The second time Aria saw the Lycans building, it was darker and colder.
The town lights smeared yellow across wet pavement. A light mist hung in the air, softening edges without really hiding anything. The sign over the door — LYCAN RESEARCH INITIATIVE — glowed a little too brightly against the gloom.
“Still ugly,” Lena said, shoving her hands deeper into her pockets. “At least at night we blend into the misery.”
“Positive attitude,” Aria said.
“Someone has to balance out your terrifying competence,” Lena replied. “You two know the plan. I’ll take the bus stop. Text if they start handing out free samples of silver.”
She peeled off toward the stop across the street, shoulders hunched, instantly indistinguishable from the other bored commuters waiting there.
Rowan and Aria crossed to t
