I do NOT own any of the characters except my own. Enjoy:-)

- - -

As the air thickened with an undoubted scent of Loup-garoux, River faltered. She had gone farther into the city than expected. She seemed miles from her home and it was too late to turn back. They were getting closer. She even debated whether or not to return home to deny her father any results of her discoveries. Someone other than herself deemed more than capable to take the position to watch them. Still, River was curious to become closer to them, unnoticed and so near.

River stopped under a street light. Her ebony hair which fell loose about her shoulders waved fluidly in the icy wind. She drew her coat closer. Her human body carried many objections for the outside world, if the beast had pure control, she'd want nothing more than to lay around in her prized form. River leaned to the post, her hands tucked safely in her pocket. She lowered her face when a couple passed by unfazed by her presence.

"We have another night to go."

"I'm trying my best to keep still. I'm just too excited."

–"Don't worry, we'll have our chance."

River manage to listen even as distance between them grew. She relied on her senses when her eyes were of no use. Of course, hearing a meaningless conversation once in a while thrilled her. She was given the chance to see how others lived their lives far different and uncommon as her own. River decided not to listen anymore when a car abruptly stopped near her.

A group of young women stepped from the car. Excitement and adventure labeled them as they laughed into the silent street. River remained against the light post apparently having found something interesting. The young women came near a closed building, or rather condemned. From what River could see, the windows were painted over with black or a darker shade. Shouldn't possible justify which from the very little light. The young women deliberated amongst themselves before one unlocked the door, leaving it opened for her companions to follow.

For a moment, River thought to ignore this gesture but when the scent of Loup-garoux emanated from the door, she lifted her head. Things seemed too easy, and as curious as she'd become that second, River chose to follow and blend with the group. In the darkened hallway, none would notice her walking behind them. Her steps impossibly silent and non-existent to theirs. Her eyes managed to see perfectly in the painted darkness while the young women used their sense of touch to guide them along the way.

They had come to a stop at a door unfastened at the hinge. River managed to open it very little. Perhaps, in the long run, she wanted to see if things were safe enough for the young women. She didn't know why she seemed so concerned for them. The air had been laced thick with both Loup-garoux and Human that River nearly threw the door open. She found least twenty or more lounging about the couches or at the bar. They were young, adolescent and apparently careless. They were free in their own territory.

River found the steel staircase before the others did. They followed behind her after realizing that she was there. They had nothing more to say when she disbursed from them to casually walk around. River slid her hands back into her coat pockets while idly watching every other person cross her. She could not determine who was Loup-garoux or not. River despised being confused. Perhaps, this was one of the challenges her mother warned when she accepted the task to traveling to Romania. She was not joking when she mentioned that it was their direct homeland.

Every inch, every step, River smelt them. Her face grew warm, slightly flushed with excitement. The one within her stirred wildly curious of her surroundings. With her strength, River managed to keep back the Change. She wanted to appear less threatening to the crowd. She was good at that, perhaps, too good. River found an empty spot at the bar. She was unsure of what to order even though drinking never came to mind. In front her, in every corner, was research.

River traced a finger over the counter for the time being. She was trying to think, to strategize what to do while inside the domicile of Loup-garoux. She admitted that as they lay in their greatest shape, it became hard to separate them. They had more things in common. However, unknown to Humans, their scents thickened by arousal or fury. Humans could not capture that notion, River was glad of that because if Humans could, her own would be spotted.

Graciously, River turned round to watch as others climbed down the stairs. She wondered if she appealed more humanly in their eyes and if so, she had no worry. River traced over the many swaying with the music. She wouldn't want to admit that the music attracted her.

"You are apparently new to these parts."

River had no intention of responding, but it was her shoulders to have given her away from the sudden surprise, they straightened.

"Only a handful of keys are given to those we have interest in and or, want to allowed inside. I don't ever recall seeing your pretty face."

River abruptly stood from the chair. She had no reason to turn the voice speaking to her, whether thickly accented or not, River needed to move elsewhere. Her eyes shifted. She hadn't moved that far to see the patron to have spoken to her. She hid her smile. He was handsome, lean and comfortably held in casual pants and a black jacket. His short brown hair nearly touched his eyes, but it wasn't that to have made her stare further. With his crooked smile, and a glint of light, River saw that his eyes were of two colors.

"So, what is the name of the stowaway, if I can ask."

Was she allowed to give her name to Them? Had her father warned her not to get too close to Them; even the slightest bit of conversation would lure her into knowing and possibly caring for Them. River had to think fast but it seemed right to have told him her name.

"River."

"What sort of name is that?"

She elevated her shoulders. She couldn't possible remember why her father chose that name for her. Her cheeks burnt from embarrassment of his response. River shone her back again.

"My family wasn't concentrating too hard to give me a valuable name."

"Isn't that obvious. No, you don't deserve to have a name. If I had it my way," He said thoughtfully deciding on a name for her. "Your name would be Lily. That should have more meaning than the one given to you."

River shifted. "You are sounding as though you own me."

He came to stand near her. His eyes glinting deviously in the light. "There are consequences for entering without a set key. These are the rules of my place. You came unannounced and certainly, uninvited. Everyone knows of my rules. You will too."

River arched a brow. As he spoke to her, he circled her. She found the tactic shrewd and distinctive; others tried to frighten her in a similar way when younger, it would hardly work now. She stood still allowing his eyes travel over her, to study what he could for the time being.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm only to visit, nothing more."

"And in that very short time, you'll come here every night and accompany me until I find you not worthy." He came round, starting to head off into the crowd. "You should feel honored, most girls would be thrilled to be in your position."

River tried her best to not covet a smile. "And why is that?"

"You'll know soon enough. For now, its best that you go home. I wouldn't want you to be soiled."

And, for some strange reason, River took her leave. She pretended not to worry about the predicament she just entered. In a matter of a day of residing in Bucharest, River had fallen into possible trouble. Still, she enjoyed the challenge, and most importantly -- the challenge of telling her father.