"It's a nice night out tonight."

McTiernan turned to the thick voice interrupting the silence of the dark. He turned to see Kieran leaned against the cruiser, a cigarette lit in his mouth.

McTiernan shined his flashlight on Kieran's face, his demeanor tense and on alert. "You're on my car, son."He stood in front of him, but far enough to safely get away from any impending danger.

Kieran turned and looked at the car he leaned against as if he was surprised he was on it."And so it is. Tell me, Sheriff, how goes it here in Augusta? Nice town?"

"Do I know you?"

"Not yet." Kieran grinned. "Heard about that fight tonight. Augusta can be a pretty crazy place."

"I'll ask you one more time to get off my vehicle, son."

"I'm not your son." Kieran glared at him. "You'll do well to listen to me, I have a favor to ask."

McTiernan glared at him, his hand hovering over his sidearm. "Who are you?"

"Eh," Kieran smiled. "Just a concerned citizen of Augusta. Riko's Bar is now off limits to law enforcement going forward. I'd turn a blind eye to any goings on around there if I were you. You and your deputies. It doesn't even have a blip on your GPS. We clear?"

McTiernan stared at him as if he just lost his mind. He proceeded to aim his gun at Kieran as he stepped forward. "I am the Sheriff of Augusta. Who are hell are you to tell me what to do?"

Kieran shook his head, his tone turned ominous. "That wouldn't be smart McTiernan. Not smart at all. Considering I'm ready to pay you for your silence. It's either that or you wind up part of Augusta's missing. And a town needs their sheriff."

"Go to hell!" He pressed the gun up to Kieran's face. "I ought to run you in for harassment and extortion. You playing games with me? Who the hell you think you are, son?"

Kieran grabbed the gun and in one fluid movement elbowed McTiernan in the throat knocking the wind outta him. "One, I'm not your fucking son." He put deeper pressure against McTiernan's head. "And two, I tried the polite angle. It just never seems to work with you humans." He snatched him up and tossed him against the car with a thud. Kieran looked at the gun, then threw it so far it disappeared into the darkness. "That was only gonna piss me off even more trying to shoot me."

When McTiernan managed to get his focus back from the blow, he went pale as he found himself staring into two bright yellow eyes. Kieran's face was twisted in anger, growling at him.

"Jesus, what the fuck are you?!" his voice cracked revealing a fear that matched his eyes.

"I'm what makes you check your back seats and closets. I am horror. Guess I'll put this to you in a way even for a small town prick for you to understand. You may not understand what I am, but rest assured we are many. If you interfere or tell anyone about the things going on here..."

He paused to smile and expose his canines. "I'll rip up your family and maim you so you can watch—are we clear?"

McTiernan nodded with a quickness as his stomach felt sick from the confusion and fear that plagued him. "I understand," he sighed in defeat. "I understand. I don't want any trouble."

Kieran blinked his eyes to his natural blues, still smiling. "Good. As long as we understand each other." He released McTiernan who leaned against the door. "You should run along now, McTiernan. It's late. You have no idea what's running around here in the dark."

McTiernan scurried into his car and with a quick glance to Kieran, pinned the petal to back out, screeching the tires and in the midst of his terror, began to drive away.

Dante came up to him as he watched McTiernan's tail lights fade into the distance. "Want me to tail him or nah?"

"Nah. He reeked of shit and fear. He's not going to do anything brave. What did you find out about that fight at Riko's?"

"Some Aristan and some Thesians got into a pissing contest over some mangy courtesha. It's nothing."

Kieran paused glaring at Dante. "Aristan? Did he have a pack?"

Dante shook his head. "Nope. Dumb bastard was alone and didn't identify himself as Artisan. Probably making trouble. Why what's up?"

Kieran began to ponder if his relentless foe managed to find him. But Aidan didn't travel without the Azans and he was sure the council would have made him anyway. Aidan only cared about the missions, so it would be a different tune if he rebel-roused at a bar.

It seemed unlikely. And yet still...

"Messing with humans. When will our kind ever learn not to tamper with the weak? They are only good for a handful of tasks. In any case, find out who she was. Humans hold a better palette of scents than our kind."

"I'll check up with some guys tomorrow."

"Good. If you or anyone else sees an Aristan ShadowShifter packing with anyone here, I want to know about it. I won't have any damn Aristans especially trying to play hero in this town. I have a little surprise coming for old Tiberius' pack, understand?"

Dante smiled exposing his canines. "Absolutely."

Kieran grinned. "I love having an understanding with my new brethren. No council..." he trailed off. "I am the fucking council!" His maniacal laughter echoed as he tipped his head to the moon. "Arista or Thesia—what does it matter, Dante. We all know the simple primal rules that our creators instilled in both of our kind."

Dante stretched his body. "And what's that?"

"Survival of the fittest, Dante." Kieran's eyes glowed as he grinned at Dante. "Survival of the fittest."

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