Page 35 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

Alexei runs a hand through his hair, his eyes distant as he recalls the past. "Cassandra was always different. Even among shapeshifters, she stood out. She was powerful, even as a child. We all thought she had a bright future, but then she just vanished. No one knew where she went or why."

"Do you remember anything specific about her? Anything that could help us find her?" I ask, leaning forward.

He thinks for a moment. "She had a temper. When she was angry, she could shift into anything, anyone. It made her unpredictable; dangerous. She also had a fascination with dark magic, even when it was forbidden."

"That matches what we've learned," I say, jotting down notes. "She's using her powers to create chaos and I believe she is responsible for all these murders."

Alexei looks at me, concern in his eyes. "When will this house arrest be lifted, Evelyn? I can't help if I'm stuck here."

"They're keeping you here to keep you safe," I reply. "If Cassandra wanted to kill you, she would have done it that night of the witch murders. That doesn’t mean she can’t come back to finish what she started."

He shakes his head. "Being cooped up in here isn't helping anyone. We need to find her before she does more damage. Let me out there with my powers, I can do more faster than anyone else."

"I know," I say softly. "But for now, we need to play it safe. I can't risk losing you or having her do something else and haveyou blamed. Then we’d be really out of time. Right now, the council knows exactly where you are. This keeps you in the clear of blame for other misdoings."

Alexei sighs, frustration clear on his face. "Alright. But promise me you'll be careful. Cassandra isn't someone to underestimate."

"I promise," I say, squeezing his hand. "We'll get through this."

We spend the next hour talking, going over every detail he can remember about Cassandra. His memories paint a picture of a volatile, dangerous being. It's clear that finding her won't be easy, but it’s the best strategy we’ve got right now.

As I prepare to leave, Alexei stops me. "Evelyn, if you need me, call. I can't stand being here, doing nothing."

"I will," I promise. "Stay safe, Alexei."

He nods, and I head back out into the night, my mind racing with new information. The task ahead is daunting, but with every piece, we're getting closer.

Back at the department, I gather the team. Ana, Mark, Linda, and Teresa are waiting.

"Alexei gave us some valuable information about Cassandra," I say, filling them in on our conversation. "We need to use this to our advantage."

Ana nods. "We need to find her before she can do more harm."

"Agreed," Mark says. "I'll keep the surveillance on the café. If she shows up again, we'll be ready."

Linda chimes in. "I'll look into her movements since she arrived in town. Maybe there's a pattern to her movements we didn’t see before."

"Good," I say, feeling a renewed sense of possibilities. "Let's meet back here tomorrow night with any updates."

As the team disperses, I can't help but feel the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. Harmony Grove is counting on us, and failure isn't an option.

The night passes in a blur of research and phone calls. Every lead, every clue, brings us closer to finding Cassandra. But as dawn approaches, I know we still have a long way to go.

I drive to Zara's house, a sense of urgency thrumming through me. The streets of Harmony Grove are quiet, unaware of the supernatural turmoil beneath their surface. As I approach Zara's quaint home, I can't shake the feeling that she might have more answers. The last time we spoke, she was evasive but hinted at knowing more than she let on.

When I arrive, I notice an unfamiliar car parked outside. I knock on the door, and a young woman opens it. Her eyes are red from crying, and she looks at me with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Hi, I'm Evelyn, the sheriff. I am here to see Zara," I say, trying to keep my voice gentle.

The woman nods slowly. "I'm sorry, but Zara passed away peacefully. We buried her already and the family has left for New Jersey."

A shock runs through me. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I didn't realize…"

The woman offers a small, sad smile. "Thank you. It was very sudden, but peaceful."

I take a breath, steadying myself. "Did Zara have any family here? Anyone I could speak to?"

She shakes her head. "No, I'm just a neighbor helping out. Zara's family took care of everything before leaving. They didn’t leave any contact information; they said there was no need to keep in touch with Harmony Grove."

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