Page 4 of Broken

“Seriously, Lev. You’re going to get yourself killed and even though we have this love/hate relationship, I don’t want to see you dead. You won’t be my next case.”

“No. I won’t.” That was an easy agreement. I won’t die and Vince won’t be the detective trying to figure out what killed me. I start toward the door because this conversation feels like it’s over.

Vince sighs, “Next time they find you in here, I may not be able to vouch for you. Hopefully, you found what you need.”

“Thanks.”

“So you do know that word.”

My brows furrow, one foot out the door as I send him a confused expression. “Of course I do. I’m not an ingrate. I just don’t like you very much.” He was the one who mentioned this love/hate relationship. I don’t get along with humans well and other creatures find me either interesting or terrifying. Most people just think I’m an asshole. Vince doesn’t seem to give a shit and he doesn’t rub me the wrong way. We get along well enough even if I find him strange.

Vince laughs as I leave. It wasn’t that funny.

Chapter 3

LEVIATHAN

I recline in the front seat of my truck, some beat-up beige version of a Ford although I’m not even sure what model this car is. It was one of many things left over after I completed a job last year, a very thankful older woman offering me the junk in her front yard. I managed to get this piece of shit up and running and while it is very much a piece of shit, I enjoy not having to walk.

The heat and AC also work which is a win because right now at 65°F, I’m freezing. Not just a little cold or shivering because of the breeze but cold enough to have pulled my winter coat from the back seat. Whatever I am, I’m going to have a very stern talk with Mother Nature about abilities because this temperature thing feels like a curse.

Wrapping my coat around my body a little tighter, I lean forward, attention focused on an abandoned building across the street. My car is parked behind a row of untamed bushes, just at the edge of the forest that surrounds our little city. I’m only here because the moment I left the station, my nose picked up a familiar scent that I’ve caught around all the missing Omegas.

When I rescued Gloria, she was coated in the magical smell of a witch. A witch using dark magic at that. I didn’t tell the poor Omega that, nor did I mention it to her Alpha. There was nothing either of them could do and I didn’t want to start a public riot. If our little city knew that a witch was stirring up issues for everyone else, every witch in the general area would face more harassment than usual.

So, I’m here. Following another lead directly after Vince told me to stay away from his precious little case. If they had been doing their job correctly, I wouldn’t have to stand in. As it is, just seeing Gloria’s pale face when I found her, my crooked sense of justice won’t let this lie.

There’s also half a million dollars at stake.

Something catches my attention but I soon realize it’s just the wind rustling through the bushes’ leaves. I’ve been sitting here for the better part of the day. Correction, all day, ignoring a very firm text from Vince to find another hobby. He called a few hours later and again a few minutes ago but I don’t work for him. I’m also having way too much fun staring at the building across the street, waiting for something to happen.

Another perk of my unknown designation, I guess? Sitting still for hours doesn’t really bother me. In fact, I actually prefer a stakeout or two every now and then to speaking with those who hire me for my services. The darkness that started creeping up nearly an hour ago, the moon settling high in the sky hasn’t stolen my concentration, either. My eyes have adjusted until I can still make out the colors and shapes as if it were daytime.

A shiver runs down my back as I turn my car on and crank the heat up to 80°F. An audible sigh falls from my lips as the heat blasts on my face, the shivers disappearing into the ether. My eyes wander to the empty pavement across the street and the abandoned building beside it.

That witch’s scent is here, mixed with something much darker. I don’t recognize the signature but the absence of an Omega wolf’s scent means that she doesn’t have a new victim. It also means that the missing Omega isn’t here either.

I sniff at the air again, grimacing when the witch’s scent begins to fade.

I was hoping that I’d find a clue or two and then mosey along back to my office to hide under my case files again. Unfortunately, this looks like it’s going to be a terribly long day and I’ll either have to suck it up or complain as every little thing inconveniences me. Starting with the weather.

Slowly, I shed the coat and slip out of the car, growling as a brisk breeze rushes past me. Shivers crawl down my back as I cross the street and press myself against the side of the building. This isn’t a spy movie but I sure feel like I'm in one, slinking around in an area that looks well-worn. As the witch’s scent dissipates, another one fills my nose. One that is also familiar. While I never smelled it around Gloria, there have been a few instances that this earthy scent has made an appearance.

It's dangerously similar to mine but with more of a hearty, pine aspect that is lacking in mine. A signature unique to a Basilisk and if I’m right, there’s two.

I make my way around to the front of the building, the entrance facing away from the main road. The door is ajar from the wind and I do my best to blend in with the surroundings, the colorful upholstery just inside making the task a little more difficult than usual. A few deep breaths later and I feel the change come over me as my skin mirrors the background.

Murmurs and whispered grunts meet my ears, my eyes trying to find the source of the sounds and the scents. When someone clears their throat, I flinch and plaster myself against the wall.

For some reason, I want to curl up into myself and hide for eternity. The strength of their magic rips at my nose and my throat as I struggle to breathe, my eyes flashing in fear from the onslaught of power wrapping around me.

What are they doing to me?

I’ve never had this reaction with another creature, not even with the man who killed my father. Sure, I was scared, but here I feel both terror and lust. My body shudders at the same time my cock swells, pressing against the seam of my pants. Sweat drips down the crease of my back but it’s not from the heat. It’s anxiety and panic and uncertainty all wrapped up in a little ball.

This has to be something to do with my designation but since I have no idea what the fuck I am, this reaction is confusing.

Two Basilisks step into the frail moonlight easing through the open door and I shrivel backward, trying to hide myself against the upholstery again. At first glance, no one will see me but my dark clothes will stand out like a sore thumb, even if these men can’t see my face.

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