Neverland: Appetite for Murder

Lurking Shadow Panther

“I can feel eyes on me,” Delilah muttered, instinctively moving closer to Peter. He wrapped an arm around her waist protectively, murmuring, “Darling, that would be Nyx. She’s probably picked up on the human scent and thinks you might’ve killed him.”

Turning to Arkeia, Peter asked, “Arkeia, is there any way to get Nyx to shift back to her human form? If she stays in shadow panther shape, she won’t have the capacity to tell her scent from that of the other woman.”

Arkeia began searching around the area with a practiced, focused gaze. “To be fair,” he said, “I wouldn’t blame her. The only difference between Delilah’s scent and the murderer’s,” he added, catching something in mid-air before it could strike Delilah, “is that Delilah smells like the living—sweeter—and the murderer reeks of death.” Arkeia’s hand gripped Nyx firmly. “Nyx, you need to take in her scent,” he said gently but firmly, holding her fast to prevent another attempted lunge.

“Shift back, Nyx,” Arkeia continued, calm but commanding. “I won’t use my Alpha order, but I need you to shift. Go ahead and try as many times as you want to kill her, but I’ll still catch you every time. And if I have to bring in Lumin and Terra, you won’t get the chance to hear what Peter and Lily Glitter have to say. You don’t want that, do you?”

Nyx growled, then finally gave in, shifting back into her human form and collapsing limply in Arkeia’s arms.

“Now, Delilah, come closer, please. She needs to smell you,” Arkeia commanded. Peter held her back for a moment, looking at Arkeia with a silent question in his eyes—Are you certain it’s safe? Arkeia answered with a firm nod.

“She won’t hurt you,” Peter reassured her quietly. Delilah responded with a gentle touch to Peter’s arm, signaling her trust.

“I should probably mention—I might smell like Ember, a dark pixie, and Captain James,” Delilah said, cautiously moving closer. “So, sorry if it’s confusing.”

Nyx nodded, her expression softening, and Arkeia encouraged Delilah forward. “One moment,” Arkeia said, raising a hand. “Before you come closer, let’s get Lumin and Terra. Lumin! Terra!” he called, and a giant of a man appeared from the shadows, flanked by a strikingly beautiful woman.

“If Nyx tries anything, Lumin, you grab her with me. Terra, you secure Delilah. Got it?” Arkeia commanded. They both nodded in unison.

“Alright, Delilah. Step forward,” Arkeia instructed. She did so cautiously, stretching a hand toward Nyx.

“You’re right about the scents,” Nyx admitted, “though you missed Pan’s.” She narrowed her eyes slightly as her nose twitched. “And the dark pixie smell... it’s oddly familiar. Why do I smell…”

“Tinker Bell,” Arkeia finished, his expression darkening. Delilah looked back at Peter, uncertain, wondering if she should confirm.

“Ember is sure, right?” Lily Glitter asked, glancing toward Peter. He nodded, his expression sober.

The moment was too much for Arkeia, whose grip loosened on Nyx. She fell to the ground, her legs giving way. Delilah reacted instinctively, catching her just in time, pulling Nyx close as the shifter shook, her body racked with sobs.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” Nyx whispered in a broken voice, again and again. Delilah just held her tighter, wondering what terrible things Nyx could be apologizing for.

Arkeia knelt beside them, gently stroking Nyx’s hair, his face unreadable but softened. Delilah murmured to Nyx, “I need to check the crime scene now, okay?” She passed Nyx back into Arkeia’s protective arms and stood.

Peter moved to her, pulling her into a tight embrace. She leaned into him, brushing her lips across his cheek—a quiet, reassuring I’m okay.

Releasing her, Peter stayed close as she scanned the area. “Who found the body?” she asked, her voice low.

Arkeia glanced at Nyx, hesitating. “I need to know,” Delilah clarified. “Should I be looking at where Nyx discovered Aeropex’s body, or is there another focal point?”

Arkeia nodded. “There was a group of us, but Nyx saw him first. She didn’t lose it until after the body was taken down, though.”

Delilah continued examining the surroundings when a chill crept over her. Her gaze fell on a pair of haunting eyes in the shadows, watching them with a twisted, sinister smile.

“Peter,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “She’s here.”

Peter rushed over, looking around. “Darling, I don’t see anyone. Who do you mean, and what does she look like?”

“I… I only saw her eyes and that smile. Nothing else. Sorry—I must be seeing things,” Delilah admitted, though her voice held a tremor. Everyone’s nerves seemed to fray, the tension palpable.

Peter pulled her close, his arms tight around her as she steadied herself. She finally turned to Lily. “Something’s wrong. Whatever drove Nyx to attack me might still be here. Arkeia wasn’t supposed to be able to stop her.”

Delilah looked at Arkeia thoughtfully. “It must’ve taken years of practice to catch her like that.”

“No. Since I became Alpha, I haven’t needed to train to catch her. Only Lumin, Terra, and Aeropex, her mate, were allowed to engage her like that,” Arkeia explained, his tone tinged with nostalgia. “They used to make a game of it.”

Delilah nodded, focusing on the area where Nyx had been hiding before she attacked. “Lily, could you check Nyx for any magical traces? Lumin, Peter, I’ll need you both to come with me,” she directed.

Lily set to work examining Nyx while Lumin and Peter escorted Delilah to the spot. The deeper they went, the colder it felt, like a dark presence was watching their every move.

“Do you smell anything, Lumin?” Peter asked, his eyes scanning the darkness.

“Yes,” Lumin replied. “Something dark… but also familiar. I may need to leave soon.” His body tensed, as if on the verge of shifting.

“Go,” Delilah urged, sensing the urgency in his tone, while she continued searching the area. “Something here feels… off, Peter. We might need Lily to do a more thorough check. If that doesn’t help, we may have to bring in someone else.”

Returning to the group, Delilah asked, “Lily, did you find anything?”

Lily looked pale, almost sick. “Definitely something magical, but I think we may need the fae’s expertise to confirm what I’m sensing.”

Arkeia nodded in agreement. “I’ll have Corvus summon the fae. Lumin, take Nyx and Terra back to the Pack House. They both need rest after what happened here.”

The group nodded, and Lumin and Terra guided a visibly shaken Nyx away. As Delilah took in her surroundings, a sense of foreboding settled over her. The mystery was deepening, but answers were just out of reach.