Meeting Darwynn

I felt the pull of more therian power following us, but Alex asked, “What are we going to do with him?” He nodded towards the boy clutching my hand.

“He has to come home with us. Maybe Adrian or Dom can help put him in a pack.”

Alex laughed, “I don’t think he wants to leave you. His mind is quiet while touching you.” From the shadows of the alley we passed, “He’s found a pack.”

I recognized the voice and smiled, “Not here to kill me I hope?” I joked.

But the tease put Alex on high alert as he knew what was going on. Darwynn shook his head, “I saw what you did back there. Another life for a life?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ll make sure the kid is safe and he’ll never have to see that man again.”

“So you aren’t going to send Venatori after the child abuser?”

I shook my head. “Not unless I need to. Do I need to?”

Darwynn smirked, “You wouldn’t fault a man for taking care of business then?”

“I have no love for child abusers. If there is proof, then by all means.” I said. Darwynn handed me a large envelope sealed.

I lifted it. “Do I need to look?”

Alex squeezed my hand. “No.” He took the envelope from my hand, “I can see the truth. He witnessed it all, this boy and another.”

Darwynn smiled, “I’ve been following you and the wolf boy after your last encounter with him. I wanted to see the truth.”

I nodded, “So he’s chosen a pack. I’m not a wolf.” I said.

Alex laughed, “I don’t think it matters. You bind people without knowing about it.” I looked at Alex and he whispered in my head We’ll talk about it later.

I wasn’t sure that we would, Alex didn’t like to share and I would likely forget to ask again.

“How rude of me. Alex, this is Darwynn, Darwynn, James Hutton.”

“I know who he is,” Darwynn said. “I’ve followed him too for a time.”

“We will be out of your city soon,” I said.

“This isn’t my city. I go where I’m needed. I’m sure New York will be on my list of places to be.” Darwynn said.

“Paid to kill your next mark.” I nodded. “You could work with me.” I offered.

“Now why would I want to do that?” Darwynn asked. “I have a pretty great set up now.”

“But you do as you are told, not what you want. You have a moral compass, a set of laws. Hunting Venatori is not exactly against those laws, but there are people who do bad things that you could stop.”

Darwynn shook his head, “Nah kid.” He pulled a card from his pocket. “Though if you need my services.” He said just before slipping off into the shadows.

“He’s a lot strange.” Alex said.

“He’s an assassin. He kills my kind for the sport of it.” I said as I turned to go inside.

“You aren’t afraid?” Alex asked.

“Of Darwynn?” I shook my head. “The only way he can kill me is if I don’t know he’s coming.”

“Which is like always.” Alex argued.

“Do you know how many times he’s tried to kill me?” I asked.

Alex stared at me while we walked into the doors and as we stopped in front of the stair well doors. “Yes.” He said simply.

“And did he?”

Alex sighed, “No, but it’s because he missed.”

I shrugged, “Or fate intervened, the universe, things neither of us really want to talk about.”

“So you believe now?” Alex asked.

I shrugged, “I dunno what I believe. That book? Darwynn missing. Someone caring enough about me to try to kill me, that alone says they might believe I can do something. You and me, dreaming about each other without ever knowing each other. Something pulled us together.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t know either. And we’ll never really know. But I do know I’m not letting you get hurt.”

I grinned at Alex, “Are you going to stay by my side through everything? Showers, and hunts, and meetings.” I would love Alex’s company but I knew he’d get tired of me and then he’d leave again. I was too much. I was a mess and Alex had to pick up the pieces.

Alex squeezed my hand as he headed towards the door. “I think we need to get back to the city sooner rather than later. You need to wrap up with Scarlet Snow. Let’s go do that.”

“I….” I stammered out, then sighed, “You coming with me?”

“Of course.” Alex said.