Kierra

Can an immortal Werewolf get permanent frown lines? Forehead lines? Gonna be interesting since I have 'resting bitch face', meaning I look like I'm very annoyed all the time...when I'm not making a specific expression anyway.

Going to be really interesting in this new world if I look so unapproachable. Doubt any animal or Vamp will listen to it though, even if it is directed at them. Recalling the bloodsucker that took my sister, he seemed to be totally oblivious to me.

I'm used to being looked over when she's with me, she's very pretty. I don't mind it as no one gets creepy about it. That night in the parking lot, things got very creepy.

My whole body shivers when I remember my initiation into this world. Is it any wonder I want nothing to do with them? Specific individuals aside, of course.

"You can't possibly be cold."

"Huh? Oh, no. I'm not. Just...memories."

He nods, understanding at once. Probably not memories he thinks I'm having, but I don't bring up anything else.

"Hey, were you able to find any information about the other stuff? The man after Bastion and what's up with this area being like a dead zone?"

Bet he wishes he's telepathic now as he looks at his companions then back to me. I nod, understanding. Can't talk about stuff he isn't supposed to be doing in front of others.

Speaking of which, with all the stuff I've read and seen about Vamps, now brings up a big question.

"You mentioned politics before, but do you guys have a collective governing the Vamps around here, or is there just one 'Big Guy'?"

Not sure if he'll be able to answer that one or not, so I leave it to him. Benjamin looks like he's pondering for a moment, then answers.

"Both, I think."

I blink at him, not understanding.

"Both? How can you have both?"

With him chuckling once more at me, I send him an image of me wringing his neck. That just makes him smile wider, flashing fang. How did I never notice those before? Wearing caps maybe? Like those that are put over fillings and whatnot? Not the time to ask, so I let it go.

"Both meaning yes to both. There is one 'Big Guy', and there are also those who are like a ruling overhead. Many state senators throughout the years have been Vampires. The current one isn't, obviously, but other seats are. We're all beholden to the 'Big Guy', even ones with other high positions, such as chiefs of state, secretaries, governors, and mayors, but even he answers to the ruling group."

Think I followed all that. There's a leading man who everyone answers to, then there's a higher group, a council, that both he and everyone below him have to bow to.

"And this one person, he like, all of your guys' Maker or?"

Dark head shakes, his eyes wandering off.

"No, he can be the Maker of many around here, but not all of us are his directly. Since we live here though, we are under his rule."

Thinking about that as I look over the other two, they look like they're trying very hard to not notice we're here. I really hope I'm not making trouble.

"I'm not causing any problems by you guys doing this, am I?"

"Told you, I'll take care of it."

Now that just irks me. My tail swishes angrily before I set my teeth into his arm and hold, jerking him down as I glare up at him. He follows the motion so I don't shred him, but he doesn't look pleased.

"Suck it up buttercup. You can take care of anything you like, but I need to know what's going on. If this is going to cause waves, for you or me, I need to know."

The other guys come walking up now, either finished loading up or coming to tear into me. I let go, head swinging to them, eyeballing their progress.

"It's fine. She's just wanting to make sure no trouble will come from this."

He waves his hand out, entailing the packing off of dead humans.

"She's angry at me because I won't tell her things. We're fine, won't say she won't hurt me, though."

Grinning at the last, his friends look unconvinced. I sneeze and shake my head. My ear getting grabbed once more and tugged on to show his buddies I won't tear his face off.

"Benji here thinks he's funny, but no, I won't hurt him. Too much. I like picking on him too much to get rid of him just yet."

They look taken aback that I bothered to talk to them at all. Guess wolves and the undead really don't mingle much. Yellow eyes look at each in turn as if they're being ridiculous.

"If I were going to go all crazy rabid wolf, I would have done so already. No intention of fighting anyone. If you do, I'll get back to you at a later time and willingly take you on, but not tonight."

They just blink at me. Clearly... Some people don't get my sarcasm. I look over at Benjamin for help, but he's just looking smug.

Alright, let's try something else then. Tattooed Vamp is on my right side, so I raise my right leg, acting like I'm going to let loose. The other two jump back and Benji glares at me.

"If you piss on me, our friendship will come into serious question."

"I'm marking my territory. That whole safe passage thing, you know."

I project it so they all hear me, opened jaws to show them all a wolfy grin as I lower my leg.

"I wouldn't really piss on you, Benji. Might hump your face, but I'm not into golden showers."

He heaves a sigh, but smiles. Looking over at his compatriots who are coming back with small smiles of their own. Yay, I'm funny to Vampires.

That a good thing or bad?

"Now, I need one of you to tell me if this is going to cause any trouble. I asked Benjamin if there was such a thing, and that I will pay for it, but not if it creates waves."

My ears flick back before he can grab at them again. Dude seriously has a thing for ears. So instead he crouches down and buries a hand into my scruff.

For wolves and Vamps to not mix much, he is seriously touchy-feely. Even more so for a tiger. If I recall, they're loners for the most part. Guess what I'm getting now is his human side.

"Careful, I don't know if what happened in your office will happen while I'm in fur."

Have to turn my head to look at him, but he's not even paying attention, gazing off into Benji-land. I turn back to his friends.

"Uh, guys, if he shifts, I didn't do it on purpose. I can't control it. Please don't freak out and go nuts on me."

They start tensing up but the dazed seeming male snaps out of whatever happened. I heave my own sigh. The last thing I need right now is a giant tiger roaming my woods with two other Vamps hyped up on uncertainty. His hands pull away as he stands, avoiding everyone's glances. Okay... And on that note...

"Hello? Someone answer my question please."

Tall black and green hair finally opens his mouth. His pitch is soft, not loud and obnoxious like many males have a tendency to do without realizing it.

"This is our job, no trouble will come from it. Benjamin called us in and I owed him a favor."

"Thank you."

See? Was that so damn hard? Really hate when I have to ask something over and over just to get a simple answer. Inclining my head to Mr. Green, I let them know that if they want any of the materials I left, they are welcome to them.

"Sorry to bother you guys, was just out for a run when I decided to swing by. Need to get back though, so I'm gonna head out. Thank you again for doing this."

The two Vamps amble back to their vehicle while I look at the weird acting one beside me. I tilt my head at him, but he's once again lost, so I turn to leave. A few feet into the treeline I hear him behind me, so I stop and wait for him.

When he's beside me, I look up at him. My heart beats strong and steady, his, on the other hand, is slow. Sluggish. Enough to cause serious worry till I remember what he is.

Will Faline's be like that? The thought makes me sad, but even with a slow beat, she'll still be alive. Tiger scent floods my nose when he crouches back down. His animal is very close to the surface.

"Are you aware you have burrs in your neck?"

"I am. If you see a fox around here, let me know, he has an ass-kicking owed."

He gives me a weird look, but drops it, large hand making its way back to my side.

"Do you have a fur fetish? Not judging, you just seem to be acting weird."

"I found information about this area and why you call it a deadzone. Simple answer; it is. The only reason you keep getting mail is by your notoriety and habit of your mailman. Otherwise, the whole area doesn't exist. This area and a few others are just blank spots that no one seems to notice. I'm still trying to figure out how you're getting any utilities, but that seems to be blank as well."

I look at him in confusion. Blackout deadzone? How? Why? That makes no sense and I say as much. He nods, looking confused himself.

"If you're to look at the paper maps, there might be one or two that have house markings, but that's it. Any maps online show this whole area to be all wooded, no homes. I found no mention of anything about a fire anywhere near here. This house here is non-existent."

Guess it explains some things, but not why it's like that. Hidden areas? His head shakes before looking at me again.

"That's all I've found about it so far. The man after your boy, Frank Mallory, he's a high paid accountant. A lot of his money seems to come out of nowhere or several offshore accounts. He's known to be around lawyers, friends with many of them, one in particular. An older guy, his name is familiar, so I don't want to say anything for sure yet. Others he's often seen with are all higher up the food chain of human society, but I'll look into them as well for you."

Lawyers? My ears prick and go back, angry eyes settling on the Vampire who looks confused for a moment till I fill him in on information that had been given while I was held. Giving him the name of the lawyer and judge that had been in charge of my case.

"If they aren't dirty, I'm the queen of England. Technicality my ass."

I also give him the name of Ava's human stepfather. He might be involved as well with this whole mess. Too much of a coincidence, as she and I lived near each other in the beginning. Speaking of friends...

"Oh, if you guys see a black timber or a maned wolf, they're friends, please don't go after them or anything."

Benjamin's brows draw together, censure in his eyes.

"And why are they hanging around here? From what I've seen, the only one left in this area is you. You and your sister. You're going to need something more than a couple of watchdogs."

My ears go back and I step away. Don't know what's gotten into him, but that's going too far.

"Hope you realize that in calling them dogs, you're also calling me one. They're friends. Asher has lived here long before I came around and Xavier is...well, he was technically sent to kill me, but now he's helping me find Faline. You never had a problem with us being out here before, don't need one now. Goodnight, Benjamin."

I turn and take off. He calls my name, but I keep going. The way he'd been acting ever since I became a wolf has been different. Granted he hasn't known long and we've only seen each other a few times since, but still.

First he's all standoffish, then he can't stop touching me. This new world really needs an instruction sheet or something. A rulebook. World of Fucked Up 101. Anything.

Come to think of it, I sort of already have one. Asher. Granted some of his information is probably way outdated, but it's a start and better than nothing.

On the way home, I catch hint of that damn fox. A cluster of trees smell heavily, and I mean, heavily. As if this fox and Asher have been taking turns going over and marking it. To settle the dispute, I mark it.

There.

Now neither of them has it. Rubbing along the trees and scratching at them as well, if that doesn't get the point across, nothing will.

It's still pretty dark, but I can smell morning coming. Vamps better hurry up or they're going to be hurtin'. Sleepiness starts making its way into my head, saying I didn't get anywhere near enough sleep, and the nightmare-filled few hours might as well have been squat.

Leaving the trees behind, I hurry home. Haven't been gone too long I don't think, but long enough. Coming up fast, I leap towards the porch from the treeline. Granted it isn't far, but it still amazes me how I can move now with barely any effort. Asher scares the shit out of me as he pops his head up, having been hidden behind the railing. Really get annoyed when a surprised yip comes from me.

"Are you alright?"

I can feel his laughter at me, even more so when he catches sight of the burrs. I sniff haughtily at him, raising my head and tail straight up and closing my eyes as if he's beneath me. Can feel his intent to jab and play change to blankness.

Lowering my head, yellow eyes seek him out. The black wolf's frame goes stiff, ears back as he walks up slowly and sniffs over my neck and side. He's had to have smelled Benjamin on me before from when he'd been in his tiger shape, right?

Sending him the feeling of confusion on what his problem is, it seems to calm him a little bit, but he still isn't happy.

"You smell of Vampire. His cat scent is heavy on your side and neck. Were you in another fight?"

I blink at him and relax, dipping forward to give a small lick to his nose.

"You're adorable. No, I did not get into another fight. Was tracking that fox when I decided to check on the cellar to see if the cleanup crew had been there yet. They were still bringing bags out when I got there."

Sitting down, I yawn before I keep going. Eyes getting hard to keep open.

"Benjamin was with them, so we talked about the information that I asked him to get for me. I think that was the only reason he had tagged along with the other two Vamps. Apparently, this whole area is a deadzone. It either doesn't exist on maps, or ones that do show are so old that they wouldn't be reliable to begin with."

Yawning again, I slowly lower, front legs sliding forward as I steadily drop. Not even wanting to talk in my head anymore, I just show him. This telepathy thing is really handy to have. He blinks at me a few times, scratching at the door before nuzzling into the spots Benji had touched.

"You're going to get burrs on you if you aren't careful."

Even my mind talking is real low and sleepy. Bastion opens the door, rubbing his own eyes. I'm perfectly fine sleeping right here, but I get nudged over and over by the midnight wolf till I stand and go in.

Bastion goes for the bathroom after locking the door, while I, with Asher's help, go downstairs. If he hadn't helped, I'm pretty sure I would have gone down a lot faster and would be nursing a bruised nose by now. Dragging my feet, I make it over to the nest before my legs give out.

"Asher? Why am I so tired?"

"You've been through a lot within the past twelve hours. The body wants to sleep and rest even if you don't."

Not long after, the Imp makes his way over with a brush and comb. I groan and close my eyes. I'm not moving, I don't care if he has to cut them out.

I get images of a bald-headed wolf in my brain and it makes me smile. Internally of course, but still. My head gets pulled into the boy's lap, the tugs are barely felt and the brush feels heavenly. I whine into Asher's head that I've become a pampered pooch.

My eyes are closed as I hear his chuckling. A comforting weight settles against my side as the dark canine stretches out beside me. I fall asleep to Bastion's brushing and Asher's reassuring scent and presence.