Episode 5: Stopped Dead pt2

Stiles was glad for his magick. He had Derek and himself in clothes even as they were racing for Lydia's room. He knew better than any of them that Lydia had sensed death. Banshee's were distant cousins of the Fae after all. When they reached the betas room they saw Jackson hugging and doing his best to comfort his mate.

He was going a great job too. Stiles could tell by the fact none of the pack had bleeding ears. Stiles bent down so he was at her level. He spoke to her with a gentleness reserved only for the pack. "Hey Lyds' look at me."

"Death ... So much death coming."

Stiles could tell she was feeling crazy at the moment. It was the worst part of a banshee's powers coming online. He thanked the moon for the pack as Lydia was emerging with support. Too often the young banshees' emerged and thought to be crazy. It was not like a normal person could comprehend schizophrenia from emerging banshee powers.

Right now, the spirits of the dead were communicating with Lydia and warning her of future events. The trouble was how does one process disembodied voices talking to them?

Simple answer you don't.

Stiles breathed a sigh of relief when she focussed on him, "Hey. You back with us?"

"He is dead. They shot him." Lydia gasped out, "They say he won't be the only one."

Well that wasn't chilling. It was never a good thing when the dead warned you that more death was coming. Derek was on the phone calling the Sheriff. His Dad was someone who needed to be in the know. It is especially true when there was a none too subtle hint of more bodies to follow.

Bodies were bad but Stiles' main concern was his beta's. He needed to help Lydia to calm down. Stiles looked at Isaac, "Hey Pup ... Can you get me some chocolate?"

It was not just comfort food for the Fae and Stiles was hoping the same was true of Banshees. If you needed a pick-me up or a replacement of energy then that was what you used. It was the only thing that worked. Lydia took it and bit down on it. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that she was not one hundred percent with them. She was completing actions because someone she trusted asked her to.

The list was still in her hand. She had gripped it tight when the first vision had hit. The chocolate worked and restored her a bit. Well, enough that she could talk. She would do the right thing and then she had every intention of taking Jackson back to bed. He could be a good mate and fuck her into oblivion. It was the only way she would get any sleep tonight.

With a fire in her eyes, she looked at her Alpha. "The bitch shot someone ... A Steve Grace. I don't know why but he is worth a 1 million dollars."

Stiles whistled as that was a serious amount of money. "Okay Lyd's you need rest. Everyone out."

He looked at Jackson and without asking Jackson said,

"I got this."

Stiles snorted as he had no doubt. Jackson was definitely growing into his claws. He may not have been too fond of pre-wolf Jackson but he liked this Jackson just fine. He patted the beta's back having no doubt of the fact.

"Yes you have."

Stiles took Derek's hand into his and pulled him out of the room. He didn't disturb Derek's call to his Dad but he wanted the physical connection to his mate. He needed to anchor his magick with his anger brewing. Someone had dared to come into his town and shoot a person for money.

He wanted vengeance. Old School - Fae Style. He just needed a name.

Peter was frowning. He knew the name Steve Grace but for the life of him he couldn't think where. It was more than likely it was pre fire. He looked to his mate, before he asking, "Who is he?"

Chris knew the name as well. He had been wracking his memory for why. It had been his job to know the name of the supernaturals in the area. "He was a werecat I think. Gerard never managed to confirm it."

Stiles had a sinking feeling. The list, the death, the supernatural link and a banshee's warning.

It all added up to a major bad.

The list was going to be the key. He knew it and couldn't explain why. They would need to crack the code to figure it all out. It was lucky there were so many geniuses in the pack.

Haigh patrolled the route assigned. He was working with one of the super experienced deputies, who was old and nearing retirement. As a result, nothing he did was good enough and he got to listen to war stories. He hated this place. He took the job as he needed the income. He'd been hunting and the Council decreed him too violent. It was ridiculous. Monsters were monsters and they needed putting down.

He turned the corner and the sound of the bullet shocked both of them. Their response was immediate. The siren was on and they were responding and reporting into dispatch. The saw the body, the guy never had a chance. Haigh could see it was a massive calibre bullet. The guy's heart had been blown fight out of his chest. He could see this before he even got out of his chair.

"Jesus."

His partner could only nod taking in the scene. It was stone cold. The guy had been killed execution style. The only thing on the body was a piece of paper with a line crossed through one of the strings of letters. Haigh picked it up, wearing the gloves so as not to destroy any evidence.

He might not know what it said ... but he could tell that it was a hit list. He had seen enough of them in his time. He looked to his partner and showed it him.

"Do you know what this is?"

"No idea rookie. I guess we'll have to figure it out."

Haigh gave a noncommittal response. He would research it first before deciding how much he would share with his colleagues. He had a few debts he could pay off, if he was careful. He just had to figure out the key to unlock the list.

Across town, John Stilinski had gone to sleep content with life. He should have taken that as a warning sign. The shrill ringing tone served its purpose. He was alert quick and so was a grumbling Melissa. They had both been so happy to have a night free of kids.

"Sheriff Stilinski."

As soon as he heard Derek's voice he started to get dressed. He walked out of the bedroom, not caring with boxers. He was too old for modesty and Melissa had seen it all before. He checked his printer like Derek asked and sure enough ... there was a ream of paper with something on it. He couldn't tell what it was as it was a garbled code, or, so it seemed.

"This made Lydia scream?" He had to ask once again. It was just a string of letters to him right now. He needed to understand and see the connection.

"More than scream she said someone was dead."

Almost as if Derek talking about it, he would make it true. His pager went off and John could guess it was the report of one of the on duty deputies finding the body.

"I'm on my way."

Melissa stood in the doorway. The sheet wrapped around her with a wry grin, "Duty calls."

John looked sad. This was one of the times he was not too ken on duty. "It does indeed."

Melissa started to snicker. "You might want to stop for a few minutes."

John froze not catching her meaning. The look he got was fond exasperation. "Pants might be a good idea sweetcheeks."

John actually blushed when she spanked his ass. Melissa could be a minx when she wanted. She hollered back down the hall, "Besides I don't share."

When one has an enemy it is easy to fight. There is usually one group of enemies, or clear group. In Beacon Hills, there were more and more assassins coming into town. The trouble was none of them had a sign on them, proclaiming, Assassin . They looked like average citizens, students and yet they would kill at the drop of a hat.

It made it scarier too. How can you protect yourself when you don't see it coming?

Stiles had a plan for the pack. He had taken on board what Lydia had said in warning and had started making contingencies. He would not let some two bit killers take any0ne in his family. As Derek had been called in with the first murder there was no one to stop him working all night in his room.

By morning's light, he had an amulet that could double as a war ward for every member of the pack. It was the strongest protections he could weave into a necklace. He was kind enough to weave them into something each of the betas would wear. In all honesty, even if it had been a pebble he would have forced them to wear them.

The pack were waking and wanting breakfast which he'd already taken care of. He could tell how badly the night's events had shaken them. Every single one of the pack had scented him in greeting, they sort that type of comfort when distressed. He and Derek never had a problem providing it. As the pack bonds solidified - the betas had needed it less and less.

Stiles waited until they were eating to slide the amulets around the table. "You will wear them at all times. It is not negotiable."

Allison put hers up to the light. "Is this a bullet?"

Stiles smirked, "Only the best for the huntress princess. It will protect you from everything short of decapitation or explosion."

Lydia was a agog. "You mean bullets?"

Stiles grinned proud of his work, "Will bounce off it like a shield. I couldn't put the full war wards on it so there are a few vulnerabilities."

He was glad to see that all the pack were smart enough to put them on. It was going to be a full pack breakfast by the look of it. In fact the only two people missing were his Dad and Melissa but both were on shift. Derek came through to the kitchen space with Parrish just behind him. They were mid conversation about something but caught the amulets chucked at them. Parrish was bothered by something,

"I'm telling you there is something wrong with Haigh."

Derek couldn't disagree with his partner, "Yeah I agree he is creepy."

Parrish shook his head, "Creepy does not even cover it Derek. That man looked way too cheerful for a murder scene."

Stiles could see this was not a new topic. He would ask his Dad the next time he saw him. He kissed Derek glad to see his mate was still in one piece. "Can you stay long?"

Derek shook his head. "No. It is all hands on deck."

Lydia gasped and the glass of juice slipped out of her hands. Isaac caught it on reflex. It didn't matter the pack could tell what was wrong.

"There has been another death." Stiles said a loud.

Parrish started shaking his head. His head felt full and he felt sluggish. "What is wrong with me?"

The pack were on edge, all but Stiles. "You are growing into your powers. Derek follow him ... He will take you to the next body."

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