Gemini and I stood watching my apartment building from a couple of houses away on the opposite side of the street. I kept a particularly close eye on the backyard. Everyone knew that dastardly visitors tended to come in through the back door. Especially late at night.

  Gemini stood absolutely still. Not a twitch. The warm, funny, happy Gemini early in the evening had been replaced by a statue. She hardly answered questions, and when she did it was in a low empty voice.

  It was only an hour or two from when people would begin to wake and start their day. There were a few of the earliest birds out and about already, but not many. All who were out in this weather hugged their jackets close and hurried towards their destination. It wasn’t super cold, but it felt worse in the dark and windy mist.

  The mist made it hard to see details, but with my improved vision it wasn’t that much of a problem. On the plus side the mist highlighted the shadows of any movement as the currents changed. It was the streetlights that made shadows visible in the air and amplified them. Besides movement becoming easily visible, sounds were also much clearer in the damp air.

  I wasn’t really cold, even though I had no jacket, but I could feel my body working to keep warm. It would take some serious amount of pizza to replenish my energy. Thinking about pizza made my stomach growl.

  Gemini was standing out of reach from me. She didn’t seem to be able to shake the sadness, and that made it hard for me to ignore her. Not that I wanted to ignore her. No, I wanted to go to her, Comfort her. But it was clear that she was not in the mood to be comforted. I had to try anyway.

  “How bad will this turn out for you?” I asked her in a whisper. I meant her association with me.

  Gemini turned her head and looked at me. “We don’t have that kind of organization that would allow them to do anything to me.” Her face was blank, but I could nearly sense her, almost “feel” how she felt. And it felt like chaos. “Aside from some very clear responsibilities, we’re can do what we want.”

  “Why are you helping me?” I wasn’t sure I should ask that question. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the answer.

  “Someone has to.”

  I was right. I didn’t like the answer. But I felt something more behind those words. Some hurt or sorrow that she didn’t want to speak of.

  “So, what do you do when you’re not out helping lost causes? Work out at the gym? Go fishing? Solve crossword puzzles?” I scooted a little closer to her. She was so surprised at my question that she didn’t maintain the distance between us, allow me to get closer to her. Or she ignored it.

  “No gym. There are some big supernatural gyms, but since we all have weird metabolisms, you won’t find many of The Cursed that are overweight. Some don’t eat at all. And most gain little from training with weights.” Then she turned back to stone but continued talking. “No, I work with animals. I’m an animal keeper. I work at several different zoos, mostly with big carnivores, but also with the big primates.”

  That surprised me. I had her figured for something more adrenaline filled. “Nice. You like it?”

  “Yes.”

  Down to one syllable words. One step forward and two steps back. “And your spare time?”

  “I like free rock climbing and cage fighting. I like to keep my edge.”

  “You mean you do cage fights? As in fighting in cages?” I asked, getting more confused again.

  “Yes.”

  This was like pulling teeth. She was clamming up on me big time, and the only way I was getting anything was if I could drag it out of her by sheer persistence. “You any good?”

  “Not many better than me in Chicago. At least not among those who do our kind of cage fights.”

  I could believe that. She was fast powerful and could take serious amounts of damage without flinching. I wouldn’t like to fight her in an all-out match. There was a high probability that I would lose that fight.

  “Do you eat?”

  “Yes, but-“

  “Well, then I’d like to take you out. Tomorrow? At nine?”

  “Maria, I don’t-“

  Since I couldn’t get her to distance herself from me, I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. In for a dime, in for a dollar. “What have you got to lose?”

  Gemini turned very quiet. She looked at me with those grey eyes like she wanted to tell me something. “Too much, Maria.”

  “That’s not an answer,” I pushed.

  She was quiet for several minutes. “I’ll think about it.”

  I knew I had better leave it at that. And I did. At least for the time being. Asking someone out on top of a building might be romantic if you are at the top of Empire State Building. But if you are standing on the top of a four story run-down building behind a AC-unit, it is not particularly romantic. Then again, beggars can’t be choosers.

  “Could you tell me more about the supernatural Chicago?” I needed to know more, but I needed to keep her talking. Talking could give openings.

  “What do you want to know?” Not even a twitch from Gemini.

  “How many territories are there, and how many alphas and whatever the rest of the bump-in-the-night people call it?” I sat down and hugged my knees.

  Gemini turned a fraction towards me. “Well, there are different alphas. Alpha is what we call a dominant Breed. Your average alpha runs his pack and adhere to the council's edicts and his rule is very much run by instincts.” Without pausing she sat down, but further away from me than when she had stood up. “Strength isn't all, but usually it is important for any type of predator. An alpha can be weak, strong, fearful, submissive towards other packs or other supernaturals. Sometimes a tribal alpha surfaces, those are outside the Councils’ power. The Tribals’ rights and obligations are in the Compact. Usually the power marks a Tribal. They can look like the Maori tattoos, but more sinister. There are some other ways as well, most of them visual. These dominants have no give in them whatsoever. They are truly singular alphas. They usually start a clan somewhere away from cities and other packs.”

  I inched a little closer. “Tribal? Clans?”

  Gemini sighed. “They gather supernaturals, mostly Breeds, into a Tribe. That's the best explanation. They have a need to protect and lead, and they can't be in a pack and not rule. They're a kind of a throwback as well, but to a more general dominant – one who rules whatever he or she considers pack.”

  “And the Brood or Gh?la?”

  “A Brood dominant is called Diran, meaning just dominant. And the Gh?la have Lugal which means ruler. The Gh?la also have titles from their own clans and traditions. Most are untranslatable. ”

  I changed the subject, now that I got her talking. “So, you think Papá Ourse’s prediction is good? I mean how does he do that?” It looked like she had given up on the silent treatment. Thank goodness!

  I really should make Gemini go away. It would be the right thing to do. But every time I tried, she gave the same look a teacher give a stupid kid. So, I was giving up on that notion.

  “It’s a talent in his bloodline. And his talent is stronger than most. Yeah, his predictions are usually gold. Very, very few can even focus the gift like he can to include only a person’s thread. Though I must say that I don’t even know if there is a true Predictorie of any strength alive in the world today. The old Greek tribes had some true seers. There are some clairvoyants and perhaps two or three people like Papá Ourse, but no true one. Not for ages.” Gemini turned back to watch the street.

  “What is a-“

  “Sch, there!” Gemini whispered and pointed to an alley five houses away on the same side of the street. In the quick flickering of shadows there were something reflecting the street lights, but it was still as a statue.

  “You sure?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  Whatever it was it had posted itself between a construction site and an abandoned building. I hadn’t picked up a thing. The shadows seemed like before, so whatever Gemini had sensed, it was way beyond my scope. I turned towards Gemini. “Would you please leave this to me?”

  “Why?” Gemini asked. There was suspicion in her voice. She probably thought that I was being chauvinistic.

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  “Because I have to get some information out of them. And If you’re with me, I doubt they will tell me anything or let anything slip. And if this is someone else, then you won’t be connected to me. At least lest not anymore than you already are. But if they were involved in Tony’s death then...” I said.

  Gemini leaned forward and brushed her lips against my cheek. “Then go, before they disappear.”

  Those lips burned my skin. It made my heart rush and my blood boil. I turned and pulled Gemini close to me and kissed her. To hell with her confusing moods and mixed signals. At least she would know what I felt.

  With a smile I jumped off the building down onto a lower roof and then down on to the pavement. I ran two streets north before I turned towards the alley where I had seen the shadows.

  I tried to walk like a normal human would. There wasn’t much idea in trying to sneak up on two watchful weres. That would be a lesson in futility. With the kind hearing they possessed and in a situation where all the senses are alert.

  Stumbling here and acting like I was a bit drunk would explain me walking without a jacket. I hugged myself as if I was cold and muttered something about talking a leak. Something I would “do” in the alley.

  I bumbled my way into the alley. It was hard not to look at the two weres, a man and a woman, perched on a duct fifteen feet up watching. They smelled like werewolves. They had the same musky scent as Freaky Fred.

  And one had the scent from Tony’s store.

  The female.

  I could feel their stares like loaded guns pointing at my back. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t hold back the anger and hate much longer.

  Muttering to myself, I made my way to the base of the duct and leaned in with one hand as if to support myself.

  “She’s the one!” whispered the male. Without my improved senses I would never have heard it. “I’m sure of it.”

  “We’ll take her down to the basement and play a little.” The woman said equally low. “It was a long time since we had a prey.”

  The male hissed and it was louder this time. I pretended to look around as if I heard something. “Derek-“ the male started.

  “Derek isn’t here, is he?” The low menace in the woman’s voice made the male shut up. “I want to play, and you had better do as I say!”

  I was betting that they would do exactly as they said. Take me to the basement for some “play”. I knew exactly what they, or rather she, had in mind, so I stood there like I had trouble getting started, sighing and grunting.

  Silently they jumped down behind me and in a fast move they locked my arms and carried me down the stairs to the cellar of the abandoned building in a rush. I could smell their excitement and anticipation. They stopped in front of a thick security door. The woman simply pushed at the door until it gave in and into the darkness we went.

  “Lexi, there’s-“ The male started. He seemed nervous.

  “Not now, Sam!” The female responded and led the way into a room.

  “But-“

  “I. Said. Not. Now. Put her there.”

  With casual toss the male, Sam, threw me into a corner.

  It was a very disgusting place. The room was empty but for some garbage bags and some pieces of wood. It smelled of urine and feces, and there was mold on the walls. Some of that had already rubbed off onto my clothes. Throwing them out when I got home would be a good idea.

  “W-What-“ I stammered, trying to look scared.

  “Welcome to Hell,” The woman, Lexi, said pleasantly. “And I don’t mean Hell, Michigan.”

  “What do y-you want?” I asked.

  “Lexi!” Sam said urgently.

  “Not now, Sam!” Lexi snarled and focused on me again. “You’re going to die, but I will give you a sporting chance. I’ll give you a knife. So you can defend yourself.” She threw a standard short blade dagger at my feet.

  “Lexi! Don’t!” Sam said and moved to retrieve the knife.

  With a powerful backhand punch Lexi sent Sam into the wall. “Shut up!”

  Sam looked a bit dazed. “You idiot. Smell her! She’s not afraid! She’s not scared of us, bitch!”

  I hefted the dagger. “Sorry for the acting,” I smiled.

  “What-“ Lexi started.

  “I won’t be needing you!” With a powerful throw I threw the dagger at Sam, who was still a bit dazed. It pierced his scull on his right-side with a dull thud. I had no idea if he would survive the wound. I didn’t really care either. People who prey on the weak, especially supernatural who have all the advantages had it coming. “But you, Lexi, might live a little bit longer. I wouldn’t get your hopes up though. So, what were you looking for up there?” My voice was ice cold. Hatred, guilt, and rage all coursed through my body like wildfire looking at Lexi. She must have picked up on that.

  Sam was twitching and gurgling on the floor, but Lexi didn’t spare him a look. She didn’t seem to care at all. It was an ugly sight.

  Lexi was silent for a while. Probably weighing her options and about how much she could push me. “We were trying to find you, Maria.” She cocked her head to the side. “No one said you were one of The Cursed. I guess we should have realized that since Paul never came back. He was weak, but he was a true tracker. It’s a big loss for our pack.” She tried to sound reasonable and calm, but she was nervous. Not afraid, only nervous.

  I took a step forward. “You think someone will come and save you? I doubt that. You were at Tony’s when he was killed! I know, ‘cause I have your scent.”

  In a fluid motion Lexi crouched. “I don’t lose many fights, little girl, so go away and you might live another day.” Then she drew a wicked knife with about a twenty centimeter blade.

  I slowed my breathing and focused on her eyes. The amber gold irises glinted in the light. She was an experienced knife fighter who knew how to balance herself, and it showed in her movements. But then, so was I. I had no blade of my own this time, but I had more than just training fighting unarmed in a knife fight - I had experience.

  “Shall I tell you how much your friend screamed?” The woman taunted.

  I said nothing. There was nothing to say. She was only saying this to make me angry enough to make mistakes. All the taunts in the world couldn’t reach me in that cold hating place where I was. No taunts could make me forget that her death was the only acceptable outcome. After I got some more information out of her.

  And I would take my time getting it.

  “We broke him. Fucking norm, just another piece of meat.” The woman laughed.

  I made no move to attack. No overt gesture. “Is that all you can do?” I asked. “Taunt? Is that ferocity of a wolf? You’re a dog, bitch!”

  That gave me a snarl, but she still didn’t attack.

  “How would you know?”

  “Tony was a norm, but he still nicked you. Isn’t that bit shameful – a norm taking a piece out of a supe?” I laughed. “He might’ve been meat, as you say, but this meat blooded you. That’s pathetic.”

  Lexi snarled again and then turned and bolted up the stairs.

  I was completely taken by surprise. I was expecting Lexi to come after me, to finish it, but she was smarter than that. She had taken off in a dead run in the few moments where I hesitated. It was enough for her to get a head start.

  I grabbed a piece of a wooden beam as ran out of the room after her. She was almost at the basement door as I ran into the hallway. I threw the piece of wood at her head, but missed and hit the door instead.

  That near-hit made Lexi pause for just a moment. Enough for me to make up for some of her head start. I was right behind her as she flew out the door. She made it to the construction site as I reached her.

  I swept away Lexi’s legs as she made ready to jump a wall. Very ungracefully she careened into a brick wall with a solid thud. It didn’t keep her down. She was up and balanced before I could reach her.

  “You’re fast!”

  “Thank you.”

  “It was not meant as a compliment!”

  I grinned. We stood in the middle of a big sand pile, and both of us were keeping an eye on our footing and the other on the movement of each other.

  Lexi kept her knife low and arm slightly bent as she moved towards me. I kept watching her eyes, looking for that twitch that would give away her attack.

  It never came.

  She was damn good. Her swipe cut my arm pretty deep as I failed to get out of the way. “You might want to run now, little girl.” She hissed.

  “I don’t think so.” I kicked up sand and moved in with a straight kick.

  Lexi moved her hand to shield her face and tried to listen to where my kick would land. She swept her knife down as I connected with her pelvis bone with a kick hard enough to break bone. That should have kept her down. But as usual, my idea of what to expect didn’t fit reality.

  In a shimmering haze Lexi transformed into full wolf form and launched herself at me. The transformation didn’t take long. When she was done a grey-brown wolf stood before me snarling. And she was big. She must have been a hundred and fifty kilos at least. Gemini had told me about the different forms and the change, but then and there I remembered nothing of it.

  I dove for the knife she had dropped, because I was sure I was going to need it. In her new form she had a whole other kind of speed and agility compared to before. Not to mention that the balance of the pure wolf form seemed to be much better than mine.

  Lexi reached the knife before I did, so I did the only thing I could do – look for a place where her form was a hindrance.

  I didn’t dare change. Firstly, I didn’t really know how. And secondly, I wasn’t sure how much control I would have after the change. I was at a serious disadvantage.

  “Bitch,” I muttered. I moved quickly out of the way as she launched herself at me again. Her claws were making scratch marks in the bricks as she hit the wall instead of me.

  I positioned myself at the other side of a steel support beam. I doubted she could run through it, even if it was likely she bend it. But then she would have to stand still long enough for me to kick her into next Sunday.

  Every time she made a snap at me, I used a beam to balance myself or increase my speed as I threw fast vicious kicks to her unprotected sides. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep it up, but then I was sure Lexi was wondering the same thing.

  We trade blows in silence. She wasn’t really stronger or better than me. What she had was experience with her physique, that I didn’t have.

  Okay, I was trying to make losing look better. I still felt that she was weaker, though. We were both getting tired and less focused. I could hold off her wolf-form, but I wasn’t scoring any real damage. It was a fight of attrition.

  Suddenly I got my opening. Lexi tried to be smart and changed her direction at the last moment, but she missed me and overextended, trying to bite my arm. I snaked my arm under the jaws and grabbed her neck. With all the power I could muster I spun around and threw her at the wall. But Instead of into the wall, I managed to throw her out a door opening and out onto the street. I need to practice my aim.

  I had moved to follow Lexi out the doorway but stopped as I saw a truck hitting her just as she landed on the asphalt. I quickly hid behind the wall again, so as not to be seen. The sounds of Lexi getting mowed down by the truck were disgusting. First there was a wet thud. Then there were breaks screeching, coming from the heavy truck. I heard the sickening sound of bones breaking, made even worse by the hard breaking of the truck and ripping of flesh. Then came the howls of pain. All this within 5 seconds.

  The wolf form wasn’t agile enough to rotate out of the way of the truck. I risked a quick look out through the hole in the plastic covering a window opening. What I saw was something that looked like it had gone through a meat grinder. Lexi had changed back to human. She was naked and bloody. It looked like her head was lying under one of the wheels of the truck. It was not a pretty sight. I was certain I wouldn’t get anything out of her now. Even if she survived that, it would take a long time before she would be able to talk.

  “What the fuck?” came a scream. “I hit a dog! I’m sure I hit a dog! OH MY GOD!”

  I left as the driver took out his phone and called 911. I needed to be elsewhere when the First Responders showed up. With my luck Wilson would definitely be one of them.

  Damn my luck! This got me nowhere! Perhaps there was enough life left in Sam to get him to talk.

  I crept back into the basement of the abandoned building. Crouching low I more or less slithered down the stairs. I hoped no one had spotted me sneaking way from the site.

  When I reached the room where I had left Sam, it was empty. There was a scent there I did know. Someone had picked up Sam. Whether he was dead or alive at pickup was the question.

  The scent was Dominic’s.