Chapter Summary: Strange thing are happen during the midnight hours

Lost In The Shadows

Despite the cold night air, the docks were busy, the night shift crew were preparing as the large cargo freighter pulled in. As the hustle and bustle of removing, transporting and restocking the ship took over the minds of the dock workers no one saw the shadowy figure climbing out of the hull, before shuffling down the anchor rope and disappearing behind the harbour masters office and onto the streets of Portland.

Ducking into an alleyway the figure rested back against the wall, letting out a sigh of relief as she wiped her hands upon her faded jeans. Suddenly a pain like no other ripped through her body forcing her to bite down hard on her lip to keep her from crying out, this in turn drew blood causing a small red stream to trickle down her chin. Throwing her head back with force caused the hood that had covered her face to fly off, revealing the features that she'd been concealing.

Her long dark hair was tucked into her hoodie and fell messily over her sweat covered olive skin, which now seemed pale and sickly, Green eyes almost glowed jade in the darkness. As the pain passed, she took a moment to catch her breath before pulling the hood back over her head covering more of her features from prying eyes. She picked up a small black book from the floor and checked it before placing it back in the small backpack. Shoving her hands in her pockets and the bag back upon her back she continued on with her journey.

Nick was exhausted as he trudged himself up from the water with a groan, somedays he realy hated his life. The Captain realy owed him one this time, his case load had become a lot lighter and easer since he'd gotten on the same page as him. The only downside was that now the Captain was able to be more open with him about his actions or intentions, ment that he could just inform Nick about dangers to his Canton and Nick would have to deal with them.

Tonight, had been one of those night's word had gotten to them about strange activities going down around town, so Nick had agreed to find out more. What he wasn't ready for was running into six fully armed Hundjager's roaming the streets. The fight hadn't taken long but the quick dip in the river hadn't been ideal, now he needed to report in with the Captain.

The night streets were empty making the young teens footsteps echo as she continued on her silent journey, the slightest noises made her jump and the briefest wind had her looking over her shoulder. After about an hour of walking she stopped to check her small black book again, suddenly out of nowhere a shadow rushed from the darkness and before she could react the shadow engulfed her, then pain erupted across her back as she impacted the wall, with the shadowy creature bearing down on her.

Fear filled her as she fought for breath, but the large hairy arm crushing down on her windpipe was making that harder. The stench of rotting flesh coming from the creature before her made her want to throw up, it's teeth glinted in the light from the streetlights above them as it snarled. As the girl struggled more and more the creature seemed to become more determined, but as the world around her began going dark she began feeling that now so familiar pain beginning to rise but this time it was different. With that pain came a burning heat, as her body felt like it was being consumed in flame, she felt her mind cry out until the pain was gone and her world fell dark.

Captain Sean Renard, bastard prince and protector of Portland was a political master, his web of secrets and lies stretched far and wide. He courted power and influence like a courteous lover. Everything about him was meticulously designed to support the image he portrayed to the public eye. Behind closed doors though was a very different matter.

When away from the power plays and the duties that are expected of a police Captain his life is verry different, as was this even Captain Renard not long from the shower was contently sat upon his couch attempting to enjoy the quiet of the evening and catch up with a book, he'd been trying to finish reading for over a year.

But he couldn't stop his traitor of a mind from wandering back to thoughts of his youngest detective and recently activated Grimm. It had been a great relief to him when everything had come out in his favour, with his families interference in his Canton recently he was relieved to have Nick as back up. He knew he still had to step carefully when it came to his Grimm. Nick's morals often ment that his judgment was clouded when it came to the bigger picture, but Sean knew in the end if he could find even footing with him, they would make history together.

He was lost in his musing when a knock at his door broke the silence, after casting a look at the clock he was concerned. So, as he headed towards the door, he retrieved his gun from its place on the counter before looking through the peephole. Seeing Nick, he let out a sigh before opening the door.

"Detective what brings you to my door this late at night?" he asked as he cast a look over his soggy looking Grimm.

Nick was about to speak when he finally brought his attention to his Captain then stopped, his breath stuck in his throat at the vision before him. The captain was stood before him dressed in nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants, his olive skin was beautifully adorned with intricate and tasteful designs that looked less inked and more like an extension of who he was.

"Detective?" grunted Captain Renard forcing Nick to snap back to reality, this hadn't gone unnoticed but for now Renard would let Nick stew on what he was thinking.

"Sorry Captain, I've been all round, and everything seems fine, though I'm not sure if it's connected but I've run in to a few Hundjägers on the street" answered Nick making Captain Renard look at him.

"Varatt?"

"Not sure, I've delt with them"

"good I'll check in with a few of my contacts, for now go on as if nothing happen but let the others know to stay safe" with that Nick agreed before heading back to his car, Renard watched him leave before locking his own door and heading into another room to make a call.

From the shadows across the road two men watched as the Hundjäger, they'd been traveling with was thrown backwards by and invisible force causing him to become impaled on a nearby pipe. Before they could make a move the young woman shakily got to her feet and fled the scene.

"Should we…?" growled a voice from behind him as one of the men emerged from the darkness.

"No, stay out of sight. She needs to sleep sometime" answered the other man cooly before they both returned to the shadows.