repeated reassurance didn’t change the truth of the thought, however. If I wasn’t here then there would be no danger to them. I should have gone years ago, even if I had nowhere to go to.
“Here’s what you’ll do. Continue with the lotion. Do NOT bathe. When you are called to interview, act meek and weak. When you are asked to fight in an evaluation, then do so poorly. We do not need them to pay you any attention whatsoever. If they ask you to shift, tell them you’re embarrassed because you’re only a werehamster and of no use to anyone anyway.”
“ A were hams…!” I spluttered.
“It was the easiest scent to replicate. It’s not completely accurate but werehamsters are rare enough that I think you’ll manage to pass further inspection. Above all, do NOT lose your temper.”
I jumped off the branch. “Okay, “ I said quietly. “What about John’s killer?”
“Once this is done and they’ve gone, then we deal with that. Who knows, they might even find the culprit themselves. They are the Brethren for a reason, after all.”
I scoffed again. “They might be strong but that doesn’t make them smart.”
“Don’t underestimate them,” Julia said with a steely expression. “Especially the Lord Alpha.”
“I won’t. But John’s killer is going to be mine.” I looked at her steadily. “68 hours to go.”
*
After leaving Julia, I wended my way to Trevathorn, the local village, skirting the keep just in case any of the Brethren decided to take in some of the night air. The village lights were on and I could hear the hum and murmur of voices from the Hanging Bull as I passed. Most of Trevathorn’s inhabitants were under the impression that we were some sort of cult – probably a fair assumption actually – but as long as we didn’t trouble them too much, they left us alone. Shifters had been in the keep for at least the last couple of hundred years so even the most fiercely Cornish of the locals would nod if we passed them in the street, accepting us as part of the scenery. I occasionally wondered if they suspected the truth but, if that was the case, they never let on. Nick had certainly never said anything about the pack, other than to murmur a few easily dodged questions about why I lived with them.
I didn’t wear a watch but I was conversant enough with the night’s sky to know that I was early and had time to kill before meeting Tom. I paused briefly, just past the door of the pub, before turning back and heading in. John had said that the locals had initially alerted him to the clearing where he’d found the wichtlein’s little stone so perhaps I could dig something else up.
Inside the pub, the lights were warm and welcoming. There were a few people at the tables along the edges whilst Adam and the Ants bopped out from the ancient eighties’ heavy jukebox. I nodded hello at a few familiar faces before perching on one of the barstools and ordering a diet Coke. I chatted to the barman whilst he poured my drink and tried to think furiously of a way to bring up strange noises and black pebbles without being too obvious.
“Is this seat taken?” A smooth voice uttered from behind me.
It was Nick. Excellent – if anyone knew about anything strange happening, it’d be him. I turned and smiled, probably a mite too brightly by the sudden wary look on his face. I had to admit that he was looking good, blond hair smoothed back and a light tan that would be unusual in any other part of England bar Cornwall. I patted the stool next to me and gestured for him to sit down. He grinned at me, flashing a display of even white teeth and highlighting the little dimple at the side of his cheek. There was no denying that he was very cute, and that many girls would consider themselves lucky to have his attentions, but he was just so…old-fashioned.
“Hitting the hard stuff, are you Mack?” he asked.
“I’m working out with Tom in a bit,” I answered, taking a swig of Coke and crunching down satisfyingly on a cube of ice.
He frowned slightly. When we’d been dating, he’d never quite been able to believe that Tom and I were just friends. I didn’t really care.
“What the hell have you done with your hair anyway?”
“I fancied a change,” I said airily. He didn’t look