Before long they were on a hill overlooking the villa, and they settled down to watch the comings and goings of the place. Most of the traffic seemed normal. It appeared that the villa employed a number of locals, and there was a shift-change to the night staff while they watched.

After the shift change, Dema noticed a difference in the pattern of movement within the compound. A particular shed that had been ignored before was now visited twice, once to remove something, then later to put something in it. The shed was windowless, and the door was doubly locked with both a dead-bolt and a padlock. This, Dema felt certain, was where the drugs were kept.

The hours slipped by, and activity within the compound quieted down. Most of the lights went out, and Dema nudged Juan and headed down the hill. They left Pup behind where he could call to them if he sensed any danger approaching. There was a high wall around the compound, but not so high it couldn't be mounted in a shadowy corner by a pair of coyotes.

There were two guards making rounds inside, but they too were easily avoided by coyotes that kept to the shadows. They made their way to the locked shed. Dema's coyote-nose confirmed her shaman-sense that there were drugs inside.

Dema shifted briefly to her natural form, the better to dream the locks open. Once inside, they pulled a number of packages off the shelves and tore at them with their paws, scattering the contents around the floor. They were both careful to avoid inhaling any of the dust.

Satisfied with their work, they left the door of the shed unlocked and retreated to the hilltop to observe the result of their actions. The compound stayed quiet. The two guards were patrolling the perimeter and never noticed the shed door standing open.

Once they were safely hidden on the hilltop, Dema and Juan shifted back to their natural form. Dema was aware that doing this would shed any dust from the drugs that might have clung to their fur. She made the shift off to one side of where they planned to settle down. Juan did the same. Then they relaxed their vigil and prepared to nap until dawn. Again they were trusting Pup to guard the perimeter and warn them of any approaching danger.

"You make a good coyote, Dema," said Juan. "I was impressed with how readily you adapted to the form. I've never heard of another who made it look so easy. Even men of the spirit are usually too solid to master more than one alternate form."

"I've been practicing the coyote-dream with Pup. That makes all the difference. But you make a good coyote yourself, there, Juan. Pretty frisky though. We're lucky I wasn't in heat. Even my grandmother might have trouble understanding if I went home and gave birth to a litter of puppies!"

Juan was glad it was dark so she couldn't see him blush. The idea was too tempting.