Sofia Walker is a fine-looking woman, no denying that. She has long black hair, large dark eyes, and delicate features—a bit like a female version of Sam, actually.

When her eyes meet mine, I feel a spark of connection pass between us that makes my heart trip an extra beat, and a tingle of warmth spread in my chest.

I wonder what she looks like as a bear.

A sharp pinch to my side interrupts that line of thought, and I look down to see Sam glaring up at me. "Pay attention, idiot," he hisses under his breath.

I realize the Walkers are watching me expectantly, and that someone must have asked me a question I didn't hear.

"Sorry, I missed that," I say, hoping the color in my face can be blamed on the cold.

A knowing smirk raises one side of Maria's mouth. "I asked if you'd still like to accompany the boys on the search today," she says.

"Yes, of course," I reply quickly. "I'm happy to help in any way I can."

"Me too," Sam offers. When he draws several skeptical looks, he adds, "I can see things other people can't."

The four Walker cousins look at him with quickened interest, and Maria regards him with a sharp, curious gaze.

"You're Gifted?" she asks.

Sam shifts a half-step closer to my side, seemingly uncomfortable under the sudden scrutiny.

"More or less," he says.

I'm glad he kept his answer vague. Something tells me the whole 'I'm a demon' story might not go over so well.

"I want to help, too," Carlos volunteers. "Just tell me what to do."

His easy grin and open expression dissolve whatever tension had been building in the air, and Maria nods.

"Good. The more eyes out looking for Inez, the better. Come along and get some breakfast, and then you can start."

~☆~

Breakfast is smoked fish, golden potatoes, eggs, and savory sausage. The table is laden with food, seemingly far more than eight people could possibly eat, and I wonder if much will go to waste.

My concerns prove unfounded.

Jack, Elliot, Cass, and Sofia each pack away impression portions, and I don't do so bad myself. Sam and Carlos watch with curious fascination as the table quickly clears.

Over the meal, we learn that the Walkers, as well as a number of other Shifter families, have been searching for Inez in teams, sweeping vast areas of land each day.

"We know she made it to the airport," Sofia says, leaning over the table to reach for the coffee pot. "Roger said she met him at his plane and picked up the order just like she always did. He said she seemed like herself—cheerful, energetic—nothing unusual."

"That's the last anyone saw her," Cass adds around a mouthful of potatoes. "It's like she vanished into thin air."

"What about her vehicle?" I ask.

Elliot shakes his head. "Not a trace. It stands out, too. Here, look."

He rises, crosses the room, and takes a small, framed picture from the wall. Returning, he hands it to me while Sam and Carlos move closer to get a look as well.

In the photo, a woman with long gray braids stands with her arms cross, leaning against the back end of an old Ford Sunliner, painted yellow and black.

"She loves that car," Maria says. "Calls it 'the Hornet.' It's hard to miss."

"I see what you mean," I say. A car like that gets noticed and remembered. "If it hasn't been seen, I'm inclined to think it's either been purposefully hidden, or it isn't there to find."

Maria nods. "I agree. We'd search the whole state—the whole continent—if we could, but all we can do is keeping looking here, in our little corner of the world, and hope..."

She stops, blinking eyes that look suddenly bright, and Sofia leans over to rub a hand across her back.

"On that note, we'd best be going," Jack says. "What about it, Ian? Will you go on two legs or four?"

"Two," I answer with some regret. "My shoulder's still on the mend."

I'd like nothing more than to Shift with them but if I keep re-injuring myself, the bone won't heal properly.

"What happened?" Cass asks, pointing with her fork at the sling I still wear.

"Just an accident," I return. Revealing that Carlos hit me with a wrench would bring up too many things I don't think it would be wise to share.

Sam glances up from his glass of juice and gives me a very small nod. It seems we've both noticed the Walkers might not be too keen on those with Gifts, and if that's the case I doubt demonic possessions rank much higher.

"We'll meet you then," Elliot nods. "We're searching the area near the airport again today. Been over it a hundred times now, it seems, but maybe you'll pick up on something we missed."

A few minutes later I pull my truck around and Sam and Carlos climb aboard. As I prepare to pull away, Sofia approaches with a pair of small packs, which she sets in the back before leaning in to talk to me through the driver's side window.

"Mom packed you some provisions for the day," she says. "There's also a map, a compass, and a radio. Cell coverage is spotty or nonexistent in this area, but the radio will let you talk to us here if you find something or run into trouble."

"Thanks," I reply, making a conscious effort to keep my eyes on her face and away from the front of her shirt.

"Maybe when you get back, we'll have a chance to talk," she says, smiling to reveal even, white teeth. "We don't get many visitors who are also bears. I'd like to hear about your clan."

"S-sure. I'd like that, too."

I notice that somewhere between the end of breakfast and now—a span of about five minutes—she's managed to change her clothes and put on some makeup. She's wearing a loose blouse that falls away from her chest as she leans down, affording me a fairly clear view of what lies beneath. Despite my efforts, I manage to take it in, and I have to admit it's quite scenic.

My sexuality used to confuse the hell out me until I realized I fall somewhere right in the middle between gay and straight. A fine man will always draw my eye, but so will a nice pair of tits, and damn if Sofia doesn't have a nice—

"Ahem," Sam clears his throat and I turn to find him glaring black fire. "I think we should get going, don't you?"

Sofia bends down a bit further so she can see him and frowns. "Of course. Good hunting out there."

Flashing me one more smile, she backs away and waves before turning and walking towards the house. As I watch her go, I wonder if it would cross her mind that Sam and I might be more than friends, and whether or not I will need to make that clear.

As attractive as she is, I'm not interested.

I've got all the heat I can handle and, judging by the way Sam is looking at me right now, possibly more.

As we drive out along the road following Jack and Elliot in their beat-up old Dodge, my phone rings. I glance at the screen and see a number I don't recognize, but it's got my home area code so I answer.

"Ian Foley."

"Foley, it's Dane Hunter. Julian said you wanted me to call."

I feel the corners of my mouth dip in a reflexive frown. No one would mistake Dane and me for friends, though we'd parted amicably enough. Before he'd come along, some foolish part of me had hoped that Julian and I might still have a chance. Dane had proven me wrong. He'd been for Julian what I'd failed to be: a good man. I knew he didn't like me, and I didn't blame him. I didn't like me either, though maybe that was starting to change.

"Yeah, sorry to bother you, but I wanted some advice. Turns out the woman I came to Alaska to see is missing—has been for a week. I was hoping you might have some tips on what to do in such a situation."

"Sure," he answers, his deep voice gruff. "Leave it to the professionals. I assume someone's filed a missing person report? Stay out of the way and let law enforcement do their job."

"That's rich, coming from a private detective," I shoot back before I can stop myself.

He says nothing, and after a few seconds, I take a breath.

"Sorry." I sigh and go on, "I guess the authorities are spread a little thin right now. The family's stepping up, doing what they can themselves. I just want to help."

For a moment there's silence, and I wonder if he's going to be an asshole for the heck of it, but finally, he speaks. "Okay, tell me what's been done so far."

I relay what I know.

"Sounds like they're on the right track," Dane says. "I'm afraid I don't have much to offer without being there, but give me the missing woman's info and I'll do a check. See what comes up."

I give him Inez's name and address. "There's something else," I add, and tell him about the recent spate of deaths.

When I finish, Dane swears.

"Jesus Foley, you might have lead with that. The fact that a bunch of other Shifters have turned up dead puts a different spin on things."

"Sorry," I say again, clenching my jaw. I know he doesn't have the greatest opinion of my intellect, and I don't blame him for that either. "Some people are thinking it might be a hun—uh, a witch-hunter," I amend, given his name.

"Hm. There could be something to that, actually," he says. "I had a similar case once, a few years ago. I'll look up my old files and call you back."

"Thanks, Hunter. I owe you."

There's a pause, and I can almost see him shrug.

"Hey, Ian," he says, surprising me with the use of my first name, "be careful. If someone is killing Shifters, specifically bears, that makes you a target. Watch your back."

"Uh...thanks. I will."

I end the call and blow out a long breath. This trip is starting to seem like less and less of a good idea all the time.