Luna For Hire

Chapter 10 Your incompetence is rubbing off on me

　　Something occurred to Ava as she sipped her drink and watched the couple a few feet from her... and the realization was unsettling.

　　She was in Las Vegas, Nevada with Lance for their assignment on Beatrix Sherwood. She hadn't been able to convince the director of the RCA otherwise on this assignment, hence her presence here- the last city Beatrix Sherwood was traced to. After three days in the city, trying to trap the she-wolf, Lance and Ava finally located her here where she clung to a multi-millionaire as he betted money in this casino with reckless abandon.

　　Beatrix, of course was unarguably, a man-trap and easily hooked up with the wealthiest of men in her adventures. Problem was, her adventures usually left a trail of havoc in its wake.

　　A day ago, Ava and Lance had found her in a hotel room carting off a rucksack filled with money while the man she had shared the room with lay limp on the bed. Before Ava and Lance could reach her at the balcony as she tried to escape, she had jumped down-lithe as a wolf as she was- and sped away.

　　Today, she had hooked up with another date and it seemed she was ready to take his money too. Hopefully, not his life as well- Beatrix had two charges of murder on her hands already- both of which she had done in her wolf form. It was easy to summon her wolf strength and capacity as a wolf to overpower someone who would have been able to knock her out in a blink, than in her human body.

　　Not all rogues were bad- most of them just did not belong to a Pack or Order or House or Division and that was the only reason they were hunted by the RCA; to ensure they joined one for better control- but some others used their freedom from supernatural jurisdiction to do whatever they liked with their abilities, inclusive but not limited to harming others. Beatrix was one of those rogues.

　　"We have to take her tonight," Lance said agitatedly. "It's been three days already."

　　"You think I don't know that?" Ava snapped. "I've missed three days of work for this she-wolf!"

　　Ava had not bothered picking up the calls from her office because they had grown incessant and she hadn't thought up believable excuses yet. She would have to have broken most of her limbs and been abandoned on a remote island to be excused from this number of days absent from work.

　　She gave a sigh.

　　Beatrix was a problem on her own, but it seemed Ava had bigger problems. She did a small calculation in her head as she wondered why her monthly visitor was going to be late this month. It was already four days past her original date. This was worrying, but she had been so caught up with work, she hadn't thought of it.

　　"Ava," Lance snapped. He had been saying something earlier and she hadn't listened. "Are you listening? You had better had your head in the game. We're taking Sherwood tonight."

　　"Whatever."

　　"I would like you to attach more seriousness to this assignment. You have been slacking these few days and I have to say I am quite disappointed, especially with all the praise they never get tired of showering you at the agency," Lance said. "You're just hype."

　　"Excuse me?" Ava said. "I would have done better if I were alone. It seems your incompetence is rubbing off on me."

　　"Daughter-of-a-"

　　"She's leaving," Ava said, getting up and heading towards the exit.

　　Far across the hall of people who drank and played and gambled, a beautiful black haired woman was making her way towards the exit. Her black hair was glossy behind her and she had on a red lipstick over her black dress. She held a small red purse in her hand which she swung lightly as she moved.

　　Ava followed her as she dodged behind people's bodies and pillars. She could hear Lance's footfalls behind her.

　　Beatrix got out of the double doors and into the parking lot. Ava sprinted towards the door.

　　She was out in the cold night air soon. She stood in the lamp-lit darkness and looked around the lot. She saw Beatrix's figure heading for a small sports car parked to a corner.

　　Ava walked quickly towards her, looking quickly around to ensure that there was no one else outside. A brief glance behind her brought only Lance in her line of sight. Ava turned to the woman in front of her.

　　"Beatrix," Ava called out to her.

　　The woman turned, a small smile on her face. "Hello Ava. How are you these days? It's been a while. I must say I have missed your company."

　　Ava sneered. "Tonight will be the last time I will have to chase you," she said. "You've evaded the RCA for long enough."

　　"No," Beatrix said. "I'm just getting started. I still have much to do. You can't contain me. None of you at the agency can. Every single person the RCA sends will be ill-equipped to take me-"

　　Before the words were completely out of Beatrix's mouth, Ava had leaped on her and tackled her to the floor. In a few seconds, Ava felt herself being thrown off Beatrix's body by a powerful gust of strength.

　　She felt her back hit the ground. She was up in seconds as she felt someone rush to her side. Lance pulled her up.

　　In front of her, Beatrix crouched on the floor. Ava watched as she twisted on the floor in the semi-darkness, her face contorted in pain as her bones broke to make way for her wolf. The sound of breaking bones nagged at Ava's senses as she watched.

　　"She wants to assume her wolf form," Lance said quickly. "A wolf in Las Vegas would draw a lot of attention."

　　"No kidding," Ava snapped. "And we can't outrun a wolf. Plus, it's a full moon out- if you thought she was a powerful wolf, then imagine her strength doubled."