Page 11 of Hellhounds and Homicides

Dumas' faith and support, not to mention his smile, went far in grounding and settling Rowen's fears. "And you have the stealth and cunning of a stray cat."

"And your gracefulness, too, I hope." Dumas knocked on the large door and was told to enter. They were on one of the upper floors, high in the sky. The room they were in looked like a conference room. The Hadden Center itself was a marvel and everyone he met so far seemed pleasant and welcoming within reason of course.

The fact that he was with Dumas probably went far in terms of their welcoming demeanor. Dumas stayed close with their arms or hands always touching. Rowen appreciated the contact with so many powerful paranormals in the room. His cat, who was normally bold and outgoing, was presently hiding.

He was introduced to Master Hadden, his second in command Josef McQueen, Michael King and a man who reeked of mysticism and otherworldliness named Marek. They called him a Cyprian Knight and although Rowen did not know what that meant it was obviously something important which was made evident by the sheer force of his presence.

Between Marek and Master Hadden, it was a wonder Rowen didn’t decide to run and hide as his cat had done. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, he felt the energy in the room go down a notch. They were trying not to overwhelm him.

They were conscious of his hesitancy and made every effort to accommodate him. They gave him plenty of room, didn't get too close, and allowed him to remain at Dumas' side.

"I am pleased to meet you, Rowen." Master Hadden told him and then continued. "I'm sure Dumas explained to you the action we took with the building manager, Cal Grainger."

"Yes, sir and I'll take care of it," Rowen responded, and the Master nodded, pleased with his easy agreement.

“Michael and his team have been combing the lowlands looking for any sign of the other two who attacked you.”

"They weren't entirely human like Grainger. I sensed a mystical aspect to them, perhaps Mage or Fae." Rowen presented his observation, and Dumas agreed with him.

Michael then took the floor. He outlined the situation, making it clear that the magic involved was definitely formidable. "I don't know where they came from or how they gained entrance, but their influence is growing. We get close, and they slip away like the breeze." Master Hadden glanced over to Marek for possible clarification. The man was well-versed in all manner of magic and evil.

"The area had some markers present, but they lasted but an instant and faded, as Michael said with the breeze." Marek addressed everyone, even Rowen, as he spoke. "They are utilizing a power that is difficult to track or to catch. They are tapping into the strength of the demonic, a high level demonic considering their show of power, which answers the question of why they are killing people." Realization seemed to hit everyoneat the same time. "They are sacrifices, and I doubt it is over. Demons don't work cheap."

"My God, how low can one sink." Josef made the declaration with shock and disgust.

"To attain power and control, there is no depth too deep for some." Master Hadden appeared to speak from experience. "How do we stop them?"

“We have to find them to stop them and to find them we need more eyes and ears in the lowlands. We need individuals who can go places unnoticed walk among the many without detection and we need numbers.” Marek turned his attention to Rowen capturing him with a poignant stare. At the same moment, Dumas put his arm around Rowen with his hand securely on Rowen’s shoulder holding him close and secure.

"The lowlands are awash with strays." He seemed to comment out of nowhere, but Rowen knew what he meant and what he wanted. "No one notices the stray cat." He finished, and it was something Rowen had said to Dumas earlier. "More eyes give us more points of surveillance."

“How does one employ the strays?” Master Hadden took up the conversation.

All eyes were on Rowen, but it was Marek who answered. "You must petition the Wazir, and he only agrees to meet with his own. You must be a stray to gain entrance to his kingdom." At this point, everyone turned and looked at Rowen.

"I left the strays, and I disavowed the Wazir. I said some hateful things the last time we met, and I'm certain he has no desire to ever see me again.” Rowen tried to explain without having to say too much.

"You might have left him, but he has never left you," Marek spoke softly and took a step toward Rowen.

“If Rowen cut him loose then there was a good reason for it.” Dumas stated taking Rowen’s side in an instant and Rowen appreciated him so much.

“I don’t doubt that, but he is still a member of the strays it is a lifetime commitment just as you are still a member of you pack and you serve your Bard while living with a coven and serving the Master.” Marek made the situation clear.

"What do you want from him?" Dumas asked, and Rowen felt his hand tighten on his shoulder. Dumas was pulling him closer. He wasn't lying when he said he was a possessive bastard, and Rowen found it rather stimulating.

"We need the assistance of the strays in the lowlands to help us find who it is that's cavorting with demons." Master Hadden responded and spoke clearly and to the point. "On our own, we will manage, and we will find them, but it will take time, and in that time, they will kill more innocents and grow more powerful as we continue to search. With your help, we can hopefully put a stop to this before it has a chance of doing more damage.”

“What about the Charmer can’t he put a stop to this entire thing?” Dumas was not on board with Rowen becoming a part of this.

“He can tamp it down, but the source remains, and the demonic influence will continue to grow." Master Hadden walked up to Rowen and stood in front of him. "With the help of the strays, we can bring an end to this and perhaps identify the source, ending the infection forever."

Rowen could not deny him as a member of the police force and having pledged to serve and protect the citizens of thiscity he knew he had to try. “I’ll see if he will meet with me sir.” Rowen stated. “The Wazir can be rather off putting and there is the chance that he will not see me. Either way, I have friends and acquaintances within the stray population, and I will pull together everyone that I can to help in this endeavor.

“I’ll take whatever you can give me Rowen, thank you.” Master Hadden patted his shoulder.

“I’ll do what I can.” Rowen turned and looked up at Dumas. “The Wazir requires shadows meeting stark, blinding sunlight.”

“Do you have a place in mind?” Dumas asked.

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