The four men – Jamie, Jaja, Claude and Henry – all trooped out into the late afternoon. The sun was bright but not hot. It was setting already. “There’s something even more strange than the missing boys.” Henry commented.“And what might that be?” “It’s better to be seen than heard.” They crossed the narrow stream and walked down the path. The territory had started their advancement to proclaim ownership to this part of the land, but the processing was not yet finalised. The whole scene was swarming with half a dozen men from Jamie’s pack. They were investigating what had happened there and looking for clues. They bowed when they saw Jamie and Jaja approaching. Claude’s sharp eyes quickly took in the scene. Ten dead Vampires. He walked closer and stooped beside one. “Gunshot wound.” He whispered to himself, rubbing his index finger on the hole in the Vampire’s head. A shadow fell across him. He looked up at a figure that stood above him, blotting out the sun. He stood up and lo

“HERE.” Nina thrust five wraps of an aluminium foil and five bottles of table water into the cell. The boys eyed the package warily.“What is that?” Billy asked. Mart, who was closest to the gate unwrapped one and found a chicken hamburger. “Listen, are you boys hungry or not?” They each collected one, still eyeing her warily until Zach bit into his. They all looked at him like they expected him to die of poison immediately. “What?” He queried, looking at them back. When they saw that he did not die, they all munched in unison. “I need to use the toilet.” Jeff said. “number one or number two?” “Wha?”Nina looked at him. “ Do you want to take the piss or take a shit?”“The piss.” “Then do it right there.” She walked away. “This is a good one...” Zach said with a full mouth. “The hamburger, I mean.”“Shut up.” Arthur snapped. “That’s food from the enemy.” “The enemy makes good food.” “You’re a fool.” “Don’t call me that!” “Or what?” Arthur challenged. He stood up now and

The ride to the school was uneventful and boring. Mr. Harper was constantly droning about how he loved antique cars and how this one we were in was an antique too. Jake suffered the brunt of his talks because they both sat at the front.He was constantly asking questions and Jake looked like he was going to cry. I caught his eyes on the side view mirror and he begged me with his eyes to rescue him. I could barely hold back my laughter.The school was a 30 minute drive. The car had hardly stopped before Carlos, Alberto and Diego jumped out. Mr. Harper sighed. He caught my eye in the rear view mirror and asked, “Do to boys want to come in? Or you’d prefer to go back to the mansion.” “Um – we’d better go back to the mansion. Jake?”“I agree with him.” Jake groaned with relief. “Okay then.” He gave us a wad of notes. “Take a cab or bus. Watch each other’s back out there.” Then he grabbed his briefcase from Jake and stepped out of the car. We both stepped out too and told him bye. We wa

“HELLO DAD. What’s up?” How a little boy tells his Dad, an alpha, “What’s up?” is just beyond me. “He wants to speak to both of us.” Jake said, then he put the phone on speaker mode. “Is Jason there now?” Alpha Jamie’s voice sounded strained and cackled a bit. Maybe it was because of the network service. “Yes, Uncle.” I answered. “How are you boys?” His voice was considerably less strained than before. “We’re just fine, Dad. Alpha Andrés has been terrific to us.” “That’s good. Do you boys feel okay there in Brazil?” I nodded, then remembered he can’t see me. “Yes sir.” “Do you mind staying there for a few more days? We’re trying to round something up over here.” Joy swelled in my spirits. “There’s no problem, Dad. When do you think we’ll be able to come home?” “I can’t say just yet. But soon"“Alpha. What’s going on in our Pack?” He made a gruff sound in his throat before he said, “It’s nothing, boy. It’s nothing we can not handle. There’s no need to bother yourselves ove

Me? How?My mind was in a raging turmoil but I just smiled and sat by his side. “Tell me about them.” I said. He took a ragged breath before saying, “It varies. Sometimes, you kill the Vampires and then turn on me. Sometimes, you are the vampire... and also the cat. Something like a Vampire cat. Like something spawned from the pits of hell.” I closed my eyes as he continued telling me the different version of his nightmares about me. I felt sad. A deeper sadness than I had ever felt. Suddenly, he stopped talking. I opened my eyes to look at him and saw myself reflected in the deep pools of his wide eyes. I had shifted. There was no pain or discomfort. It was just like I did this all the days of my 16 years on this planet earth. I got up from where I has sat. I stood taller than normal. Jake’s eyes never left me. I went into the bedroom to the full length mirror. I heard him shuffle up and follow me with an awe struck look in his face. Black fur brushed my hands, neck and part