Page 12 of A Second Roar for Love

Deputy Lucas poked his head in, his face grim. “Sheriff, we’ve got another report of a magical surge near the old mill.”

Reed’s jaw tightened. “That’s the third one this week.” He stood, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “Round up the task force. We need to get a handle on this before it escalates.”

As he strode out of his office, Reed’s mind churned with strategies. He’d put together a covert team of his most trusted deputies, both magical and non-magical, to deal with these threats. But they were playing catch-up, always one step behind. They needed to get ahead of this thing, whatever it was.

His feet carried him toward Town Hall, his instincts telling him he needed to consult with Mayor Fernwood. Cedric Fernwood was more than just the town’s leader; he was a dragon shifter, a formidable ally in fortifying Whispering Pines’s magical defenses.

Reed found Cedric in his office, looking through an ancient tome. The mayor looked up as Reed entered, his golden eyes glinting with understanding.

“Reed,” Cedric greeted, his deep voice resonating. “I take it you’re here about the recent surges?”

Reed nodded, taking a seat across from Cedric. “We can’t keep reacting. We need a plan.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I was hoping you might have some insight.”

Cedric stroked his chin thoughtfully. “There are some old draconic spells that could help. But, Reed,” he fixed the sheriff with a serious look, “wild magic of this caliber is not to be taken lightly.”

Reed met his gaze steadily. “I understand the risks. But we have to protect our people.”

“Agreed,” Cedric said after a long moment. “I’ll start the preparations. But be careful out there. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”

“I always am,” Reed assured him, standing to leave. “Thanks, Cedric.”

As he stepped out of Town Hall, Reed’s phone buzzed. A text from Ellie: Heading out for patrol. Want to join?

A small smile tugged at his lips despite the gravity of the situation. Time with Ellie was a balm to his stressed soul even if it was on the job. He quickly typed back On my way and set off toward their usual meeting spot at the edge of town.

He found Ellie waiting, her long, chestnut hair dancing in the breeze. She turned as he approached, a smile lighting up her hazel eyes. “Hey, there, Sheriff. Ready to keep our town safe?”

“Always,” Reed replied, falling into step beside her. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, their senses attuned to their surroundings.

Suddenly, Ellie stiffened, her hand shooting out to grab Reed’s arm. “Do you feel that?” she whispered, her eyes wide.

Reed concentrated, extending his shifter senses. There, at the edge of his perception, a flicker of dark energy like an oily stain. “I feel it,” he confirmed grimly. “And I smell shifters. Young ones.”

They crept forward, rounding a bend in the path. In a small clearing, a group of teenage shifters huddled around something on the ground, their postures tense and afraid.

“Stay back!” Reed commanded, striding forward. The shifters startled, whirling to face him.

“Sheriff Mallory!” one of them, a young boy, cried. “We found... we don’t know what it is, but it feels wrong.”

Reed approached cautiously, Ellie at his side. On the forest floor lay a jagged shard of obsidian, pulsing with a sickly, dark light. Reed’s shifter instincts recoiled, every hair on his body standing on end.

“Nobody touch it,” he ordered, his voice brooking no argument. He turned to Ellie. “Can you contain it?”

Ellie nodded, her face set in concentration. She raised her hands, murmuring an incantation. A shimmering barrier sprang up around the shard, encasing it in a cocoon of light.

But the dark energy fought back, lashing out against Ellie’s magic. Reed saw her grimace, sweat beading on her brow. Without thinking, he stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, lending her his strength.

With a final push, Ellie sealed the containment spell, sagging slightly. Reed caught her, his arm around her waist. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she assured him, though her smile was strained. “That thing... it’s a piece of something much larger. Something evil.”

Reed’s jaw clenched. “We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s get these kids home safely.”

After ensuring the young shifters were securely reunited with their families, Reed and Ellie made their way back to town, the shard contained in a magical pouch at Ellie’s hip. Reed could feel the strain of the day settling on his shoulders, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.

“Hey,” Ellie said softly, touching his arm. “Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? I think we could both use a break from all this craziness.”

Reed hesitated. Being alone with Ellie would stir up old feelings, old hurts. But the warmth in her eyes, the gentle understanding... he found himself nodding. “I’d like that.”

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