Page 20 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

My blood runs cold. "What? Are you sure?"

Taylor nods grimly. "We found him just now. It looks like a suicide."

I rush over to the scene, my heart pounding. The house is surrounded by deputies and emergency personnel. I push my way inside, the sight of the man’s lifeless body slumped in the chair hitting me like a punch to the gut.

"Suicide," the coroner confirms, glancing up at me. "Gunshot to the head."

I stand there, staring at the scene, a mixture of grief and rage boiling inside me. This man knew something, and now he’s dead. Whether he was driven to this or if someone made it look like suicide, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone, and so, is the information we desperately needed.

Back at the department, the mood is somber. I gather the deputies in the briefing room.

"This isn’t a setback," I say, trying to inject some determination into my voice. "We’re going to keep pushing. Someone out there knows something, and we’re going to find them."

Deputy Sam speaks up. "Chief, do you think he was really threatened? Or was it something else?"

"I don’t know, but he did say ‘they’ would kill him" I admit. "But we can’t rule anything out. We need to reexamine everything. Every piece of evidence, every lead."

I spent the rest of the night reviewing the case files and trying to find anything we might have missed. The hours blur together, and fatigue sets in, but none of us are willing to give up.

I step into the prison, the cold air immediately chilling me to the bone. Ana walks beside me, her face set in a determined expression. The guards lead us through a series of heavy doors, the clanging sound echoing ominously. Finally, we reach Alexei’s cell. He’s sitting on the small cot, staring at the wall, but his face lights up when he sees us.

"Evelyn; Ana," he says, standing up quickly. "It’s good to see you both."

I force a smile, trying to push the weight of the past few days from my mind. "It’s good to see you too, Alexei. How are you holding up?"

He shrugs, attempting a casual demeanor. "As well as can be expected, given the circumstances."

I step forward and let him pull me into a hug. His usual smell attacks my nostrils. I didn’t realize how much I missed smelling him and holding him close like this until that moment. We stay like that for a few more minutes as he rubs my hair gently and I hold him as close as I can. We finally break apart, and I smile at him.

Ana steps forward, her eyes softening as she looks at her brother. "We brought you some things," she says, handing over a small bag. "Books, letters. Anything to keep you occupied."

Alexei takes the bag gratefully. "Thank you. It means a lot."

We sit down at the small table in the corner of the cell. It’s cramped and uncomfortable, but I try to focus on the moment, cherishing this brief reunion.

"So," Alexei says, leaning back in his chair. "What’s been happening outside? I could use a distraction from these four walls."

Ana jumps in, eager to lighten the mood. "Well, remember that old bakery down the street? They finally reopened. I brought you a loaf of their famous sourdough."

He smiles, a genuine look of pleasure crossing his face. "I’ve missed that bread. Anything else?"

We spend the next hour exchanging stories, avoiding the topic of the murders and the investigation. Alexei regales us with tales of his prison routine, making light of the mundane details to keep our spirits up.

"And then," he says with a grin, "the guard tries to tell me I’ve been reading too much. As if that’s possible in here."

We laugh, the sound almost foreign in the grim setting. For a brief moment, it feels like old times, just the three of us enjoying each other’s company.

But eventually, reality intrudes. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that needs to happen. "Alexei, there’s something I need to tell you."

He looks at me, his expression serious now. "What is it?"

"We found more bodies," I say quietly. "Vampires this time. Hung by their legs, throats slashed."

His face falls. "Another attack? While I’m in here?"

I nod. "Yes. And the council... they’ve given me one week to prove your innocence."

Alexei reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "Evelyn, you’re doing your best. I know that. I just need to know how feasible this is. The witches want my head; I’m not even sure I can prove my innocence to them."

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