Artwork for podcast The Voice of Dog
“A Shadow Over the Desert” by Rebecca Cascane
29th September 2025 • The Voice of Dog • Rob MacWolf and guests
00:00:00 00:27:28

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Shownotes

A rabbit explorer finds himself at the mercy of a towering goddess that hides in the shadows. But not all is what it seems…

Today’s story is “A Shadow Over the Desert” by Rebecca Cascane, who enjoys writing stories about characters that are larger than life. She is the author of Under A Violet Sky, and you can find more of her stories on her Patreon. You can also find more of her work on FurAffinity.

Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/a-shadow-over-the-desert-by-rebecca-cascane

Transcripts

Speaker:


You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

Speaker:

This

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf,

Speaker:

your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Today’s

Speaker:

story

Speaker:

is “A

Speaker:

Shadow

Speaker:

Over

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Desert”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Rebecca

Speaker:

Cascane,

Speaker:

who

Speaker:

enjoys

Speaker:

writing

Speaker:

stories

Speaker:

about

Speaker:

characters

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

are

Speaker:

larger

Speaker:

than

Speaker:

life.

Speaker:

She

Speaker:

is

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

author

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Under

Speaker:

A

Speaker:

Violet

Speaker:

Sky,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

you

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

find

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

stories

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

Patreon.

Speaker:

You

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

also

Speaker:

find

Speaker:

more

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

her

Speaker:

work

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

FurAffinity.

Please

Speaker:

enjoy


“A

Speaker:

Shadow

Speaker:

Over

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

Desert”

Speaker:

by

Speaker:

Rebecca

Speaker:

Cascane

A

Speaker:

multitude

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

horns

Speaker:

sounded

Speaker:

off,

Speaker:

filling

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

temple

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

a

Speaker:

raucous

Speaker:

fanfare

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

echoed

Speaker:

off

Speaker:

its

Speaker:

marbled

Speaker:

walls

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

towering

Speaker:

pillars.

Speaker:

Aidyn's fear

Speaker:

began

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to spike. His

Speaker:

voice

Speaker:

caught in

Speaker:

his

Speaker:

throat

Speaker:

as

Speaker:

he

Speaker:

struggled

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

scream

Speaker:

for

Speaker:

clemency.

Speaker:

Even

Speaker:

if

Speaker:

he

Speaker:

could

Speaker:

speak,

Speaker:

no

Speaker:

one

Speaker:

would

Speaker:

have

Speaker:

listened.
Three

Speaker:

dozen

Speaker:

worshippers

Speaker:

knelt

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

ground,

Speaker:

half

Speaker:

on

Speaker:

each

Speaker:

side

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

rabbit

Speaker:

sacrifice,

Speaker:

placing

Speaker:

him

Speaker:

square

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

center.

Speaker:

Each

Speaker:

wore

Speaker:

billowing,

Speaker:

luxurious

Speaker:

purple

Speaker:

robes

Speaker:

with

Speaker:

golden

Speaker:

hems

Speaker:

that

Speaker:

concealed

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

forms

Speaker:

from

Speaker:

Aidyn's sight.

Speaker:

They

Speaker:

extended

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

arms

Speaker:

past

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

length

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

their

Speaker:

sleeves,

Speaker:

all

Speaker:

acting

Speaker:

in

tandem:

tandem:

clapping

tandem:

twice,

tandem:

then

tandem:

bowing

tandem:

deep,

tandem:

before

tandem:

rising

tandem:

up

tandem:

to

tandem:

repeat

tandem:

the

tandem:

process

tandem:

again.

tandem:

And

tandem:

again.

tandem:

And

tandem:

again.
The

tandem:

chanting

tandem:

began

tandem:

soon

tandem:

after.

tandem:

Only

tandem:

one

tandem:

spoke

tandem:

at

tandem:

first,

tandem:

but

tandem:

others

tandem:

joined

tandem:

in,

tandem:

adding

tandem:

their

tandem:

voice

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

chorus.
Emersyn.
Hearing

tandem:

that

tandem:

name

tandem:

made

tandem:

Aidyn's

tandem:

white-and-tawny

tandem:

fur

tandem:

stand

tandem:

on

tandem:

end.

tandem:

That

tandem:

trepidation

tandem:

became

tandem:

full-on

tandem:

panic

tandem:

as

tandem:

he

tandem:

heard

tandem:

the

tandem:

first

tandem:

thump,

tandem:

its

tandem:

source

tandem:

hidden

tandem:

by

tandem:

the

tandem:

temple's

tandem:

imposing

tandem:

darkness.
Emersyn. Emersyn.
The thumping

tandem:

grew

tandem:

louder.

tandem:

After

tandem:

the

tandem:

twelfth

tandem:

thump,

tandem:

the

tandem:

shadows

tandem:

seemed

tandem:

to

tandem:

merge

tandem:

into

tandem:

a

tandem:

towering

tandem:

silhouette.

tandem:

That

tandem:

shape

tandem:

grew

tandem:

larger

tandem:

as it

tandem:

continued

tandem:

its

tandem:

approach.
Emersyn. Emersyn. Emersyn.
He saw the

tandem:

shadow's

tandem:

paw

tandem:

emerge

tandem:

first,

tandem:

nails

tandem:

painted

tandem:

a

tandem:

vibrant

tandem:

shade

tandem:

of

tandem:

violet,

tandem:

strapped

tandem:

against

tandem:

an

tandem:

ornate

tandem:

sandal

tandem:

with

tandem:

straps

tandem:

weaved

tandem:

from

tandem:

soft

tandem:

gold.

tandem:

Its

tandem:

pair

tandem:

joined

tandem:

in

tandem:

with a

tandem:

thunderous

tandem:

whump

tandem:

of

tandem:

displaced

tandem:

air,

tandem:

threatening

tandem:

to

tandem:

knock

tandem:

Aidyn off-balance.

tandem:

The

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

swallowed

tandem:

hard,

tandem:

craning

tandem:

his

tandem:

neck

tandem:

as

tandem:

he

tandem:

stared

tandem:

up...and

tandem:

up,

tandem:

until

tandem:

he

tandem:

found

tandem:

himself

tandem:

staring

tandem:

into

tandem:

the

tandem:

beautiful,

tandem:

beguiling

tandem:

silver

tandem:

eyes

tandem:

of

tandem:

a

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

titaness.

tandem:

A

tandem:

set

tandem:

of

tandem:

gleaming

tandem:

fangs

tandem:

brought

tandem:

that

tandem:

fleeting

tandem:

moment

tandem:

of

tandem:

adoration

tandem:

crashing

tandem:

down.

tandem:

Aidyn

tandem:

quickly

tandem:

remembered

tandem:

his

tandem:

place.

tandem:

These

tandem:

would

tandem:

be

tandem:

his

tandem:

last

tandem:

moments;

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

a

tandem:

feast—or

tandem:

a

tandem:

toy—for

tandem:

a

tandem:

goddess.
The

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

loomed

tandem:

above

tandem:

both

tandem:

her

tandem:

chosen

tandem:

sacrifice

tandem:

and

tandem:

her

tandem:

many

tandem:

worshippers,

tandem:

hands

tandem:

square

tandem:

against

tandem:

her

tandem:

shapely

tandem:

hips.

tandem:

Her

tandem:

ebon

tandem:

form

tandem:

stood

tandem:

a

tandem:

hundred

tandem:

feet

tandem:

tall

tandem:

from

tandem:

head

tandem:

to

tandem:

toe;

tandem:

her

tandem:

pointed

tandem:

ears

tandem:

twitched

tandem:

every

tandem:

so

tandem:

often

tandem:

from

tandem:

hearing

tandem:

her

tandem:

fanatics'

tandem:

cries

tandem:

of

tandem:

adoration.

tandem:

Voluptuous

tandem:

curves

tandem:

and

tandem:

a

tandem:

sizable

tandem:

ebon

tandem:

bosom

tandem:

added

tandem:

to

tandem:

her

tandem:

lethal

tandem:

allure,

tandem:

all

tandem:

adorned

tandem:

in

tandem:

gorgeous

tandem:

white

tandem:

lace

tandem:

that

tandem:

flowed

tandem:

off

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

form

tandem:

like

tandem:

rushing

tandem:

water.

tandem:

Long

tandem:

strands

tandem:

of

tandem:

wavy

tandem:

argent

tandem:

hair

tandem:

obscured

tandem:

one

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

silvery

tandem:

irises,

tandem:

adding

tandem:

to

tandem:

her

tandem:

stunning

tandem:

mystique.

tandem:

Aidyn

tandem:

struggled

tandem:

not

tandem:

to

tandem:

stare,

tandem:

if

tandem:

only

tandem:

to

tandem:

shut

tandem:

out

tandem:

the

tandem:

truth

tandem:

of

tandem:

his

tandem:

impending

tandem:

demise.
Emersyn

tandem:

spoke

tandem:

at

tandem:

last,

tandem:

her

tandem:

voice

tandem:

both

tandem:

beguiling

tandem:

and

tandem:

booming. "Leave

tandem:

us."
Each

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

robed

tandem:

followers

tandem:

broke

tandem:

their

tandem:

chants,

tandem:

filing

tandem:

out

tandem:

one

tandem:

after

tandem:

the

tandem:

other,

tandem:

until

tandem:

only

tandem:

he

tandem:

and

tandem:

the

tandem:

goddess

tandem:

remained.
Despite

tandem:

the

tandem:

lavish

tandem:

gown

tandem:

he

tandem:

was

tandem:

made

tandem:

to

tandem:

wear—white

tandem:

on

tandem:

gold,

tandem:

wrists

tandem:

and

tandem:

ankles

tandem:

adorned

tandem:

with

tandem:

golden

tandem:

bracelets

tandem:

and

tandem:

anklets,

tandem:

each

tandem:

studded

tandem:

with

tandem:

amethysts—he

tandem:

felt

tandem:

completely

tandem:

naked

tandem:

and

tandem:

exposed

tandem:

before

tandem:

the

tandem:

giant's

tandem:

watchful

tandem:

eye.

tandem:

She

tandem:

waited

tandem:

until

tandem:

she

tandem:

was

tandem:

certain

tandem:

everyone

tandem:

had

tandem:

left

tandem:

before

tandem:

leaning

tandem:

down

tandem:

on

tandem:

one

tandem:

knee

tandem:

with a

tandem:

heavy

tandem:

thud.

tandem:

A

tandem:

dark,

tandem:

knowing

tandem:

shadow

tandem:

smothered

tandem:

the

tandem:

bound

tandem:

rabbit,

tandem:

her

tandem:

grin

tandem:

widening.
"So,"

tandem:

she

tandem:

started. "You're

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

this

tandem:

year's

tandem:

treat

tandem:

for

tandem:

me,

tandem:

are

tandem:

you?

tandem:

They

tandem:

chose

tandem:

a

tandem:

good

tandem:

one."
Aidyn

tandem:

struggled

tandem:

against

tandem:

his

tandem:

shackles,

tandem:

its

tandem:

chains

tandem:

forcing

tandem:

him

tandem:

to

tandem:

stand

tandem:

upright. "P-please,"

tandem:

he

tandem:

whimpered. "Have...have

tandem:

mercy

tandem:

on

tandem:

me.

tandem:

I...I'm

tandem:

just

tandem:

an

tandem:

explorer!

tandem:

I

tandem:

wasn't

tandem:

meant

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

here!

tandem:

I...I

tandem:

don't

tandem:

want

tandem:

this

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

the

tandem:

end!"
"We

tandem:

can't

tandem:

always

tandem:

choose

tandem:

the

tandem:

paths

tandem:

we

tandem:

take

tandem:

in

tandem:

life,

tandem:

little

tandem:

one,"

tandem:

Emersyn

tandem:

crooned. "My

tandem:

followers

tandem:

only

tandem:

choose

tandem:

those

tandem:

they

tandem:

deem

tandem:

worthy

tandem:

of

tandem:

my

tandem:

attention.

tandem:

And

tandem:

I

tandem:

must

tandem:

say,

tandem:

you

tandem:

are

tandem:

more

tandem:

than

tandem:

worthy."

tandem:

Her

tandem:

hand

tandem:

stretched

tandem:

towards

tandem:

him,

tandem:

a

tandem:

claw

tandem:

tip

tandem:

tracing

tandem:

across

tandem:

Aidyn's

tandem:

body.

tandem:

His

tandem:

breath

tandem:

caught

tandem:

in

tandem:

his

tandem:

throat

tandem:

as the

tandem:

lethal

tandem:

tip

tandem:

danced

tandem:

over

tandem:

his

tandem:

chest

tandem:

and

tandem:

up

tandem:

his

tandem:

chin,

tandem:

forcing him to

tandem:

tilt

tandem:

his

tandem:

head

tandem:

out

tandem:

of

tandem:

reflex.
"But...how? W-what

tandem:

makes

tandem:

me

tandem:

worthy?"

tandem:

he

tandem:

stammered.
"Everyone

tandem:

has

tandem:

worth,

tandem:

little

tandem:

rabbit.

tandem:

Some

tandem:

have

tandem:

profound

tandem:

wisdom;

tandem:

others

tandem:

immense

tandem:

strength.

tandem:

I

tandem:

see

tandem:

beyond

tandem:

that.

tandem:

I

tandem:

see...I...er, I...I

tandem:

see...ugh.

tandem:

Damn

tandem:

it.

tandem:

Line!"
An

tandem:

alarm

tandem:

bell

tandem:

rang

tandem:

out,

tandem:

followed

tandem:

by

tandem:

a

tandem:

surge

tandem:

of

tandem:

collected

tandem:

groans.

tandem:

The

tandem:

leopard

tandem:

director

tandem:

rose

tandem:

up

tandem:

from

tandem:

his

tandem:

chair,

tandem:

shouting

tandem:

into

tandem:

a

tandem:

megaphone

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

flustered

tandem:

jackal.
"It's 'I

tandem:

see

tandem:

the

tandem:

value

tandem:

of

tandem:

your

tandem:

soul,

tandem:

and

tandem:

it's

tandem:

worth

tandem:

more

tandem:

than

tandem:

all

tandem:

the

tandem:

gold in the

tandem:

land!'

tandem:

Didn't

tandem:

you

tandem:

read the script, Dakota?"
Dakota rolled her

tandem:

eyes.

tandem:

She

tandem:

flopped

tandem:

over

tandem:

with

tandem:

a

tandem:

resounding

tandem:

whump

tandem:

next

tandem:

to the

tandem:

lagomorph,

tandem:

catching

tandem:

him

tandem:

off-guard.
"Yes,

tandem:

over

tandem:

a

tandem:

dozen

tandem:

times! I

tandem:

just

tandem:

goofed,

tandem:

that's

tandem:

all!"

tandem:

The

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

moaned

tandem:

out

tandem:

in

tandem:

frustration,

tandem:

sliding

tandem:

back

tandem:

the

tandem:

strands

tandem:

of

tandem:

hair

tandem:

blocking her

tandem:

left

tandem:

eye. "Ugh,

tandem:

can

tandem:

we

tandem:

take

tandem:

a

tandem:

break?

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

scorching

tandem:

here!"
Despite

tandem:

being

tandem:

the

tandem:

one

tandem:

in

tandem:

charge, the

tandem:

jackal's

tandem:

twenty-to-one

tandem:

height

tandem:

ratio

tandem:

made

tandem:

him

tandem:

think

tandem:

twice

tandem:

about

tandem:

turning

tandem:

her

tandem:

request

tandem:

down.

tandem:

The

tandem:

leopard

tandem:

relented. "Fine.

tandem:

Take

tandem:

five,

tandem:

everyone!"
The

tandem:

filming

tandem:

crew

tandem:

broke

tandem:

their

tandem:

formations,

tandem:

heading

tandem:

off

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

break

tandem:

tables

tandem:

to

tandem:

recuperate

tandem:

before

tandem:

the

tandem:

next

tandem:

take.

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

glanced

tandem:

over

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

rabbit,

tandem:

trying

tandem:

to

tandem:

hide

tandem:

her

tandem:

disappointment.
"Sorry,

tandem:

Scott.

tandem:

I

tandem:

read

tandem:

the

tandem:

script,

tandem:

I

tandem:

swear."
"Nah,

tandem:

it's

tandem:

cool,"

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

replied,

tandem:

sliding

tandem:

the

tandem:

prop

tandem:

shackles

tandem:

off

tandem:

his

tandem:

body,

tandem:

his

tandem:

timid

tandem:

voice

tandem:

replaced

tandem:

with a

tandem:

thick

tandem:

Brooklyn

tandem:

accent. "Mr.

tandem:

Rossetter's

tandem:

always

tandem:

had

tandem:

a

tandem:

stick

tandem:

up

tandem:

his

tandem:

ass."
"I

tandem:

heard

tandem:

that,"

tandem:

Rossetter

tandem:

shouted,

tandem:

using his

tandem:

megaphone

tandem:

for

tandem:

emphasis.

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

returned

tandem:

the

tandem:

leopard's magnified

tandem:

shout

tandem:

with

tandem:

a

tandem:

one-finger

tandem:

salute

tandem:

of

tandem:

his

tandem:

own.
"It's

tandem:

why

tandem:

I

tandem:

said

tandem:

it,"

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

replied

tandem:

with

tandem:

bemusement

tandem:

before

tandem:

returning

tandem:

his

tandem:

attention

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

giant

tandem:

actress. "For

tandem:

what

tandem:

it's

tandem:

worth,

tandem:

I

tandem:

think

tandem:

you

tandem:

look

tandem:

hot.

tandem:

Figuratively

tandem:

speaking."
"Well,

tandem:

I

tandem:

am

tandem:

hot,

tandem:

both

tandem:

figuratively

tandem:

and

tandem:

literally.

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

gonna

tandem:

get

tandem:

some

tandem:

fresh

tandem:

air.

tandem:

You

tandem:

wanna

tandem:

come

tandem:

with?"
Scott

tandem:

flashed

tandem:

Dakota a

tandem:

grin. "Like

tandem:

you'd

tandem:

let

tandem:

me

tandem:

say

tandem:

no."
Dakota

tandem:

smirked. "Being

tandem:

a 'goddess'

tandem:

has

tandem:

its

tandem:

perks.

tandem:

Hop

tandem:

on."

tandem:

She

tandem:

lowered

tandem:

her

tandem:

hand,

tandem:

allowing

tandem:

him

tandem:

to

tandem:

climb

tandem:

on

tandem:

top.

tandem:

She

tandem:

rose

tandem:

back

tandem:

up

tandem:

slowly

tandem:

to

tandem:

minimize

tandem:

giving

tandem:

him

tandem:

a

tandem:

sudden

tandem:

case

tandem:

of

tandem:

vertigo,

tandem:

before

tandem:

carrying

tandem:

him

tandem:

towards

tandem:

the

tandem:

giant

tandem:

warehouse

tandem:

door

tandem:

that

tandem:

served

tandem:

as

tandem:

her

tandem:

egress.
A

tandem:

short

tandem:

walk

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

massive

tandem:

film

tandem:

set

tandem:

took

tandem:

both

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

and

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

edge

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

parking

tandem:

lot,

tandem:

where

tandem:

the

tandem:

studio

tandem:

sat

tandem:

atop

tandem:

the

tandem:

biggest

tandem:

hill,

tandem:

overlooking

tandem:

the

tandem:

city

tandem:

beneath

tandem:

it.

tandem:

The

tandem:

sun

tandem:

was

tandem:

already

tandem:

starting

tandem:

to

tandem:

set;

tandem:

the

tandem:

twinkling

tandem:

of

tandem:

thousands

tandem:

of

tandem:

lights

tandem:

began

tandem:

to

tandem:

illuminate

tandem:

the

tandem:

bustling

tandem:

streets

tandem:

as

tandem:

Thunderbirds

tandem:

and

tandem:

Corvettes

tandem:

navigated

tandem:

the

tandem:

winding

tandem:

streets.

tandem:

For

tandem:

all

tandem:

its

tandem:

boundless

tandem:

energy,

tandem:

seeing

tandem:

the

tandem:

city

tandem:

from

tandem:

so

tandem:

high

tandem:

up

tandem:

brought

tandem:

a

tandem:

feeling

tandem:

of

tandem:

tranquility

tandem:

to

tandem:

Dakota.

tandem:

Despite

tandem:

looking

tandem:

down

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

world

tandem:

for

tandem:

all

tandem:

twenty-seven-odd

tandem:

years

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

life,

tandem:

she

tandem:

never

tandem:

tired

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

bombast,

tandem:

the

tandem:

dazzle,

tandem:

and

tandem:

the

tandem:

flair

tandem:

of

tandem:

California,

tandem:

especially

tandem:

from

tandem:

so

tandem:

high

tandem:

up.

tandem:

She

tandem:

raised

tandem:

her

tandem:

palm

tandem:

to

tandem:

her

tandem:

shoulder

tandem:

once

tandem:

she

tandem:

stopped

tandem:

walking,

tandem:

allowing

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

to

tandem:

climb

tandem:

on

tandem:

top.
"Thanks,"

tandem:

he

tandem:

said

tandem:

once

tandem:

he

tandem:

got

tandem:

situated,

tandem:

his

tandem:

legs

tandem:

dangling

tandem:

over

tandem:

her

tandem:

bare,

tandem:

black-furred

tandem:

shoulder.

tandem:

He

tandem:

pulled

tandem:

out

tandem:

a

tandem:

box

tandem:

of

tandem:

cigarettes,

tandem:

bringing

tandem:

one

tandem:

to

tandem:

his

tandem:

mouth

tandem:

and

tandem:

sparking

tandem:

it. "I'd

tandem:

share,

tandem:

but

tandem:

you

tandem:

may

tandem:

have

tandem:

a

tandem:

hard

tandem:

time

tandem:

keeping

tandem:

this

tandem:

one

tandem:

on

tandem:

your

tandem:

lips."
"It's

tandem:

fine.

tandem:

I

tandem:

have

tandem:

my

tandem:

own."

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

reached

tandem:

into

tandem:

a

tandem:

pocket

tandem:

built

tandem:

into

tandem:

her costume,

tandem:

producing

tandem:

a

tandem:

massive

tandem:

tin

tandem:

the

tandem:

size

tandem:

of

tandem:

an

tandem:

old

tandem:

milk

tandem:

truck.

tandem:

If

tandem:

he

tandem:

didn't

tandem:

know

tandem:

better,

tandem:

he

tandem:

might

tandem:

have

tandem:

suspected

tandem:

it

tandem:

was

tandem:

one

tandem:

in

tandem:

a

tandem:

past

tandem:

life.

tandem:

She

tandem:

pulled

tandem:

out

tandem:

a

tandem:

large

tandem:

stick full of

tandem:

tobacco,

tandem:

easily

tandem:

larger

tandem:

than

tandem:

he

tandem:

was

tandem:

tall.

tandem:

While

tandem:

the

tandem:

ratio

tandem:

of

tandem:

giants-to-normals

tandem:

greatly

tandem:

skewed

tandem:

towards the

tandem:

latter,

tandem:

Hollywood

tandem:

found

tandem:

a

tandem:

way

tandem:

to

tandem:

support

tandem:

all

tandem:

kinds,

tandem:

regardless

tandem:

of

tandem:

their

tandem:

height or

tandem:

status.

tandem:

Dakota grabbed a

tandem:

giant

tandem:

flip

tandem:

lighter

tandem:

from

tandem:

that

tandem:

same

tandem:

pocket,

tandem:

giving

tandem:

it

tandem:

a

tandem:

flick.

tandem:

The

tandem:

flame

tandem:

that

tandem:

shot

tandem:

up

tandem:

was sizable

tandem:

enough

tandem:

for

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

to

tandem:

feel

tandem:

its

tandem:

warmth

tandem:

as

tandem:

she

tandem:

lit

tandem:

her

tandem:

cigarette.

tandem:

She

tandem:

took

tandem:

a

tandem:

long,

tandem:

slow

tandem:

draw,

tandem:

exhaling

tandem:

a

tandem:

mighty

tandem:

plume

tandem:

of

tandem:

smoke

tandem:

into

tandem:

the

tandem:

evening

tandem:

sky. "You're...oddly

tandem:

comfortable

tandem:

about all of

tandem:

this."
"Enh.

tandem:

Not

tandem:

my

tandem:

first

tandem:

time

tandem:

around

tandem:

giants,

tandem:

actually.

tandem:

They

tandem:

usually

tandem:

kept

tandem:

to

tandem:

themselves

tandem:

around

tandem:

the

tandem:

foothills

tandem:

back at

tandem:

home,

tandem:

but

tandem:

a

tandem:

few

tandem:

of 'em

tandem:

came

tandem:

by

tandem:

my

tandem:

neighborhood

tandem:

once

tandem:

in

tandem:

a

tandem:

while.

tandem:

This isn't even

tandem:

my

tandem:

first ride

tandem:

on

tandem:

a

tandem:

hand.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

a

tandem:

shoulder."
Dakota

tandem:

raised

tandem:

a

tandem:

brow. "That

tandem:

so?"
"Yep.

tandem:

Only

tandem:

knew

tandem:

a

tandem:

couple

tandem:

of 'em

tandem:

on

tandem:

a

tandem:

personal

tandem:

level.

tandem:

The

tandem:

rest...well,

tandem:

you

tandem:

learned

tandem:

to

tandem:

keep

tandem:

a

tandem:

wide

tandem:

berth."
Dakota

tandem:

chuckled

tandem:

to

tandem:

herself,

tandem:

limiting

tandem:

her

tandem:

motions

tandem:

to

tandem:

avoid

tandem:

sending

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

toppling

tandem:

off

tandem:

in

tandem:

either

tandem:

direction. "Smart.

tandem:

The

tandem:

only

tandem:

people

tandem:

running

tandem:

towards

tandem:

a giant

tandem:

are those with a

tandem:

death

tandem:

wish,

tandem:

or

tandem:

an...inclination

tandem:

towards

tandem:

them."
Scott

tandem:

felt

tandem:

himself

tandem:

grin. "Far

tandem:

as

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

concerned,

tandem:

a

tandem:

dame's

tandem:

a

tandem:

dame,

tandem:

no

tandem:

matter

tandem:

their

tandem:

species,

tandem:

background,

tandem:

or...height, in

tandem:

your

tandem:

case."
The

tandem:

black

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

smirked. "I'm

tandem:

not

tandem:

sure

tandem:

if

tandem:

I

tandem:

should

tandem:

take

tandem:

that

tandem:

as

tandem:

a

tandem:

compliment."
"Aw,

tandem:

you

tandem:

know

tandem:

what

tandem:

I

tandem:

meant,

tandem:

Dakota.

tandem:

You

tandem:

wouldn't

tandem:

hurt

tandem:

a

tandem:

fly. Not

tandem:

unless

tandem:

they

tandem:

asked

tandem:

for

tandem:

it."
"Tell

tandem:

that

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

film

tandem:

crew.

tandem:

They've

tandem:

been

tandem:

keeping

tandem:

their

tandem:

distance

tandem:

from

tandem:

me

tandem:

for

tandem:

quite

tandem:

a

tandem:

spell.

tandem:

You'd

tandem:

think

tandem:

they'd be

tandem:

used

tandem:

to

tandem:

working

tandem:

with

tandem:

a

tandem:

giantess,

tandem:

filming

tandem:

in

tandem:

a

tandem:

studio made for 'em."
"Well, it ain't really Rossetter's

tandem:

studio;

tandem:

he's

tandem:

just

tandem:

using

tandem:

it

tandem:

because

tandem:

he

tandem:

needs

tandem:

interior

tandem:

shots.

tandem:

Most

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

crew are

tandem:

green as

tandem:

grass,

tandem:

too.

tandem:

They

tandem:

ain't

tandem:

used

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

business

tandem:

yet."
Scott

tandem:

had

tandem:

the

tandem:

right

tandem:

of it;

tandem:

most

tandem:

movies

tandem:

that

tandem:

needed

tandem:

a

tandem:

giant to

tandem:

fill a

tandem:

role

tandem:

opted

tandem:

for

tandem:

outdoor

tandem:

options—ones

tandem:

with

tandem:

plenty

tandem:

of

tandem:

breathing

tandem:

room

tandem:

to

tandem:

work

tandem:

with.

tandem:

That

tandem:

tiny

tandem:

wrinkle

tandem:

limited

tandem:

the

tandem:

sorts

tandem:

of

tandem:

films a

tandem:

studio

tandem:

could

tandem:

create

tandem:

starring

tandem:

one,

tandem:

usually

tandem:

trending

tandem:

towards

tandem:

the

tandem:

risqué

tandem:

or

tandem:

voyeuristic.

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

knew

tandem:

that

tandem:

from

tandem:

personal

tandem:

experience.
"More

tandem:

like

tandem:

they

tandem:

aren't

tandem:

used

tandem:

to

tandem:

a

tandem:

giantess

tandem:

that

tandem:

isn't

tandem:

a

tandem:

sexy

tandem:

beauty.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

a

tandem:

surreptitious

tandem:

menace."

tandem:

She

tandem:

frowned

tandem:

briefly

tandem:

before

tandem:

taking

tandem:

a

tandem:

longer

tandem:

draw of her

tandem:

cigarette,

tandem:

making

tandem:

sure

tandem:

to

tandem:

avoid

tandem:

blowing

tandem:

the

tandem:

smoke

tandem:

in

tandem:

Scott's

tandem:

direction. "Sorry,

tandem:

I

tandem:

shouldn't

tandem:

sound

tandem:

so

tandem:

beat

tandem:

up

tandem:

over

tandem:

all of

tandem:

this. I

tandem:

practiced

tandem:

that scene

tandem:

for

tandem:

ages,

tandem:

and

tandem:

I

tandem:

still

tandem:

can't

tandem:

get

tandem:

my

tandem:

lines

tandem:

right."
"Aw, don't sweat it, Dakota. Rossetter

tandem:

gets

tandem:

peed

tandem:

off

tandem:

all

tandem:

the

tandem:

time.

tandem:

This

tandem:

is

tandem:

my

tandem:

third

tandem:

film

tandem:

with

tandem:

the

tandem:

guy,

tandem:

if

tandem:

you

tandem:

can

tandem:

believe

tandem:

it.

tandem:

Never

tandem:

gets

tandem:

easier."

tandem:

He

tandem:

chuckled

tandem:

wryly,

tandem:

earning

tandem:

a

tandem:

cursory

tandem:

side

tandem:

glance

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

jackal. "You

tandem:

could

tandem:

always

tandem:

threaten

tandem:

to

tandem:

stomp

tandem:

on

tandem:

him.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

eat

tandem:

him.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

stuff

tandem:

him

tandem:

where

tandem:

the

tandem:

sun

tandem:

don't—"
Scott

tandem:

suddenly

tandem:

found

tandem:

himself

tandem:

grasped

tandem:

by

tandem:

the

tandem:

back

tandem:

of

tandem:

his

tandem:

robe,

tandem:

being

tandem:

held

tandem:

precariously

tandem:

in

tandem:

front

tandem:

of

tandem:

Dakota's

tandem:

face—and

tandem:

her

tandem:

dangerously

tandem:

large

tandem:

muzzle.

tandem:

Mr.

tandem:

Rossetter

tandem:

didn't

tandem:

need

tandem:

to

tandem:

fish

tandem:

out

tandem:

the

tandem:

prop teeth

tandem:

for

tandem:

her;

tandem:

those

tandem:

fangs

tandem:

of hers

tandem:

were

tandem:

quite

tandem:

real,

tandem:

and

tandem:

quite

tandem:

deadly.
"Don't

tandem:

you

tandem:

start

tandem:

getting

tandem:

any

tandem:

ideas,

tandem:

now,"

tandem:

she

tandem:

said

tandem:

coyly,

tandem:

dangling

tandem:

him

tandem:

in

tandem:

such

tandem:

a

tandem:

way

tandem:

that

tandem:

should she

tandem:

let

tandem:

go

tandem:

of

tandem:

him—by

tandem:

accident—he

tandem:

would

tandem:

find

tandem:

himself

tandem:

tumbling into

tandem:

either

tandem:

her

tandem:

maw,

tandem:

or

tandem:

between

tandem:

her

tandem:

breasts...whichever

tandem:

she

tandem:

thought would

tandem:

be

tandem:

more

tandem:

entertaining

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

moment. "He

tandem:

may

tandem:

be

tandem:

a

tandem:

jackass,

tandem:

but

tandem:

he's

tandem:

the

tandem:

biggest

tandem:

name

tandem:

in

tandem:

Hollywood

tandem:

right

tandem:

now. The

tandem:

last thing I want

tandem:

to do is

tandem:

piss

tandem:

him

tandem:

off,

tandem:

even

tandem:

if

tandem:

he

tandem:

does

tandem:

deserve

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

squished.

tandem:

I'd only

tandem:

take

tandem:

a

tandem:

little

tandem:

pleasure

tandem:

in

tandem:

that."
"Okay,

tandem:

okay,

tandem:

bad

tandem:

joke!"

tandem:

the

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

relented,

tandem:

waving

tandem:

his

tandem:

arms

tandem:

in

tandem:

apology.

tandem:

He

tandem:

resisted

tandem:

the

tandem:

urge to

tandem:

look

tandem:

down,

tandem:

both

tandem:

for

tandem:

the

tandem:

sake

tandem:

of

tandem:

minimizing

tandem:

his

tandem:

anxiety,

tandem:

and

tandem:

out

tandem:

of

tandem:

sheer

tandem:

modesty.

tandem:

She

tandem:

did

tandem:

look

tandem:

absolutely

tandem:

stellar in her

tandem:

lacy

tandem:

get-up...not

tandem:

that

tandem:

he

tandem:

would

tandem:

say

tandem:

that

tandem:

out

tandem:

loud,

tandem:

given

tandem:

his

tandem:

predicament. "Er...mind

tandem:

putting

tandem:

me

tandem:

back

tandem:

on

tandem:

your

tandem:

shoulder?

tandem:

I

tandem:

don't

tandem:

handle

tandem:

being

tandem:

dangled

tandem:

very

tandem:

well."
"Most

tandem:

don't.

tandem:

But,

tandem:

fair point."

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

smiled,

tandem:

placing

tandem:

him

tandem:

back

tandem:

safely

tandem:

on

tandem:

her

tandem:

shoulder. "Still,

tandem:

I

tandem:

appreciate

tandem:

your

tandem:

kindness."
Scott

tandem:

wiped

tandem:

his

tandem:

brow with the

tandem:

back of

tandem:

his

tandem:

hand. "Of

tandem:

course.

tandem:

Getting

tandem:

work

tandem:

is

tandem:

hard

tandem:

these

tandem:

days."
"That's

tandem:

being

tandem:

generous.

tandem:

Landing

tandem:

roles

tandem:

is

tandem:

a

tandem:

challenge,

tandem:

especially

tandem:

for

tandem:

me."
Scott

tandem:

raised

tandem:

a

tandem:

brow,

tandem:

as

tandem:

well

tandem:

as

tandem:

both

tandem:

ears. "Because

tandem:

you're

tandem:

a

tandem:

dame?"
The

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

bit

tandem:

back

tandem:

a

tandem:

chuckle. "Because

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

seven

tandem:

stories

tandem:

tall

tandem:

and

tandem:

weigh

tandem:

several

tandem:

hundred

tandem:

tons.

tandem:

Not

tandem:

many

tandem:

pictures

tandem:

call

tandem:

for

tandem:

those

tandem:

qualifications."

tandem:

She

tandem:

rolled

tandem:

her

tandem:

eyes. "Being

tandem:

a

tandem:

dame

tandem:

is

tandem:

only

tandem:

half

tandem:

the

tandem:

reason."
Scott

tandem:

chuckled

tandem:

in

tandem:

return,

tandem:

realizing

tandem:

then

tandem:

that

tandem:

his

tandem:

recent

tandem:

escapade

tandem:

caused

tandem:

his

tandem:

cigarette

tandem:

to

tandem:

tumble

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

concrete

tandem:

below.

tandem:

He

tandem:

fished

tandem:

out

tandem:

a

tandem:

second

tandem:

one

tandem:

and

tandem:

lit

tandem:

it. "Not

tandem:

that

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

trying

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

nosy,

tandem:

but...is

tandem:

life

tandem:

as

tandem:

a

tandem:

giant

tandem:

all

tandem:

that

tandem:

tough?"
"It...has

tandem:

its

tandem:

moments.

tandem:

It

tandem:

takes

tandem:

time

tandem:

to

tandem:

get

tandem:

used

tandem:

to

tandem:

living

tandem:

in

tandem:

a

tandem:

mixed

tandem:

society.

tandem:

Twice

tandem:

as

tandem:

long

tandem:

if

tandem:

it's

tandem:

an

tandem:

exclusively

tandem:

tiny

tandem:

one.

tandem:

But

tandem:

I

tandem:

can't

tandem:

control

tandem:

my

tandem:

height

tandem:

any more

tandem:

than

tandem:

you

tandem:

can

tandem:

control

tandem:

yours.

tandem:

You

tandem:

adjust."
Scott

tandem:

hummed

tandem:

quietly. "Actually,

tandem:

that

tandem:

doesn't

tandem:

sound

tandem:

all

tandem:

that

tandem:

strange

tandem:

out

tandem:

loud.

tandem:

You

tandem:

get

tandem:

all

tandem:

kinds

tandem:

back

tandem:

in

tandem:

New

tandem:

York,

tandem:

but

tandem:

that

tandem:

doesn't

tandem:

translate

tandem:

to an easy

tandem:

life

tandem:

for

tandem:

everyone,

tandem:

either."

tandem:

Looking

tandem:

out

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

city,

tandem:

a

tandem:

thought

tandem:

rummaged

tandem:

through

tandem:

the

tandem:

rabbit's

tandem:

mind. "Say,

tandem:

Dakota,

tandem:

mind

tandem:

if

tandem:

I

tandem:

make

tandem:

a

tandem:

confession?

tandem:

You

tandem:

don't

tandem:

hafta

tandem:

respond

tandem:

to

tandem:

it."
"Well,

tandem:

now

tandem:

you

tandem:

have

tandem:

me

tandem:

curious,

tandem:

Scott.

tandem:

Just

tandem:

don't

tandem:

hop

tandem:

into

tandem:

my

tandem:

ear

tandem:

to

tandem:

say

tandem:

it.

tandem:

I

tandem:

don't

tandem:

wanna have

tandem:

to

tandem:

fish

tandem:

you

tandem:

out."
"Droll.

tandem:

Very

tandem:

droll."

tandem:

The

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

flashed

tandem:

a

tandem:

massive,

tandem:

toothy

tandem:

smile. "I've

tandem:

actually

tandem:

seen

tandem:

one of your

tandem:

films,

tandem:

y'know.

tandem:

It's how I

tandem:

first

tandem:

learned

tandem:

about

tandem:

you.

tandem:

I

tandem:

was

tandem:

pretty

tandem:

excited

tandem:

to

tandem:

find

tandem:

out

tandem:

we'd

tandem:

be starring

tandem:

in a flick together."
The jackal's head

tandem:

tilted,

tandem:

looking

tandem:

over at

tandem:

her

tandem:

shoulder

tandem:

companion. "Really?

tandem:

Which

tandem:

one?"
"Um. 'The

tandem:

Attack

tandem:

on

tandem:

the

tandem:

Nile'.

tandem:

Came

tandem:

out...uh,

tandem:

three

tandem:

years

tandem:

ago,

tandem:

I

tandem:

think?

tandem:

I

tandem:

liked

tandem:

your

tandem:

performance,

tandem:

and...uh,

tandem:

your

tandem:

outfit."
The

tandem:

jackal's

tandem:

eyes

tandem:

fell

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

ground,

tandem:

looking

tandem:

somewhat

tandem:

embarrassed. "Or

tandem:

lack

tandem:

thereof.

tandem:

This

tandem:

may

tandem:

as

tandem:

well

tandem:

be

tandem:

a

tandem:

business

tandem:

suit

tandem:

compared

tandem:

to

tandem:

what

tandem:

I

tandem:

was

tandem:

wearing

tandem:

for

tandem:

that

tandem:

one."

tandem:

She

tandem:

gave her

tandem:

the

tandem:

lace

tandem:

over

tandem:

her

tandem:

left

tandem:

breast

tandem:

a

tandem:

brief

tandem:

tug

tandem:

between

tandem:

her

tandem:

fingers.
Scott's

tandem:

breath

tandem:

caught in

tandem:

his

tandem:

throat.

tandem:

His

tandem:

tail

tandem:

flitted

tandem:

back

tandem:

and

tandem:

forth

tandem:

subconsciously. "Ahem. Er.

tandem:

There's

tandem:

that,

tandem:

yes.

tandem:

I

tandem:

remember

tandem:

you

tandem:

being...well,

tandem:

you're

tandem:

still

tandem:

tall,

tandem:

but...not

tandem:

as

tandem:

tall?

tandem:

How'd

tandem:

the

tandem:

film

tandem:

crew

tandem:

pull

tandem:

that

tandem:

off?"
Dakota

tandem:

blinked. "Oh.

tandem:

That.

tandem:

Well,

tandem:

there's...a

tandem:

good

tandem:

reason

tandem:

for

tandem:

that,

tandem:

and

tandem:

it's

tandem:

not

tandem:

Hollywood

tandem:

magic." The

tandem:

jackal's

tandem:

voice

tandem:

grew

tandem:

pensive

tandem:

as

tandem:

she

tandem:

lowered

tandem:

her

tandem:

hand to her side,

tandem:

allowing

tandem:

the

tandem:

many

tandem:

embers

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

cigarette

tandem:

to

tandem:

carry

tandem:

off

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

wind. "You

tandem:

know

tandem:

how

tandem:

most

tandem:

people

tandem:

stop

tandem:

growing

tandem:

when

tandem:

they're

tandem:

past

tandem:

their

tandem:

teens?"
"Heh.

tandem:

I

tandem:

grew

tandem:

like

tandem:

a

tandem:

weed

tandem:

until

tandem:

I

tandem:

was

tandem:

fifteen.

tandem:

Never

tandem:

got an

tandem:

inch

tandem:

taller

tandem:

after

tandem:

that."
"Well,

tandem:

giants

tandem:

don't

tandem:

stop.

tandem:

We

tandem:

keep

tandem:

getting

tandem:

taller

tandem:

throughout

tandem:

our

tandem:

entire

tandem:

lives."
The

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

tilted

tandem:

his

tandem:

head,

tandem:

looking

tandem:

confused. "Seriously?"

tandem:

She

tandem:

nodded

tandem:

in

tandem:

response. "Wow."
"It's

tandem:

pretty

tandem:

subtle;

tandem:

you

tandem:

wouldn't

tandem:

notice

tandem:

unless

tandem:

you

tandem:

were

tandem:

really

tandem:

paying

tandem:

attention."

tandem:

She

tandem:

took

tandem:

another

tandem:

puff

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

cigarette. "Say

tandem:

you

tandem:

meet

tandem:

a

tandem:

giant

tandem:

that's

tandem:

fifty

tandem:

feet

tandem:

tall,

tandem:

and

tandem:

you

tandem:

don't

tandem:

see

tandem:

them

tandem:

again

tandem:

for

tandem:

another

tandem:

five,

tandem:

ten

tandem:

years

tandem:

or

tandem:

so.

tandem:

They'll

tandem:

be

tandem:

taller,

tandem:

but

tandem:

only

tandem:

by

tandem:

a

tandem:

foot

tandem:

or

tandem:

two.

tandem:

Maybe

tandem:

five

tandem:

or

tandem:

so

tandem:

if

tandem:

you

tandem:

met

tandem:

them

tandem:

at

tandem:

a

tandem:

younger

tandem:

age."
"Yeah?"
Dakota

tandem:

fell

tandem:

silent

tandem:

for

tandem:

a

tandem:

moment. "My

tandem:

spurts

tandem:

are

tandem:

a

tandem:

bit

tandem:

larger

tandem:

than

tandem:

that.

tandem:

And

tandem:

they're

tandem:

coming

tandem:

faster

tandem:

too.

tandem:

I

tandem:

was

tandem:

about

tandem:

eighty

tandem:

feet

tandem:

tall

tandem:

when

tandem:

I

tandem:

starred

tandem:

in

tandem:

that

tandem:

film."
"Holy

tandem:

smokes."

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

was

tandem:

taken

tandem:

aback

tandem:

by

tandem:

the

tandem:

jackal's

tandem:

revelation. "And

tandem:

you're

tandem:

serious

tandem:

about

tandem:

the 'not

tandem:

stopping'

tandem:

part?"
“Yes.

tandem:

I'm...growing.

tandem:

Quite

tandem:

a

tandem:

bit.

tandem:

And

tandem:

I’ll

tandem:

keep

tandem:

on growing

tandem:

for

tandem:

as

tandem:

long

tandem:

as

tandem:

I’m

tandem:

on

tandem:

this

tandem:

rock.”
"Geez.

tandem:

That

tandem:

sounds...kind

tandem:

of

tandem:

terrifying."
The

tandem:

giantess

tandem:

shrugged—gently. "I

tandem:

don't

tandem:

dwell

tandem:

on

tandem:

it.

tandem:

There's

tandem:

a

tandem:

strange

tandem:

side

tandem:

of

tandem:

me

tandem:

that

tandem:

finds

tandem:

it…exhilarating.

tandem:

Who

tandem:

knows;

tandem:

the

tandem:

next

tandem:

film

tandem:

you

tandem:

see

tandem:

me

tandem:

in

tandem:

while

tandem:

you're

tandem:

wandering

tandem:

The

tandem:

Loop,

tandem:

I

tandem:

may

tandem:

be

tandem:

twice

tandem:

as

tandem:

tall

tandem:

as

tandem:

this.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

even

tandem:

more."

tandem:

Her

tandem:

voice

tandem:

lowered. "Then

tandem:

again,

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

rate

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

expanding,

tandem:

I

tandem:

may

tandem:

have

tandem:

to

tandem:

retire

tandem:

from

tandem:

acting

tandem:

at

tandem:

some

tandem:

point.

tandem:

Among

tandem:

other

tandem:

things."
"Ugh.

tandem:

Sorry.

tandem:

Didn't

tandem:

mean

tandem:

to

tandem:

kill

tandem:

the

tandem:

mood."

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

grimaced.
Dakota

tandem:

shook

tandem:

her

tandem:

head. "Nah,

tandem:

you

tandem:

didn't.

tandem:

If

tandem:

it

tandem:

happens,

tandem:

it

tandem:

happens.

tandem:

Besides,

tandem:

as

tandem:

long

tandem:

as

tandem:

I

tandem:

can

tandem:

fit

tandem:

on

tandem:

the

tandem:

silver

tandem:

screen, I'll

tandem:

keep

tandem:

doing

tandem:

what

tandem:

I

tandem:

always

tandem:

do."
The

tandem:

spotted

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

took

tandem:

a

tandem:

deep

tandem:

breath,

tandem:

putting

tandem:

on

tandem:

the

tandem:

best

tandem:

smile

tandem:

he

tandem:

could

tandem:

manage. "You'll

tandem:

be

tandem:

the

tandem:

biggest

tandem:

actress

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

world.

tandem:

Literally."
Dakota's

tandem:

pensive

tandem:

expression

tandem:

gave

tandem:

way

tandem:

to

tandem:

a

tandem:

playful

tandem:

smirk. "Oh,

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

far

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

biggest.

tandem:

Not

tandem:

yet,

tandem:

anyway."

tandem:

The

tandem:

two

tandem:

shared

tandem:

a

tandem:

quick

tandem:

laugh

tandem:

as

tandem:

they

tandem:

watched

tandem:

the

tandem:

sun

tandem:

continue

tandem:

to

tandem:

set

tandem:

over

tandem:

the

tandem:

hills.
That

tandem:

laughter

tandem:

was

tandem:

interrupted

tandem:

by

tandem:

the

tandem:

faint

tandem:

sound

tandem:

of

tandem:

ringing

tandem:

alarm

tandem:

bells

tandem:

coming

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

set. A

tandem:

wolf

tandem:

stagehand

tandem:

popped

tandem:

out

tandem:

from

tandem:

a

tandem:

door

tandem:

next

tandem:

to

tandem:

Dakota's

tandem:

much

tandem:

larger

tandem:

entrance,

tandem:

holding

tandem:

a

tandem:

megaphone

tandem:

similar

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

one

tandem:

Mr.

tandem:

Rossetter

tandem:

used

tandem:

moments

tandem:

ago.
"Ms.

tandem:

Wisehart? Mr.

tandem:

Banks?

tandem:

We're—"
Dakota's

tandem:

large

tandem:

ears

tandem:

twitched,

tandem:

turning

tandem:

her

tandem:

head

tandem:

to

tandem:

glare

tandem:

at

tandem:

the

tandem:

crew

tandem:

member

tandem:

with

tandem:

a

tandem:

hint

tandem:

of

tandem:

annoyance. "You

tandem:

don't

tandem:

have

tandem:

to

tandem:

use

tandem:

that

tandem:

thing,

tandem:

you

tandem:

know.

tandem:

I

tandem:

can

tandem:

hear

tandem:

you

tandem:

just

tandem:

fine!"
The

tandem:

wolf

tandem:

flinched at

tandem:

the

tandem:

volume

tandem:

behind

tandem:

the

tandem:

giant's

tandem:

voice,

tandem:

lowering

tandem:

the

tandem:

megaphone—and

tandem:

choosing

tandem:

to

tandem:

cup

tandem:

his

tandem:

hands

tandem:

in

tandem:

front

tandem:

of

tandem:

his

tandem:

muzzle

tandem:

to

tandem:

shout

tandem:

instead. "We're

tandem:

waiting

tandem:

for

tandem:

you

tandem:

back

tandem:

on

tandem:

the

tandem:

set!"
With

tandem:

an exaggerated sigh, Dakota nodded once, her

tandem:

voice

tandem:

deadpan. "Thank

tandem:

you.

tandem:

We'll

tandem:

be

tandem:

right

tandem:

there."
The

tandem:

wolf

tandem:

wore

tandem:

a

tandem:

goofy

tandem:

smile and

tandem:

threw out

tandem:

a

tandem:

thumbs

tandem:

up

tandem:

before

tandem:

he

tandem:

vanished

tandem:

back

tandem:

into

tandem:

the

tandem:

studio.
"You'd

tandem:

think

tandem:

having big ears would be enough of a hint," the jackal muttered.

tandem:

She

tandem:

let

tandem:

the

tandem:

remains

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

cigarette

tandem:

fall

tandem:

to

tandem:

the

tandem:

ground,

tandem:

stamping

tandem:

it

tandem:

flat

tandem:

underneath

tandem:

the

tandem:

sole of her

tandem:

sandal.

tandem:

A

tandem:

sizable

tandem:

pile

tandem:

of

tandem:

burnt

tandem:

tobacco

tandem:

and

tandem:

ash

tandem:

remained

tandem:

as

tandem:

she

tandem:

raised

tandem:

her

tandem:

foot. "Ready

tandem:

to

tandem:

go?"
"Yep.

tandem:

Mind

tandem:

letting

tandem:

me

tandem:

down

tandem:

first?

tandem:

My

tandem:

legs are

tandem:

tingling."
Dakota

tandem:

offered

tandem:

her

tandem:

opposite

tandem:

hand to

tandem:

the

tandem:

rabbit,

tandem:

allowing

tandem:

him

tandem:

to

tandem:

climb

tandem:

aboard

tandem:

before

tandem:

she

tandem:

went

tandem:

down

tandem:

to

tandem:

one

tandem:

knee

tandem:

to

tandem:

bring

tandem:

him

tandem:

back

tandem:

to

tandem:

earth.

tandem:

He

tandem:

hopped

tandem:

off,

tandem:

allowing

tandem:

himself

tandem:

a

tandem:

moment

tandem:

to

tandem:

stretch

tandem:

his

tandem:

limbs.

tandem:

Taking

tandem:

the

tandem:

hint

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

stagehand

tandem:

earlier,

tandem:

he

tandem:

kept

tandem:

his

tandem:

volume

tandem:

down

tandem:

to

tandem:

a

tandem:

reasonable

tandem:

level. "Hey,

tandem:

after

tandem:

we're

tandem:

done,

tandem:

you

tandem:

wanna

tandem:

grab

tandem:

a

tandem:

drink?

tandem:

There's

tandem:

a

tandem:

great

tandem:

bar

tandem:

on

tandem:

Sunset

tandem:

we

tandem:

can

tandem:

try

tandem:

out.

tandem:

It's

tandem:

mixed-sized, too—a first

tandem:

for

tandem:

me."
"Only

tandem:

if

tandem:

you're

tandem:

buying,"

tandem:

she

tandem:

cooed. "Just

tandem:

be

tandem:

careful

tandem:

if

tandem:

you

tandem:

decide

tandem:

to

tandem:

hang

tandem:

out

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

giants

tandem:

section.

tandem:

Our

tandem:

drinks

tandem:

aren't

tandem:

meant

tandem:

for

tandem:

someone

tandem:

your

tandem:

size.

tandem:

That, and

tandem:

you

tandem:

don't

tandem:

want

tandem:

to end up crushed underneath a paw.

tandem:

Or

tandem:

get

tandem:

used

tandem:

as a

tandem:

cocktail

tandem:

garnish."
Scott's

tandem:

ears

tandem:

drooped

tandem:

down,

tandem:

causing

tandem:

Dakota to

tandem:

chuckle.
"That

tandem:

was

tandem:

a

tandem:

joke,"

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

said. "The

tandem:

bartender

tandem:

keeps

tandem:

the

tandem:

annoying

tandem:

tinies

tandem:

behind

tandem:

the

tandem:

counter

tandem:

for

tandem:

that."
To

tandem:

that,

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

finally

tandem:

let

tandem:

out

tandem:

a

tandem:

laugh. "Oh! Haha,

tandem:

that's

tandem:

a

tandem:

good

tandem:

one,

tandem:

Dakota.

tandem:

You

tandem:

should

tandem:

try

tandem:

comedy

tandem:

sometime!"
Dakota didn't reply,

tandem:

her facial

tandem:

expression

tandem:

neutral as

tandem:

she

tandem:

began

tandem:

to

tandem:

walk

tandem:

back

tandem:

towards

tandem:

the

tandem:

massive

tandem:

entry

tandem:

door.

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

blinked as

tandem:

he

tandem:

watched a sandaled paw

tandem:

three

tandem:

times

tandem:

as

tandem:

long

tandem:

as

tandem:

he

tandem:

was

tandem:

tall

tandem:

thump

tandem:

past

tandem:

him,

tandem:

still

tandem:

trying

tandem:

to

tandem:

process

tandem:

that

tandem:

last sentence. "Er, t-that

tandem:

was a joke,

tandem:

right,

tandem:

Dakota?"
He

tandem:

received

tandem:

no

tandem:

reply

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

giantess.

tandem:

Trying

tandem:

not

tandem:

to

tandem:

fall

tandem:

behind,

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

rushed

tandem:

ahead,

tandem:

taking

tandem:

several

tandem:

steps

tandem:

for

tandem:

every

tandem:

stride

tandem:

she

tandem:

took.
"Dakota?"

tandem:

he cried

tandem:

out. "Dakota!"
***
"Places,

tandem:

everyone!" The

tandem:

leopard

tandem:

screamed

tandem:

into

tandem:

his

tandem:

megaphone.

tandem:

If

tandem:

Dakota

tandem:

wasn't

tandem:

convinced

tandem:

he

tandem:

glued

tandem:

that

tandem:

thing

tandem:

to

tandem:

his

tandem:

hand,

tandem:

she'd

tandem:

be

tandem:

tempted

tandem:

to

tandem:

force

tandem:

feed

tandem:

it

tandem:

to

tandem:

him,

tandem:

handle

tandem:

first. "No

tandem:

more

tandem:

wisecracks,

tandem:

got

tandem:

it?"

tandem:

he

tandem:

shouted

tandem:

in

tandem:

Scott's

tandem:

direction

tandem:

while

tandem:

he

tandem:

slapped

tandem:

the

tandem:

prop

tandem:

shackles

tandem:

back

tandem:

on

tandem:

his

tandem:

ankles.
Scott

tandem:

smirked,

tandem:

standing

tandem:

up

tandem:

to

tandem:

acknowledge

tandem:

Rossetter

tandem:

with

tandem:

a

tandem:

half-assed

tandem:

soldier's

tandem:

salute. "Aye

tandem:

aye,

tandem:

captain."
The

tandem:

director

tandem:

rolled

tandem:

his

tandem:

eyes

tandem:

before

tandem:

aiming

tandem:

his sights at

tandem:

the

tandem:

jackal

tandem:

next. "Now,

tandem:

Dakota,

tandem:

please

tandem:

remember

tandem:

your

tandem:

lines

tandem:

this

tandem:

time.

tandem:

We're

tandem:

running

tandem:

out

tandem:

of

tandem:

daylight!"
"Yes,

tandem:

Mr.

tandem:

Rossetter,

tandem:

I

tandem:

won't

tandem:

forget,"

tandem:

she

tandem:

replied with a

tandem:

smirk

tandem:

and a

tandem:

curl

tandem:

of

tandem:

her

tandem:

lip

tandem:

to

tandem:

reveal

tandem:

more

tandem:

than

tandem:

a

tandem:

few

tandem:

sharp

tandem:

teeth.

tandem:

In

tandem:

spite

tandem:

of

tandem:

his

tandem:

rough

tandem:

exterior,

tandem:

the

tandem:

sight

tandem:

of

tandem:

Dakota's

tandem:

fangs

tandem:

was

tandem:

enough

tandem:

to

tandem:

make

tandem:

him

tandem:

flinch.

tandem:

Scott

tandem:

resisted

tandem:

the

tandem:

urge to

tandem:

chuckle.
"Er,

tandem:

right.

tandem:

Okay,

tandem:

people,

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

top!"
The

tandem:

cameraman

tandem:

began

tandem:

to

tandem:

turn

tandem:

the

tandem:

crank

tandem:

on

tandem:

his

tandem:

equipment,

tandem:

ready to

tandem:

capture

tandem:

the

tandem:

moment. Rossetter held out a dumb slate in front of

tandem:

the

tandem:

lens,

tandem:

clapper

tandem:

raised

tandem:

up.
"And...action!"
Clap.
Aidyn shuddered

tandem:

against

tandem:

his

tandem:

bindings

tandem:

as

tandem:

Emersyn's

tandem:

purple

tandem:

claw

tandem:

danced

tandem:

across

tandem:

his

tandem:

chest,

tandem:

knowing

tandem:

he

tandem:

would

tandem:

never

tandem:

escape

tandem:

from

tandem:

the

tandem:

towering

tandem:

goddess.
"But...how?

tandem:

What

tandem:

makes

tandem:

me

tandem:

worthy?"

tandem:

he

tandem:

stammered

tandem:

at

tandem:

her

tandem:

statement.
"Everyone

tandem:

has

tandem:

worth,

tandem:

little

tandem:

rabbit.

tandem:

Some

tandem:

have

tandem:

profound

tandem:

wisdom;

tandem:

others

tandem:

immense

tandem:

strength.

tandem:

I

tandem:

see

tandem:

beyond

tandem:

that.

tandem:

I

tandem:

see

tandem:

the

tandem:

value

tandem:

of

tandem:

your

tandem:

soul.

tandem:

And

tandem:

it's

tandem:

worth

tandem:

more

tandem:

than

tandem:

all

tandem:

the

tandem:

gold

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

land."
Aidyn

tandem:

stared

tandem:

ahead,

tandem:

abashed. "You...you

tandem:

do?

tandem:

But

tandem:

I'm

tandem:

just

tandem:

a

tandem:

nobody

tandem:

from

tandem:

overseas.

tandem:

How

tandem:

can

tandem:

you

tandem:

tell?"
Emersyn

tandem:

chuckled. "You

tandem:

were

tandem:

designed

tandem:

to

tandem:

serve

tandem:

a

tandem:

grander

tandem:

purpose,

tandem:

Aidyn."

tandem:

Slowly,

tandem:

her

tandem:

hand

tandem:

reached

tandem:

out,

tandem:

fingers

tandem:

curling

tandem:

around

tandem:

the

tandem:

rabbit's

tandem:

body.

tandem:

She

tandem:

gave

tandem:

his

tandem:

chains

tandem:

a

tandem:

tug;

tandem:

they

tandem:

came

tandem:

undone

tandem:

in

tandem:

an

tandem:

instant.

tandem:

Aidyn

tandem:

whimpered,

tandem:

closing

tandem:

his

tandem:

eyes

tandem:

tight.

tandem:

He

tandem:

didn't

tandem:

dare

tandem:

risk

tandem:

looking

tandem:

down,

tandem:

but

tandem:

he

tandem:

sure

tandem:

as

tandem:

hell

tandem:

wasn't

tandem:

going

tandem:

to

tandem:

look

tandem:

straight

tandem:

ahead,

tandem:

either.

tandem:

Eventually,

tandem:

feeling

tandem:

the

tandem:

warmth

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

jackal's

tandem:

breath

tandem:

washing

tandem:

over

tandem:

him

tandem:

forced

tandem:

his

tandem:

eyes

tandem:

open.

tandem:

He

tandem:

stared

tandem:

right

tandem:

into

tandem:

her

tandem:

piercing

tandem:

silver

tandem:

irises,

tandem:

at

tandem:

her

tandem:

towering

tandem:

ears,

tandem:

and

tandem:

beyond

tandem:

her

tandem:

sinful,

tandem:

salacious

tandem:

smile.
"A...are

tandem:

you...going

tandem:

to

tandem:

eat

tandem:

me?"

tandem:

he

tandem:

whimpered.

tandem:

She

tandem:

shook

tandem:

her

tandem:

head.
"No.

tandem:

Not

tandem:

with a

tandem:

soul

tandem:

as

tandem:

tantalizing

tandem:

as

tandem:

yours.

tandem:

You've

tandem:

given

tandem:

me

tandem:

a

tandem:

drive

tandem:

I

tandem:

haven't

tandem:

felt

tandem:

in

tandem:

ages."
"Drive?

tandem:

What

tandem:

kind

tandem:

of

tandem:

drive?"
"I

tandem:

wish

tandem:

to

tandem:

go

tandem:

outside."
Aidyn blinked. "W-what?"
"For

tandem:

centuries,

tandem:

my

tandem:

entire

tandem:

world

tandem:

has

tandem:

been

tandem:

behind

tandem:

these

tandem:

temple

tandem:

walls.

tandem:

The

tandem:

pools,

tandem:

the

tandem:

statues,

tandem:

the

tandem:

pillars;

tandem:

they

tandem:

may

tandem:

as

tandem:

well

tandem:

be

tandem:

a

tandem:

prison.

tandem:

I

tandem:

intend

tandem:

to

tandem:

change

tandem:

that...and

tandem:

you're

tandem:

to

tandem:

be

tandem:

my

tandem:

guide."
The

tandem:

spotted

tandem:

rabbit

tandem:

let

tandem:

out

tandem:

a

tandem:

gasp.

tandem:

Never

tandem:

in

tandem:

the

tandem:

one

tandem:

thousand

tandem:

years

tandem:

of

tandem:

Emersyn's

tandem:

reign

tandem:

had

tandem:

she

tandem:

ever

tandem:

dared to

tandem:

leave

tandem:

the

tandem:

temple

tandem:

grounds,

tandem:

if his

tandem:

combined

tandem:

studies

tandem:

and

tandem:

the

tandem:

rumblings

tandem:

of

tandem:

the

tandem:

faithful

tandem:

held

tandem:

any

merit:

'Should

merit:

the

merit:

shadow

merit:

of

merit:

the

merit:

temple

merit:

ever

merit:

meet

merit:

the

merit:

light,

merit:

disaster

merit:

will

merit:

befall

merit:

all

merit:

that

merit:

the

merit:

light

merit:

touches.'

merit:

She

merit:

was

merit:

plotting

merit:

an

merit:

apocalypse,

merit:

and

merit:

he

merit:

was

merit:

to

merit:

be

merit:

her

merit:

harbinger.
"B-but...I'm

merit:

not

merit:

worthy

merit:

of

merit:

such

merit:

a

merit:

task,"

merit:

Aidyn

merit:

said,

merit:

squirming

merit:

slightly

merit:

against

merit:

Emersyn's

merit:

grasp.
"I

merit:

disagree,

merit:

Aidyn.

merit:

The

merit:

world

merit:

only

merit:

sees

merit:

me

merit:

as

merit:

a

merit:

shadow;

merit:

a

merit:

figurehead.

merit:

The

merit:

time

merit:

has

merit:

come

merit:

to

merit:

usher

merit:

in

merit:

a

merit:

new

merit:

age.

merit:

You'll serve as its witness...and

merit:

its

merit:

new

merit:

patriarch,

merit:

as

merit:

you

merit:

stand

merit:

by

merit:

my

merit:

side."
Aidyn

merit:

knew

merit:

better

merit:

than

merit:

to

merit:

convince

merit:

a

merit:

goddess

merit:

that

merit:

what

merit:

she

merit:

was

merit:

planning

merit:

was

merit:

folly,

merit:

and

merit:

more

merit:

than a

merit:

little

merit:

dangerous.

merit:

But

merit:

none

merit:

could

merit:

stop

merit:

the

merit:

shadow

merit:

when

merit:

she

merit:

made

merit:

her

merit:

desires

merit:

known. "How

merit:

will

merit:

you

merit:

escape?"
"Simple.

merit:

I'll

merit:

make

merit:

my

merit:

own

merit:

entrance,"

merit:

Emersyn

merit:

mused

merit:

with a

merit:

smirk.
Taking

merit:

her

merit:

harbinger

merit:

in tow,

merit:

Emersyn

merit:

stepped

merit:

forward

merit:

on

merit:

graceful,

merit:

powerful

merit:

sandaled

merit:

feet

merit:

towards

merit:

the

merit:

far

merit:

end

merit:

of

merit:

the

merit:

temple,

merit:

eager

merit:

to

merit:

see

merit:

the

merit:

world.

merit:

Each

merit:

step

merit:

she

merit:

took

merit:

felt

merit:

more

merit:

forceful than

merit:

the

merit:

last,

merit:

until

merit:

she

merit:

was

merit:

all

merit:

that

merit:

could

merit:

be

merit:

felt...and

merit:

seen.
"And...cut!"
Dakota's

merit:

ears

merit:

tilted

merit:

up

merit:

at

merit:

the

merit:

sound

merit:

of

merit:

applause

merit:

that

merit:

came

merit:

from

merit:

every

merit:

end

merit:

of

merit:

the

merit:

studio.

merit:

Even

merit:

Mr.

merit:

Rossetter

merit:

seemed

merit:

impressed,

merit:

slapping

merit:

his

merit:

hand

merit:

atop

merit:

his

merit:

amplifier

merit:

before

merit:

speaking

merit:

into

merit:

it.
"Atta

merit:

girl!

merit:

That

merit:

was

merit:

the

merit:

take

merit:

we

merit:

needed!

merit:

Once this

merit:

film

merit:

hits

merit:

the

merit:

streets,

merit:

you'll

merit:

be

merit:

the

merit:

biggest

merit:

name

merit:

on

merit:

the

merit:

West

merit:

Coast!"
Far

merit:

above

merit:

the

merit:

cameraman's

merit:

view

merit:

of

merit:

her

merit:

imposing

merit:

sole—a sight

merit:

that

merit:

all

merit:

but

merit:

concealed

merit:

the

merit:

shot

merit:

in

merit:

darkness—and

merit:

amidst

merit:

all

merit:

the

merit:

applause,

merit:

the

merit:

jackal

merit:

goddess's

merit:

muzzle

merit:

broke

merit:

out

merit:

into

merit:

a

merit:

proud,

merit:

knowing

merit:

grin.
"And

merit:

I'm

merit:

only

merit:

gonna

merit:

get

merit:

bigger,"

merit:

she

merit:

whispered

merit:

to

merit:

herself.


This

merit:

was “A

merit:

Shadow

merit:

Over

merit:

the

merit:

Desert”

merit:

by

merit:

Rebecca

merit:

Cascane,

merit:

read

merit:

for you

merit:

by

merit:

Rob

merit:

MacWolf,

merit:

Werewolf

merit:

Hitchhiker.

merit:

You

merit:

can

merit:

find

merit:

more

merit:

stories

merit:

on

merit:

the

merit:

web

merit:

at thevoice.dog, or find the

merit:

show

merit:

wherever

merit:

you

merit:

get

merit:

your

merit:

podcasts.

merit:

Thank

merit:

you

merit:

for

merit:

listening

merit:

to

merit:

The

merit:

Voice

merit:

of

merit:

Dog.

But

merit:

tune

merit:

in

merit:

next

merit:

time,

merit:

if

merit:

you

merit:

dare,

merit:

for

merit:

the

merit:

first

merit:

of

merit:

our

merit:

special

merit:

Halloween

merit:

episodes.

merit:

Expect

merit:

a

merit:

horror,

merit:

ghost

merit:

story,

merit:

or

merit:

otherwise

merit:

spooky

merit:

episode

merit:

every

merit:

monday,

merit:

wednesday,

merit:

and

merit:

friday,

merit:

on

merit:

the

merit:

Ghost

merit:

of

merit:

Dog.

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