Chapter 2

Logan rushed out of the kitchen and into the hallway. He flattened his back against the wall, taking a vital second to collect his rushing thoughts. Opening his nostrils wide, he took in a deep breath, simultaneously catching a familiar scent. Shuffling noises in the living room reached his sensitive ears, and he slowly peered around the corner, more curious than anything else. A figure dressed in black rummaged through a chest of drawers, scattering papers on the floor in its hasty search. The figure stopped suddenly and looked around, and Logan quickly pulled back around the corner and silently prayed that he hadn't been seen.

After a few seconds passed, he heard noise once again coming from the room, and he slipped silently around the corner. The figure set down a stack of papers, retrieved a camera from its pocket, and then removed the black mask covering its head. A tumble of long brown hair escaped the mask, cascading down the figure's back in soft waves. Logan could smell the lilac shampoo the intruder had used from across the room; it was close to intoxicating, and he felt slightly dizzy.

Shaking his head to clear his mind, he deliberately made a noise in his throat that almost sounded like a growl. The woman spun around, the camera still in her gloved hand. Her green eyes were wide and full of fear. When she saw that only a man stood there, she relaxed only slightly.

"What are you doing?" Logan asked, an amused smile on his lips. It was then that he realized he was still holding the beer he'd opened in the kitchen. He casually took a swig.

Though her face grew hot with the embarrassment of being caught, she would not drop her gaze from his brown eyes. The hand holding the camera trembled slightly, but she lifted her chin defiantly.

"What's it to you, Logan?" She retorted, her voice thick with hatred.

With a chuckle, he took a step forward, using the beer bottle to point at her. "Well," he replied, "I happen to live here."

Now it was her turn to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Logan asked.

"You don't live anywhere. Not for long, anyway."

"People change." He began to circle her.

She nodded. "You're right about that. But that only applies if you are, in fact, a person. And we both know that you're not. You're pure beast, Logan."

Logan stopped then, his face mere inches from her own. "I'm not!" He shouted, causing her to shrink back, her green eyes shut tight.

Logan closed his own eyes and took a breath, controlling his rage. He realized he'd been only seconds from releasing his claws, but as he calmed down, he felt them slowly retract into his forearms.

"So, Raven," he finally managed, "what are you doing here?"

The woman opened her eyes again, and replied, "Just doing a little detective work."

"Yeah? Who sent you?"

Raven glared at him icily. "None of your business."

"Actually it is. I live here, remember? You invaded my house, and I demand to know why!"

Just then, a small voice whimpered, "Logan?"

Logan spun around. Sonya stood there, looking paler than usual. Her black bangs clung to her forehead, and her eyes looked…strange.

"Sonya?" Logan moved across the room, as her eyes slid closed and she began to sway on her feet. He reached her just before she hit the floor. Cradling her in his arms, he turned back to Raven.

"If you ever listen to a word I say, now would be the time. Get the hell outta here!" He glanced down at the child in his arms, then thought of something else to say to Raven. She had gone.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. You'll be all right," he murmured to Sonya, and gently

pressed his lips to her fevered forehead.