Page 93 of Made

Keir looked at the chain and nodded. “Can’t be denied. The chain may be partly iron, but there’d have to be some magic in the mix.”

“So, the only thing we know is that we don’t know what we’re dealin’ with.” He looked at the flames. “These torches look permanently affixed. Shall we see if we can lift the chain?”

It took both lions to raise a length of chain high enough to make contact with one of the torches.

“Wait!” said Keir. “We need some protection for hands because the metal is a heat conductor. The part of the chain we’ll be holding will be hot as Hades.”

“There was a time I would’ve laughed. But what I’m sensin’ when I get near the cave mouth is cold and damp, brother. Saints.”

“In that case, maybe Britain is hel.”

Killian thought it couldn’t hurt to make a final try to dissuade Keir. So, ignoring his last comment, he said, “You sureabout this? I’m thinkin’ persons such as ourselves would have to be mental to get on the wrong side of Hades.”

“I hear you. But look at it this way. Hades got on the wrong side of you.” He glanced at Exscruffenrox. “All of us really.”

Killian cocked his head at Keir. “Do no’ let powerful friends go to your head, Enforcer.”

Keir shrugged and said, “Okay. Let’s take off our shirts and wrap the sleeves around our hands.”

“Aye. We could do that. Or…”

“Or what?”

“Tryin’ to think back on what was said about no’ shiftin’ while here.”

“She said our ability to shift into lion form would be restricted.”

“Right. Thing is, ‘restricted’ is no’ a hard no. It’s a partial no.”

Keir looked from Killian to Exscruffenrox to the chain and back again. “What’s your point?”

Killian smiled. “The pads on our paws will take a lot more heat than skin can.” Keir looked at his hand, palm up. “A lotmore. Matter of fact, I’ve never felt any unpleasant sensation in my paws.”

“What you’re suggesting is a controlled, ah, partial shift? Just… paws?” Killian nodded. “Are you practiced at that? I’m not.”

“Would no’ say ‘practiced’ exactly, but I think we can get close enough to avoid breakin’ rules.”

With a bobble head gesture, Keir said, “You think it can’t hurt to try. I hope you’re right. Kagan would not forgive us if we messed up his chance to get Esme back. All because of fear of a little singe.”

“’Tis no’ logical to be burned for no reason either. If a problem comes to pass, we’ll just say Kagan knew nothin’ of it.”

“Which is the truth.”

“Indeed.” He nodded. “‘Tis.”

“Fine. Tell me this then. How’re we supposed to hold a chain aloft with paws? My paws do no’ work like hands. Daresay yours don’t either.”

“’Tis the tricky part. The first thing that happens with hands, when you begin a shift, is pads formin’ on fingers and palms.”

“Really?” Keir looked at his hand again. “I never realized.” He looked at Killian. “You have a lot of time on your hands, don’t you?”

“As you suggested earlier, there’s a reason why whiskey and I are close.”

“Hmmm. So. Tell me how to do it.”

After revealing by demonstration that he’d mastered the skills required to control a partial shift, Killian spent five minutes walking Keir through the steps to mimic the process. After multiple practice attempts, Keir finally got pads on his fingers, puffs sticking up behind his ears, and a significantly broadened muzzle complemented by signs of peach fuzz. The hard part was trying to get enough thick padding to form on his hands to repel the heat and stop before reaching the point of no opposable thumbs. After all, prehensile appendages would be required to lift and hold the chain.

Killian couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much as watching Keir try to control his shift. At one point, Killian thought he even caught Exscruffenrox trying to hide silent laughter, which wasn’t entirely successful since the monster had three heads, but only two paws.