It had been a long ride to get here, and the cost was far more than I had expected. I never thought this place would be a godsend after we had gone through most of our supplies. We met either extortion without end or nothing but land, and no one wanted to give us a bed-rock price. I would have beaten the devil around the stump if it weren't for Tom.

We had tried to hunt a few times, but I was never good at it, to begin with. The prey taunted me, getting away from my flimsy traps. The town of Black Water appeared in the distance. It sat on the plains, with hills in the backdrop and a small forest by its side. Hope flickered in Ron's eyes as my stomach growled in response.

Ron squinted at me, shielding his face from the sun. "We finally made it. This is it, right?"

"Yes, Ron, this is Black Water."

We rode towards the town side by side. Outside Black Water was a ghost town, with hardly anyone in sight. We came up to the post office by the entrance and halted. There were one or two run-down farms with sparse crops and weed growth. It was hard to tell if they were still being maintained. People whispered at our approach, some held frowned faces, and others stared us down. Ron had spoken many times, but not a single word had left their mouths.

"It's much smaller than I expected. Why are they looking at us like that?"

"We look different, and the town doesn't get too many visitors," I replied.

Ron was right. This space was small, but this would be a major town for everyone here. Most commerce occurred here with the only bank in this area.

"What do we have left, Ron?"

"Besides the clothes on our back, we got tobacco and enough actual to get us through a few days at least."

"Great, listen, Ron. I want you to ride in front of me and get an inn on your own. I will join you after."

Ron lifted an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I have to report to the Sheriff's office," I turned towards him. "Here, take this." I threw the small bag of coins. "It's the last of the actual I have."

Ron caught it with his free hand from the reins. "You're going like how you are? At least take a bath with me."

"We don't have enough actual for that. Besides, it is normal for being on the road."

"Okay, but how will you know which inn?"

"Just go to the Gentleman's Den. I would meet you by the bar after I am finished up or leave the info with the bar dog, Andrew. If you need anything, trade it for the tobacco. It's hard to get in the town."

"Okay," Ron said.

I drifted back, and he rode into town.

My gaze fell upon the plain for Winston, but he was nowhere to be found. Was he in the patch of the forest overlooking the town, or was he much closer? It wasn't that easy for a wolf his size to hide, but that didn't mean he couldn't do it. Or probably he had my scent well from far away.

Regardless, it didn't matter. I would meet Saul now, and he would give me the answers I needed. Gripping the reins tightly, I stormed into town towards the sheriff's office.

On top of the red sheriff's office, a rusty brown sign swayed. The letters of the name were missing, leaving only two stars. The left window stood broken, and a trio of birds was perched on the rooftop. Sally walked over a muddy, broken sign marked in black: Against the People.

"Best prices, get it while it last!" a voice shouted as a thundering pound followed it. A burly butcher stood on the other side, gaining the interest of a few passersby trekking through the mucky ground.

I halted, got off Sally, and put her on the hitch beside another horse that released blobs of black manure. A mildly repulsive smell. After such a long ride, my legs were aching. My fists tightened as I walked up the few steps. Raising my hand, I stopped in front of the door. My pulse quickened.

"Everything is going to be okay," I muttered, holding the handle.

Pushing open the door, the light entered, revealing swathes of dust particles and Saul. He sat on the desk, folding a letter in his hand. His long, black hair rested on his shoulders. Saul's hand rubbed his shaven face as he stared at the ground in contemplation.

"Is it true what you sent me?" My heartbeat banged in my chest. I gripped my left fist and hid it behind my back.

Saul didn't look up at me immediately, and my eyes shifted around the small, confined room. The sheriff's latty was opposite the jail cell.

"Karen, come inside and sit down. Close the door behind you."

I pulled the door in and walked to the table. Saul shifted and seated himself behind it. He remained silent. His head didn't lift to look me in the eye.

"Well, answer me, Saul! I rode near two months to get back to this goddamn town!" I slammed my hand on the desk. The vibration radiated up my arm.

Saul exhaled. His eyes met mine for a split second.

"It's a lie? Right? You lied to me to get me back here. This is my father's doing!? Where is Tom!?"

"It's not a lie, it's the truth. Tom is dead. It aches my heart to say it even now," he whispered.

"You lie!" I bit my lip. "Where is he?"

Saul placed his index finger to his lips. "Shhh, he is buried by the church. We have been hunting his killers, myself and Richard, but besides that—"

I turned and rushed outside the door to the chatter of rowdy drunken men. Birds chirping and horses complaining. The door swung wide as I hopped over the rail, catching the attention of those nearby.

Saul rushed behind me. "Wait, Karen!"

I got on Sally and rode towards the old church, kicking up the dirt in my wake.

"Out of my damn way!" I shouted to the people that were in my path. They dodged, darted, and screamed in dismay.

Tom wouldn't have died so easily. He was strong. I slowed as the church came before me, and I got off Sally. The land was unkempt. The grass was tall, and the church walls were remnants of all that remained of the burned building. I trudged through the church's front entrance and observed the headstones. I read them, looking for his name.

Airin' the lungs, I came to a halt.

"Tom wasn't buried with a headstone," a voice said behind me. "We couldn't bury him with one."

I turned to see lickfinger Richard standing beside the church. Richard, however, was not alone, and Winston was beside him in his wolf form.

I took a step forward. "You're the last person I want to see, Richard. Winston, you knew all along?"

"Winston didn't know a thing!" a voice shouted.

"Mark, you're here too?" I asked, my head following the voice.

Mark stood tall, his face was weather-beaten, and his black hair ran wild. Mark's beard was as thick as the hair on my head. He gave a half-smile.

"It's not much of a reunion. Tanner is here too with his bird, but he's back in town. Saul half told us what was happening, but he didn't finish telling us everything. Saul wanted to wait until you —"

"Show us, Richard, where Tom is buried," Winston interjected.

Richard took a deep breath. "Come with me."

I bit my lip as I followed him into the marble orchard.

Richard walked forward. We passed a few graves before he came to a stop by one without a headstone. "This is where we buried him."

My mind wandered as I stared at the grave. Shots of memories from long ago were now hitting me all at once. My knees buckled and hit the ground. Tears came to my eyes.

I still wanted to believe it was a lie. "How could he die? How could he?"

A hand squeezed my back on turning. I saw it was Winston in his human form. Winston hugged me. "Karen, don't cry. Tom wouldn't want it. We will make the person or people who did this to him pay."

My hands gripped the dirt. "Yes, I will make them pay. I will make them all pay!"

We all sat around the grave in silence. It was the only way we knew to say farewell. The sun had shifted position above my head. There was a horse's thundering approach, and it came to a halt with a neigh.

Winston's eyes looked back, and footsteps approached the grave. I glimpse the figure to see it was Saul before focusing back ahead of me.

"Is there anyone in the area, Winston?" Saul asked.

"No, no one is there," Winston replied.

"This is the reason I brought all of you here, to avenge Tom. I love Tom and you all like my own children. We are all a family from the same clan."

"Who did this?" Winston asked. "How were they able to kill Tom? How did they know he was one of us?"

Saul drew closer. "The group that did this is one that is hunting us, hunting our kind. They call themselves Bull Prosecutors."

"An over bloated name," Richard remarked.

Saul continued, "Werewolves, witches, and vampires. They are only following myths of what they can't understand. These Bull Prosecutors think they are doing righteous work."

Mark looked in my direction, and I noticed his eyes were crossed. One eye was on me, the other pointed outside the church. "It seems like more than following myths if this is the result. We have to put a stop to it and to them."

"Do you have any leads? Where are they hiding?" I asked.

Saul took a few steps forward, and the wooden walkway creaked behind me. "They're everywhere. It's a movement." Saul dropped a book down before me. "This is the equivalent of their bible."

From its first page, Lupi viri depicted different versions of werewolves. Some were far-fetched, but others were closer to my kin. These werewolves held humans in chains.

"So how many exactly are they?" Mark asked. "Ten, maybe twenty? I can take that out by myself."

"This isn't a gang. They aren't hiding somewhere in the forest. These people are in every part of the society. From the shopkeeper, the brothel woman that you met last night, and maybe even the bar dog," Saul replied.

"So basically we are going to have to purge the town first and then move on from there?" Mark asked.

"Exactly," Saul replied. "Whoever is carrying one of these books is an enemy."

"That's why you needed all of us?" Winston queried.

"When do we start? When do we kill the people responsible?" I asked.

"It's already begun and tonight will be the first start. We won't be returning to town for a while afterwards."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"There's a meeting for members of the group to gather. They are hiding in the general shopkeeper's basement tonight."

"All of them are coming together? That doesn't sound right," Winston added.

"It's not all of them, I would assume," Richard said.

"It's more the case of a few initiates and a leader," Saul replied.

"How did you find out about this, anyway?" Mark asked. "That information couldn't drop out of thin air."

Richard chuckled. "That's because I joined the group. I heard a few farm boys talking about it and discussed my views. The meeting tonight is an initiation ceremony for me. It was Saul's brilliant scheme, I might add."

"I guess that makes sense. I need a drink. Is there anywhere in this town where the bottled courage is good?" Mark asked. "We have to catch up, Winston. It's been a long time."

"Yeah, it's been," Winston replied, releasing me. "Don't worry, Karen, we will make them pay for what they did."

"There's more to it than that. We have to make it look right, human, and outlawed," I said.

"Then we will toast for justice," Mark replied.

I got up from the ground, wiping my face. "Was there anything that Tom left, any keepsakes?"

"No, Tom lived on the road. He owned little beside the clothes on his back, even though he dipped in both worlds," Saul said.

"I see."

"The last time we talked, though, the only thing he wanted to discuss was you."

"What did he say?" I asked.

"Tom said he wanted to see you again," Saul said. "He missed those days of when you were both cubs."

"I see," I said, looking still at the grave. "I suppose I missed those days too."

#

We waited, crouched in the dark. Tanner's bird had allowed us to follow unseen. Now from the bushes, The Bull Prosecutors passed with their faces covered. They led Richard into the shopkeeper's basement. There was a friendly discussion, followed by cheerful laughter. The numbers entering were of concern. Each member carried a book in their hand. Men and women gathered together with only one purpose: to kill us. For the first time in a long time, my ears were sharper than they had ever been. Was it because of the turmoil that was brewing in my heart? My teeth cut my lip as they bared. Fur sparsely spotted upon me.

"Be patient, Karen. I have to listen first. I have to make sure they are guilty without a doubt," Saul said beside me.

Saul's yellow eyes shone in the dark. Everyone else had turned to their wolf's form to listen in. The basement door abruptly shut, and everyone outside had entered. There was no one on the road, and Saul directed us closer to the basement until we were a few feet away, blocked by shrubbery. The words inside were as clear as day to me.

"Today is a day of indoctrination for many conscripts to step into our ranks. To you, I am the Twenty-fifth. I see you all have your books and understand how dangerous but necessary this work is that we do. Some come to us because of belief, escaping the war of the land, or seeking a source of income. Whatever has brought you here know that after tonight, after this decision, this war against monsters, there is no going back. Is there anyone who wants to leave?"

"I can't do this," one voice said.

"Return your book and leave with no repercussions."

After a minute, a short man exited the basement, along with one of the masked Bull Prosecutors.

"Follow them Mark," Saul whispered. "They don't escape."

"He is not one of them," Winston replied.

"I don't think it's right either," Tanner said.

"Silence Winston and Tanner, Mark, you know what to do. Think about Tom."

I lowered my gaze as Mark left. My ears perked as the voices continued from in the basement.

"Now then, for those that remain, remove your masks. There should be no secrets between brothers and sisters."

The whispers in the room grew. There was uneasiness in each voice until one young man uttered the words everyone thought.

"You brought the deputy here, Twenty-fifth?"

A silence took the room.

"Do not be afraid. Richard wishes to join our ranks. The deputy understands our holy work."

"The deputy can't be trusted. He would be the same as that demon Saul," the young man's voice uttered. Saul's name was on the lips of the others.

"Saul and Richard are two different people," Twenty-fifth said. "You must look at a man individually and not as a part of a group."

"Twenty-fifth, we should have him leave," the young man said.

"No, this is also a part of the ceremony," Twenty-fifth said.

"I recognize you now. I arrested you before. That is why you are so hostile towards me," Richard said.

"You and Saul dragged my brother off to the war of the land for that damn bank. If he stays, then I am leaving."

Richard sighed. "It is hard for many of you to see me outside the establishment of the Sheriff's Office. But I only do what I have to do for work. It does not mean that I haven't noticed the strangeness of the things around me. This work is necessary to protect our country, and I, as a deputy, am the best person to provide information, but if you want me to leave, I can. Do you want to wander in the dark and become some creature's prey?"

People whispered before giving their support one after another for Richard to stay. The ceremony continued. They read words from the book as if casting down an incantation. One initiate after another was called and welcomed into the fold. The process took hours, but if they had such divine protection, they would know that Richard was not one of them. It was followed by many chattering amongst themselves.

Twenty-fifth and Richard spoke with each other.

"Have you ever seen a werewolf, Richard?"

"No, I never have, you?"

"Yeah, I hunted two."

"Two of them were they actually people?"

"Yeah, we killed one of them the other day," another voice interjected.

"Shush," Twenty-fifth said.

"What? The undertaker buried him about a month ago, the one they called Tom. That bastard! They tried to bury it in the church, so we burned it. I —"

"Enough," Twenty-fifth said.

My teeth lay bare as I rushed forward towards the basement. Rage pressing me on. I wanted blood.

"Wait," Winston said. "We don't know enough."

My hand changed, and I broke the wooden door into pieces with one swift movement. A startled reaction followed inside as I rushed down the stairs. My hand worked like a hammer pounding on the second door until nothing was left. I entered, and the others followed.

Inside, many people filled the dull room. Most had gathered in the back. The only person standing before me was Richard.

"Save us, deputy," Twenty-fifth called.

"We need silver," another said.

"It's on the horses."

"No one's going to save you," Saul replied. He entered, and Richard walked towards us.

"Why would you do it?" I asked. They greeted my words with no answers but begging.

"It's the sheriff."

"They're monsters too."

"Oh, my god."

"Deputy do something?"

"He is one of them!"

"Why are you monsters here? Get out of our town!"

"Why? It doesn't matter anymore, you're all going to die. Artemis gazes," Saul said.