the touch of a soul like that. He’s supposed to be keeping them contained.”

Una grinned over her shoulder. “She is a peaceful creature. She knows the truth and her purpose. And she knows we’re here to help those we can. She won’t harm you, now. You’re with us.”

The dog’s left head dropped to rest on its paws, while the right scratched its ear. Her ear. Obvious, now.

Sliding past the three-headed dog, Judith kept her hands raised in surrender. Ten eyes gazed at her in amusement.

“Not a dog person?” Nashota asked.

“Never had a pet of any kind. Never wanted one, if I’m honest.”

A series of disapproving growls rolled around the cave. Pulling her attention away from

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