Lurking in the Dark

             I looked down at the streets from the building ledge I was perched on.  The cool September air ruffled my feathers, sending a chill down my spine.  It was well after midnight and yet the streets were congested with people.  I shivered a little, trying to settle my feathers against the night air.  A deep feeling of restlessness had settled in the pit of my stomach over the last couple of weeks.  It'd been almost a month sense my Director for the Department of Magic and Supernatural had ordered me on medical leave and I was beginning to itch with anticipation.  I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.  I had healed nicely over the past month, aside from the teeth shaped scar that now adorned my left collarbone.             As though it had a mind of its own, the scar began to itch and burn, bringing with it the memories and nightmares of how it came to be in the first place.  I shivered again, only not because of the cold.  I cursed myself, Damnit. He's dead.  I shook my head, pushing the memories into the back of my mind.  I spread my wings and leapt into the air.  I caught an updraft, riding it higher into the sky.  I headed west, careful as to not attract unwanted attention.  Humans and non-humans had been living in peace for hundreds of years, but prejudices still ran on both sides.  Twenty minutes later, the hustle of downtown had faded and the quite streets of residential neighborhoods came into view.  I flew for a couple more minutes before landing on the back patio of the house I was staying at.  The yard was dark and quiet. Satisfied that no one was around, I reached for the magic.  It started as a warm ball in my stomach.  I allowed the ball to grow, before spreading it to the rest of my body.  In no time, a human stood where a hawk once did.  The cool air caressed my naked skin, forming goosebumps.  Changing forms always damaged clothing, leaving them torn and ragged.  I grabbed the clothes I'd laid out before my flight, pulling them on.             Dressed, I grabbed the keys out of the sweatpants’ pocket, unlocked the patio door, and slipped inside, locking the door behind me.  I walked into the kitchen, dropping my keys on the island counter.  My phone beeped, indicating a text message.  The message was from my younger sister, Maryanne.  A smile tugged at my lips.  Being on leave for so long, had allowed me to come home, which had included some much-needed family time.  As werewolves, we were very close nit and I hadn't realized how much I'd missed out on until this last month.  I sent Maryanne a text, confirming breakfast with her and our mother.  Putting the phone down, I glanced at the clock on the stove.  1:30 am.  A yawn escaped and I stretched, flying always wore me out.  Grabbing the phone, I walked through the living room, down the hall, and into the back bedroom.  I put the phone on the nightstand and crawled under the covers.  It wasn't long before I fell into the blackness of sleep.             Sweat rolled down my face, getting into my eyes. My head pounded as though my brain was trying to push its way out of my skull. I ignored the pain, yet again testing the handcuffs that held my wrist to a metal pipe. The cuffs were made of silver, a strong metal, but poison to a were/shifter like me. I hissed as the metal dug into and burned my skin. I'd woken in this room nearly a hour ago. My last memory of having saved a would-be victim of the Butcher. A werewolf who had the taste for human flesh and torture. I'd been tracking him for months and it seemed I'd finally found him. I shoved the memory away, again trying the cuffs. Blood oozed, but I could feel the pipe loosening, just one more good tug. I froze at the sound of metal on stone. The room was filled with outside light, blinding me. The darkened figure of a man loomed in the doorway. My eyes locked onto the case he carried.  My skin itched and burned, silver. I froze as he closed the door. The click of his boots against the metal echoed as he walked to a table that sat in the middle of the room. Next to that table was another, adorned with straps, no doubt also lined with silver.  The Butcher sat his case on the first table, opening it. My stomach dropped as he pulled a syringe out. Without warning he was on me. Hand around my throat, he plunged the needle into my skin, and then there was nothing but blackness.             I bolted upright, half expecting to be strapped to the Butcher's table again.  My breathing slowed as I realized I was in my bed.  My phone beeped.  It was almost 9 o'clock.  I cursed myself, remembering breakfast with Maryanne and our mother.  I threw the blanket off, climbing out of bed, and made my way to the bathroom.  I turned the water on, stepped out of my clothes and stepped under the spray.  I stood under the spray, enjoying the warmth as it washed away the bad memories the dream had surfaced.  After a few minutes, I turned the water off and got out.  I pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a grey, long sleeved shirt.  My phone rang as I pulled on my boots.  I pulled it from my pants pocket. "Shore."             "Em? Where are you? We've been here for twenty minutes."  My sister's sweet voice came over the phone.             "I'm coming."             "Are you?"             "Yes. Yes, I'm walking out the door now." I lied. "See you in few."  I hung up, slipping the phone into my jeans' pocket.  I picked up the Silver Shooter, a Sig Sauer that had been modified to shoot silver bullets.  I popped the magazine out, checking it was full, before slipping it into the holster on my waist.  Although, I wasn't on duty, having its weight at my side made me feel better.  I grabbed my keys and stepped onto the porched, locking the door behind me.  The morning was cool.  The hawk within me stirred, wanting to spread her wings.  I pushed the feeling away and walked to the car I had been renting for the past month.  I got in, started the engine, and backed out of driveway.             Ten minutes later, I parked the car half a block from the diner Maryanne had picked out.  I walked the half block, crossing the street as a very pink sign with the name Rachel's came into view.  I followed a young couple into the diner, searching the crowd of people.  Maryanne stood from a booth at the back of the diner, waving her hand.  Smiling, I walked over.  The woman who sat with Maryanne stood, embracing me.  My mother Helen was a very slender woman. My own 5 foot 8 inches towered over her 5 foot 2 inches.  Her dark auburn hair and big green eyes matched mine, as did her ability to take hawk form.  I turned to my sister, embracing her as well.  Although Maryanne did not have the ability to take hawk form, she too was slender.  Her frame, however, was muscular, as werewolves were.  Her light brown hair came down in curls and her grey eyes sparkled.  There were three more of us kids and out of all of us, I was the only one to inherit our father's wolf and our mother's hawk.  I slid into the booth next to Maryanne.  "How's Dad?"  My mother smiled,             "He and the boys have been busy."  My father, David, had been a lawyer for the last thirty years.  My oldest brother, DJ, went into law school after high school and my second brother, Eric had followed suit.  The three had decided to open their own firm nearly five years ago.  My mother's face suddenly went serious as she grabbed my hand.  "How are you doing, dear."  My family had been completely supportive when I joined the D.M.S, but after my encounter with the Butcher, my mother had become nervous for me to go back.  I gave her my best smile.             "I'm good, mom. Really."  Her eyes searched my face for a moment before releasing my hand.  At that moment, a waitress came over.  We gave the waitress our drink orders.  I turned to Maryanne as the waitress walked away to fill the order.  "How are the boys?"  Maryanne's husband, Lewis Salis was the son of a powerful werewolf clan leader.  As second in command, Lewis made more than enough.  As such, Maryanne was able to be a stay-at-home mom to their eight-year-old, twin boys, Jacob and Joshua.  Her eyes sparkled at the thought of her kids.  Werewolves and shifters alike, were very much family ordinated.  It was the basis of the animal within find a mate, make offspring.             "They're great. They've been working hard on their science projects."  I smiled.  I had helped them both last week to come up with something.  Jake had decided on outer space and Josh, life in the ocean.  Maryanne gave me a crooked smile.  The smile she always gave me before asking the question she always did.  "When are you going to settle down and have some of your own?"  I didn't answer, breathing a sigh of relief as the waitress came back with our drinks.  I buried my nose in my menu, pretending to focus on the food options.  I could feel Maryanne glancing at me from her own.  She wasn't going to let it drop this time. I held back a wince as the waitress walked away to fill our orders.  I did want that life, eventually.  However, giving up my work, something most males wanted, was something I was not willing to do.  Maryanne arched her eyebrow at me, waiting for an answer.  I glanced at our mother, hoping for some help.  Finding none, I sighed.             "You both know I love my job.  I'm not giving that up, just so a male can feel more masculine."  Maryanne opened her mouth to argue,             "That's enough, Maryanne. There is nothing wrong with Emre wanting to work."  our mother interrupted, “Why, I worked all the way up until Calub was born."  Calub was the youngest of us five kids, born two years after me.  I gave Maryanne my own crooked grin.  She responded by sticking her tongue out at me.  The waitress returned a few minutes later with our food and to refill drinks.  The rest of our time was spent talking, laughing, and eating.  Sometime later, the waitress came back with the bill.  My mother grabbed it.             "I'll get it this time, Em."              "No, that's okay."  Suddenly, my phone beeped with a text message.  I sighed, taking my phone from my pocket.  It was my nephew, Gabriel: Can you come pick me up? I'm in the office.  I shook my head, sending a response and standing.  "I got to go get Gabe."  They looked at me with concern.             "Is everything okay?" Maryanne asked.  My mother shook her head.             "He's thirteen and coming into maturity. Probably just a school yard scuffle. I'm sure he's fine."             I said good-bye to them and made my way onto the street and back to my car.  I started the car and pulled out onto the street.             Like most of the werewolves and shifters in the city, Gabriel and all of my other nieces and nephews attended Darwin Academy, a twenty-minute drive from where I was.  The school was one of six supernatural schools in the city.  The schools allowed werewolf and shifter children learn basic subjects, coupled with learning to control their inner animal.  It also kept human children safe.  The s****l appetite of a werewolf or shifter is tenfold that of a human and even more so in one coming into maturity.  Most super naturals stayed away from human partners, simply because the chances of the human surviving the s*x were slim to none.             I pulled in front of the school, getting out of the car.  An iron fence outlined the perimeter with an arched gate.  Above the gate was a sign stating the schools name.  Next to the entrance was an intercom.  I walked over to the intercom and pressed the talk button.  A little light went red and a voice came over the speaker.  "Darwin Academy, please provide sample."  A small compartment on the side of the intercom box opened.  I placed my finger over the opening, bracing myself as a needle quickly stuck my finger, taking my blood with it.  I pulled my hand back, sucking on my finger to make the bleeding stop.  A couple seconds later, the red light switched to green and I heard the click of the gate unlocking.  The voice came over the intercom, "Please proceed."  I walked through the gate and up the long pathway to the front doors of the building.  The three-story building seemed to tower of me, just as it did when I'd gone here as a child.  Its brick walls were lined with windows and the smells from those inside seemed to leak out of the cracks.             I pulled one of the doors open and stepped inside.  The smells seemed to hit me in the face making me wince a little.  My nostrils flared as wolf, rabbit, fox, and even a buffalo passed by somewhere.  I walked down the hall, my boots clicking against the polished floor.  A lot of noise came from a room further down.  I walked to the room, opening the door.  My eyes landed on Gabriel, who sat in a chair against the wall.  Gabriel was the spitting image of his father, my older brother, DJ.  He was tall, nearly matching my 5 foot 8 inches. His body was lean and his shoulders were broad.  His shaggy brown hair touched his ears and his usual happy brown eyes, were dark and clouded.  His face was red with anger and his hands clenched the chair's arms so tight his knuckles were white.  Blood dripped from a cut on his lip and a bruise was quickly forming on his cheek.  Gabriel's younger brother, James sat next to him.  James, two years younger than Gabriel, took more after their mother, Elianna.  Elianna is what people call a quarter-blood, half wolf - half human.  This makes her only able to take wolf form during the full moon.  The human blood runs thick in James' veins, making him more susceptible to human disabilities.  This was visible in the thick-rimmed eyeglasses that sat crookedly on his nose, one lens cracked.  His light eyes and cheeks were stained with tears.  He held a blood-stained cloth to his nose, as a school nurse tended to him.             I looked at the door that connected this room with the Headmaster's office.  It was there that all the noise was coming from.  I walked over to the boys, squatting down in front of them.  I placed a hand on James.  The nurse turned to me.  She smelled of magic, an air elemental.  "His nose is broken. I've mended it as much as I can."  I nodded my thanks, watching as she turned and left, closing the door behind her.  I turned to Gabriel.             "What happened?"             "It wasn't Gabe's fault, Aunt Em."  James said fast.  "It was Gilbert."  Just then the noise erupted from the Headmaster's office as the door swung open to reveal a large ball of a man.  His short legs were so thin it was a wonder how they were able to hold up his large frame.  His nose was long and his dark eyes small.  My nose wrinkled as the smell of rat filled my senses.  The rat's eyes were full of rage as he looked at Gabe and then me.  I stood, placing myself between the boys and the rat.             "I want this dog arrested."  I felt Gabe tense at the insult.  More people flooded out of the office.  A she-rat with her arm around a sniveling child.  The child, I guessed to be Gilbert, matched his father in shape.  Gilbert's face was swollen and bruised.  Dried blood covered his nose and upper lip and by the awkward angle of his right arm, I guessed it to be broken in multiple places.  A man, smelling of panther, pushed pass the rat, coming to stand between us.             "Now Doug. Let's calm down."             "Calm down? That little s**t broke my son's arm."  I stepped up,             "And it would seem Gilbert broke James' nose."  The rat, Doug, met my eyes.  He was looking for a fight and I guessed it wouldn't take it much for him to spill over.             "You the dog's mother?"  Gabriel jumped to his feet; his anger so thick I could taste it.  I held an arm out, stopping him from rushing the larger man.  I looked at the panther,             "Am I free to take them home, Headmaster?"             "Well, we will have to figure out some form of punishment, Ms. Shore."  I looked at Gilbert.             "If you ask me, Headmaster. It seems Gabe taught the boy a lesson he won't soon forget."  Unsurprising, the comment was all it took.  Doug rushed pass the panther, his fat hands held over his head.  I easily side stepped him, taking his feet out from under him with one of my own.  He went face first into the floor.  He got to his feet, turning on me.  He wiped the blood that oozed out of his nose.  His black eyes, now full of murder, met mine.             "You b***h!"  he screamed, before rushing me again.  I dodged the punch he aimed for my face and connected my own fist with his nose.  More blood gushed and I felt bone crunch under my knuckles.  The rat screamed, this time in pain.             "Boys, go to the car."  Blood now leaked from the rat's face.             "You dogs aren't going anywhere."  He rushed me again.  I side stepped him, using my foot to hook his, sending him once again to the floor.  His head connected with the corner of a desk, before falling to the floor, motionless.  The she-rat screamed.             "Doug. Oh God, Doug."  I motioned the boys to the door.             "I'm taking them home. He'll come too in an hour or so."             I followed the boys out of the school and into the car.  Gabriel climbed into the front seat, glaring out the window.  James climbed into the back, his nose still heavily bleeding.  I started the car and pulled onto the road, headed for home.  "Are you really taking us home?"  I looked at James in the backseat, the blood was now dripping onto his shirt.             "I'm taking you to my place. We'll stop at your house so you can grab a change of clothes."             "Are you going to tell mom and dad?"  Gabriel continued to glare out the window.             "I'm going to let them know you're with me."             "He deserved what he got."  I didn't say anything right away.  The truth was, I thought so too.  Gabriel and I had always been very close.  So close, that he even wanted to become a part of the Department of Magic and Supernatural.  I took pride in that, even though his parents were not keen on the idea, especially after I came home the way I did.  I let out a breath.             "I'm not saying you were completely wrong, but don't think that there's not going to be some kind of punishment."  We pulled into their driveway and I put the car in park.  "Go. James, shift shape and both of you clean yourselves up."  They both got out of the car.  I watched as they walked up the sidewalk, closing the door behind them.  I pulled out my phone, sending a text message to Elianna.  There was a mishap at Darwin. Don't worry, the boys are fine. They'll be at my place.  A moment later, the phone beeped with a reply.  I flipped the phone shut, stuffing it back into my pocket as the boys came back out and got into the car.  The bruise on Gabriel's cheek was now a healing yellow and the cut above his eye was completely gone.  James' nose was straight, as shifting to and from his wolf form had relined the bone, mending it into place.              I backed the car out of the drive and headed home.  Almost an hour later, I pulled the car into my drive.  We all got out, walking to the front door.  The boys headed for the living room, switching the television on.  I laid my keys and phone on the kitchen counter.  The clock on the stove read half past two.  My phone beeped.  It was DJ, Hey, sis. Elianna and I are going to be late. Would you mind picking up Luke and keeping them for the night?  Luke was the youngest, at three years old.  That is until Elianna had the baby, she was currently pregnant with.  Something that could happen at any point this month.  I texted DJ that it wouldn't be a problem.  I put the phone down, walking into the living room and lend over the back of the sofa.  Gabriel sat at the far end, remote in hand.  James laid with his head on the arm at the other end.  "Your parents are working late."  Gabriel mumbled something under his breath.  I looked at him, snatching the remote out of his hand.  He looked at me, shock in his eyes, before a slight grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.  It seemed his anger from earlier had subsided.  "So, I thought we might go get a movie." James sat up on his elbow.             "And a pizza?"  I shrugged, smiling.             "Maybe. Let's go."  They both got up.  I switched off the TV and followed them out the front door.  I ordered a few large pizzas as we waited outside Darwin.  The bell would ring soon, singling the end of the day for the younger kids.  Gabriel sat in the front seat; his cellphone pressed against his ear.  He had spent the last ten minutes or so listening, no doubt to his parents about the events of earlier today.  I stepped out of the car as the front doors of the school opened, allowing children to spill out.  I walked across the street as the gate opened.  I kneeled as a dark haired, light eyed boy rushed to me.  A smile across his usual happy face.  Luke wrapped his arms around my neck.             "Auntie Em. Is mommy having the baby?"  I smiled, wrapping my arms around him in a hug.             "Not yet. Your mom and dad are working late, so you and your brothers are going to stay with me."  His smile widened as he hugged me again.  I stood, taking his hand and headed for the car as Luke started telling me about his day.  I opened the back door for him, closing it behind him.             "Em. Emre."  I turned to see my youngest brother's wife, Jin walking towards me.  My niece, Natilee and nephew CJ, ran towards me.  I caught both in a hug.  Natilee was tall and slender for a seven-year-old.  Her curly red/brown hair matched that of her mother's and her grey eyes shone.  CJ was the same age as Luke.  His dark hair was shaggy around his ears and he shared his sister's grey eyes.  "Hey Em." Jin said.  The baby girl on her hip smiled up at me.  Ava was Jin and Calub's youngest and had just turned six months old.  The little girl had the same curly red/brown hair as her sister and mother.  Her eyes, however, were darker than their grey eyes, taking on more of Calub's color.  She wore a long sleeve one piece.  The material was made with graphene.              Graphene is the toughest material, making it almost completely unbreakable.  This made it the prefect material for werewolf and shifter baby clothing.  Children were unable to control the magic that causes the change from form to form until they're around the age of five. CJ and Luke would still have the material embedded in their clothes as they continued to learn to control the wolf.  "Hey." I said, wrapping an arm around her in a quick hug.  Ava giggled as a sparkle of magic enveloped her.  The magic faded as Jin held a wolf pup rather than a human baby.  A second later Ava returned to her human form, giggling.  "How's Calub doing?"  Jin let out a heavy sigh.             "He's been spinning a lot of time at the precinct.  He and his partner are working a big case."  Calub was an agent within the police department set aside for persons of magic or the supernatural.  He did the same work as I in the Department of Magic and Supernatural, only locally.  "What you guys doing?"  I looked at Gabriel, who was still talking on the phone.             "DJ and Elianna are working late, so I'm keeping the boys."  Jin nodded.             "Well kids. We better get going."  Natilee and CJ hugged me.  I waved bye to Ava as Jin and the kids headed towards their car.  I slid into the driver seat and pulled onto the road.  Gabriel closed his phone, sighing.             "So, how much trouble are you in?"             "Gilbert and I have two weeks in school suspension. Dad seemed annoyed about having to leave work more than anything."             "Did you hit someone?"  Luke interrupted excitedly.  I looked at him in the review mirror.             "Yes, and he's being punished for it."             "I'm hungry." Luke responded.  I smiled, shaking my head.  After stopping at my brothers for another set of fresh clothes, we grabbed the pizzas I had ordered and a couple movies, before going back to my place.  Two movies and two in half pizzas later, the boys went to bed.  I turned the tv off, picking up the pizza box that still contained a few slices and put it into the fridge, and then headed to my room.  I slid under the covers and was asleep in a few minutes.             Pain slipped through the fog that surrounded my head, as I became aware of the hot and wet feeling of blood running down my arms and chest.  Despite the pain, it was not the kind of pain that comes with silver.  I laid still, listening.  Hearing nothing, I opened my eyes just enough to peek out.  I was naked, the metal table I was strapped to was cold and wet with my blood.  I struggled to keep the panic from over taking me.  "Emre?!"  The sudden voice was loud.  I looked around but found no one.  "Emre Shore?"  I realized the voice was coming from inside my head and it wasn't my own.             "Auntie Em. Auntie Em."  I awoke in a rush, making Luke, who stood next to the bed, jump.  I glanced at the clock, 6 am.             "Luke? What's wrong?"             "I heard a noise."  I put my finger to my lips, as I heard it too.  It sounded like someone walking around in the front of the house.  I grabbed the silver shooter from underneath my pillow, taking the clip out and checking it was full.  Luke's eyes widened at the sight of the weapon.             "Where are your brothers?"             "In bed."  His voice was a whimper.  A cabinet opened and then closed in the kitchen.             "Stay here and keep quiet until I come get you."  He nodded.  I slipped through the door, closing it as quietly as I could.  Weapon at the ready, I made my way down the hall as more cabinets opened and closed.  I cleared the bathroom and poked my head into the boys' room.  The room was dark, but I could just see Gabriel and James in the bed.  They were sitting up, fear in their eyes.  I put my finger to my lips and silently closed the door as they both nodded.  I made my way out of the hall, turning left into the kitchen.  I trained my weapon on the back of a large man.  He stood with the fridge door open.  The light from the fridge made him into a dark silhouette.  I sniffed the air, lion.  "Don't move."  The lion stiffened, putting his hands in the air.  A familiar sent filled the air.  The lion turned, chuckling.             "You always were hard to sneak up on."  I flipped the light on.  Thomas Ramiro, one of my partners with the D.M.S, stood there, a slice of pizza hanging from his mouth.  His long golden hair was tied away from his face in a loose ponytail and his caramel eyes shone with laughter.  I put my weapon down in surprise.             "Damn, Tommy. Are you trying to wake the whole the house?"  Oliver McCollum walked in from the dark of the living room.  His bearded face crinkled in a smile once he saw me.  "Hey, Em."  Oliver “Mac” was a bear shifter and leader of our team.  His over six-foot-tall frame was rippled with muscle.  I went over to him.  He wrapped his big arms around me in a hug.  His sent wrapped around me, familiar and calming.  He pulled me away, hold me at arm’s length as he looked me up and down.  "It's good to see you. How have you been?"  I smiled.             "Good. Where's Gator?"  Thomas closed the fridge,             "He's in the attic."  As only a couple hundred-year-old vampire, Charles "Gator", was only able to withstand a few hours of sunlight, ranging from dawn and then in the evening.  During the afternoon hours he would be in a darkened room, protected from the dangerous rays of the sun.  Thomas put an arm around my shoulders.  "He and the new girl are up there making sure its sun proof."  He squeezed my shoulder in an is everything okay way before releasing me.             "Aunt Em?"  The three of us turned.  All three of my nephews stood in the hallway.             "It's alright, guys. Just had a lion in the fridge is all." I said, playfully elbowing Thomas in the ribs.  Thomas shrugged.             "Guy's got to eat. Speaking of eating. Who wants breakfast?"  Luke placed a hand on his stomach, his usual happy grin on his face.             "I do. I do."  Thomas smiled.             "Alright, little man. Let’s go see what Auntie Em has."  Luke giggled, following Thomas into the kitchen.  Thomas had always been good with kids, having three of his own. I turned back to Mac.             “What are you guys doing here?” Mac shrugged. “Calub called us yesterday. Said he needed help with a case.” Just then there was knock on the door. I went over, opening it. My youngest brother, Calub, stood on the porch. His brown eyes crinkled as a smile tugged at his lips. He carried several cups in a cup carrier. A box of donuts was in his other hand. Even though Calub was younger by several years, he was a foot taller than me. His lean body was muscular, with bord shoulders that stranded against the light grey button-down shirt he wore. The shirt was tucked into a black pair of jeans. His law enforcement badge and firearm were clipped to his belt. I peered over Calub’s shoulder. A man stood on the sidewalk. Even on the sidewalk, I could tell the man was several inches taller than Calub’s six foot. A dark colored long-sleeved shirt covered his strong, muscular body and a pair of blue jeans traveled down the length of his legs. Like Calub, he wore a badge and firearm on his waist. His black hair shone blue in the early morning sun and his light blue eyes met my green ones. I felt a knot from in my stomach as the smell of alpha wolf wound around my senses. I blinked, clearing my senses, smiling at Calub. “Hey Calub. Everyone’s here, come on in.” I stepped back, allowing Calub and the man to come in. I lead them back to the living room. Gabriel, James, and Mac were seated on the couch. Gator turned from the bookcase that sat next to the television. A smile turned the corners of his mouth as he stretched his arms out. I smiled, stepping into his embrace. “It’s good to see ya, kid.” Guilt swam in the depths of his hazel eyes. I knew he was remembering the night the Butcher had snatched me. Gator had been with me that night in the ally. The Butcher had struck him with an ash wood stake. Thankfully the killer had missed his heart, immobilizing him rather than killing him. Mac had told me that Gator felt extremely guilty for not being able to save me. I could see that guilt now. I hugged Gator back. “It’s good to see you too.” A woman came up next to Gator. The woman was small, but lean. Her dark blonde hair was an untamable mess of curls. Her ember eyes twinkled with tears. Anna Matters was the newest member to our team. She was a strong psychic and air elemental. At just twenty-five, she was the youngest, but had already proven her capabilities. Had it not been for her, I wouldn’t be alive. I smiled at her, embracing her. Something fuzzy slipped between our legs. Looking down, my gaze fell on the ember eyes of a grey cat. The cat held my gaze. “I hope you don’t mind.” The cat was Anna’s familiar. Her psychic alibies allowed her to delve deep into another’s mind, an action that could result in Anna getting lost in the memories and feelings of the person. Her familiar acted as an anchor to the real world. I bent down, tickling the cat under his chin. “Of course, Jinx is just as a part of the team as you are.” Tommy came around the corner, a look of defeat on his face. Luke trailed behind him. Tommy looked at me, “How do you survive in a house with no food?” I stood, chuckling. “Take out.” Calub came up, placing the box of donuts in Tommy’s hands. Tommy’s eyes light up as he turned around to Luke. “Uncle Calub saves the day.” Luke laughed, taking a glazed donut from the box. I settled the boys in the kitchen with donuts and glasses of orange juice, before going back into the living room with everyone else. Once we all were all settled with donuts and coffee, Calub got up, standing in front of us. “Hello, everyone. I would like to introduce my partner, Bryan Garrett. Bryan nodded his head at us. I had only met Bryan Garrett a couple of times. For the first few months I had stayed with my parents. He had been over once when Calub had come to see me a few days after I came back to town. Another was a few weeks after, we hadn’t said anything aside from hello. His blue eyes settling on me. A knot once again formed in the pit of stomach, before traveling down to rest between my legs. I choked on my coffee as my wolf and hawk seemed to rush to the surface. Pushing them back down, I held Bryan’s stare. A smile tugged at his lip. He had seen my reaction. I shifted my attention to my brother, taking a sip of coffee to clear my senses. Calub cleared this throat. “For the past several months Bryan and I have been working a high-profile case.” Bryan held up a folder, opening it. Calub continued, “As of right now, four were/shifter children have gone missing. Their bodies were discovered a couple weeks later.” Bryan placed a photograph on the coffee table. My heart dropped. The photo was a side-by-side. On the left, a brown haired, bright eyed boy smiled at the camera. On the right, was an autopsy photo. The smiling boy lay on a metal table. His once bright eyes were closed, his skin was pale and battered with bruises. “Tyler Spencer Lane, twelve years old. He went missing July 4th, walking home from a friend’s house. His body was found at a local park on July 18th.” Bryan placed another photo on top of Tyler Lane’s. The photo seemed identical to Tyler’s. A dark-haired boy smiled at the camera on the left. His battered body laid on a metal table on the right. “Alexzander Ray Grant. He was thirteen and went missing July 25th, walking from his grandmother’s house. A construction worker found his body on August 7th in his work area.” Bryan set yet another photo on the table. “William Allen Cooper, twelve years old. Reported missing August 13th after the school called his mother for his absence. His body was later found on the 26th in an ally off 10th Street.” Bryan placed the last photo on top of William’s. “This is the latest victim, thirteen-year-old Matthew Robert Andrews. He went missing on September 4. His body was found by a jogger in the same park where Tyler was found, on the 14th.” Children were an important part of a shifter or werewolf’s life. Having children was the basis of their being. I glanced at the others. Mac sat with his hands balled into fists. Tommy’s face was red with anger. My heart sank, as I realized he was thinking of his own children. His oldest, TJ was the same age as the victims. He met my gaze. I nodded, reassuring him that it’ll be okay. I looked back at the photographs, staring on the closed eyes of Matthew. My stomach knotted. We sat there for several moments in silence. Suddenly, the boys came in. Luke saw Jinx, who sat peacefully in Anna’s lap. Unable to help himself, he ran over. I grabbed the photos, placing them face down in my lap. Gabe looked at me, questions forming in his eyes. I shook my head. “What’s up, guys?” Gabe shifted his gaze from the photographs to me. “Mom just called. She’s on her way.” “Aww, I don’t want to go.” Luke whined. I looked at him. He had his arms wrapped around Jinx’s middle, holding him close his chest. The cat’s legs hung freely, nearly touching the floor. The poor cat looked at me, seeming to beg for help. Anna covered her mouth with her hand, no doubt hiding a smile.