Monster Pups

7

By the next morning both Cannis and Imp’s wounds had largely healed. Mother had been pleased by their progress and explained that the balm was more potent than she’d hoped. She helped herself to the winter stores, as the pups enjoyed a fresh breakfast of milk. Imp's wing had felt good enough that he hunted a bit. Though he avoided flying and used his shadows to move to and fro. He caught a hare and a few small birds, eating one raw while he was out in the forest. 

When he came back four of the pups were playing in front of the house. They wrestled, chased each other. Sometimes scampering on two legs, other times galloping on all fours before pouncing. He watched from a tree as he plucked the rest of the birds he'd caught. Storing the feathers in a satchel he kept close to his chest. Using the shadows of winter the Imp slipped back into his nest undetected by the pups. 

Sniffing the air, Cannis lifted her short muzzle to the air. Her ears perked up and she stared at the corner. Imp loitered for just a moment before he slinked out of the darkness. 

“Hehe.” He greeted her with a grin and held up a freshly plucked bird. She licked at the air and her tail started to wag. Tossing it, Cannis' jaws snatched it from the air. The bones crunched as the little bird went down her gullet in two bites. 

“Thanks.” She licked her lips.

“You want another? I found a bunch.” 

“Yeah!” 

The pair made a bloody mess as they happily ate their afternoon snack. Imp spent the day with Cannis and she told him all about the humans that had attacked them. Apparently they were paladins from a country to the east of the forest and Roscrest. 

“You came all the way from another kingdom? Why’d you come here?”

“We’re going to live in the cursed lands. It’s for monsters. That’s what mama says.”

“For monsters? Manuel told me to stay away from that direction cause it’s supposed to be dangerous. What's it like?” 

“Mama says it’s dangerous too. But we’re monsters so we’re meant for it. Haven’t you noticed everyone’s afraid of us?” 

“Manuel didn’t seem scared of me though.”

“Who else?” 

“Huh, who else was there besides Manuel?” 

“. . . Are you really going to a human village after winter?” 

Imp didn’t understand Cannis’ concern. But she always sighed and tried to disuade him from going near humans.

The pups’ mother was gone for the day and night. The pups, except for Cannis, threatened to eat Imp, so he fed them from the winter stores. The children settled down after that. By afternoon the next day she still hadn’t returned. 

“She’s left us!” The biggest of the pups, Bruttus growled. “We’re on our own.” 

“She w-wouldn’t, we haven’t gotten to the new place yet.” The second smallest, Maryglade shuddered. 

“Don’t be stupid she was bound to dump us, we’re supposed to leave the nest eventually.” Bruttus growled again.

“You don’t be stupid!” Cannis barked at her big brother. “She found us a nest, and food for winter. Mama’s probably just hunting, or finding a path when spring comes.” 

The rest of the pups were still agitated, so Imp tried cooking the meat that night. And brought out some canned pear juice and dried berries for dessert, which calmed the others down a little. Mother didn’t return until the next night. When she did they were all already asleep. Cannis and Imp were fully healed and had felt well enough to play with the others. Worn out they’d all gone to bed after a hearty meal without a fuss or worry.

~~~

“Why don’t you come with us?” Mother asked one night while the pups nursed. “The lands of man are no place for a demon.” She brushed his hair, smoothed his feathers, and straightened the nightgown he’d borrowed from one of the kids dressers. She seemed to adore dressing him in clothes and lamented that her children were too wild for clothing to endure. She’d managed to dress one once, only for the outfit to be shredded to bits the moment they started playing with the others. Imp shuddered at the memory of trying to play with the pups himself and realizing he was not durable enough to rough house with the mutant wolves. 

“I’ll come after I get Manuel and the kids back.” Imp nodded and nuzzled into mothers side. She cooed and gave him some gentle pats. 

“It’s dangerous to travel to such a place alone.” She pointed out. “And human villages are even more dangerous for a little Imp.” 

“I’ll disguise myself.” Imp reassured her confidently. “Look what I can do now!” 

Since he couldn’t rough house with the pups he’d found other ways to play with them. And he’d found fun ways to surprise and trick them. Shadows enveloped his form and in his place was a large Raven, with black eyes, cocking its head, and strutting around, showing off its form. The shadows melted off Imp and he beamed up at mother.

“I can do a bear too! I bet I can pretend to be human too!” He closed his eyes, and the shadows drained from him. more so colors seem to stain him. Revealing bronzed skin like Manuels, soft brown eyes, and dark brown hair a sharp contrast from his regular gray. 

“Wow!” Cannis clapped looking up from the nest. “You really do look human!” 

“Still,” Mother didn’t offer much praise. “It’s good you can change your appearance so. I’m sure it’ll be helpful, but it won’t be much help if you can’t disguise these.” She stroked his wings still protruding from his back. 

But Imp giggled and shook himself out, the shadows blotting out the color he’d added to his form. 

“I’ll figure that part out later. It’s still winter right? How much longer until spring is here?” He asked, looking up at Mother’s stoic face. 

“We’ve still got months until this snow thaws.”