Page 29 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

“Spread out,” I say. “Look for anything unusual.”

We comb the cemetery, checking each grave. It’s tedious work, but finally, Linda calls out.

“Over here! I found something!”

We gather around as she points to a grave. The name on the headstone is Elara.

“There’s something strange about the soil,” she says, kneeling down. “It’s been disturbed recently.”

“Let’s dig,” I say, grabbing a shovel.

We work quickly, uncovering the grave. Inside, we find an empty coffin.

“She’s gone,” Ana whispers, her voice filled with awe.

“Or someone took her,” I say grimly. “We need to find out who, and why.”

We gather what evidence we can and head back to the department. It’s late, and everyone is exhausted, but we’re closer than ever to the truth.

Chapter 13: The Task Force

EVELYN

We gather again at Ana’s place, the room filled with a quiet urgency. Ana sits at the head of the table, her expression serious. Beside me are the trusted deputies from the department: Mark, Linda, and Teresa.

“We’ve made progress,” Teresa says, breaking the silence. “Maybe it’s time to bring in other supernatural deputies.”

I shake my head. “We can’t. Someone in the department could be working with the killer. I’ve seen it too many times.”

Mark frowns. “So, we still keep it between us?”

“For now,” I reply. “We need to focus on who could have stolen Elara’s body.”

“Do we have any leads?” Linda asks.

“I suggest a locator spell,” I say. “It’s a long shot, but it might work.”

Ana shakes her head. “We need something of hers for that, and she’s been dead too long for anyone to have it.”

We fall silent, thinking. Then Ana speaks up. “I know people who can find anything in the shadows.”

“Are they legal?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. The last thing I want to do is make things worse by involving the wrong people.

Ana laughs. “The Shadows are as illegal as it gets. But they’re effective.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” I say. I have been here for a long time, and not even one slip of anything called the Shadows.

“It’s for a select few,” Ana replies. “Trust me.”

We agree to let Ana contact her shadowy connections. “Meet back here after you’ve talked to them,” I say. “And everyone, get some rest.”

The deputies nod, heading out. I stay behind for a moment, looking at Ana. “Be careful,” I tell her.

She smiles. “Always am.”

I drive to Alexei’s place, my mind heavy with the day’s events. When I arrive, I smile at the deputies at the door, and I push the door open. Alexei’s familiar smell attacks my nostrils, and it feels too good to be here again.

“How are things going?” he asks as I step inside. He is sitting by the window staring, and he gets up as I close the door behind me.

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