I heard it right behind me. A low, malevolent growl, deep and chilling. It definitely did not come from a terrier. I turned slowly, easing my hand into my bag. Confronting me was a huge hound, black and hairless and deformed. The end of its elongated snout was peeled back, exposing long, jagged steel teeth. The thing was slavering, its viscous brown drool staining the ornate floral carpeting. I had to be careful. It was most probably Black Ice. Lowering its head, it stalked toward me. I backed away slowly, creating something deadly.