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took a deep breath. " Maybe it will follow his lead."
     
    "What the hell?" Ronin muttered, keeping a wary eye on the dog as he stepped inside. She had a second one she hadn't mentioned? Why? "I don't have time for this."
     
    "Yes. I know. But a mistake at this stage could be fatal."
     
    At the word 'fatal,' Ronin's hand instinctively went to the gun at the small of his back.
     
    The dog erupted into a growl that had Ronin bolting backwards. "Damn it."
     
    "What did you do?" Roman yelled. "Ronin?"
     
    "I reached for the gun. Apparently he didn't like that." Talk about an understatement.
     
    "Shay's here. She says you have to put the gun away. He'll attack if you try to use it."
     
    God! Ronin briefly closed his eyes to consider the problem, then said helplessly. "You don't understand. I have to help Tabitha."
     
    "Ronin? This is Shay here," her worried voice came on the phone. "I do understand. But you also have to understand something else. This house, these animals are her support system. They are the guardians of Tabitha's soul, possibly in ways she doesn't even understand."
     
    "That's just crazy." Frustration and anger hurtled through him. "Why did Stefan call me to help her? How the hell am I going to do that if I can't get in there?"
     
    "He called you because you are part of Tabitha's support system," Shay explained, "and she needs all of us right now."
     
    "Support system?" What the hell did that mean? Whatever. "Get me inside."
     
    "You have to convince Tripod to let you inside."
     
    Right. "This isn't a damn dog; this thing is the size of a young grizzly bear." In the distance he could make out vehicles but not the sound of sirens yet. "And the ambulance should be almost here. I need to do something." As he studied the dog, he added. "Maybe that's why Stefan told me to come. I can call animal welfare—"
     
    No . Stefan's' objection ripped though Ronin's mind. You can't. Tripod and Tango keep Tabitha grounded...connected. If you knock either into unconsciousness or, worse, kill them, we risk her losing that connection. Lose that and we could lose her.
     
    "Shit. This is crazy." He stared around helplessly. "So what do I do?"
     
    Make friends with Tripod. You need to show him your energy in a calm way, Stefan continued . The dog doesn't care so much about the gun at your back but about the shift in your energy when you reached for your gun.
     
    Ronin groaned and let his hand fall away. He stepped quietly forward to stand in front of the dog, then crouched slightly until he was eye level with the massive head.
     
    "If this thing bites my head off..."
     
    We'll bury you with all the pomp and ceremony you deserve... said Stefan drily.
     
    "Ass," Ronin muttered half-heartedly. He'd already turned his focus on the dog.
     
    The gaze that stared back at him was almost more than human. There was no artifice there. Only fear. And anger. Someone he loved was hurt. And that Ronin could understand. The dog wanted its owner to stand up. To have its life back to normal.
     
    And he wanted it in a bad way.
     
    Close your eyes and talk to him. When your eyes are open, your conscious mind interferes with what's possible. I know you calmed several irate animals over your career.
     
    Ronin was often able to soothe a dog that had been hurt or was angry or injured. But not always. "Yeah, normally dogs respond well to me."
     
    And animals respond to the capable, calm, almost soothing nature of your energy. But right now, you're worried and the dog is worried. So you're rubbing up against each other's fear, increasing it, instead of easing it. Tabitha talks to Tripod all the time. That's what he's looking for from you.
     
    Shit. Tripod. I'm here to help. Ronin closed his eyes and spoke to the dog mentally . Tabitha is in trouble and I need to get to her. She's hurting in a bad way.
     
    A rumble washed over him. Ronin frowned and repeated his statement. The rumble deepened. Ronin swore he could see the dog's