Chapter 8
Before all the sharks came and had their fill…
Who was Sirena, one may wonder. She knew what she was, but who was an almost completely different matter. She was, as said before, a borzoi, a Russian wolfhound. Sirena never knew her parents, as she'd been taken from the years ago. Her humans were native to Russia, but fled the country to escape the oppressive government. They'd become citizens since then. She met Vance when she was just a little over a year old and she'd had feelings for the half breed rogue ever since. Erik was already with hi, and he was just about her age. Together, all three of them started the Shades.
It was after the death of a close friend that Vance's sight started to go. The cataracts worked quickly through his system, and within a year her beloved mentor was blind. Shortly after that, Erik was taken in by an officer and turned against the Shades after declaring Vance canine public enemy number one. Needless to say, the young borzoi's life was complicated. During the day she was the ideal family dog, but in the night, she was Vance's protégé and accomplice.
She loved Vance, but knew a relationship was, at least now, impossible. He was smitten with the former Inspector's daughter. With competition like that, Sirena had no chance. Bryn Aubrey had more to offer Vance than she did. It was a sad realization, but true nonetheless.
Feeling hopeless, Sirena made her way home with her family…
Meanwhile, Vance sat in silence in his holding cell. His unseeing eyes peered into the dark. He wasn't afraid, far from it. He was listening, learning about his new surroundings.
"I know you're there…you're always there" his voice resonated through the cell.
He wasn't alone. Another, a spirit that he knew too well, was with him. There was a reason he called his disease the Wolf. This spirit, a white wolf, gave it to him. It was a curse, a curse for taking a life.
I'm always here…
"Here to break me out?"
And to talk.
"About?".
Your newest task.
"What's the point in it? All you're gonna do is kill me off. Why not do it now?"
Because there's someone here who needs you.
"I severely doubt that"
You'd be surprised…
"Are you talking about Bryn? 'Cause I know for a damn fact she doesn't need me. For god's sake, she's locked up because of me".
She is freed, rest assured.
If there was anything Vance knew about this spirit, she never lied. If she said Bryn was okay, it was true. The girl would be fine, and, with enough luck, he'd see her again and get the answers to his questions.
"So what's the lesson here?"
Three of you must learn a lesson here. One must learn that love can change all hearts. Another must learn that one's first love is not their only. And you…you must learn to follow your own heart.
"Great, so you've set me up for failure. Her dad's a former cop, her grandfather's the town hero. Who the hell am I to them? I'm a thief and a musician. I don't have any chance with her".
Regardless of your faults, she came to you nonetheless. She cares for you. She didn't want you to be alone. And I'd rather not have her alone either…
"Why?" Vance wondered, "Who is she to you?".
The white wolf spirit made her way to the bars of the cell. She put a paw on the bars and gazed knowingly at Vance.
You will learn soon enough. Go, be free. Find her, find your heart, and find your cure.
"And Sirena? What about her? If I'm gonna get a happy ending, I want her to be happy too".
And she will be. Worry you not over her. Now go…
The wolf vanished in a mist and under its obscurity, Vance slipped through the bars and snagged the keys hanging up on the wall. He smirked.
"Look who's got the keys now".
Needless to say, Rusty wasn't happy. Tannis escorted his sister home and they were quiet for the most part. Rusty and Aleu sent Tannis away so they could talk to Bryn alone.
"What were you thinking?!" Rusty growled, "That bastard's a criminal!"
"I'm sorry papa. I didn't mean any harm by it. I was only doing what I thought was right".
"Use your head, Bryn! He could've killed you!"
"Rusty" Aleu interjected, "She's fine. Maybe Bryn was in the right about this. I know it was dangerous but he's interacted with her twice now. There's not a single scratch or bite on her. Maybe all he does is steal-"
"And make music" Bryn interrupted, "I think he's a street musician on the side. Papa, his music is amazing! And his voice…papa if you ever heard him sing-"
"Enough!" Rusty held his ground, keeping his Alpha stance over Bryn, "You are not to see him again while we're here. Do I make myself clear?!"
"Papa-"
"Do…I…make myself…clear?"
Bryn sighed. "Understood father".
"Good. You're not going anywhere around town without an escort to be sure of it".
"Papa…it doesn't matter" she said sadly, "He's locked up. Jacques said they might kill him".
Rusty hardened himself to that. "Good Riddance to bad trash".
