Meadow woke at seven in the morning. She didn't even have to get up and look at her phone. Her body was so well trained to rise early in the morning that, even when she'd put in such an awful night, her inner clock woke her anyway.

Feeling like death warmed over, she sat up slowly, clutching her pounding head, and took a moment to adjust. The pain pills weren't working. She hoped the doctor had something stronger to prescribe. She would never be able to get back to the Inn, pack and leave on a plane for home that afternoon if she couldn't get her head to stop throbbing.

And right now, that's all she wanted to do - go home to her quiet apartment and crawl into her own bed. The sooner she could put yesterday behind her the better she'd fell. At least, that's what she was telling herself right then.

Once she felt steady enough to stand, Meadow slipped off the bed and checked her phone. The battery was fully charged and the phone read 7:08 AM. Meadow frowned. She knew she needed more sleep, but unless she could get rid of the pounding in her brain, she was never going to get any real rest.

Leaving the little examination room, she walked quietly down the hall until she found a washroom. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror she stopped short. There was a corpse looking back at her. Her skin was pale, her lips had no colour and there were deep purple circles under her eyes. She couldn't ever remember looking this sickly in her entire life. It was startling, but also a reality check. She'd been through a traumatic event just the day before and it was showing.

Sighing heavily, she took her time in the bathroom washing her face in hot steaming water, scrubbing her teeth clean on rough paper towel from the dispenser, and combing out her thoroughly tangled hair, which she quickly put up in a messy bun.  When she was finished, her efforts contributed to improving her general appearance, but nothing could touch the colourless tone of her skin. She rubbed her lips together and pinched her cheeks a bit in the mirror, but it didn't help.

Groaning with frustration, she left the bathroom and wandered down the corridor to the waiting room. She just needed to get home to Rutherford. That was the solution.

As she approached the waiting room, she heard voices and assumed Hedda and Eddie were both up despite their late night with her. She hoped they had fared better. But, as she entered into the waiting room, she discovered that there was a newcomer in the mix - a tall, athletic, handsome, fifty-something year old, who dressed immaculately in a trend setting Ermenegildo Zegna suit. He was like a 50+ GQ model with piercing black eyes, beautiful dark skin and a brilliant white smile. One thing was for sure, he was a lycanthrope through and through.

Meadow paused.

The devilishly attractive stranger, Hedda and Eddie were all standing by the door. Though they were all talking quietly, Eddie and Hedda's body language was tense. Meadow immediately disliked the new lycanthrope and felt she should be cautious around him. Perhaps it was just the concussion talking, but something about the slow smiles he kept giving Hedda gave her the creeps. As good looking as he was, he was a lecher if ever she saw one.

His eye caught sight of her before the others and he pinned her with a greedy look - like he was looking to buy some, as yet undiscovered, treasure at a public auction. Meadow's response was to raise a single delicate black eyebrow as if to say, 'you wish'. The effect was instant. He gave her a jeering smile with all the charm of a practised snake oil salesman. Meadow knew instinctively that he wasn't trustworthy and hoped to God she wouldn't have to deal with him whether there at the clinic or at the Bureau in the future.

"Come here Blood Bride," the man called to her in a friendly but at the same time insincere manner.

Meadow was in no doubt he was calling her. After all, his eyes hadn't left her since he'd caught sight of her. But she didn't readily respond. She just wasn't familiar with the term Blood Bride and hesitated. She'd heard of Child Brides, Mail Order Brides, Zen Brides, DIY Brides and even Bridezillas, but this was a new term. And, there was something decidedly unsettling about it.

"Haven't they told you?" the man drawled with a mischievous smile that put Meadow on edge rather than at ease.

"Who told me what?" Meadow inquired calmly and rationally. She wasn't easily intimidated by lycanthropes having dealt with so many of them over the past six years, and she wasn't about to let this guy rattle her.

"I'm here to confirm that you are the Blood Bride," he explained.

"What's a Blood Bride?" Meadow asked next. Lycanthropes did not like to beat around the bush. So, if you asked a direct question, you were likely to get a direct answer. Meadow liked the direct approach, especially when her head was throbbing and she didn't have patience for mind games.

"Ever the Bureau agent, I see," the man chuckled softly.

At this point Meadow realized he knew who she was. It was certainly a disadvantage. She sent Eddie and Hedda questioning looks. She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but she was anxious to know why he knew her. Maybe he was like the doctor and she had helped him with paperwork at the Bureau years ago - too long ago to remember his face - but something told her this was not the case.

"I called him to come," Hedda explained. Her expression was hesitant and unsure.

"Why don't you introduce your friend to me, explain why he's here," Meadow offered in her most professional voice, "and then we can discuss it." She had a feeling she was out of her depth here and it was wise to pull back and not put her trust in anyone just yet - not even Eddie. Who, up to this point, hadn't said a thing and looked as uncertain as Hedda.

"I'm the Trolakare Tveit," the man with the intense black eyes replied as he stepped forward. "And how about we forego the explanations for now until we can determine if you are or aren't the Blood Bride."

Meadow looked him over a minute more and then asked, "How do we do that?"

"I need to take you to a dark room," he cooed.

Meadow stiffened and Eddie growled loudly. This was the first outward sign that he did not trust, or perhaps even like, the new arrival. Meadow was relieved to think that she and Eddie had that in common.

"Don't worry, I wont bite," Tveit promised with a sly look that didn't give Meadow the least bit of confidence in him.

"How about we all go, then?" she offered.

"Smart girl," Tveit replied as he took a few steps toward her, but he quickly turned his attention to Hedda and asked in a low sultry voice, "You got a dark room DeeDee?"

Hedda growled at his use of the old nickname he'd given her when he was her mentor. Through gritted teeth she replied, "We'll all fit into the storage room."

He gave her a heart-stopping smile in return, but she ignored him as she turned and led the way down the hallway to a small storage room near the back of the clinic.

"Why do we need a dark room? And what exactly are you looking for?" Meadow asked in an even voice that did not betray either her anxiety or her curiosity.

"I want to see if you can make my moonstone glow red?" he replied simply.

"And if I can?" Meadow asked knowing this was the vital part.

"Then I'll take you to the exiled Prince and get you a meeting with the Gorare, just like DeeDee wants me too."

Hedda snorted. He made it sound like he was happy to do her a favour, but she knew he was happy to use this favour against her in some way. he hadn't changed in the years since she last laid eyes on him. It was discouraging. She regretted asking him to come.

"What's the Gorare? And who is the exiled Prince?" Meadow asked as they all stepped into the storage room.

"I'll explain who they are if you turn this moonstone red," Tveit promised with a sickeningly sweet smile.

Meadow raised one disapproving eyebrow and the man laughed as he instructed, "Put out your hand little viper."

Since no one objected, Meadow did as he commanded.

Tveit took a moonstone pendant from around his neck. Meadow had seen these sorts of pendants a thousand times. Nearly every lycanthrope had one and wore it regularly. It was a cultural symbol that for some had religious significance but for others was simply a token of their lycanthrope heritage.

This particular moonstone stood out in Meadow's mind for two reasons. First, it was the largest she had ever seen. Most moonstone pendants ranged in size from a standard shirt button, the most common circumference, to something as large as a quarter. But, his was the size of an old American half dollar. It was unusually grand for something most often tucked away under a man's shirt.

Second, while lycanthropes were known to search out the most valuable moonstones available, his was exceptionally exquisite looking. It was perfectly white with nearly 100% clarity. Something incredibly rare. And it had a gleaming adularescence that caught the light spectacularly. There was no doubt that the stone had cost him a small fortune.

Regardless of its uniqueness, the question remained, could she turn it red? And the answer that came readily to her mind was, it was impossible.

"If you are the Blood Bride," Tveit informed her, "This stone will change the moment it touches your skin." He dangled the pendant over her upturned hand for a moment before continuing to say, "But, the best effect will happen in the dark. Go ahead DeeDee and close the door."

Hedda tsk'd disapprovingly at the use of her old nickname again, but said nothing as she closed the door to the storeroom. The place went pitch black. Meadow couldn't even make out her own hand already poised in front of her.

Though she hated the dark since childhood, she swallowed her fear and waited. The wait was brief. She felt the touch of the cool stone on her flesh and instantly the room was filled with a brilliant crimson light that radiated from the moonstone in her palm.

Meadow was too stunned to even gasp as she looked at how the light illuminated the faces around her and lit up Tveit's teeth, which were exposed to the fullest extent by a calculating grin that split his handsome face nearly ear to ear. There was something disquieting about that eager smile.

At the same time though, Meadow did not miss the fact that neither Eddie or Hedda appeared the least bit surprised by this shocking turn of events - at the impossible becoming possible right before their eyes. And, that knowledge did not bring Meadow any peace.  What did they know? And how did they come to know or suspect Meadow might have this effect on the moonstone?

"Now watch," Tveit said as he plucked the stone from her hand. The light disappeared in the exact moment it left her skin and they were all plunged into darkness again. He placed the stone back in her outstretched palm and the room lit up a second time. "You try it," he encouraged her like a businessman trying to sell her a product.

He shoved the pendant chain toward her. Meadow took the chain. When she lifted the stone away from her hand, the room was once more as dark as a pit. Then she placed the stone back in her palm and saw it come to life with radiant colour. The effect was the same whether she or Tveit held the chain. This was fascinating and mysterious.

However, Meadow felt ill. And, it wasn't from the concussion. Some sixth sense told her that this was a bad omen, that she would live to regret this unfathomable connection she had with the moonstone. What on earth had she gotten herself mixed up in?

"I think someone better tell me just what this means?" Meadow said coolly as she turned for the door.

Hedda opened it up straight away and the room filled with light from the hall, but the moonstone in her hand remained blood red even under florescent light. Meadow gazed at it with wondered and dread. She wished it was a trick of her eye, but no matter how she turned it over and over in her palm, it remained a deep crimson.

She handed the stone back to Tveit, who watched her avariciously, and witnessed it return to its original brilliant white in his fingers. This too was startling.

"Is it just your stone or any moonstone?" Meadow asked him as they moved down the hall.

"Any," he replied without hesitation.

Meadow let out a dissatisfied sigh. The more she saw and heard the more she was sure that there was nothing but trouble ahead for her. Stopping in the room she'd slept in, she grabbed her cell, purse and sweater. No matter what they told her today, her aim was to head home to Rutherford. And she was going to leave the clinic just as soon as possible.

Pressing a finger to her temple, she sighed for the umpteenth time that monring. What she needed was pain killers and rest, not some peculiar lycanthrope mystery that was going to land her in hot water with the Bureau and the lycan community. She wished this could have waited until she'd recovered from her concussion, but that would be asking the universe for too much.

"Don't look so depressed," Tveit whispered near her ear.

Meadow ignored him and kept walking.

"You might get a prince out of this," he told her with a maniacal laugh that gave Meadow the chills.

He was enjoying this way too much.

Hedda pushed her way between them and acted as a buffer, which Meadow was grateful for even if she was uncertain just how much she could trust and rely on Hedda, who seemed to be the one who brought this psycho into her life that morning.

"How are you feeling?" Hedda asked quietly as they got a little further down the hall.

"I don't think I'll be ready for travelling home today," Meadow admitted reluctantly. "My head is killing me."

"Can you handle Tylenol-3s?" Hedda inquired.

Meadow sighed, "I don't know, but right now I'll try anything to get rid of the pounding."

"Well, if they work, they'll work within 20 minutes. So, you'll know soon," Hedda offered encouragingly. "But, I can't give them to you on an empty stomach. I'll get you something from the bakery. It's just a couple streets away and it's already open."

Meadow nodded, but was quick to say, "You aren't leaving me alone with this guy." It wasn't a question. It was a statement of fact.

"No, no, of course not," Hedda reassured her.

"If the little bride needs to eat," Tveit broke in uninvited to their conversation, "I suggest we take her crash course on Blood Bride prophecy and lycanthrope politics to the car. I've got some important people she needs to meet with today. And it's better if we don't delay," he suggested. Though, it was clear that this plan of his wasn't up for debate.

"I'm not going anywhere with him by myself," Meadow said aloud. Her voice wasn't angry or afraid. It was just tired and testy.

He laughed graciously from close behind. "We'll all go together, little bride."

And just like that, without another thing being said on the subject, they waited for Hedda to grab a few things before they all exited the clinic.

Outside, in the relatively empty parking lot, Tveit indicated they climb in his 2020 Lincoln Aviator with a little wave of his hand. Meadow and Eddie climbed in the back and Hedda sat up front with Tveit. She looked agitated by the arrangement, but he looked as pleased as could be. Meadow felt sorry for her, but, at the same time, she was glad no one had pushed her into that seat.

She wanted to keep as much distance between herself and him as possible. Especially, now that he'd taken up calling her 'little bride'. There was something very patronizing about the way he talked to her. Normally, she would just brush it off and ignore all his attempts to get under her skin, but, with the constant throbbing in her head, she just couldn't keep up her usual and practised calm demeanour.

Once buckled in the luxury SUV, Meadow realized she was in the presence of a very wealthy and potentially powerful lycanthrope. Just what was a Trolakare anyway? Wasn't that what he called himself a half hour earlier? She had a feeling that there were a great many things about the lycanthrope community she didn't have the slightest clue about even after working six years at the Bureau.

Though naturally curious and wanting answers, Meadow also had enough sense to know that this might be the most dangerous education of her life.

After a quick stop at the bakery, some hastily eaten local breakfast pasties and a Tylenol 3 for good measure, Meadow laid back in the SUV and closed her eyes. No one was talking and she wasn't interested in asking any questions just at the moment. Tveit said it would take them about a half hour to drive to their first destination. That would be long enough for the Tylenol to kick in if it was going to work. So, Meadow contented herself with resting her eyes and hoping for the best.

A half hour later, she wasn't even aware that she had dozed off until Eddie shook her awake. Meadow sat up straight and looked around. They were parked on some kind of narrow dirt road that led up a steep incline along a wooded ravine. The drop-off to the right, the side of the SUV Meadow was sitting on, was hundreds of feet. If anyone went off the road here, they would never survive. And worse, no one would find them without the help of drone technology. Meadow shivered and pulled her oversized cardigan closer to her as she leaned toward the center of the SUV.

She was about to ask Eddie why he'd woken her when she realized Tveit wasn't in the car. She looked out through the windshield and saw him standing out front. Then ahead of him on the road, she saw a horse and rider. Meadow leaned forward to get a better look at the painted horse.

Having grown up with horses, she recognized some of the features on this animal. It was Wanderer. And though she couldn't get a look at the rider from this angle in the SUV, she had no doubt it was Hale. The thought of seeing him instantly revived every good feeling in her. She smiled without even realizing it.

Turning to Eddie she asked expectantly, "Is that Hale out there?"

"Hale?" he repeated softly as he looked through the window and then said, "Could be. I can't tell. The guy is still up on his horse."

"I'm sure that's Wanderer," Meadow told him. "Lets get out and see for ourselves," she suggested. "You want to get out too?" Meadow asked Hedda.

"I'm fine right here," she replied. "I'm enjoying this little break from Tveit," she confessed.

Meadow smiled knowingly and then followed Eddie right out the door.  To their mutual delight, the rider was Hale. They grinned at each other before waving a friendly hello to him.

Hale, catching the waving hands from the corner of his eye, stopped talking to Tveit and looked to see who else had exited the SUV. To his surprise, but also his delight, he recognized the face of Eddie and Meadow. 

"Excuse me Tveit," Hale said to the older man as he directed Wanderer toward the other two.

He tipped his hat at Eddie in a friendly manner, but to Meadow he spoke right away with warmth in his deep brown eyes saying, "Well, if it isn't my little nymph."

Meadow peered up at him, her eyes sparkling much like his own, and grinned at him in return. In that moment, there wasn't anyone on earth, she would rather meet on the road to who knew where. But the feeling was fleeting because seconds later Tveit cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

To Hale he asked, "Do you two know each other?" He was pointing to Meadow specifically.  

Hale responded with a friendly and open, "Yes."

Meadow watched anxiously as Tveit's smile turned brilliant. What did that look mean? How was he going to turn this situation to his advantage or his amusement, she wondered.

"Well then, I don't suppose I need to make any introductions," he drawled almost charmingly. "But, just in case," he went on to say with a little laugh in his voice as his eyes caught Meadow's. "Blood Bride, let me introduce you to the exiled Prince."

It was hard to say of the three of them - Meadow, Hale and Eddie - who was more astounded by this revelation. All of three of their lives had changed in an instant with just those two obscure titles. Eddie looked confused, Meadow appeared somewhat relieved, and Hale seemed to be frozen in time. Not a soul breathed a word for the space of a couple minutes.

All the while, Tveit leaned back against the hood of his Lincoln and took it all in like a curious child observing the comings and going of ants from a sugar bowl. The coming of the Blood Bride, something he thought would never occur in his time (if at all), was turning out to be an operatic affair and things were just getting started. Tveit could hardly wait to see where things would go from there.