A/N: If none of you have guessed what movie that influenced the creation of the Dyir then I'll tell you. It is from the 80's movie Cat People. And, I've not really come to terms trying to elaborate what they really are because to me they have always been known as panthers than the specific term, a black leopard. So, as the story goes on, I'm going to refer River as a panther. And, unlike the plot from the movie, the Dyir evolved from the large cat. Basically, the human skin is their disguise, a newer way of communicating in the new world.

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The search continued throughout the night with no avail. River's scent seemed impossible to follow for it led right back to where Rafe had found her. Gabriel's temper rose by the hour. He hadn't heard from his son and it gave him the incentive that he knew where she was. Gabriel hesitated to look for him simply because every other Loup-garoux joined in the hunt to find River. He was pleased that his family stood together even after near exposure.

Gabriel promised that who ever found River would be the first to track her during the hunt. He saw a new wave of excitement as the Loup-garoux went forth to search for River. Gabriel decided to head off in his own direction. The city of Bucharest lay in the hands of the Loup-garoux that night. River had no chance of escape

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Rafe remained by the bed. He slumped further into its comfort and nearly fell asleep. He refused to sleep even a minute, as he grew more worried over River's condition. He tried to coax a response from her and received none. His mother entered the bedroom offering to watch over her; Rafe declined leaving her side. He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and thought long and hard over the situation. Before long, his father would show up to the house to discover River sleeping.

"What did she do, Rafe?" Astrid came to sit on the opposing chair. Her eyes stared questioningly at her son. Sooner or later, Rafe would need to tell her. And, Astrid grew tired of waiting. "You said that she is hiding things from your father, like what?"

Rafe reached over for the glass of water on the bedside table. He wanted to wait a moment more before answering; he couldn't avoid it for long. He finished the water and held the glass.

"You remember about the first murder that frightened Bucharest?" He looked over at his mother then went on. "You are looking at that person."

Astrid looked over at River. "This girl?"

Rafe nodded. He waited to hear an objection from his mother, and feared being thrown outside. But when she stayed quiet, he went on. "Last night, some things happened. Things were said. Mother, we are not the only ones out there. I've seen what this girl can do!" He emphasized his point by waving a finger at River. "She is no woman as I thought when I first saw her. In fact, she fooled me, fooled everyone."

"Is she another one of us?" Astrid asked with a hopeful voice. She frowned when her son shook his head. His face was slightly flushed. "Then what?"

Rafe continued to nervously pace back and forth. "She changed into something unexpected. I should have noticed how they reacted when she approached them. They looked to her as though she were one of them."

Astrid came over to hold her son by his shoulders. "What? Tell me. What did she change into? If you say that there are others then tell me what she changed into."

"Be patient and we'll find out again."

Astrid and Rafe turned toward the door. They expected to see Vivian standing near but it was Gabriel whom they saw. His eyes stared over his son more than Astrid. He approached the bed to glare as River continued to sleep. Astrid dressed comfortably for the time being. The bed sheet lay on her abdomen. Her minor wounds were left alone to heal by themselves. Her hair was combed and twisted into two braids. Astrid aided River more than he wanted; then again, she was ill informed of the situation with the girl. She appeared so harmless in sleep that Gabriel approached to sit near her. His hand grazed her warm face. He felt her breath on his fingers. There was a brief smile expressed, of course, it hardly lasted when Rafe came to the other side.

Astrid stayed far from the two. She peered down at River somewhat panicked and eagerly wanting to know what was going on. What was the girl presented to her?

Gabriel stared at Rafe then to Astrid.

"She is a magnificent creature. And, just like us, she can choose whether or not to change into what she truly is." Gabriel reached over to touch her face again, River moved. "With her there is no glory in the transformation it is painful; yet, she couldn't resist wanting to stand in her true form. I admire her."

Astrid came over to stand by Gabriel. She stared down at the girl with a more open mind. Her son had said she was something different and now, Gabriel confirmed that she was too. She placed a hand to his shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"Are they going to be looking us?"

Gabriel shook his head. "They could be. I am not sure. What I do know is that this girl is dangerous and still need to tell me what is going on. She has no choice." He turned to his son. "Carry her out, your friends are waiting for you down below."

As Rafe forced himself closer, Astrid stopped him.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Gabriel. She's badly hurt. She needs rest"

Astrid glared over at him. Her eyes were filled with worry over the girl's condition. Whether or not River may have been something different, there was no reason to hurt her further while unconscious. She thought was better than that; but in his revealed the determination to take her away. Astrid had no fight left in her compared to Gabriel. She knew when to back away and allowing him to take the girl was one of them. Gabriel insisted that she come alone to see for herself what River was capable of becoming. Astrid, under that condition, decided to go along. Vivian stayed locked in her bedroom heedlessly avoiding Gabriel. He was still fumed from her own ordeal. She couldn't look him straight in the eyes after that. He spared her from exile and death.

"They are waiting."

Gabriel reminded Rafe as he took his leave. He had some satisfaction at the end of the day. They finally figured out one of the last places to hide a possible rival. He waited for both of them by the stairs. Rafe carried River in his arms. Astrid covered her with a coat. Gabriel sneered that they would act so polite to the young woman. Still, it couldn't be helped that Astrid continued to care for her wellness.

They left the home to enter the streets where Rafe's friend waited below. They looked over at him then to the girl. They said nothing to him as one opened the back door for him to climb inside. Gabriel chose to drive and Astrid sat with her son to keep an eye on the girl. His friends did the same, peering down at River's passive face. They drove to the lounge where others waited. If River tried to escape, she had a very slim chance of surviving.