Continuing Jossie's POV:
Father's voice echoed from downstairs, 'Jossie'. He called for me and it must've woken me up. I was at home curled up in my velvet purple bed sheets. Tucked under my arm was a rainbow llama plushie. I stuck the plush under the blanket for security before throwing the blankets back. I crept out of bed as my head throbbed from a morning headache. 'Jossie,' his voice echoed once again. I walked downstairs and paused when I hit the last step of the staircase. 'Jossie.' His voice was there again. I couldn't help but to feel deja vu. "Dad?" I asked as I eyed down the kitchen. My heart raced in my chest. 'Jossie,' he whispered out. "What is it dad?" I wondered as I walked towards the kitchen.'Don't go in there.'I should have listened to the warning.I passed down the hall leading to the kitchen. I wanted to see what was there. The kitchen seemed to grow farther away. I kept walking towards it but never reached it. My feet began to ache and I had to pause as I came across the hall's decorative mirror. There in the reflection...'Jossie.'My mouth arched with a gasp as I looked at the girl in the mirror. My hair was done up with a fancy red bow to hold it together. I was in a silver cocktail dress. Red lipstick stained my lips. I was in matching high heels that stabbed the floor like needle work. My eyes shined my father's blue tint back at me. But despite my new features... I was holding a kitchen knife.'Dearest Jossie...'My lips parted as I talked to myself."What did you do?"The lights flickered on and off. On and off. On and off. The hall began to change to the kitchen. There in front of me the mirror changed to my father's appearance. He stood in front of me now. His blue eyes widened as tears filled them. He lowered his eyes to look down. I looked down too. His hand touched mine as I realized I was pushing a knife into his chest.'Bloody fucking Cromwell.' Wolfsbane. A scent I recognized as I opened my eyes to the night air. My eyes were filled with cold tears. I sat up suddenly and felt my chest, touching the attached coat I got from my father's truck. I didn't transform. I felt around through the dark for the items I fell asleep with. I pushed them back into my pockets and stood up. Snow fell off my body that made me realize... the snow didn't affect my skin as much as it used to. "But, it's still hard to see in the dark." I spoke to myself as I often did. I trudged through the snow over to where I placed the truck's keys. They were still where I left them. I walked back towards the fence and froze up as I saw headlights beaming inward at the forest. I ducked down behind a bush and crept closer to have a better look. Police lights flickered. My heart raced as I noticed the distortion of the blue and red. I winced as I heard two voices nearing the fence."Yup, it's the truck put on the database. Over." A man's voice echoed. A flashlight flickered towards where I got through the fence at."There's a missing person report attached to the license plate. Over.""Let's call for backup," I heard a voice whisper. A rookie cop, maybe?"Lettie, what's the mp's appearance? Over.""Suspect is female. Five eleven. Black hair. Blue eyes. One twenty five pounds. Over." I threw a hand over my mouth to stop from gasping. No way... no way that's me! I trembled slightly as I kept low and quiet. I snuck away from the area and went around to the other side of the fence. I tried to be fast and not draw any attention to myself. I got to the opposite side of the fence and watched them cross on the other side. Until they disappeared. They must have seen some of my tracks. I hopped over the fence. My heart raced as I snuck up to the empty police car. I twisted the tire's valve stem and went over to the next to twist it. Once I finished my heart raced as I knew I have one chance at this. I went over to the truck and pulled out my keys. I unlocked the door and quietly climbed into the truck. I didn't want to make any noise until I got the engine running. I threw the keys into the ignition and crank the car. The noise disturbing the quiet lot. I heard someone shout from the woods before their flashlights appeared near the fence. I gasped as I spun the truck out driving forward. I circled the police car's front end as I drove off towards the main road. In the rearview I could see them hopping the fence to jump into the police car and come after me. No... No... No... I can't go home. I kept focused on the road as I pushed the s10 to drive as fast as it could. I watched as lights appeared in the mirror. After a few minutes of them attempting to catch up they suddenly slowed down. I realized then my plan must've worked. I eased back in my seat. The 'empty' sign flashed to let me know to fuel up. I groaned and pulled into a gas station. I pulled out the money I had and counted out just enough to fill up the truck. I took it in to the register and paid for the pump I parked on. I went back out to the truck and as I pumped gas I kept an eye on the road. Dread filled the back of my mind. What if... What if... I was back on the road before I knew it. I wanted to get to the next town. Maybe I wasn't far enough out from my pack's lands. I wouldn't stop again unless it was for gas. By morning, I felt exhausted as I found myself pulling up to a motel. I entered through the lobby and waved politely at the man behind the desk. He smiled at me kindly. "Welcome to Motel Off Main. I'm Jered." Jered had a manager's name tag on his chest with his name on it. He was in a blue uniform. He was a kind-looking older man. Gray hair and faded green eyes. He had wrinkled and saggy skin around his face and his fingers trembled as he reached out a hand to shake mine. "Hi, I was hoping to get a room here," I explained as I shook his hand. "Preferably something facing from the road." I could park the truck in the pack and it would be facing the woods with some privacy that I was looking for. "I'll need a two hundred deposit and I'll have to see some ID milady." He said as he began to pull something up on the computer. I laughed nervously and he broke his concentration to look directly at me. He gave a serious expression. "Two fifty without ID," he whispered under his breath. I was able to catch it. It'll be an expensive room... I was hoping to have- He caught my sad expression. "I am looking for extra help..." He trailed off. "If you agree to do some part time work around here I can give you a discount." "Really?" I asked and widened my eyes. How can I trust this guy... he's being too nice. "That would be great." He smirked and shut off the computer. "Why... are you being so kind?" I asked him. "You're not a murderer are you?" "With these hips?" He asked me and laughed heavily. He turned around to the wall behind him and grabbed a key before passing it over to me. "You'll owe two fifty a week princess." Wow, that's some discount! "Do you know anywhere good in town to eat at?" I asked him as he sat down. "Nah," he shook his head. "I haven't been out to eat in years. Why are you asking to take me?" He chuckled out in a silly grandpa tone. I shook my head and gave a wide smile. "Well..." He trailed off and looked to be thinking. "Your work starts at six on the weekends. I'm always here otherwise. Come here at six," he told me. I nodded quickly. "I reckon you'll also be looking for a proper place to work around here. There is a good place to work that makes the best apple pies. You can try putting an application in across the street. Tell them who sent you." "Wow! Thanks a lot, Jered." I widened my eyes in surprise. That WAS helpful. "Go on. You're wasting my time," he told me. I stayed put to count out the first deposit of two fifty and handed it over the counter to him. "I put the deposit in with the first week's," I told him. "Such a lovely girl," he said as he took the money and started to count it. "Remember to lock the door at night." His warning stuck in my head as I walked out of the office with the room keys in hand. I looked at the number on them to see fifteen. I drove the truck around back and saw the room was on the second floor in the middle. It would be close to the ice machine at least. I cut the car off and only took the money with me to the room. Not that I had much to take with me anyway. I locked up the truck when I got to the second floor. I went up to the room and went in to give it a look. The room was clean. No bugs. It was a little outdated. There was a king bed, attached bathroom, two nightstands, a desk, a chair and lamp, and a little dresser that had a microwave and mini fridge bar sitting by it. There was a TV on the dresser that looked covered in dust. I checked around the bed for bugs before determining it was safe to live in. I locked up the door and went into the bathroom to find clean towels. The color scheme of the room was a burnt yellow and blues. It clashed terribly together. But, whoever was here cleaning the rooms actually cared. I was relieved. After checking out the bathroom I walked over to the bed and jumped onto it. I curled up onto the plush blankets and looked towards the door. I shut my eyes as I tried to get some rest.Veronica's POV:"Luna Rabidcrest? It's Vee from earlier.""Then you better have some good news." I looked at Beta Matthew and the others. We had just got back from tracking down the rogue's scent. Unfortunately we were too late and it reached out of our land. In order to pursue its trail we would have to get authority to cross over into another pack's territory. Which is what our luna would have to get. Beta Matthew tasked me with the phone call while he waited patiently with the others. We were at my house since it was closest to the border where we lost the tracks. My cabin so-to-say was a one bedroom one and a half bath. With an open floor plan and sky light overseeing the main area. It had a lot of open windows to overlook the forest surrounding it. I spent a lot of time cleaning and maintaining it. I was unmated... despite being a pretty good wolf all my life. I never found the one. I spent a lot of time teaching first timers how to control their forms. I was a pack teacher and a pretty good one in fact. Pursuing a rogue wasn't my cup-of-tea to say the least. I just happened to be on border patrol with my students when we got caught up in the alpha family's drama. This wasn't my forte. I don't even know why Beta Matthew or Luna April didn't notice. Matthew was so stuck up his own ass in his own thoughts. He seemed more like a recluse since the last time I met him. Luckily I kept a few clothes around for pack members to use. I made sure to distribute them to my students and got some to fit Matthew. Damn Matthew... this should be his phone call... not mine. "No ma'am," I said as I swallowed hard. Remember... I have to respect that alpha bitch. "We lost its scent crossing the border aligning The Lycan King's territory." I waited a second. I wanted the news to sink into her tiny brain cells. "In order to pursue-" Her growl interrupted me from talking further. "I know what it means," she snarled out. "I just don't think he needs to be brought into my pack's problems. Veronica, you will go alone." "I'm sorry?" I asked in confusion. "You're to go after that rogue. ALONE." "But, if the royal Lycan family catches me in their territory pursuing a rogue- what am I supposed to say?" I asked. There was no way I would lie to the royal lycan family. The royal lycan territory was also called Deepfur's territory which was the center life and popular city amongst werewolves. Everyone wanted to live there and be under that kind of protection. But, with such a large city came a big responsibility. The pack there was large and it matched a population of about eight million people. But, there wasn't just Deepfur's pack there. There were rogues and other mysterious people living there. Along with humans. It was something our little pack could never dream about. Deepfur's territory stretched far outside of the city's limit. That rogue could be anywhere between here and beyond! The probability of me finding that rogue before being caught trespassing were greater than zero. "I don't care. Lie. Say anything but the truth." "WHAT?" I asked and my jaw dropped. "You will do it or I expect your insubordination means your resignation to this pack. You will be escorted out of territory either way. Now what will it be?" I didn't reply back as I waited for her voice. "Then the silence means you're in agreement. Don't come back without that rogue. Dead or Alive." She cleared her throat then. "Now... give the phone to my brother." I looked over at Beta Matthew and held out the phone in his direction. He winced but stood up and came over to take it from me. That fucking bitch. I won't make it home... I'll be stuck in jail. No... I have to be more optimistic. Matthew eyed me over before turning away. He shielded a hand over the microphone and meant to talk in a low voice. As if to try to keep a private conversation with his sister... in a room full of werewolves. "Yes?" He asked softly. "I sent out a missing person's report for Jossie. Go down to the station and keep an ear on what progress they've made in the other territories as to finding my daughter." I heard Luna April demanding a voice, seeming to authorize Beta's slack. He would get to have a nice and relaxing desk job until they find that stupid girl. At least I won't be tasked with hunting down the cursed one. "And, the funeral for William will be tomorrow afternoon. So find time to get your suit dry cleaned." William sighed heavily before hanging up the phone on her. "Don't worry Beta Matthew. I will find that rogue and before you know it I will be giving you the call you'll want to hear. I know the station's number. When I kill that rogue it will be the first place I will call." He put a hand up to stop me from talking. "Vee, can you promise me to bring that rogue back alive?" "Alive, sir? Why?" "Because I want to ask it some questions." "What on earth do you have to ask for?" "I just want to make sure we have the right killer." Matthew looked at the six standing around with us. I remembered them as well and turned to dismiss them. "Oh you guys can go home," I told them. "Proceed to your normal tasks and when I come back we will pick up training." They were my students I was training for border patrols. They were barely capable of keeping up with me when we were pursuing that rogue. I don't need them with me when I cross territories to go after it. They looked grateful to be dismissed and headed outside right away. I looked back at Matthew. "I can't lock up with you in my house. Don't worry Beta Matthew. I will do as you wish and bring the rogue back alive." He nodded my way once he got confirmation from me and left the house. I sighed in frustration when I realized I wouldn't get to watch The Bachelor since I would be out on my first Bounty Hunt. I just hope I get a reward for bringing the rogue in when I come back. I'll stop by the station before I leave to borrow a bag full of things I can use to bound the rogue in.Jossie's POV: I spent the afternoon shopping for essentials and clothing at a nearby superstore. Then took Jered's advice and parked at the place he recommended for a good apple pie. It was Tolen's Diner. A restaurant serving between the hours of seven in the morning until seven at night. It would be a good place to work at. I could tell as I entered the place and sat down in a corner booth by a window in clear view of the truck. I'd ask for an application after I checked out the food here. The restaurant was color coded in navy blue and bold yellows. It felt warm and inviting to be in. It had a class of family generations to it and I could tell from the pictures hanging on the walls. A Filipino woman with caramel colored skin greeted me when I sat by myself. She looked to be in her early twenties. With chocolate colored eyes and brown hair that was toned on the ends. She had shoulder length hair. It was straight with bangs grown just slightly out to bro
Continuing Jossie's POV: I was running. My heart raced in my chest. I could hear it closing in on me. I was frightened like prey. My airway was thinning. I couldn't breathe. Every breath I took it wasn't enough. I wasn't getting enough oxygen. It was killing me. My body ached. I was running for what seemed like forever. My paws hit the same path of a deer. It was leading me deep into the forest. Behind me I could hear growling. I was afraid to quit. I can't stop. I can't slow down. I have to keep running.I tripped as the ground fell out from under me. I went tumbling into a thick bush before I hit running water. It was deep. I came up out of the water begging for air. At the top of the trench I could hear my stalker pacing after me. The water was taking me away. I was escaping. The wolf stared me down. It's eyes glowed a yellow hew. The forest had been pitch black before. I dreamed in black and white... but its fur seems darker than black, like it could be color to my
Continuing Jossie's POV: Nathalie's home was in a nearby apartment complex. She lived on the third floor. Across the hall was a woman named Cheryl who was an elder. And, to my understanding, there was a parrot that squeaked when she opened the door. Her neighbor watched her daughter for her. Malaya looked exactly like Nathalie. Almost like a clone. "Come on mini me," Nathalie would greet her daughter with open arms. Malaya was 'turning four'. Something Nathalie explained to me on the way. She'd pick her up and carry her to her apartment with her sitting on her shoulders. "This is my new friend Bea. Will you say hi to Bea?" Nathalie would ask her. "Hi! My names Malaya." Malaya would tell me in excitement before patting her mother on the head. "Mommy guess what Cherrie told me?" "What's that?" Nathalie would ask as she'd bring us into their apartment. "She's going to take me to your work tomorrow for a surprise visit. Oops... I
Matthew's POV: "Are you girls ready?" I called up the stairs. April and Juliette have been up there all morning. I took today off from the station to deal with the funeral. Even though I hate funerals. My tux was fresh smelling since I took it to the local dry cleaners. I checked my watch that was on my dominant right hand. We're going to be late if they don't come down this instant. "It's bad luck to show up late to your loved one's funeral," I grumbled. Especially an alpha's funeral. Suddenly, I heard footsteps hit the top of the stairs. I looked up to see April coming down first. She was in a pencil skirt, vest, and a white blouse. She had a stack of cue cards she was stuffing into a purse. She looked down at me and gave me a teary smile. She looked over her shoulder, "JULIETTE!" Her voice shook the house. She hit the bottom stair and I wrapped an arm around her for a hug. "How are you, little sister?" I
Jossie's POV: There is a beer produced by werewolves called, 'Wolfweiser.' It's brewed and spiked with wolfsbane. It's about the only beer wolves prefer. Because, its effects on us are stronger than the average beer. The cans are purple with the logo in bold gold. There is a wolf howling towards the moon on it. Wolfweiser is used at large backyard parties. There are a few knock-off brands but nothing beats drinking a Wolfweiser. Before I left Nathalie's apartment she gave me a can. "Don't come into work today. Just stay home and try to relax," she insisted. "Drink one of these if you feel like you're about to shift and give me a call." Nathalie would walk out with me. Her intentions were strong about making sure I got home safe. She'd drive me back. Malaya was dropped off at Cheryl's apartment and we went out to her car. I was reminded once again that she in-fact was making me stay home today. I felt completely against the idea at the time. I wanted to b
Nathalie's POV: "Crossfit Zone on fifth street! This is Lou speaking, how can I help you?" "Hi, my name is Nathalie. I was wondering if I could speak to the manager about acquiring the gym for a private session today. I'm sorry this is last minute." "I'm sorry we're closing early today." "Is your manager around?" "Ma'am, I said we're closing early." The phone beeps to alert me the call was dropped. I growled and pulled the phone away from my ear. What a rude person! I snorted and glanced at the time on my computer to see it was time to close up the diner. I already did all the tasks early so I could get a jump on finding somewhere for Jossie to transform safely. But, I came up short. Looks like I'll be clearing out my office of anything valuable and putting Jossie up in here for the night. Come to think of it... Jossie didn't call me today. I felt immediately worried as I pulled up the phone number for Motel Off Main. I waited for Jered's familiar voice to answer. "Is this the
Jossie's POV: I woke up with a sudden jolt. A pain ate away at me. I knew instantly it was the cause of my awakening. It forced its way up my spine and straight into my head. I broke out into a soft cry that echoed off walls surrounding me. I was in severe pain. I knew this was it... the last time I will ever feel different from the rest of my species. I was changing. A burning sensation took over the same spot Matthew had bit me at in the truck. It itched like there was something on my skin. I couldn't- I couldn't dare touch it. A fear crossed my mind that it was the cause of all this. But it was a fairytale I told myself. This was the cause of my birthright. Despite the agitation forming on my skin... I could tell this was the beginning of the change.'You'll not enjoy being bound in clothes.' I have to take them off. It was time. I reached over my body and was grateful for what I chose. It would be easy to take off of me.
Vee's POV: Hunting on a full moon meant I couldn't use any gun related weapons. It would be too risky. Even hunting in another pack's territory was bad enough. But, I felt I had to do this on the full moon. If I was going to find that rogue then it would be tonight. But, I have to be careful because this isn't my pack's territory. If I get caught I will be in serious danger. They'll have rights to kill me without asking questions. I want to make sure I find that rogue before anybody else does. The only thing the station gave me was a sedative I could use on the rogue if I crossed him. I strapped my own bow across my back along with a bag of arrows. I also had a change of clothes securing the sedative. The straps were spell-bound to adjust with my form. I could transform easily while wearing the straps and they'd stay put. The rogue's scent led me across the borders of Deepfur's territory. This was the lycan king's territory. It was a large
Nigal and Virgle were the two brothers stuck watching over me. I picked up that they were wolves when our scents were isolated in the elevator that seemed to be the only way in and out of that pint house. The aroma of the place seemed like it was used to being visited as the many scents that spread out in that place confused me. Nigal was the one that let me borrow his phone. They took me to the hospital in a set of vehicles that multiplied the security on me.The hospital was fifteen minutes away from where I had been staying. It was a huge building about six floors high with a huge cross on the center of its entrance side. The hospital's name was Silverback Medical Center. We stepped into a lobby where I instantly made eye contact with Artyom. He was standing nearby in a changed outfit from the last I saw him. He was thuggish looking in my eyes now. The way he stood and the men that surrounded the room but were not looking at him. They all looked the same. The uniform was black tie
Alpha Artyom's scent was fresh in the air as if he had been here within the last few hours... but he was not here when I woke up. I was back to human as well as in changed clothes. Someone had bathed me and clothed me while I was out of it. I felt different from last time... I felt a little bit calmer now... as if I were accepting what happened... Casimir is dead and there is nothing I can do to change that. I must go on because that is what he would have wanted me to do... but now all I want is to live and nurture this hunger inside me my wolf was after. There was a deep desire to cross the boarders back into Camren's territory and hunt him down... the worst part is I do not know why I felt that way... was it longing to mate with him next or was it because I wanted to kill him because he is guilty for what happened to Casimir?I changed into a fresh change of clothes since I did not want to be stuck in lounge wear. I picked out an oversized red/black stripped shirt, tank top for und
Ethan's POV:I stepped toward Cas as his last statement was more of a command for me. I would personally see that Cas at least makes it through until Camren no longer needs him. I leaned in toward Cas' wounds to sniff them. I transformed into my human form and went to pull Cas over my shoulder to carry him."What did you say?" I asked softly as his ear passed my mouth. I wanted to know the dark secret he shared with my alpha. I lifted him up without hesitating and realized he really wasn't that heavy. I felt blood gush out from his wound and realized moving him probably won't be a good idea. I rushed him back to a laying position. "Cam!" I yelled as I realized his body was growing cold. I felt for his pulse as anxiety ran through my veins. His lifeless eyes were staring back at me as I realized he wasn't... here anymore. He was with the moon goddess now. I couldn't find a pulse so I reached up and shut his eyes. I glanced around to find Camren glaring at us with disappointment in hi
Ethan's POV:I was discharched from the hospital and sent home on doctor's strict orders to rest. But my mind was too busy for resting. I wanted to go for a run but I didn't want to go alone. The only person I could think of was asking Camren to join me. I took the elevator up to his floor to give me a speedy access. There wasn't any fresh scents going to his room which meant he had no vistors and it was the time of day I would expect him in. I didn't knock when I reached his apartment, since I always knew he sensed me when I was coming for him. It was an unspoken gift he had as alpha. Cam's day room had not changed since I last saw it. Vixen was asleep on the blue couch and didn't even flinch his ears when I walked through to look for Camren. The apartment was not open floor plan as it was not within interest of any werewolf. Much less Camren, who liked the finest of things. I took the hall past his lavish kitchen and went past the closed doors for spare rooms I knew he used as offi
Life seemed to come back in my eyes. It must have been a couple of hours since I was under the influence of the medicine that was infused with the syringe. The sun broke through a cloudy bank we were crossing a wide field with nothing but the open sky and heavy snow as far as the eyes could see. I was tied down to a sled and wrapped in heavy blankets and heated pads that was keeping me warm. "She's awake," I heard someone announce that came into my view and looked me dead in the eyes as they walked beside me. The sled came to a stop as the same faces I remembered from earlier surrounded me. Their clothes were the only thing recognizable. How long have I been out of it? Where are we? How am I still alive? "It's not time for you to be awake," I recognized the leader's voice from last night come from a man that stepped into my view. "Put her back to sleep," he commanded. "No!" I shouted as someone I recognized as the same from before came into my view with another syringe. "Don't!"
Jossie's POV:"Wake up," Cas whispered in my ear. It was freezing, the only warmth came from his heat as he had me resting against his chest. I raised my head to feel something was off, my hair raised on my arms as if I was being watched. Where am I? I glanced around to find us sitting in the area I fell asleep in earlier. It was a harsh reminder we were still waiting out the storm."Something is off," Aimee whispered, she was staring outside the windows of the doors leading outside of the store. It was as if instinct kicked in she grabbed a metal napkin dispenser off of the table and got up. The lady who ran the store was still fast asleep, not far away from us. It was dark outside, long after the promised time frame of our rescue from the storm. "Stay here," Cas told me as he lifted me off his body to get up and follow Aimee toward the doors. I tried to focus my hearing, wondering what they were listening to out there. All I could hear was the wind braking against the walls. I stood
Ethan's POV: Yellow roses, sunflowers, and pink tulips were the first to be seen when I opened my eyes and raised my head slowly. Those were recognizable flowers for patients getting well in the hospital's ward. I smelled the hospital's bleach stench of sterilized equipment. I could hear the heart monitor slowly accelerating. There were get well cards by my flowers that must have come from the family. I growled lightly as flashes of that bastard defeating me went through my mind. I trembled as I tried to stay cool from ripping the room apart. "Ethan!" I heard a cheery voice say from the doorway. I faced away from the windows to see Charlotte's huge smile crossing her face. Everything paused as I took her in. My heart pounded hard in my chest. It was breathtaking to see her be the first person here after I woke up. Her bright smile promised me I was the only person to make her feel that way. I was entranced. Her curly red toned
The bullet train took us down into the city's skyscrapers built for the harsh weather amongst the mountains. This place looked like it stayed frozen year-round. The city- everything from the neon flashing signs to the tinted windows was made to withstand. The bullet train's tracks were the only thing not covered in snow since it went so fast the snow did not have time to conjugate. There were open rooftop saunas with steam so thick it was hard to make out who was using them. This town had me on edge. What kind of wolves survived here? The train led into the woods by the edge of town and came to its last stop where a small community with residents owned private weather resistant mansions. The community's buildings were thinner since the cover of trees protected them from the environment's harsh conditions. The train's station was nested twenty feet above the ground near the treetops where it would circle in a one-way loop and leave for the city. I followed Aimee off the train and
Aimee started walking to the doors and the omega rushed to open them before she could reach them. We followed in pursuit. Inside was a lounge area in front of a mahogany desk with the latest tech advanced computer gear. He wasn't at the desk. Artyom was over by a wall completely open to the cool air and an open deck leading outside to a burning fire pit. Snow melted as it came into the room causing the floors to look slick. A woman was swaying a glass of bourbon in hand at the lounge area not far away from an open bar. There was a wall full of filing cabinets that looked centuries old and covered in dust. This room wasn't used often, I could tell. It made me wonder why we were meeting here of all places. Artyom came away from the opening and it automatically started to shut as glass panes came down from the ceiling to close it off. The water built up on the ground was running off into a draining system toward the windows. He came up to the lounge area and gestured for us to sit as he