with him in his wolf form put me at ease. There was gentleness under the wildness. Gentleness I’d detected in his human form, but was too afraid of being vulnerable to acknowledge.
Despite my fear of emotional exposure, I allowed myself the luxury of praising his magnificence. “You are incredible,” I cooed, scratching behind his ears.
He nudged me playfully with his muzzle. Losing my balance, I toppled over. “Hey! We’ve got work to do.”
Scrambling to my feet I brushed a few stray leaves off my backside, noticing the way his eyes traveled over me. Even in wolf form he was still a flirt. I was relieved to see his new hands-off-policy didn’t stop his appreciative glances.
I was enjoying being checked out by an animal. Something I’d never admit.
Okay, Miss Bossy, he teased silently. What do you know about our first victim?
Prior to our excursion, I’d spent a good hour on the Internet searching for any information. Victim number one — Jordon Smart — had been a part time dad; he’d just turned twenty-nine. As a special education aide, he’d worked in the fifth-grade classroom at the local grade school. Nothing about him appeared out of the ordinary, at first glance.
I had developed a whole new regard for first impressions. Just because Mr. Smart appeared normal, didn’t mean he had been. I wasn’t even sure how to define normal anymore.
His son, a sixth grader, had alternated between both parent’s homes. Mom also worked in the education field, at the nearby administrative building.
The boy had discovered the grisly remains of his father. So traumatized, he was now residing in one of Portland’s psychiatric facilities for youth. According to news’ sources, he hadn’t said a word since the gruesome discovery. Getting him to speak was my personal project. Only Zane didn’t know it yet. I wasn’t sure why I felt compelled to help the kid, but I did. I’d figure out how later.
After explaining what I’d discovered, we hiked through the overgrown grass and circled around the ranch style home. Nothing seemed out of place. The yellow tape was long gone and everything appeared peaceful.
Zane raised his muzzle. He closed his eyes, sniffing, before lowering his snout to the ground. Alert, he slunk toward the back door.
By the way, Princess, I have a few extra abilities I haven’t told you about. Instead of elaborating, the doorknob turned as if gripped by an invisible hand. A click followed and it cracked open.
When were you planning to tell me what else you can do, Wolfman? Awed and angry, I fired the thought into his mind, recalling why he aggravated me ¯ too many secrets.
He lifted his front paw and cocked his enormous head. Each shape I take includes a few extra perks. That little trick makes up for the lack of hands. He wiggled his paw.
Seeing his display of such human antics dissolved my anger. How could an animal be so damn charming!
Too late, I realized I’d sent my thought right into his furry head, officially making Zane the first wolf I’d seen grin. His tail wagged enthusiastically.
A crash from inside warned us that we weren’t alone and whatever was inside probably wasn’t friendly.
Zane’s fur stood on end and his gums receded, revealing a set of fangs any vampire would envy. He crouched, ready to spring.
Immobilized, I waited and forced my mind to tune into the intruder. What I latched on to was unlike any animal mind I’d ever explored. It wasn’t like any supe mind either, at least not the super naturals I’d met.
A swirling red and black mass of repugnant and jumbled thoughts poured into my mind. I pushed harder, urging myself to delve deeper. My efforts were rewarded by visions of blood stained walls, disemboweled men, and the redheaded woman screeching orders at men in medical scrubs.
An inhuman wail severed me from the images. Before I could reattach, a cloaked shape burst from the house.
Zane lunged. His teeth latched onto its robe, tearing a piece from its shriveled body. Bald and wrinkled, the thing looked like an elderly baby. It keened again and vanished.
“What the hell!” I stared at Zane. A long shred of material dangled from his mouth.
Possibly something from the Fae world. Another mutant life form …
I interrupted, “In other words, you don’t know.”
He shook his head. We still need to go in. There’s no one left here that I can sense.
Unwilling to trust his instincts, I scanned the area for additional energy sources. Zane waited for my assessment. Once satisfied,