Bruce Webb returned to Tarpon Springs at dusk hoping to turn in the waverunner unnoticed. He piloted the craft into the marina at just above idle speed to keep the engine noise low. Being a Sunday night, most boaters had to work the next day, so there were few people around. He saw no sign of Tipstaff Security forces.

He tied the watercraft to its assigned slip and considered his next move. He had nothing to drink for nearly twenty-four hours and was dizzy and parched. A vending machine sat outside the harbormaster's office. Webb bought a half-liter bottle of water and chugged it. He bought another and drank it slower. The water refreshed him, and he started to feel better.

On his mental list of things to purchase, Webb thought of blankets, some sort of waterproof bag to store them in, gallon bottles of water, power bars for energy, and canned tuna for protein. Also, flashlights and batteries.

He didn't know how long Cassandra needed to go through her change. Days? Weeks? He wanted to carry enough supplies to Anclote for an extended stay.

Next item of business, he pulled his phone and called Bonnie. She didn't answer. His call went to voice mail. He wouldn't tell her he'd be in an area of no cell coverage. If Tipstaff visited his wife and questioned her, they would figure out he was on the water since virtually no part of Florida was without cell service.

Deciding to play it cool, he left a message. "Bonnie, I'm on a silent stakeout and can't have my phone on. I'm well and hope to have things wrapped up soon." He paused. "I love you and need you to trust me. I'll explain when I get home. Tell Brandon I said hello." He ended the call and took a deep, cleansing breath.

When he entered the office, a woman sat behind the counter instead of the salty old harbormaster. It would've been too long a day for one person, so the woman probably worked closing.

He laid the keys on the counter. "I'm returning a waverunner rental. I'll need to re-rent it again first thing in the morning."

The woman checked his paperwork. Casually, she walked from behind the counter to the door and locked it. Standing in front of the door, she yelled, "It's him."

Four men appeared from a back room. Two of them he recognized, Milos Argyros and Rafe, the young man who had been Cassandra's date. The other two, Webb figured were muscle.

Milos pulled a handgun from his waistband and pressed it against Webb's forehead. "I will only ask you one time. Where is my niece?"

He should've anticipated this move and mentally kicked himself for overlooking the obvious. Tipstaff may not have visited the marina yet, but Milos and his crew would've interrogated the old harbormaster.

"She is safe." He looked Milos directly in the eye, a difficult thing to do with a gun pressed to his forehead. "Before I tell you more, I assume you understand Cassandra is...different. Maybe the other people in this room aren't aware of her true nature and shouldn't hear what I need to say."

"I trust all my men."

"The same as you trusted Nico?"

Webb saw the hard expression on Milos's face soften. A few seconds ticked by.

Milos glanced at his men. "Wait for me in the backroom."

The two muscle men obeyed right away.

He glanced at the woman. "You too Ofelia, and you too Rafe."

"Bullshit," Rafe protested. "I'm going to hear what he has to say. If this asshole is lying and he hurt her in any way, I'll tear him to pieces."

Ofelia crossed her arms in front of her. "I'm staying too."

Webb glanced at Rafe, still aware of the gun barrel pressed to his forehead. "Young man, I know you care for Cassandra and respect her. That being the case, please understand, she needs to be the one to reveal her secrets to you. You shouldn't hear the things I need to tell Mister Argyros."

Rafe bristled. "What things?"

"Is it her time?" Milos asked in a soft voice.

Webb nodded.

The Greek lowered his handgun. "I don't understand why she came to you instead of me or her aunt Marnie. Who are you?"

"My name is Bruce Webb. I'm not sure why I'm involved. There are forces at work I don't understand."

"You're stalling," Rafe shouted, his face cherry red. "I'll torture you to death if you don't tell me where she is in the next five seconds."

Milos's stepped toward his stepson. "That's enough, Rafe. I'm handling this." He turned his attention back to Webb. "How did you come to know about Cassandra and her kind?"

"Her kind?" Rafe gave a nervous chuckle. "What are you talking about? You sound as if Cassie is a space alien."

Both Webb and Milos ignored the young man. Webb decided to explain what he could. "I'm going to tell you the truth, and I hope you don't kill me for it."

Milos grinned. "I am a great admirer of the truth."

A non-committal response. It was the best Webb figured he'd get. "I used to be a paramilitary contractor. That's how I know Nico. He and I were crew. I resigned from Tipstaff Security after the raid on Mya and Cassie's home. Let's say I had a crisis of conscience."

The Greek's eyes narrowed, and he raised his gun. "Did you kill my brother's wife?"

Webb took a breath and tried to calm his nerves. "I wasn't the man who pulled the trigger, but I was there. I'm just as guilty."

"You have balls telling me this."

"That's how you can know I'm being truthful. I will never betray your niece into the hands of the butcher hunting her. I didn't know Nico had infiltrated your organization until last night. If I did, I would have either gotten word to you or stopped him myself."

Rafe rocked back and forth on his feet. "I don't understand any of this. What the hell is this man talking about? Where is Cassandra?"

"Hiding on Anclote Key," Webb said.

Rafe headed for the door. "C'mon then, what are we waiting for?"

"It's pitch black and there are no lights on that island. Besides, you can't see her the way she is."

The young man marched toward Webb and got into his personal space. "What do you mean the way she is? You perverted lecher. What did you do to her?"

Webb looked at Milos.

"Calm down, Rafe," the Greek said. Then he turned to Webb. "It's okay. Ofelia and Rafe are family."

Webb took it to mean he should tell them the rest.

So, he did.

Ofelia held a hand to her mouth and addressed Milos. "Is he implying your brother's wife–"

"–Was one of them," Milos completed her sentence. "Cassandra inherited her mother's royal blood."

Rafe slumped into the harbormaster's chair. He scrubbed a hand across his face. "This must be some sort of practical joke. Milos, Mom, why are all of you screwing with me? Cassandra is not a monster!"

Webb approached and stood beside him. "Never forget that, Rafe. Cassie is no monster. She's a girl, like any other girl, except she has a gift. The process she's going through right now is temporary. Afterwards, she'll have the same needs and desires as any other human woman. She can love, and she will need love. Don't let her true nature put you off."

Rafe looked up and met each of their gazes. "You're serious, aren't you?"

Webb revealed his plan to return with supplies to watch over Cassie's transformation.

"Forget the waverunner," Rafe said. "It's too small. We'll pile the supplies in my sponge harvesting boat."

"She doesn't want to see you. Not in the state she's in."

"I don't give a damn. I need to see Cassie, because I'm not sure I believe any of what you're saying. Don't even try to stop me."

Milos cleared his throat. "Mr. Webb, perhaps it would be best if Rafe accompanied you. If you leave in the morning, it won't be suspicious if anyone is watching. Rafe normally takes his boat out every morning. Also, two of you watching over my niece are better than one."

Cassie wouldn't like it. Webb suspected she would be mortified if Rafe witnessed her undergoing the transformation. He hoped she would understand, because there was no talking the young man out of it.

Question - Is it a good idea for Rafe to go with Webb?