Chapter 4 Chapter 4

"I was being sympathetic. Cyrus was laying there dead. How could I deny his reasonable request to teach his grandson about our world?” I managed to keep a straight face. Yay me. I stood up after tying my shoe laces. Standing next to him I noticed he was towering over me more than normal. Usually I could cancel out the six inch height difference with boots. But since he was in boots and I was in sneakers, I felt like a hobbit next to him. If he patted me on the head or offered me elevensies I was going to have to do something drastic to him.

Reaching a hand out I ripped a portal to a spot near the address Jeremiah had given me. It would be rude to appear on the doorstep unannounced. Stepping though we were standing in what appeared to be a kid’s playhouse. Oops. I missed. Connor turned his head and gave me look. Guess I should have looked at a street view before I decided where to rip the portal to. But on the bright side no one could see us.

"Let's get out of here. I'm feeling claustrophobic.” Hoping Connor wouldn't realize I hadn't meant to drop us here, I peeked out the tiny window to see if anyone was around. We ducked through the window size door darting for the fence and jumped over it. We were only a couple houses down from Tristan's according to the street numbers painted clearly in stenciled numbers on the cookie cutter houses. The neighborhood screamed master planned community. Street lights every thirty feet, approximately five or six different house styles, doggie stations strategically placed, and a clean even sidewalk on both sides of the street. This was suburbia. It made my skin crawl. Why would anyone want to live in house where your neighbor was close enough to tell you that you already wore that outfit this week?  Strolling down the sidewalk I could smell various super naturals around. Mostly werewolves.  Hopefully none of them knew how to use their noses. The population around here would notice I didn't belong quick if they did. Vamps rarely became separatist.

We could walk up and ring the doorbell like Avon ladies but if Jacob answered it would be problematic.

We'd met a few times over the years. If he ordered me to leave and not return I would have to. Otherwise I would be in violation of the accords. Granted I had what equals diplomatic immunity but, I really didn't want anyone knowing I was interested in the kid. Besides Connor was duty bound to honor the law.

Casually we strolled over to the park across the street and settled onto a bench under a large tree. It was a windless day so my scent was not being blown around. Mentally crossing my fingers I hoped it stayed that way. Otherwise the locals might decide to reenact the old days and chase me down the street with torches and pitchforks. I sighed when I realized I had forgotten my cup of blood at home. My eyes strayed to Connor's neck where I could hear his warm magical blood just pumping away.

"No." He said firmly without looking and pointed a finger at me. I gave him an innocent look. Damn. Hate it when he busts me lusting over his blood.

We sat there for about an hour before anyone came out of the house. The kid looked late teens/early twenties, broad shouldered and fit. He had blond shaggy hair and tanned skin. Glancing at Connor, he nodded. The kid looked like the DMV picture Connor had pulled up. Casually we stood up and started walking in the same direction as the kid, keeping the street between us. Didn't want to spook him. He crossed to our side of the street and went into the park. We watched him disappear into a grove of trees. As we headed towards them the breeze shifted. Bringing me not only his scent but the smell of something else. I couldn't stop the smile or the chuckle. Shaking my head I looked at Connor to see if he could smell it yet.

"Do you smell a skunk?" Connor asked quizzically. It took great restraint not to bust out laughing at him. Sometimes I forgot how straight laced he was. They guy looked thirty but had just had his sixtieth and had never touched any drugs. Not even in the sixties or seventies. I could not say the same.

"Nope. But I do smell skunk weed. I do believe our boy is a stoner." I answered as we stepped into the grove. The kid wasn't far in and turned at the sound of my voice. He quickly palmed a pipe that looked like a wolf head and tried to look like he hadn't just taken a hit. "Go ahead and blow it out. I promise we won't rat." I reassured him. He choked out the smoke like it hurt.

"Tristan Smith?" I asked. Needed to make sure I had the right werewolf.

"Yes." He answered. His eyes were huge and bloodshot. This could get interesting.

"You're grandfather sent me. My name is Nicole Pearson." The kid froze for a second and then turned and bolted deeper into the grove. Huh. Wonder if he's heard my badass reputation. Exchanging a quick look with my partner we took off running after him. Apparently being stoned didn't slow him down. I hate chasing wolves. Even in human form they were fast.

We burst through the edge of the trees into a clearing. There was a lot of grass between the trees and what appeared to be an old church. Glancing around I couldn't see or hear anyone. A few steps later my feet started smoking. Oh crap. Consecrated ground. Well looky there. Gravestones. Wish I noticed them sooner. But really, who puts a graveyard in a suburban neighborhood in Arizona? Isn’t that how horror movies start? I suddenly had the image of hundreds of bodies rising from their graves and zombie walking into the cookie cutter houses. Sighing, I turned into mist and swirled my way out of my clothes. Shooting across the grave markers I continued to follow the pup. As soon as I cleared the edge of the old graveyard I returned to corporeal form to continue the chase. I hate running naked. Boobs bouncing all directions. Not always the same direction as each other interestingly enough. There were a million different things that can be hiding in the lush grass under foot. Just waiting to puncture a foot. My long hair trailing behind me like a banner. I was so going to be in need of a detangler. Thankfully I caught up to him in a few steps and tackled him. Awkward since I was naked.