Page 50 of Shifters Awakening

“Perhaps we should add her name to the list,” Dr. Wise said, her voice matter of fact, clinical even.

“We don’t know she’s been taken.” I huffed at the air, trying to pick up on some a scent other than dianthus, Dr. Wise, and the handful of others nearby. Nothing but swamps and forest of the lowlands.

“It would be reasonable to assume…” Dr. Wise countered.

I cursed under my breath.Reasonable to assume…Yeah, reasonable to assume that while I’d been distracted about Emma, I’d lost another of my pack to… to… what?

“Why would Acheron take our shifters, Dr. Wise?” Olivia asked.

“We don’t know it’s him,” she said.

“But it’s reasonable to assume…” Olivia said.

Dr. Wise’s mouth pinched.

“Why would he be taking seemingly random shifters?” I echoed.

“Since the disappearances, I have put together some theories about what he might be doing.” She paused. “None of the options are good.”

“It’s Acheron. Good isn’t in his nature.”

“He’s all dark magic and soul-poisoning spite,” Olivia quipped, “with a little retaliation tossed in for good measure.”

“That does describe him,” Dr. Wise agreed.

“Do you have any theories?”

Dr. Wise studied the ground. “I’ve discovered mention of several incantations which would make Acheron stronger than he is now. One of the worst requires the use of shifters. Since shifter magic doesn’t exactly mix nicely with mage magic, a large amount of potent dark magic is necessary to combine the two.”

“What does that mean?” I pressed.

“Death. It means death,” she answered.

“Explain.”

“To make dark magic darker, more potent, life force is required.... Life force can only be harvested after death.” Her voice trailed away, and she gave me a sad look. “I’m still running down a few leads and working out the details.”

None of it sounded encouraging.

Crossing my arms, I returned to the subject of the meeting at hand. “We have to be here to greet the alphas when they arrive. When Phil gets back, have him organize a search party. Maybe we can find a clue somewhere between our territory and wherever the scent trails ends at the border of fox. Tonight’s meeting will be a good time to ask them about any new information regarding the disappearance of their members and Acheron’s location.”

“If they have any,” Olivia said, jogging away as Phil also pulled in with the food. She helped him unload as she told him about the patrol.

Dr. Wise lifted her phone, scrolled several times, and waited without speaking. Anytime she had a moment, she scoured old archives on the internet for any information. Her lack of inane chattiness was something I often appreciated about her.

Soon, a rumble sounded in the distance, turning into the deep growl of a sports car. The cat alpha’s signature black Jag swerved around the corner into view and up our driveway. He skidded to a stop at the end of the circle. Not only had Marcus Steele shown up, but he had also beenthe first to arrive.

Olivia returned with a smug look on her face, and I shot her a warning look. No “I told you so” today.

“Dr. Wise, we’re having a rather important meeting this evening. You’re welcome to stay, eat, and take an account of the historic event.”

“I accept,” she answered. “Will Emma be in attendance?”

“No,” I said, “Not tonight.”

“I’ll get Dr. Wise situated,” Olivia said, stretching out her arm to guide Dr. Wise to the training-room-turned-meetinghouse.

Next, a red Bronco turned in, followed by a shiny silver coupe. A long line of vehicles was soon parked in our circle drive. The alphas gathered at the base of the steps, and I joined them.

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