The artwork above is not mine.

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    Ruhn stood across the street from a raucous club. Thumping music poured from the open doors of the White Raven and a long line curved around the block. Getting into the White Raven could take hours, unless you pulled rank or were friends with the owner.

    Ruhn only went to the club occasionally. The reason he was tempted to right now was because of who he'd just seen walk in: Sarai, Nathalie, and Bryce. He hadn't seen Sarai since she came to his house, although he'd texted her almost every day. They needed to resume their investigation as soon as possible, and they would after he found Marcus Trejon.

     That was the reason why he was near the White Raven and Asphodel Meadows in the first place. Ruhn had sent out more patrols to watch for the Shifter, and placed himself, Flynn, and Declan on one too. Their unit was working this street tonight.

    If he wasn't on duty, he wouldn't hesitate to grab Flynn and go to the club. To find Sarai and talk to her. Offer to buy her a drink. Maybe compliment her outfit. She had been wearing a wine red tank top, brown leather pants, and her Aux boots. A casual outfit, but one well suited to her. The gold cuff earrings and golden chain necklace that she wore as accents only added to the look.

    "Hey," Flynn called. "We're moving up the street. Are you coming or what?"

    "Yeah, sorry." Ruhn shook his head in an effort to clear his thoughts and followed his friend.

    "What were you doing anyway?"

    "Bryce was there with Sarai and Nathalie. I saw them walk in."

    "Ah," Flynn gave him a sly wink. "I'll cover for you if you want to slip away for a few minutes."

    Ruhn smiled. "Not tonight."

    "Your loss."

    Ruhn didn't answer as his phone vibrated. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw that Sarai had sent him an image. He hesitated, then opened it. The picture was of Bryce throwing back a shot. Your cousin could probably put you to shame, Sarai said.

    Convince her to come to one of my parties and we'll see if that's true, Ruhn replied.

    A little difficult to do when I'm not invited myself.

    Fine. You're invited to all of my future parties, Rai Rai.

    Did you know you're a kiss ass?

    Ruhn smirked. No, but I knew I liked to.

    Pervert.

    I'm starting to think that you say that out of jealousy.

    What do I have to be jealous of?

    Ruhn's smirk continued to grow. The fact that I haven't kissed your ass yet.

    And you never will. That's so gross. You really are a pervert.

    Ruhn laughed and snapped a picture of himself, then sent it to her. That's fine. There are other places I could kiss you.

    His eyes widened and heat rushed to his cheeks the next instant. For the love of Urd, why the fuck had he just sent that? She was going to be livid. She'd probably break his leg again the next time she saw him.

    Ruhn shoved his phone in his pocket, clenching his jaw almost painfully. "What?" Flynn urged. "What's wrong?" He gasped. "You're blushing. Burning Solas, you're blushing. Why are you blushing?"

    "I'm not blushing," Ruhn gritted out, trying desperately to calm himself.

    "Dec!" Flynn hollered.

    "If you don't shut the fuck up, I'm going to rip your tongue out."

    "Declan!"

    "Flynn..." Ruhn warned.

    "What is it?" Declan appeared up ahead. "What's wrong?"

    "Ruhn is blushing, and I guarantee it has something to do with a certain wolf shifter he saw go into the White Raven. That was her you were texting, wasn't it?" Flynn elbowed him suggestively. Ruhn grabbed his arm and wrenched it behind his back. "Ow, shit! All right, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" He released the male.

    Flynn flashed him an unapologetic grin and sprinted over to Declan. Ruhn walked a short distance behind them, doing his best not to listen to what they were saying. His phone buzzed and his heart skipped a beat. A minute passed, then another. At last, he pulled his phone out.

    Ruhn drew a deep breath, readying himself to face Sarai's wrath. He read the message and surprise crept over him. I'm still not sure about you, Chosen One. I guess we'll have to see. A small shiver raced down his spine. Ruhn put his phone away and hurried to catch up with Flynn and Declan, unable to wipe the grin from his face.

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    Sarai downed a shot of whiskey, relishing the familiar burn and warmth of the alcohol. She needed something to explain the too warm flush that had crept through her body. She certainly couldn't tell Bryce and Nathalie that it was because of...

    No, she wouldn't admit it even to herself. She didn't want to think about what Ruhn had said. The thoughts that had followed. Thoughts that should've repulsed her, but instead, left her warm and tingling and...

    "Fuck me," Sarai muttered under her breath.

    She took another shot and scanned the club for her two friends. She spotted them not far off. Bryce was dancing with a wild passion while Nathalie cheered her on, drunkenly swaying on her feet. Sarai smiled to herself.

    Nathalie never could handle lightseeker and alcohol mixed together. She'd be on a high all night, but towards dawn, she'd become nothing more than a puking mess. Sarai would probably end up spending the night with her so that she wasn't alone when her hangover set in.

    Would Ruhn still be on patrol when they left the club, Sarai wondered? Would he try to talk to them? She wasn't sure she could face him until she'd had time to process their conversation. She didn't want to turn into a flustered mess in front of him. He'd never let her live it down. Not after the way she'd so thoroughly scorned his own attraction.

    Sarai grabbed Nathalie's discarded glass and swirled the amber liquid within it. She took a small sip as another thought occurred to her. What Ruhn had said... Did that mean it was something he thought about? Did he think about kissing her? Even after so many years, was he still attracted to her?

    "This is ridiculous," Sarai hissed. She downed the last of Nathalie's drink and joined her friends on the dance floor.

    "There you are, Rai," Nathalie drawled. She slung an arm around Sarai's shoulders. "I missed you!"

    "I missed you too," Sarai giggled.

    "You should've seen her, Sarai!" Bryce pulled her phone out of her pocket and pulled up a video.

    Sarai watched as Nathalie pirouetted right into a tiger shifter, knocking him off his feet. Nathalie apologized profusely while the Shifter picked himself up, then became a drooling mess as he laughed, flicked the tip of her nose, and walked away.

    "Where was I when this happened?" Sarai demanded.

    "Still at the table. You were on your phone."

    Nathalie gasped suddenly. "Did you invite someone to join us?"

    "Why? Are you hoping Bronson will show up?" Sarai snickered.

    Nathalie blushed and hid her face against Sarai's shoulder. "Why aren't you two official yet?" Bryce asked. She was once again moving to the beat of the music.

    "I don't know," Nathalie mumbled. "We're not ready, I guess."

    "But it's obvious that you care about each other."

    "It's also obvious that you and Connor care about each other," Sarai pointed out.

    Bryce faltered, then found her rhythm again. "That's different. Anyway, enough guy talk. This is a girl's night." Sarai didn't argue, and began to dance.

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    Sarai wasn't sure what time it was when they finally stumbled out of the White Raven. It was either really late or really early. She didn't bother pulling out her phone to check. She doubted she could read the numbers anyway. "I thought I took it easy tonight," Sarai groaned as the sidewalk spun before her eyes. "Did one of you give me something you shouldn't have?"

    "I think it's that mirthroot," Bryce said, her words slurred together. "I can't feel my face." She patted her cheeks and laughed.

    "Who did you even get the stuff from, Nathalie?" Sarai glanced at her friend. She was practically carrying the female.

    Nathalie rubbed her eyes blearily. "Um, I'm not sure. It was some guy Fury introduced us to the last time we were there with her."

    Sarai shook her head with a sigh. Fury Axtar was another one of Bryce's friends. She had rarely been around Fury herself, although Nathalie had frequently gone to the White Raven when Bryce, Danika, Fury, and a young Faun called Juniper were there.

    "Sorry," Nathalie laughed.

    "You sound very apologetic," Sarai replied.

    Something clattered behind them and Sarai paused. She blinked rapidly, attempting to clear her vision. The sound came again. Even Nathalie looked more alert. Sarai drew a deep breath, searching for unfamiliar scents. She reached for the hidden dagger she had armed herself with. No weapons were permitted in the White Raven, which was why she had to be careful with what she chose to carry.

    A figure appeared behind them, his features becoming noticeable as he approached. Bryce drew a sharp breath. "Marcus?"

    If Marcus recognized Bryce, he gave no indication. His hands twitched at his sides, and there was a hungry gleam in his golden eyes. Nathalie shifted into her wolf, a growl rumbling in her throat. Sarai shoved her phone and the dagger into Bryce's palm. "Call Ruhn," she ordered. "Now." Sarai shifted as Marcus advanced.

    Even with their temporarily impaired senses, Sarai knew that she and Nathalie could hold off Marcus until the Aux arrived. At least, she hoped they could. Marcus shifted into a massive golden lion, slightly larger than both her and Nathalie. Sarai bared her teeth in a snarl, pacing towards the Shifter.

    Marcus gave an enraged yowl and barreled into her. Sarai met the attack, catching Marcus with her shoulder. He went flying backwards, tufts of fur floating in his wake. Nathalie pounced before he could right himself. Her talons slashed at one of his legs. Marcus rolled away and Sarai leaped to his other side. She snapped her jaws at his neck. A heavy paw smacked the side of her face and her vision blurred.

    Sarai shook her head, then yelped as Marcus rammed into her. His claws raked through her side and he threw her backwards. The scent of blood stained the air. Sarai heaved herself to her paws and dodged his next attack. Nathalie was sprinting towards them, her claws scraping against the asphalt. She launched herself onto Marcus and dug her talons into his flanks, not letting go even when he began to thrash.

    From the corner of her eye, Sarai saw Bryce lift the phone to her ear. She prayed the female had obeyed her and called Ruhn. With any luck, he was still in the area and could reach them in minutes. But if Bryce had called someone else... Sarai didn't know if they could hold off Marcus long enough for a different Aux unit to reach them.

    Her worry only increased as Marcus bit into Nathalie's scruff and flung her into a wall. Nathalie gave a sharp cry of pain, shifting into herself and falling still. Sarai dodged in front of her friend while the Shifter gave a feral scream and lunged.