Page 51 of The Mating Claim

Instead of the cheerful terrier mongrel she’d rescued from the streets, she faced a dog with the head of a German Shepherd… and the body of a Chihuahua. A cartoon dog whose tongue lolled out of its giant head and cheerfully wagged its tinytail.

Lacey sank to her knees, moaning. Her rescued pet was now a crazy creation ofmagick.

The dog came over and licked her face and wagged its tail, as if Lucky tried to cheer her up. Lucky sat down, attempted to lick his hindquarters and as a result, fellover.

Then he released a pitifulhowl.

“I’m so sorry.” She stroked the dog’s head. “I’ll find a way to fixthis.”

How the hell could she have been that stupid? Drust was right. The first rule of magick was respect the power. Majorfail.

Luckywhimpered.

Oh damn. “I’m sorry, boy. I’ll find a way to turn youback.”

Lucky stumbled around, his giant head bowed down from the weight of carrying it on a body meant for a much smallerdog.

You’ve created an abomination. Admit your mistake and fix it,dolt.

Swallowing her pride and fear, she looked upward. “Drust! I need yourhelp!”

“I’m here.” The calmness in his voice settled her rattled nerves a little. The wizard’s gaze fell on the dog, who looked up and woofed. His face fell as he crouched down to pet thedog.

“Can you put him back the way he was, Drust? And then scold me later for screwing up and using that doublingspell?”

Something flickered in his gaze. “You never did learn how to masterspells.”

Confused, she shook her head. “I’ve never recited one beforethis.”

Then he blinked, as if realizing what he said. Drust scowled. “He looks ridiculous and his body cannot bear the weight of hishead.”

“I don’t get it, I mean the spell was to increase what was already there. How could it act on him likethis?”

“Spells like that increase what is the smallest factor and make it larger. He must have some German Shepherd and Chihuahua in him for it tohappen.”

“Please, can you fix it? I mean, you’re the Coldfire Wizard.” Her lower lip wobbled. “He’s just a dog and this wasn’t hisfault.”

Drust drew in a deep breath. “Stand back. All the wayback.”

Lacey scampered for the doorway, her body tight. “Please don’t hurthim…”

The wizard stretched out his arms and blue fire flickered on his palms. He murmured something and flicked his hands atLucky.

The dog glowed bright blue as if electrified. She bit her lip. What if it did notwork?

Peering out between her splayed fingers, she saw her dog had returned to his normal, happy, tail-wagging self. Lucky woofed and raced up to her as she dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into hisfur.

“Give him something to eat, now that he is whole again,” Drustadvised.

“Thank you.” She wanted to hug Drust aswell,

But as she headed for the cabinet holding the dog food, a soft pop of air and a howl warned her something was terriblywrong.

Lacey dropped the dog bowl. Lucky had turned back into the monstrosity once more. Only this time he had the head of a Chihuahua and the body of a German Shepherd. He barked, more of ayip.

“Drust,” she whispered. “Whathappened?”

The wizard grimly shook his head. “I shall have to call upon one with more wisdom than myself in dealing withthis.