It had been over a week since Daniel had told his story to Cara, and in that time he had not changed back into a human. Cara found herself deeply frustrated each day as she waited in the basement, hoping to see his real face with those kind eyes. Instead she was greeted by the ravenous eyes of the beast, sometimes snarling and lashing out at her, other times remaining in the shadow so that only a glint of yellow shown through. She would toss pounds of raw meat (purchased from various local grocery stores, trying not to visit one too consistently) through the bars with detached fascination. In these moments she didn't see the man at all, only the wolf that would gladly devour her with the same enthusiasm if given the chance.

Cara spoke to the wolf as she would to Daniel, hoping to spark him back to the forefront. She considered that their long talk had potentially drained his energy and it would take time before he could summon it again. But she felt it more likely to be related to the stage of the moon. It had passed the new moon and was now waxing, growing brighter each night. Perhaps Daniel wouldn't be able to find himself again until after the full moon. Cara hoped not. She wished to talk to him more.

The days trapped at the cottage felt tedious to her. She hadn't dared to venture out (except for food), understandably due to the werewolf in the basement. Cara had to admit though, that there was something comforting about being in this place. It was the closest she had come to living like a normal person in many years. Logan had found her at sixteen, and not long after that her life had become a whirlwind of cheap motels, roadside diners, long stretches of highways and many goodbyes. It was the life she needed to lead because there would always be spirits wandering along her path, and worse, demons whispering from corners. A sense of purpose had carried her over the years and she held no regrets about it.

Still as she sat on the back porch of this quaint two-story cottage, staring out over the calm lake and sipping a mug of coffee she had brewed herself, she felt a pang of longing, a wish that things could be so simple always. She wanted Jack to be okay, to be sitting on the porch with her, Andie too. She wanted Logan to be healthy, wanted him cooking in the kitchen with Bethany, in blissful worry-free love. She even wanted Gregory here to complete their misfit family.

And she wanted Daniel, clean and clothed and safe. Himself. She wanted to sit beside him on this little bench, wrapped in the same blanket, to feel her fingers intertwined with his. She wondered what it would feel like to have his arms around her, and his lips pressed against –

She blinked out over the lake, a tingle running down her thighs. The thoughts of Daniel had taken her away from the scenery and that worried her. Life was too far removed from that childish fantasy to get distracted by it.

The coffee was nearly gone and turning cold when Cara heard the sounds of a car pulling up the road. Cara left the mug on the hand-carved oak bench, but kept the blanket wrapped over her shoulders (it was cold by the water in the early mornings) as she walked around the side of the house. Cars occasionally came this way along the road, if they were looping around to a cottage on the other side, or if they had gotten turned around on their way to wherever they were suppose to be going, but otherwise it was fairly quiet, and so far there hadn't been any other visitors to the cottage. Hence why Cara felt her nerves on edge and quickly brought her hand to the hunting knife at her side when she spotted an unfamiliar car pulling into the driveway. The car stopped near the front door, but Cara's nerves subsided as she saw Logan's face in the passenger seat.

He gave her a grin and a funny little wave through the window while Bethany stepped out of the driver's side. Cara rushed over to the car, the blanket forgotten and taken by a strong breeze. Bethany without any words or any expression on her face, reached for Cara and scooped her into a tight hug.

"It's good to see you," Bethany breathed into her. "Here help me get him inside." Cara didn't need further direction. Logan had lost more weight since last Cara had seen him. His smile now stretched thin on his face. But oh how happy she was to see him.

They got Logan inside and set him down on the large armchair in the living room.

"Could I trouble you for some water?" he asked in a small voice. Cara nodded with a smile, squeezing his hand as she left for the kitchen.

"I'll go get the bags," Bethany added. Cara was confused, but trusted these two to explain once they caught their breath. The urgency as they moved was easy to detect. Cara returned to Logan with a cup of water while Bethany was outside at the car. He sipped gratefully. His grip was weak on the cup and he almost dropped it into his lap.

"Logan," Cara asked taking the cup from him and setting it down. "What are you both doing here?" He began as Bethany brought two large duffle bags through the door, each one stuffed full.

"They had tracked us to the apartment we were staying at. The Imperial Cult, I mean. Bethany had just returned from New York to meet me at the hospital. There had been some...complications."

"What complications?" Cara dived in, as her stomach twisted together. Logan waved a hand, not important, not now.

"They must have hoped to capture him just as he was getting back from the hospital," Bethany added in. "Almost did too."

"Except I don't think they were counting on my lovely wife," Logan said with a beaming smile to Bethany.

"We escaped," Bethany put simply. "And we needed a safe place to go. Despite the werewolf that's being housed here, this might be the safest spot we have now. We would have called to let you know we were on our way but..." She trailed off with a glance to Logan.

"I didn't want to bother you in the middle of the night," Logan said, and Cara couldn't help but laugh.

"I'd like to see the werewolf, if you'd show me," Bethany said. Cara nodded, looking over at Logan.

"Don't worry about me, I'm quite fine here," he said. Cara led Bethany through the rest of the house and to the hidden staircase in the pantry. The grunts and growls of the wolf grew more evident with each step and by the time they were on the stairs, it had broken into full roars. Cara looked at Bethany following behind her. Her breathing was steady but her eyes were nervous. Bethany instinctively kept her back right against the wall as she gazed at the werewolf in its cage. It snarled, showing the massive jaws and then lunged at the bars, reaching a great clawed hand out, desperate to ensnare them.

"Daniel, its me. It's Cara," she said softly.

"Is that the man's name then?" Bethany asked. Cara nodded. "Does he change back often?"

"Yes, most days around noon, when the sun is highest I guess. Although, he hasn't changed back this week. I don't know if it'll happen until after the full moon. I'm still trying to figure out how it all works. There's no exact science to it." Bethany nodded. "What did you find out about Jack and Gregory? Do you know where they are?" Bethany shook her head. The question was clearly painful and strain to hold back tears was evident on her face.

"We followed their tracks in New York best that we could, myself and Andie. I don't think Trevor Bennings tricked Gregory there on purpose. I don't think he knew the Imperial Cult was watching him. His wife is dead now, she really was possessed. I think it may have been a targeted possession."

"Targeted possession? Is that even a thing?"

"Just a guess, maybe I'm being paranoid. But that's what it looks like," Bethany said with a sigh.

"Bethany, what you're suggesting, I mean if the Imperial Cult is directly controlling demons then–" Cara trailed off.

"I know, things are bad. Whatever the Imperial Cult is doing, they're not playing it safe anymore. They're coming out of the shadows and that means whatever is going on, is big." She gasped as the werewolf smacked its claws against the bars with a loud clack. "I wish I had more information, but it's tricky. Andie and I managed to track down a member and corner him, but he wouldn't talk. No matter what we did he wouldn't talk." Bethany drifted away for a second. She took a deep breath coming back to reality.

"Where's Andie now?" Cara asked.

"She's going to meet me out west. We've had loose communication since we separated, but I'll hopefully see her in the next few days."

"Wait, you're going out west? You're leaving?" Bethany turned to her and took her hand, nodding with a sad smile.

"I need to find Jack. They have my baby, and I'm not stopping until I get him back."

"But what about Logan?"

"That's why I brought him here to you. I need you to take care of him."

"I should go with you though," Cara protested. "If things are as bad as you say then you need me out there."

"I need you here," she looked at the snarling beast in the cage. "He needs you here." And Bethany would argue no more about it. Cara wondered if Bethany would stay the day at least, but it seemed she had intentions to move on as soon as possible.

They went back upstairs and Cara gave Bethany and Logan privacy as they said their goodbyes. Cara hoped dearly that it wouldn't be the last time they saw each other, but in her heart she thought it would be.

Cara walked with Bethany back to the car and said her goodbye as well, hugging her tight.

"Please let me know if you hear any word of Jack," Cara begged.

"Of course, you let me know about anything that happens here. We may have to get off the grid for a while, but you know our means of contact. I'll be checking them." Cara nodded her agreement, and Bethany got into the car. Cara walked away and neither one looked back as the car pulled out of the driveway.

Logan had tears in his eyes when Cara went back into the living room. He didn't try to hide his tears, letting them flow freely. Cara took a seat on the couch beside his chair.

"She was the best thing that ever happened in my life," Logan said with a grin. "No offence," he added, turning to Cara. She laughed.

"None taken." Logan took a tissue out of his breast pocket and blew his nose.

"So, got any food in this place? I think I could eat a little." Cara smiled and went to work fixing them a simple lunch, happy for the distraction. Logan had trouble eating the sandwiches she made, but the soup he sipped down with joy. Cara found her own appetite lacking.

"Do you want to talk about what's bothering you now, or do you need to brood on it longer?" Logan asked, breaking the silence. Cara looked up. Before he spoke, she probably couldn't have put her thoughts into words, but he always had a way of helping her cut through the bullshit.

"It's everything really," she began. "Things seem to be in shambles all over. Jack and Gregory are missing. Bethany and Andie are off hunting the Imperial Cult. And we're here...having soup." She dropped her spoon into the bowl with a noisy clang to emphasis her point. Logan smiled.

"And you feel with all this important stuff going on, you've been left here on babysitting duty."

"Exactly. Babysitting duty. No offence."

"I was referring to the werewolf, but none taken." They grinned at each other, solemnly. "You know it wasn't Bethany's idea to bring me here, it was mine. I wanted to be able to do whatever I could to help." Cara looked at him confused. "In those duffle bags, along with my supplies, is every book I own on lycanthropy. I thought I could help you with that, and you could help me find Jack." Cara stared at him, wondering if he was still thinking clearly or if his health was fading that fast.

"I don't understand, how could I help you find Jack?" Cara asked. Logan smiled at her, taking her hand.

"My girl, you connect to other realms like no one else can. If anyone can figure out where Jack is, I believe it's you."