The presence of so many humans had me on high alert. I slid along fluidly, low to the ground, rushing forward briefly then pausing to scan my surroundings before darting to catch up. Two younger boys came running loudly, chasing each other. I leapt sideways and my chest rumbled with a deep growl. They still ran closer and I leapt away again, spinning as they went by. My body collided with Luca's legs knocking him sideways into the girl. Recovering quickly from his stumble he reached out even more quickly catching the girl mid-fall.

He steadied her before turning to me. He was mad, very, very mad. I couldn't spare any fear for him as another human ran from a large house on the block in front of us. "Rese are you hurt?"

The similar features on the large man marked him as her father. Their dark brown hair was the same texture, if different lengths. Luca turned away from me and spoke calmly, "I apologize for falling into you. Did I hurt you?"

Rese smiled and shook her head. "No, Sir. Your companion isn't used to people is she?"

"Not really." He responded. Guilt ran through me and I pressed my nose to the cut on her forearm, which was just starting to bleed. She rotated her wrist and glanced down with a frown and Luca gasped. "I'm sorry, Child. I gripped you too roughly to break your fall."

She smiled and shook her head. "Hitting the ground would have hurt more. I'm fine." I pressed my nose to the wound once more and she and her father gasped as the five punctures faded and healed. Rese held out an open hand for me to sniff. I backed away brushing against Luca.

The father's features had softened a little. "Welcome to Hawksin, Demon. My name is Jerrod. What kind of business do you have here?"

"My name is Luca. I'm not here to harm anyone. I would appreciate it if you would ask your archers to stand down; including the one's trained on Oriah." Jerrod nodded once and waved to the hidden men. Luca relaxed and asked, "Have your people been reporting attacks of any sort in the area?"

Jerrod nodded. "A few nights ago one of the farm owners reported some gruesome events. Would you know anything about this?"

Luca snorted. "If you're asking if I did it, no. If you're asking if I know what did, possibly yes. Let us go somewhere more private to discuss it. You are in no danger from me. I wish to assist your people."

Jerrod turned and quietly gestured towards his house before leading us toward it. The people that had gathered in the street to observe returned to their tasks, as did Rese. I followed at Luca's heels and shuddered as we entered the doorway. The smells of baking bread and fresh cut lavender hit my nose and I jumped as the door closed. The room was massive. It was open with only a couple square pillars and little partitions of walls. To the left was a large dark cherry table with six elegant chairs. The dining room was partially separated from the kitchen area by a large island with more square pillars. The living room was on the right. A central pit held logs waiting to be lit. The back of the room was open to a grand wide staircase that spiraled out of sight.

"Would you like food or drink for you or your companion?" Jerrod gestured to the dining table and sat down wearily.

Luca sat down also. My nails clicked quietly on the hard floors as I turned and sniffed the house slowly and thoroughly. I neared the rear of the house and was sniffing the bottom of the steps when a small creature appeared around the corner. The toddler smiled at me and continued his careful descent.

He sat down in front of me on the second to last step and stared into my eyes with a toothy grin that melted my heart. "Hi Doggie. I took a nap." His blue eyes twinkled with blissful innocence as he poked my nose. I licked his finger and he squealed and giggled. My tail started to wag slightly as I licked his bare knee, igniting another squeal of laughter. He scooted bouncily to the end of the step and I yipped and crouched down playfully. Gasping deeply the boy stood up and took off running down through the living room. I loped slowly after him, surprised at how much fun I was having. He threw himself up onto the couch and I dropped to the floor placing my pads over my face, hiding.

Another happy laugh bubbled out of the child and he jumped off the couch suddenly running up and squatting in front of me. Leaping up carefully I licked him on the nose. After an ear-splitting screech, he took off running. I chased him for a while. I caught sight of Luca smiling but ignored it. Finally the boy got tired and sat down on the floor by the couch. I rested beside him, feeling strangely peaceful and at ease. The child scooted around me and wrapped his little arms around my neck resting the side of his face against me. I listened to his swift heartbeat and breathing. Both slowed to an even steady pace after a few minutes and his hold loosened while his weight on me increased.

Many things seemed to happen in that single instant. The boy's weight shifted and he began to fall backwards. Instinct took over and I shifted in a flash to catch him. Hands appeared in my line of vision, gently lifting the child. I looked up startled, right into the angry glare of his father. "Skinwalker?"

I recoiled, pain coursing through my system. Humans would never accept me. Ignoring my nudity, I backed away, stood and raced for the door. The instant it was open enough for me to get through I shifted again and took off. I ignored Luca's shouts and raced blindly through the streets. My sense of direction was muddled by the overwhelming scent of so many humans. Pausing for a moment to survey my surroundings was a bad decision. I was thrown off my feet when a large jagged stone struck my shoulder. I yelped as pain coursed through my leg. Before I could regain my breath a foot struck my ribs, then my hip. The blows rained unendingly. I never gained enough air to whine. Suddenly the attack stopped and I could see the man.

Luca's face was furious. Razor sharp claws dug into the man's neck where Luca held him. I watched in horror as he lifted the man off the ground with one hand and held him there. He kicked and thrashed. His fingers desperately tried to peel Luca's hand away from his throat. I was locked by my terror as I watched the man slowly run out of oxygen. Right before he lost consciousness, Luca's grip tightened smashing his spine with a sickening crunch.

I couldn't move. The wounds weren't that bad. My fear was choking me. Luca turned to me suddenly and my control slipped. I shifted human but managed to change with clothes. Tears were streaming from my eyes and I backed away from Luca. "Oriah are you okay? I know you're frightened of me right now Little One but you are bleeding pretty badly. May I come to you? I'm not gonna hurt you."

I nodded minutely and closed my eyes as he approached. The hands that had just shattered a man's bones rested gently on my skin. I looked up into his tender gaze weakly before my eyes flashed nervously to the approaching man. Jerrod held up his empty hand when Luca growled menacingly. "I have medical supplies. That's all." Foolishly, he continued to approach. Jerrod knelt and placed the bandages beside Luca. "I wasn't insulting you when I spoke to you Skinwalker, or you Demon. I was simply caught off guard. Please don't harm my people for my mistake."

Luca's gaze was only on me as he doctored my arm with amazing gentleness. The rage was gone, replaced by concern. "I'm sorry I brought you here Oriah. I'm sorry I did that in front of you."