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against. The strega I just spoke with said it
might be a leviathan—an evil, magical creature from another realm
that cannot be killed, only contained. I have some specialist help
coming—eventually—to try to banish it, but for now, we need some
strong magical protections around the cove to try to prevent more
attacks on land.”
    “More? This has happened before?”
    “Not quite as dramatically,” John replied,
smiling a bit. “But yeah. Tina Baker was accosted a while back by a
smaller version of what came after you just now. It reached out of
the water and twined around her leg. Zak went bear on its ass and
ripped the tentacle off. We sent it off for analysis, but we kept a
chunk on ice, if you want to see it.”
    Ursula made a face. “That’s probably more my
sister’s domain, but we should both probably take a look.”
    “Why would your sister be more interested?”
John asked, surprised.
    “Oh.” She blinked a few times. “Yeah, well,
we’re all a little…uh…individual in our talents. I’m better at
spoken or chanted spellwork. Mellie does potions. She could
probably use a little bit of that frozen piece of yuck to work up a
counter-spell. I’m your girl for casting wards. In fact, I plan to
start as soon as I recover. That thing isn’t getting its suckers
near anyone else on my watch.” She sounded determined, which John
respected.
    “How about we start tomorrow?”
    “We?” She sent him a narrow-eyed look.
    “I’d like to be present. We know this thing
goes after magic. I didn’t get a chance to tell you yet, but the
master vampire of Seattle washed up on our shore a little bit ago.
The thing that went after you chomped on his yacht and killed his
crew. He was really messed up when he got here, but Zak saved
him.”
    “Zak again?” She chuckled wryly. “Seems the
deputy gets around. And here I thought he was the little guy in
this crowd.”
    “Never judge a bear by his size. Zak may not
be a grizzly, but he’s got a heart as big as the world and the guts
to match.” John believed every word. He’d seen Zak outfight bigger
guys and outshoot every man in his battalion. Zak was a dangerous
man to underestimate.
    Ursula nodded. “Understood. But you don’t
have to defend him to me. I’ve been a fan of the deputy’s since he
welcomed us to the town and asked if we’d be able to find him a
first edition of the Silmarillion. The man has discerning tastes.
Mellie’s been green with jealousy that Tina got to him first.”
    John laughed outright at that.
    “So you want to watch me work?” she asked,
shooting him a sideways grin. “I don’t mind, I guess. And to be
honest, I’d be happy to have backup in case this thing is more than
I can handle.”
    He saw it then—the real terror that must have
filled her as she ran from the monster. John followed his instincts
and leaned against the desk, by her side. He put one arm around her
shoulders and gathered her close. He felt the fine tremor that
hadn’t left her body and realized she was still feeling the
reaction high of running for her life.
    “I’ll guard you with my life, Ursula. It’ll
have to go through me if it wants you, and that won’t happen
easily.”
    “I don’t want you to get hurt either, John,”
she whispered, turning toward him.
    He couldn’t resist. He gathered her into his
arms, hugging her tight against his chest.
    “Ssh. It’ll be okay. There’s nothing that can
touch us if we work together, right? Your magic, my claws. We’ll be
okay.”
    “You promise?” The small whisper floated up
to him as he stroked his hand down her back, trying to offer what
comfort he could.
    “You have my word,” he replied in a gentle
voice.
    Little by little, her shaking stopped as she
calmed under his touch. Her head fit nicely under his chin, and her
warm, curvy body seemed like it was made for his arms.
    A dangerous thought.
    “You okay now?” he asked, feeling the
intimacy of the moment curling around him. It was a