Page 23 of Homecoming

“Do you think she’ll be a problem?” Seth questions.

“No, as long as we stay calm and don’t go anywhere near those pups—we won’t have any problems.”

“You know, I was thinking about that. Just a random thought, but those pups would be worth a real lot of cash in the right circles,” Isaac chirps. “You sure you don’t want me to bag one?”

“I know what they’re worth, but that’s not a line we wanna cross right now. She’s got her eyes on us and…” he sniffs the air, “there’s something else out here tonight. Something that concerns me more than her.C’monlet’s getsomethin’to eat and drink. I’m ravenous. Is that deer ready yet?”

As the words drop from his lips, he and the other two hyenas fall silent. In the not too distant, a haunting howl pierces the cool night air as if it were lightning through a rain cloud.

Isaac’s heart pounds hard in his chest as the mournful and terrifying cry carries across the forest. “What the hell was that?” The younger hyena shivers and stares wide-eyed at his leader.

“That was awarnin’,” Mikah whispers with mature knowledge. “That’s a lone wolfwarnin’us we’re not welcome.”

“But you said not to worry.” Seth gulps nervously as the howl buries deep in his soul and freezes the blood in his veins.

“And we shouldn’t, but just to be sure, keep everyone within the circle. She won’t warn us again.” Mikah takes a breath and looks up as the dark clouds begin to cover the moon. “C’monIsaac, don’t be scared. What? You think she’s going to pluck you from your bed and eat you?” he laughs teasingly.

“Oh man, don’t say things like that. Do you wanna give me nightmares? How the hell am I gonna go to sleep now?”

Seth laughs, trying to calm his own raging palpitations. “C’mondon’t worry. Let’s get back to the camp,” he commands. “We gotpartyin’to do. I have afeelin’it’s gonna be a great road trip.”

“Yeah Seth, take Isaac back with you. I’m just gonna make a callofnature. I won’t be long.”

“Uh, yeah sure, Boss.” Seth shrugs as Mikah steps away and heads for the forest.

Walking slowly, Mikah’s senses are on high alert as he turns around to look back at his clan. The party is in full swing and he watches for a moment as the other two return to the fold, where they are greeted with drinks and soon lost in a throng of merriment around the glowing campfire.

The forest is still. Dark and quiet. The only sounds are the rustle of leaves and the scurrying claws of small rodents that go ignored. As Mikah walks away, he takes his last long puff of the cigar before he puts it out and stripsoff hisleather gilet and pants. Dropping them in a heap to the ground, he takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky.

The moon is dimmed by the clouds and her light can barely reach the ground now. Shadows stretch out across the path in front of him and the woodland’s rinse washes across his tongue. He can taste the forest, its fresh, crispness mixed with a peculiar taste of unfamiliar plants. Each forest has its own unique flavor, and this one is no different excepttonight,something taints the taste of the local flora.

Mikah’s naked flesh shivers and with a trembling quiver, his muscles spasm as he stretches his body until no one would recognize the man. Quickly he turns from human to large, furred beast with coarse brown beige mottled fur.

The air fills with the beast’s aged stench and the only sound that can now be heard is a whispered giggle as the large hyenaslips,with barely a snap of twigs, unnoticed, into the forest behind.

Rileysmoothsthefrontof his shirt and coughs. Clearing his throat, he steps nervously towards the door of the study and curling his fingers into afist,he places it against the black gloss oak panel.

Hesitating for a moment, he lowers his hand, closes his eyesandmuttering encouragement under his breath, he straightens his stance. Then, with a confident rap, he knocks on the door.

“Come.” The deep voice from inside demands.

Riley waits in the doorway and the first thing he notices is how dark the room is. The dim light coming only from the window creates curious shadows around the walls. A heavy black velvet curtain is draped around the floor-to-ceiling window frames and he can just make out the clouded moon through the large panels of glass.

He squints as he scans the room for signs of lifeandwith a blink to focus, he watches as the high-back leather chair slowly swivels around.

Darius’ piercing purple eyes glare from the darknessandas they almost seem toglow, Riley is momentarily mesmerized. “Sorry to disturb you, but are you busy? I would like to talk to you about something. It’s quite important.”

“Sure. Come in.” Darius stands from his seated position behind the desk and heads to the dresser, where he pours himself another glass of expensive malt whiskey from the decanter on the tray. “Is this about Kat?”

“Uh… not exactly, but I guess it could affect her. It’s about me and my life here.”

“Well, that sounds confusingly ominous, so tell me.” Darius sighs as he holds up the tumbler and wanders back to his chair. Dropping into the comfortable leather seat, he raises the glass. “Help yourself if you want one.”

“Uh, no. I’m okay. But thanks.” Riley can’t take his eyes off the tall shadowy figure.

The study smells of vanilla candles, expensive cologne, and old leather books and as Darius looms large from behind the desk, his presence makes Riley shiver. It’s an intensely odd feeling and as they stare focused on each other, he takes a breath. Anxiously clenching his hands at his side, Riley takes a step closer andhecan’t help but notice the top of the desk is strewn with a clutter of maps, plans, letters, and other important-looking papers.

Checking the rest of the room, he notices how sumptuously expensive the black leather couch seems and the impressive grandeur of the floor to ceiling bookcases that cover the wall. The room is darkandit has a cool contemporary feel compared to the warmth of the rest of the house.

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