Chapter 16

Killer Poodles Prevent Us From Entering A Restaurant

The poodles paced back and forth, blocking the entrance to the restaurant. They were smoky black with fluffy fur and bright red eyes. I looked around, but couldn't find a way to get past the sea of dogs. The poodles were simply everywhere.

"This is going to be a problem," Raven stated.

Spindler took out his shiny bronze sword. A look of determination swept across his face.

"Please tell us your plan before you execute it, Spindler," I said.

"I'm going to see if I can make my way through the crowd. If anything goes wrong, I have this," he said, gesturing to his sword.

Spindler jumped over one of the poodles. He wove his way through the crowd, fending off the poodles with his sword. It was a game of hopscotch for Spindler, just a little more dangerous.

One of the poodles lunged towards Spindler. Spindler attempted to push it away with his sword, but it was hopeless. Two other dogs followed the first one and tackled Spindler. Spindler tried to fight back, but it was no use. The first poodle bit Spindler. Spindler blinked, and when he opened his eyes, they were the same shade of red as the dogs'.

Poodles crowded around Spindler. Raven rushed over to help him, but the poodles began attacking her too. The poodles had no trouble knocking Raven to the ground. Raven's eyes turned red like the poodles'.

I stood in the middle of the parking lot, unsure what to do. Should I try to help them? I wondered. I still wasn't quite sure what had happened to them. I simply stood there, watching both Spindler and Raven rise to their feet. They ran towards me with the army of poodles.took out his bronze sword and pointed it towards me. Instinctively, I pulled out my wand.

"Surrender or die," Spindler said.

"Spindler?" I asked, confused. "What are you doing?"

"Surrender or die," Spindler repeated. He thrust his sword towards me, but missed.

Spindler must be possessed by those demonic poodles, I realized. I pointed my wand towards Spindler just as he prepared for another blow. Purple sparks came flying out of the wand. A few hit Spindler, and his eyes turned back to blue.

"What...just...happened?" Spindler stammered. It was the first time I had seen him at a loss for words since I had met him.

I didn't have time to answer. Raven was heading towards us and I noticed her fangs poking out of her mouth. The poodles were following her. Spindler fended off the dogs with his sword. Several already lay dead on the ground. As Spindler kept fighting, I felt Raven's long black nails dig into my skin. I reached for my wand and used it to push her away. Raven stumbled backwards. I waved my wand and sparks came flying out again. Raven's eyes returned to their typical brown. Meanwhile, enough of the demon-dogs ran away upon seeing Spindler's sword again that we could get by.

I walked across the parking lot and opened the door to the Yang Yang Chinese Restaurant. Spindler, Raven, and Theodore quickly followed.

"Nice job out there, Avery," Spindler said.

"Thanks," I said, smiling.

We stepped into the restaurant. This was where we were going to find the Azurro. It was in reach now. We just had to find it.