Ares obviously didn't like this place, either.

The howling began a few hours later.

Puck abruptly stopped in the middle of the trail. He held up a hand, silencing them, before they could ask what was going on.

It was audible then, drifting over the breeze, a chorus of chilling bays and howls echoing behind them.

"What was that?" Isiea asks calmly, petting Ares.

She felt shivers run up her spine at the sound of the howls.

The kelpie's ears flick back towards the howls

"A hunt," Puck replied, looking off into the distance. He grimaced. "You know, I was just thinking we needed to be run down like rabbits and torn apart. My day just isn't complete without something trying to kill me."

" i would prefer not to get killed by a pack of wolves. Strongly. "

She sighs, and looks up at Ares. She's considering climbing on, but she knows he doesn't trust her yet and probably won't go where she wants.

"You've never seen a wild hunt, have you." Puck groaned, running his fingers through his hair. "Well, this will complicate things. I was hoping to give you the grand tour of the Nevernever, but I guess I'll have to put it on hold."

The baying grew closer, deep, throaty howls. Whatever was coming at them, it was big.

"What's hunting us?" She demands, gently stroking Ares' neck.

" of course i haven't. Can we just get out of here? "

"You'll never be able to outrun them," Puck said, backing away. "They've got our scent now, and no mortal has ever escaped a wild hunt." He sighed and dramatically flung his arm over his eyes. "I guess the sacrifice of my dignity is the only thing that will save us now. The Fates laugh at my torment."

Puck smiled his eerie little grin and began to change.

His face stretched out, becoming longer and narrower, as his neck began to grow. His arms spasmed, fingers turning black and fusing into hooves. He arched his back, spine expanding, as his legs became hindquarters bunched with muscle. Fur covered his skin as he dropped to all fours, no longer a boy but a sleek gray horse with a shaggy mane and tail. The transformation had taken less than ten seconds.