Page 21 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

"Alexei—" I start, the words catching in my throat. I didn’t know what to say to him again, telling him I would find the killer in a week could be getting his hopes up when we haven’t even found anything tangible about him yet.

I squeeze his hand, tears stinging my eyes. "I don’t want to lose you."

"You won’t," he assures me. "We’ll get through this. Together."

Ana, who has been quietly watching, speaks up. "Evelyn, Alexei is right. We have to keep faith. We’re closer than we’ve ever been."

I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "You’re right. Both of you. We’ll find a way."

We spend the next hour talking about anything and everything but the investigation. It’s a small respite from the relentless pressure, and it helps to remind us of all of what we’re fighting for.

Eventually, the guards come to escort us out. I stand, looking at Alexei one last time. "We’ll be back soon," I promise.

He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "I’ll be here."

As Ana and I walk back through the prison corridors, I feel a renewed sense of determination. Alexei’s faith in me gives me strength. We exit the building, the sunlight almost blinding after the dim interior.

"Do you think we’ll make it?" Ana asks quietly as we walk to the car.

"We owe it to Alexei. And to ourselves," I reply, my voice firm.

Chapter 10: Alexei’s Memory

ALEXEI

"Is there a problem here?" I ask, my voice calm but commanding.

The men turn to me, sneers on their faces. "None of your business, man," one of them says. They have no idea I'm the mayor, which gives me an edge. All of them are human, and I can smell their mundane scents. It should be easy to take them down in a short fight.

I smile, but it's cold, calculated. "I think it is. Leave her alone."

"Are you alright?" I ask her, releasing the man and watching as he scurries away with his friend.

"Yes, thanks to you," she says, straightening her jacket. "Can I buy you a drink to show my appreciation?"

I shake my head. "That's not necessary." I just need to find out if the informant is telling the truth, then get out of here. Idon’t intend to make her feel like she owes me for helping her get away from those men.

"Please," she insists. "It's just a drink. Think of it as a start to a new friendship."

I consider for a moment, then nod. It would be wrong to make her feel sad for rejecting her offer, so I accepted

"It's nothing, it is my duty to keep everyone safe here," I say, dismissing it with a wave. "I'm glad I could help."

"Still, I appreciate it," she says, finishing her drink. "I guess I picked the right bar tonight."

I smile. "It seems you did."

She checks her watch and sighs. "I should probably get going. Big day tomorrow."

"Of course," I say, standing up with her.

I wake up from yet another fragmented dream, bits and pieces of memory floating just out of reach. I try to hold onto them, forcing my mind to remember the rest, but it’s useless. The harder I try, the more elusive they become. Frustration gnaws at me as I lay on the thin mattress, staring at the ceiling. I close my eyes, willing myself to fall back asleep, hoping that more dreams might bring clarity. But sleep refuses to come.

A loud clang startles me, and I sit up. The door to my cell swings open, and a guard steps inside. His expression is neutral, but there’s a coldness in his eyes that makes me uneasy.

“Get up,” he says gruffly. “You’re being moved to general population.”

Confusion floods through me. “Why? I haven’t been convicted.”

---