In Shadow - Ch 30 - After the Battle

Content Warning: Partial nudity

"Damn it, damn it, damn it," Jenny snarled. "If he's really hurt, I'll kill him!"

They'd spent the night with friends of Aadi's in the City. Genie was amazed and grateful for people who were perfectly willing to shelter strangers, much less strangers on the run from the mob, solely because they were also 'friends of Aadi.' Genie had expected her nerves would keep her from sleeping at all, but instead she'd been out as soon as her head at hit the borrowed pillow.

Fortified by sleep, quick showers and quicker breakfasts, and dressed in fresh clothes, willingly gifted to 'friends of Aadi,' they had made a dash for the station. To Genie's frustration, they'd missed the first train to Henford. 

As the next train approached the sleeping country town, they'd gotten Aadi's call saying they'd "missed all the fun." George T and Damien were in police custody and the Barovs (whoever they were) had been run off. Orange and someone called Demarco were hurt, but Aadi was sure they'd be fine.

Genie was pretty sure that the only thing Jenny had heard was "Orange was hurt." She'd hit the platform at Henford station running, before the train had even fully stopped. Genie found herself racing through the countryside trying to keep up with the determined and surprisingly fit actress, while desperately hoping her borrowed jeans didn't slip off her hips.

"He's not a fighter," Jenny ranted as they finally approached the sprawling farmhouse. The fact that they'd missed the turning twice hadn't improved her mood. "He knows it. He said it. He's an athlete not a brawler. What was he thinking?"

Genie, still breathless from the run, said nothing while wondering if heroism was somehow contagious. If it was, had Orange caught it from her like she'd obviously caught it from Mariah and Miranda?

"Hey, we're here," Jenny called as she pushed in through the front door, not bothering to knock. "I mean it... if he's seriously hurt..."

"I'm sure... he's fine," Genie panted.

"He'd better... YOU!?" Jenny bellowed, rocking back on her heels at the sight of a fair-haired young woman coming down the stairs. "What are YOU doing here?!"

"Hello Jenny," the fair-haired woman, who Genie thought had to be Etta based on Aadi's description of their 'house guests', replied.

"Where's Orange?" Jenny snapped. "If you've hurt him, I swear to God..."

"He's upstairs," Etta said mildly. "I set his finger and wrapped his ribs. It wouldn't be a bad idea for him to see an actual doctor, but I think he'll be fine. He's resting."

"You... he..." Jenny stammered, her flash of temper fading. "He's OK? What was he thinking?"

"I'm sure he'd be pleased to see you," Etta said. 

"I..." Jenny said, looking suddenly uncertain.

"Well, go," Genie smiled, nodding toward the stairs.

As Jenny dashed up the stairs, Genie stepped up to the fair-haired woman and extended a hand. "Genie Elderberry."

"Etta Blackwood." She returned the handshake. "I recognize you from the news."

"... and I take it you've met Jenny," Genie ventured.

"Long story," Etta sighed. "One I don't feature well in. Come on through. Aadi and Corrie are in the dining room. Jordan has gone into town, making a police report, and Jake is out scouting."

"Genie, you made it," Corrie said with a relived smile.

"How are our patients?" Aadi asked Etta as they took seats at the table.

"Doing well," Etta replied. "Orange is resting. I patched him up as best I could."

"And Demarco?" Aadi asked gently.

Genie caught a flicker of worry in the fair woman's eyes.

"Mostly pissed Kiril got under her guard," Etta replied with a false smile. "She's sleeping now. She should be back on her feet in a day or two. She heals fast." 

--------------

"... and then Candi stunned the guard and we ran for it," Genie finished.

Aadi and Corrie had already filled her in on the events at Mill Lane, and she'd been repeating the story of what happened to her and Jenny after Orange and Corrie made it out of the Alto's penthouse.

"Brilliant," Aadi laughed.

"Wait, Candi's a spy?" Corrie blinked, stunned.

"I mean, that's the brilliant part," Aadi grinned. "Your whole escape plan was to be rescued by an Agency spy hidden in the Alto's inner circle."

"I didn't know she was a spy," Genie said.

"Girlfriend, I don't know which god has your back," Aadi said, a hint of seriousness in their eyes, "but I'm sure glad they do."

"I hear you," Genie sighed.

"Candi's a spy?" Corrie repeated. "I mean, I knew she was nicer and smarter than she pretended to be but... she's a spy?"

"I seem to have missed an interesting story," a shirtless, barefoot man said, coming into the dining room.

"Genie, this prime specimen of masculine wolfy-ness would be Jake," Aadi said with a grin.

"Hi," Genie said, while telling herself firmly that she was not staring at Jake's muscular scarred torso. "Genie Elderberry."

"Candi's a spy," Corrie repeated again.

"Anything?" Etta asked Jake.

"They've cleared off," he replied. "I tracked the Barovs for a while, heading into the mountains. I don't think they'll be back. The abandoned house they used as a base is empty. No sign of Crowe, Max or Wolfgang. I think they left not long after the others came here. Their scents headed toward town."

"Town." Aadi seemed a bit more excited then worried. "Should I call Jordan? Warn them that Max V might try a jailbreak?"

"He won't," Etta said confidently. "He wouldn't risk himself for anyone. Max knows when to cut and run."

"He's not running," Jake said.

"What are you thinking?" Etta asked.

"I found a train timetable in the abandoned house," Jake said. "Opened to the page for trains to Evergreen Harbor."

"Why would he be going to Evergreen Harbor?" Genie asked, a chill running down her spine. "Is he... Did he find..."

Jake's silence was all the answer she needed.

"Etta?" Jake said after a moment.

"It was meant for the Barovs, but it should work on Crowe," Etta replied mysteriously. "The blood scent is part of the whole."

"I'll call the Evergreen pack," Jake nodded. "Tell them to expect us."

"I'm coming with you," Genie said. 

Jake just looked at her for a long moment. Genie was gathering her arguments in her head when he simply nodded. 

A short while later, she found herself back in the farmhouse's entry hall. 

Aadi had agreed to continue to hold down the fort, and fill Jenny and Orange in on things... after Genie had gone. Corrie had given her a quick hug, wordlessly thanking her and wishing her luck. Jake had gone out to "find the rest of his clothes," which had Genie wondering about the practical aspects of lycanthropy... and wondering how her life had reached a point where she just accepted these things.

Turning, she found she was alone with Etta. The fair-haired woman giving her a considering look.

"OK," Genie said, deciding to take the dive. "So, I gotta ask... who are you and how do you know my Uncle Max?"

In Shadow - Ch 29 - Taking A Stand

Content Warning: Misogyny, Profanity, Violence

It was a stupid thing to do, Orange admitted to himself.

He was a soccer player, not a boxer, and certainly not someone who got in life-and-death fights with gangsters. Still, he couldn't run. It just wasn't in him. 

Someone once said to him: sometimes, even when everything's overwhelming and you don't think you can do it, you have to take a stand. It wasn't until he turned the corner of the old farmhouse and saw Jake, Etta and Demarco waiting for him that he remembered it had been Miranda who'd said it. That fit, he supposed.

"Look, I know I'm not a serious fighter," Orange said when he got close enough so he wouldn't have to shout, "but I was in some pretty rough matches. I can take a hit. I... I want to help.  I need to be here."

He expected Jake to argue. Instead, the other man  just exchanged a look with Etta. The fair-haired woman nodded knowingly. 

"Good to have you," Jake said, clasping his hand. "Stick close to Etta. Keep your wits about you... and try not to freak out over what's about to happen."

Before Orange could ask what was going to happen, Jake was leading the four of them out of the yard.

"None of you seemed surprised to see me," Orange said, falling into line next to Etta.

"It's who you are," Etta replied simply. "Like you said, you need to be here. Sometimes, there is only one possible choice."

"Right..." Orange said. "Anyway, what's the.... ummm... wha'? Why are they taking off their clothes?"

Even as he stammered out his question, he found himself watching Jake and Demarco quickly and confidently stripping totally naked in front of him. 

Before he could do much more than stare, the pair were engulfed in a blinding flash. Within that burning light he could just barely see their bodies contorting and changing. With piecing howls, two monstrous shapes emerged from those chrysalises of light.

"The... they... they're werewolves," Orange gasped.

Some small part of Orange's mind insisted, for one last time, that this could not be happening. This final objection made to the impossible but undeniable reality in front of him, that part of his mind gave up and disappeared behind the much larger part of his mind that was telling him he should be running right now.

"We did tell you that," Etta said gently. 

From somewhere nearby came an answering howl. Even in his shocked state, Orange instinctively recognized the new cry as a challenge. The grey-brown werewolf that stood where Jake had once been howled again, answering the challenge with one of his own.

"They're werewolves!" Orange repeated.

"Yes," Etta said. "And so are the Barovs, so be glad we have Lux and Jake on our side."

Bone deep instinct was screaming at him to run, to hide, to escape. He realized that he'd already taken several steps backward, cowering at the sight of the two monsters who had once been Jake and Demarco. It would be so easy to just turn and run. 

"If you're going to freak out and run, I'd appreciate it if you did it now," Etta continued, calmly. "Honestly, I'll understand and I won't hold it against you. It'd just be easier for me to know where we stand."

"Stand," Orange said softly, half to himself. Then, with more confidence, "I'm taking a stand. I'm good. I'm with you."

Still stunned, he watched as the two werewolves... freaking werewolves! ... dashed down the path ahead of them. He found himself glancing over at the surprisingly neat piles of discarded clothes and then looked back to Etta.

"I'm not taking off my clothes," she said. 

"OK," Orange nodded. "Me neither."

"That's too bad," Etta said, deadpan.

"Should we be trying to catch up to them," Orange asked as Etta set off, almost leisurely, down the path after Werewolf Jake and Werewolf Demarco.

"Trust me, you don't want to get in the middle of a brawl between werewolves," Etta replied. "I expect our opposite numbers know that too."

"You mean..." Orange started.

"Those guys," Etta nodded.

The familiar forms of George T and his henchman Damian emerged from the woods ahead of them. Orange felt his blood boil at the sight of the drug dealing scum who had tormented Corrie and so many others. As he had once before, he focused on his breathing, focused on keeping control.

"I got this," Orange said. Werewolves might be beyond him, but George T wasn't.

"Orange," George snarled in his rough voice. "What did I tell you, boy. I said - Don't. Piss. In My Fucking Pool!"

"We're taking you down," Orange said confidently.

"You're taking me down, boy?" George laughed harshly. "No, I'll tell you what you're doing. You giving me back what you took! You're gonna give me back the ledger and that little bitch Corrie, and then I am going to beat you until you show me some fucking respect."

"Corrie isn't a thing," Orange snarled. "She's a person, and one more worthy of respect than you are."

"She is nothing but three warm holes to fuck," George scoffed. "But now you've got me curious... Which one was your favorite?"

What Orange did next wasn't a plan. It wasn't even rage. 

It was, like Etta had a said, simply the only possible choice.

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Struggling to rise, Orange spat out a tooth, along with a mouthful of blood. It hurt to breathe. He was pretty sure he had a cracked rib. He'd probably broken at least one finger against George's face but that, he thought, had been totally worth it.

George towered over him, looking more furious than triumphant.

"Give me the fucking ledger," the gangster panted.

"No," Orange said defiantly.

"I am going to fucking kill you," George snarled.

"George, stop!" a woman's voice shouted.

"Corrie, you stupid bitch," George snarled. "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

"Yes, I do," Corrie snapped back. "I've gotten away from you... and I'm taking down you and the Altos... and then..."

"Corrie, enough!" George commanded. Then his voice changed, becoming softer, gentler. "Give me the ledger, babe, and come back with me. I can fix this for you. I can still make you a star."

"I can't give you the ledger," Corrie said. "We don't have it."

"What you fucking mean you don't have it?!" George demanded, all pretense of charm abandoned.

"It's going to the proper authorities," Corrie said confidently.

"You stupid bitch," George chuckled. "We own the police..."

"I know," Corrie said. "You told me. So we didn't give it to the police. Orange gave it to a friend... one who happens to know that lady on the news... Representative Bridges. You know, the one who used to be in the Agency. She has the ledger and she'll know the right people to give it to."

"You... you couldn't... you can't..." George stammered. "You can't do that."

"We already did," Corrie said. "You're going to jail, George. You're going to jail for a very, very long time."

"You can't do that!" George shouted.

"Oh also, babe, I'm totally breaking up with you," Corrie said. "Bye. See you never."

"George Tobar," called a man, running up the path at them. "You're under arrest."

"What?" George blinked, finding himself faced with two uniformed police officers. 

"I thought we didn't trust the cops," Orange whispered to Corrie.

"Generally we don't, but Officer Scott is Jordan's brother," Corrie replied.

Faced with the pair of police officers, a stunned George looked around for the support of his lackey, Damien. The unfortunate henchman lay in an unconscious heap on the ground. Etta, standing over him, just smiled.

"You're under arrest," Officer Scott repeated. "You are charged with assault, terroristic threat and criminal trespass. I understand additional charges are pending from the Crown Prosecutors office."

"You can't arrest me!" George shouted. "Do you know who I am?!"

"Yes, sir, I do. That's why I'm arresting you," Officer Scott said firmly. "You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you fail to mention when questioned anything you later rely on in court."

In Shadow - Ch 28 - Visions and Villains

"They're meeting at the abandoned house in the Bramblewood," Etta said dreamily. "The one they've been using as a base to watch us here. They'd left but they're back now. Wolfgang and the Barovs. Max V is there. He has Crowe with him."

"It's a bad guy reunion," Jake breathed softly.

"There are two other men," Etta continued. "A crewcut man and an angry man with scars."

"That's George," Corrie said in a hushed tone. "The man with scars... that's George. The crewcut man is his guy, Damien."

"OK, can we talk about how she knows this?" Orange asked. "Also, how is she floating?!"

"She's a witch," Aadi said brightly.

Some sleep, clean clothes and food hadn't been enough to make Orange really feel better. He'd imagined that sitting in the comfortable dining room of the rambling Mill Lane farmhouse would have helped. It wasn't helping. He was worried about Genie and Jenny, still in the City. He was worried that George T and the Altos were sure to track them down, bring trouble down on all of them.

He was also freaking out about the fact that Etta was, in fact, floating... and was seeming to follow George's movements through some kind of psychic vision. 

"Not a witch," Etta muttered softly.

"Girlfriend, you're floating," Aadi pointed out with a grin. "You have visions. You brew potions..."

"Herbal tinctures," Etta countered. 

"... and you do that voodoo you do," Aadi finished cheerily.

"Vodou is a religion. One that I'm not a member of," Etta said, continuing to float serenely. "I use poppets... dolls... to do sympathetic magic. Anyone can do it."

"Anyone with ten-plus years of occult training and experience," Demarco pointed out. "You know, Aadi has a point."

"None of this is possible," Orange groaned.

Unfortunately, the fact that none of it was possible didn't seem to be preventing it from happening.

"I'm sorry Orange," Jake said gently. "I know it's a lot to take in. I wish we had more time to help you through the culture shock, but we don't. In my experience, Etta's visions are completely reliable. That means we'll soon have some very serious trouble at our door, and we need to decide how to deal with it."

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Corrie said softly, "but what did you mean when you said it was a bad guy reunion?"

"I've had a run-in with Crowe before," Jake said. "A few years ago when he, Max V and Wolfgang kidnapped our friend Miranda."

"And the Barovs are old friends," Demarco added. "A charming couple, they used to stick up convenience stores back before they became werewolves. We ran in the same pack, until they betrayed us. Come to think of it, Crowe was involved in that too. Which does make things interesting," she added to Jake. 

Feeling that he was obviously the last person holding onto reality, while deep down starting to wonder if he was actually the one losing his grip on it, Orange decided against saying that werewolves were also not possible.

"A little too interesting," Jake said seriously. "Kind of makes you think."

"Unfortunately, right now what I'm thinking is that we're pretty majorly outnumbered," Demarco nodded. "I mean, we've got the Barovs, Crowe and four probably armed gangsters against you, me and Etta. No offense folks, but I'm guessing none of you are fighters."

"No offense taken," Aadi said earnestly. "Aadi's a lover, not a fighter."

"We're not completely useless," Jordan said, "but you're right, we're not fighters."

Corrie just shook her head.

"I'd own them on a football pitch," Orange said.

"Not the same thing, big guy," Demarco said gently.

"Might not be quite that bad," Jake said. "The sun's coming up. That might take Crowe off the field, and if he does come he'll be weaker."

"What, are you saying he's a vampire or something?" Orange joked, then blinked. "Are you kidding me? He's a vampire? An actual vampire?!" 

"So he'd, like, burn up in the sun, right?" Corrie asked.

"Only in the movies," Demarco said. "Vampires can move around just fine in the sunlight, but it weakens them. I'm guessing he'll stay out of things, unless they wait for nightfall... which would be great. Gives us time to get help."

"Is it too obvious to suggest calling the cops?" Orange said, still struggling to reassert some sense of sanity on the whole situation.

"George and the Altos own the cops," Corrie said softly.

It was an objection she'd raised before, back in Jenny's apartment when they'd been coming up with their whole crazy plan. She'd insisted that the criminal Families all but controlled the National Police. She'd said George had even introduced her to prominent detectives who were on his payroll.

"In the City, sure, I believe that," Orange said. "But here in Henford? They can't control the entire National Police force."

"It's not a horrible idea," Jordan nodded. 

"They're coming," Etta interrupted dreamily. "Max, Wolfgang and Crowe are all still in the abandoned house, but the Barovs are coming with the scarred man and the crewcut one. The Moment approaches."

"That evens the odds a bit," Demarco smiled. "Jake and I have taken the Barovs before."

"Which leaves me facing off against only two violent, probably armed, gangsters," Etta said, drifting to the ground. "A typical Friday, I guess."

"Wait, you're... what? Going to fight them off," Orange asked, stunned, as she took a place at the table. "What are we supposed to do?"

"Well, we've got our escape plan," Aadi said. "Jordan and I have escape kits stashed out in the barn."

"There's a pickup truck parked about a mile from here," Etta said. "You make for that. Aadi and Jordan know the way. Hopefully, Jake, Demarco and I can run off these guys and we'll call you to give the all clear. If you don't get a call from us in a half hour, you drive like hell for Moonwood Mill. Ask for Rory and Beth. They'll protect you."

"I still don't like running," Jordan said as they rose from the table.

"I respect that," Jake said, leading them all into the front hall, "but we're out of time. This is almost certainly going to get violent fast. We'll be better able to handle things if we don't have to worry about protecting you too."

"Alright," Jordan nodded, picking up their cat Isak. "I don't like it, but I get it. We'll go."

"Remember, get to the truck and if you don't hear from us, run," Etta added.

"Good luck, to all of us," Jake said with an encouraging smile.

"You all ready for this," Jake said, rolling his shoulders.

"After what Orange and Corrie said about this George T guy, I'm looking forward to it," Demarco said with a savage grin. "I've come up with a list of body parts that guy doesn't need anymore."

"No killing," Jake said firmly, "or maiming."

"That's not what Rory would say," Demarco said, thinking of her fierce friend, mentor and pack leader.

"If Rory was here in my place, she give you a good bite to remind you not to question her orders," Jake replied. "So it's probably best all around that she's not. My territory, my lead. Let's get this done."

"Welcome to our lovely barn," Aadi said with false good cheer. "Escape kits are in the corner and the path to our getaway pickup is that way. Plus vite, mes amis."

"I'm not coming," Orange said.

"What," Corrie gasped. "But... but you're not a fighter. You said so. Back in the City, you said Genie was a better fighter than you."

"She is," Orange nodded. "But I'm big. I'm tough. I can help. I can at least even up the numbers. George already doesn't like me. So, maybe I'll distract him... at least enough to give the others a fighting chance. You'll be OK, Corrie. We've got this."

"Good luck, big guy," Aadi said earnestly. "We'll be cheering for you."

"Get Corrie to the truck," Jordan said to Aadi. 

"I'm done running," Corrie said softly.

"OK. No more running," Jordan agreed, pulling out their phone. "I'm calling my brother."

"Really? Big bro five-o?" Aadi asked with a smile. "Well, I guess we're staying, Anyone hungry? I've got granola."

In Shadow - Ch 27 - Better Lucky Than Good

"Now?" Jenny whispered, nervously.

They'd been sitting in what seemed to be a spare bedroom of the Alto's penthouse, waiting, for what seemed like forever. The whole time, Genie's imagination had played out nightmares in which her mother and Uncle Max dismissively handed them over to be brutally violated by George T, or ruthlessly killed by Mr. Grey, or both. Any moment, Genie was certain, a horrible doom would come crashing down on them. 

They had to escape. Their only hope seemed to be the woman in the slinky green dress - Mr. Grey had called her Candi. She had lingered in the room, idly looking at the uninspiring paintings on the wall and ignoring them. Now she was flirting, in her annoying giggly voice, with the man left to guard them. 

He's distracted, Genie thought, nodding to Jenny. This was their chance. maybe their only chance. She tensed, preparing to make her desperate - and probably hopeless - move to overpower him and escape.

Maybe she could distract him long enough for Jenny to make it to the door, hopefully to the elevator. If Jenny reached the street outside, she could run, scream. All she had to do was find people... the Altos wouldn't hurt her if she was surrounded by witnesses. Genie could hold out that long... long enough for her friend to escape. 

She was so focused on her desperate plan, she almost missed it when the guard suddenly started to convulse, his mouth open in a wordless, silent cry.

Genie leapt to her feet, watching the startled shock as the guard dropped, twitching, to the floor. She stared at him in shocked recognition. 

She'd seen this kind of thing before.

"You stunned him!" Genie gasped accusingly at Candi. "That's a stunner. An Agency stunner! You're a spy!"

"Say it louder... I don't think the assembled crime bosses down the hall heard you," Candi said sardonically. 

"Candice Barnett, Agency field operative," Candi continued, in a voice nothing like the giggly bimbo she'd pretended to be. "You and your little friends just basically screwed up months of my work, infiltrating Marco's inner circle... but I couldn't just hang you out to dry." 

"Hey, we stole the Alto's ledger," Genie said. 

"Yeah, you did... and I'd love to know how you cracked the combination on that safe," Candice replied. "I've been trying for weeks."

"Corrie worked out the formula," Genie answered with pride.

"Serves me right for underestimating her," Candice chuckled. "Now, let's get you two out of here before Grey comes back." 

"Wait here, while I take care of the other guard," she added quietly, slipping out of the room.

"Right, get going you two," Candice ordered.

"What about you?" Jenny asked, still spooked and more than a little overwhelmed by everything. 

"OMG!" Candi gasped, reverting seamlessly to full bimbo. "Marco, baby, it was horrible. They used some spy gadget to knock out the boys and escaped. I was so scared!"

"If you're sure," Genie said, heading quickly for the door.

"I'm good," Candice smiled. "Just tell me you have a plan for that ledger... a better than the one you used to get in here."

"I hope so," Genie laughed.

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"Aadi, I can't tell you have glad I am to see you," Orange sighed.

It was very late or possibly very early, Orange had lost track, when he and Corrie had gotten off the train at Finchwich station. From there it had been a short and well marked walk into the little country town. 

Aadi... loyal and reliably cheerful Aadi... had met them in front of the Gnome's Arms, the town pub.

"Sorry big man, Aadi is taken," they said with a broad grin. "Our love must remain forever unrequited."

"What?" Orange blinked, confused, then laughed. "Oh, right... yeah, I missed you, Aadi." Turning to Corrie, he added, "Corrie, this is Aadi. Aadi, Corrie."

"Hi, Aadi," Corrie laughed, thoroughly charmed. 

"Good to meet you, girlfriend," Aadi smiled. "Welcome to the teeming metropolis of Henford-on-Bagely. This... is pretty much it."

"It's... nice," Corrie said, uncertainly. 

"Aadi, have you heard anything from Genie or Jenny," Orange put in, worried. "They didn't meet us at the train and..."

"Relax, big man," Aadi said soothingly. "Genie called me a little bit ago. They're OK. They made it out, but they missed the last train. They're laying low with an old karaoke friend of mine in the City and they'll be on the first train in the morning. That's the good news."

"Thank God, blessed Saint Peter, and Saint Jacob," Orange said fervently. "Hang on... if that's the good news, what's the bad news."

"The bad news is you got spotted getting on the train," Aadi said. "Trouble is a-brewing."

"So, no time to enjoy Finchwich's thriving night life," they continued. "No... we sadly must get our hustle on."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry to make trouble for you," Corrie groaned. "Maybe we should..."

"You should follow your Aadi. Quick march," Aadi said firmly, leading the way. "And don't worry, Mill Lane is safe as can be... we have stalwart neighbors, magic spells, tough protectors, big scary monsters..."

"Wait, did you say Mill Lane? Do you live near Cassie Goth's old farmhouse? Where she wrote Brookside?" Corrie gasped, excitement overriding her tension.

"Sugar, we live in Cassie Goth's old farmhouse where she wrote Brookside," Aadi smiled "Come with me and I will show you wonders... or at least a big old farmhouse with some really nice paintings."  

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"Welcome to the famous house on Mill Lane," Aadi announced. 

They had walked for a while, over the bridge at Finchwick and along quiet, dark country lanes. Farmhouses dotted the hills but they saw no one except for a lone fox, who had dashed across their path on some business of its own.

To Orange, who had lived all his life in cities, the quiet and emptiness were strange, but not as strange as the darkness. Without streetlights, the hills were black shadows against a sky lit only by a thin sliver of moon and more stars than he had ever seen in his life. He was more heartily grateful than he cared to admit when Aadi finally led them within the glow of lights from the sprawling farmhouse.

"Orange, Corrie, let me introduce our landlord and protector, Jake Volkov, King of the Werewolves," Aadi said grandly.

"Orange Bailey-Moon," Orange said, shaking the hand of the big man. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Volkov."

"Just Jake. I'm not a king," the man replied, firmly grasping his hand. "Love your book by the way."

"Thanks," Orange smiled.

"And this is my boo, Jordan," Aadi continued.

"Honey, we've heard a bit about your troubles from Genie," Jordan said, pulling Corrie into a friendly hug. "I'm so glad you made it. I hope we can be a safe space for you and know that you are always welcome."

"Umm... thank you," Corrie replied, a little startled. 

"Perimeter's secure, Jake," announced a tawny-haired woman who came trotting out of the shadows.

"And this is the remarkable Demarco," Aadi said. "Another of our great protectors and noble beasties."

"Don't mind Aadi," Jordan said to the group in general. "They missed their calling as a royal herald."

"You didn't tell me they called," Aadi joked.

"Come on, everyone inside out of the cold and damp," Jordan declared.

"We've got spare beds and sleeping bags upstairs for you to rest," Aadi said, leading everyone into the house's front hall. "There's a rest room over there, and another upstairs, if you want to freshen up. There are some leftovers in the fridge if you're hungry, and we can probably even dig some old clothes that should fit out of the dressers if you want to change. Nuestra casa et su casa."

"Thanks again, all of you," Orange said earnestly.

"Um... who's that?" Corrie asked, nodding through the archway.

"Oh that's Etta," Aadi said. "Don't mind her... she may seem standoffish but she's just shy."

"I'm not shy," the fair-haired woman meditating in the other room said without opening her eyes.

"Is she... floating?" Corrie said, shocked.

"Don't mind that either," Aadi grinned. "It's a witch thing."

"I'm not a witch," Etta muttered.

"Welcome to Mill Lane," Jordan said.