The walk back to the road was long when you were alone, but somehow she still got back before she figured out how she would explain everything. There was too much to say and some of it wasn't important to them. Mac stopped pacing when she emerged and spoke before anyone else, “Well, what did he say? Can we get to the body? What killed him?” Sheriff Montok set a thin hand on Macs shoulder, “You need to learn a modicum of patience deputy Moore. The Leshy likes to obfuscate things and it takes a moment to parse even with experience.”

  He nodded at her, “Miss Lesnik, please take your time.” She breathed in and out slowly before starting with what they were there for, “He's dead but the Leshy doesn't know how he died, only what killed him.” Mac frowned, “That makes no sense, how could he know one and not the other?” She met the sheriff's eyes while answering the question, “Because the mana well killed him. It stirred and he used the poacher to soothe it back into sleep.”

  Montok and Chief Sky glanced at each other with disturbed looks, the chief asked the obvious question, “Does he know what disturbed the well?” She shrugged, “If he does then he wasn't inclined to tell me. I got him to agree to try and get the poachers' personal effects but he made no promises on actually getting them since he didn't know how exactly he died. Said he knew for certain that the man was dead though and the well is quiet again.”

  Montok grimaced, “Hopefully he can get us something. I would rather New Breed kept their noses out of our preserve. What else did he say?” She hesitated, almost mentioned the storm, then thought better of it, “He found evidence that a black magic ritual was cast in the forest too. There's a veil up that he's working on breaking, so he doesn't know details yet. He asked for our patrols to keep their eyes peeled for anything unusual out there for him. The rest was personal affairs. I don't know why he doesn't just visit more if he wants to talk.”

  The chief frowned, “A ritual… how does he not know anything about it?” She shrugged, “He said there was a veil laid out to block his sight. One of the unicorns is helping but they haven't pierced it yet. He says it's outer realm magic.” Montok rubbed his chin, “He said a veil? Not a ward?” She nodded and he frowned deeply, “That would be why, veils shift the area out of phase with the world around it, getting piercing one without being keyed to it is almost impossible. Not a lot of mortals can even place one in this age, it's almost a lost art. I'll put out inquiries to see if anyone who can has been seen around here.”

  Mac frowned, “It's uncommon among the immortals too, I know the high fae can place one but none of them should be on the material plain. Maybe someone summoned something? Or maybe something old woke up. I'll get my da to ask around, the clans keep an eye on the other fae and where they live professionally. If it's fae, they'll know.” Montok nodded, “Good thinking. Actually, ask him what it would cost me to hire a shaman too? If the unicorns can't break the veil then a shaman might have tricks to get around it, they can plains walk in ways even unicorns can't.” Mac nodded, “Sure thing boss, but I'll tell you now it won't be cheap. Our budget might not be able to handle it.”

  Montok sighed, “Probably. Still, ask.” Mac nodded. There was a pause before Mac asked cautiously, “Do we believe his story about what happened to the poacher? I mean, he has lied to us before.” Myla shrugged, “I doubt he's actually lying. I don't think he told me everything, but he sounded worried talking about the well stirring and about the ritual. I think he suspects the two are related, but knowing him he's not going to ask for more help than he already has. He's too proud for that.” Mac snorted, “Of course he is. Pride always comes before the fall.”

  Montok looked down the trail towards the clearing thoughtfully before glancing at Chief Sky, “If he set that pride to ask for help then maybe this is more worrisome than we're thinking. Think I should contact the Unity?” The Chief chewed his lip for a second, “Not yet. Let's get more information on what we're dealing with first, Major Klien just took command of the local guard unit, he's as subtle as a sledgehammer. We don't need his jackboots stomping into the exclusion zone, they'll piss off someone powerful that way. They might get a lot of people killed doing that.”

  Montok sighed, “Too true, and if he gets himself killed too… I don't need Bouras taking an interest in our preserve like that. Very well, I'll head back to my office and contact New Breed Security. With any luck this will be the end of the matter.” Myla cleared her throat, “Before you go, can I have a couple minutes of your time?” His black eyes swung to her, “Ah yes, your humanitarian issue. Of course Miss Lesnik, what can I do for you?”

  Mac stepped closer with a sulky interest and she cleared her throat, “Mac, no offense to you, but I said I would only talk to Sheriff Montok about this. Katarzyna seems to want to keep her business as private as possible.” Mac looked disappointed but nodded, “Right, course. Should I wait in the car?” Montok nodded, “Thank you deputy.” The chief checked his phone, “That's my cue to get back to it. When you're done Myla, we need a ranger to babysit a tour hike at two thirty. Should just take an hour but you know how it goes with city folk.”

  She grimaced, “But chief-” He talked over her smoothly, “And since you were late you missed the good assignments anyway.” She fought off a deep sigh and nodded, “Sure thing chief. This shouldn't take long, I'll head straight over after. Nature center as usual?” He nodded, “Got it in one. See you later Mo.” Montok nodded to him and they watched him leave. Finally alone he turned to her, “So Miss Lesnik, tell me about our secretive new guest.” She gestured for him to walk with her over to her truck and he obliged, she didn't think Mac could hear them but it didn't hurt to get some distance anyway.

  “So you heard she wandered in last night?” He nodded and she continued, “Right, her name’s Katarzyna Mazur, she actually speaks several languages and English just isn't one of them. She's Polish. No cellphone, no ID, no money, says she has nowhere to go.” He frowned, “You suspect she was trafficked?” She rubbed the back of her head, “I thought so but she claims otherwise.” He studied her, “Then we should send her to the city. They have the resources to confirm the truth and get her home.”

  She shook her head, “That was my first instinct too but she's not human. She's a vampire.” Montok suddenly regarded her with rapt attention, “Really now? And you've confirmed this?” She nodded, “Yes sir. I uh… well she was rather… malnourished as she put it and I… helped her with it. So I can confirm she's what says she is with complete confidence.” Montok pursed his lips, “I thought you looked pale, I simply assumed that was a hangover. That was a dangerous thing to do with an unknown vampire, Miss Lesnik.”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  She coughed, “I’m aware but I was able to confirm that if she had wanted to take my blood she could have easily. My grandfather knows her from the old country.” His eyebrows rose, “Fascinating. How did she come to arrive at our town last night?” The tricky part. How much more did she say? “She's been buried for years. The Leshy thinks the well stirring woke her, so he directed her to me apparently. Not directly, manipulated the forest as he tends to, fed her deer until she got here. Apparently she was in some old military research site.”

  He considered it for a long moment, “How is the well connected to her?” Of course he asked what she had. Time to walk the line then, “I asked the same thing, and she's not. She's just what woke up and we might be lucky it was her and not something worse. He said she used to be fairly well known as a scholar actually.” She resisted the urge to hold her breath and was relieved when Montok nodded, “I see. This does certainly fall under the purview of the preserve, vampires are rare creatures. I assume you wish for me to place her within the settlement program then?”

  She nodded, “Yes sir, if you would be so kind. She went dark midway through the nineteenth century so we're really just catching her up on recent history, along with the usual process for getting her a job, place to stay, identity paperwork, nothing out of the ordinary. Er, except maybe for dietary arrangements. I'm not certain how many people would be as understanding as me when it comes to giving her blood.” She couldn't stop a blush from creeping up her neck, a few people might want to do it if they knew how she liked to feed.

  Not that she would say that to him. If Montok noticed anything then he at least didn't say anything, “I see. I assume she will not rise until nightfall?” She nodded, “We could wake her up sooner but from what she told me she's not entirely coherent during the day.” He nodded, “Very well, bring her by the office after sunset then. I'll be sure to be present.” She gave him a grateful smile, “Thanks sheriff. Just be warned, she's skittish.” He chuckled, “Miss Lesnik, I know you weren't born during the shadow days, but I was. I understand exactly what she's going through because I went through it myself. I will handle things gently.”

  He started to turn away and paused, “Ah but there is one thing I would like to ask if you are amenable to it. Since you've already started to build trust with her and know her situation, I would like to suggest you as her companion for the transition process.” She blinked, “Oh. Um yes, I would be glad to. I was going to suggest as much anyway, not a lot of people in town speak her languages.” He nodded, “Plenty out in the glens would know it, but you are correct about the town itself.” He gestured to her, “You being her companion will ultimately be at her discretion mind you, but I can't imagine who else she would request either.” She nodded again, “Thank you sheriff.” He patted her on the shoulder, “I will see you tonight Miss Lesnik.”

  It was nearly six when Myla dragged herself into the Mystic Brews again, it was dead this time of day so she knew she wouldn't need to wait. She trudged up to the counter and looked down at Dan. He eyed her, “Black coffee no sugar?” She nodded, “Yeah. Add in a muffin too. Chocolate.” He chuckled as he punched in the simple order, “You look like death warmed over, bad day?” She rubbed her face, “Babysat a tour. We got unlucky and met a dryad on the way.” He set the muffin in front of her and went for the coffee, “How's that bad exactly?”

  She sighed, “There was a sixteen year old boy in the group and she managed to lure him off the trail. Three hours of negotiations Dan. Three. Stupid tree slut wanted him to be her brood stud, thought him being sixteen was just ideal because it meant he would last longer. I had to call in backup from the chief.” He paused, glanced around to see if anyone was looking before leaning over, “Want this Irish? I've got something for special occasions you can have.”

  She shook her head, “Nah, I shouldn't drink right now, I haven't eaten much today.” Alice pushed her way out from the back, “Hey Dan I'm out for the day. Oh hey Myla! Wow you look like shit.” She sipped the black coffee gratefully, “Why thanks both of you for pointing it out. It's all a girl wants to hear.” She trudged to a chair and slumped into before checking when sunset was. She was going to need to be home in a few minutes but she had time to eat the muffin first. She just took her first bite when Alice sat down across from her, “Wanna vent?”

  Myla shrugged and swallowed, “Stubborn dryad, teen boy, three hours of bullshit.” Alice nodded, “And a long night? Oooooor early morning?” She should have seen this coming. She could blow it off, but pa was sort of right. She did want to talk to someone. That it was Alice was awkward but she was her best friend. She glanced around and finally admitted, “I didn't get to sleep till nine.” Alice grinned, “Shut up, no you didn't.” She laughed tiredly, “I almost regret staying up. Almost. It was… it was probably the most fun I've had in a couple years.”

  Alice scooter closer, “You have to tell me about it.” Myla shook her head, “Fine but I can't stay long, I've got a meeting with Sheriff Montok in a bit. I was just stopping by for fuel before that.” She looked disappointed but nodded, “Fine fine, now dets. Did you rock that girls world?” Myla sighed, “God help me but it was the other way around, I’ve never met someone that feral before.” She grinned, “Seriously? A girl like her? She looks so innocent!” Myla leaned forward, “Oh she is not a girl. Not at all, she's actually older than us. And she decided the best way to find out if I was gay was by leaving the shower curtain part way open to give me a show.”

  Alice grinned, “No she didn't.” Myla shrugged, “She wanted to see if I could keep my eyes off her. We didn't even make it to my bedroom for the first hour.” Alice giggled and made a face, “Jesus girl, I hope you're gonna clean your couch before I come over.” Myla covered her grin with her cup, “And my chair. The coffee table. Dining room table, kitchen counter, the floor on the way to my room…” Alice whistled, “Christ, you aren't kidding when you say she's feral.” Myla found herself rubbing her shoulder, “And she's a biter too.”

  She sipped her coffee, “I don't think I've ever been so scared of and attracted to someone a foot shorter than me. She actually passed out while saying she was up for another round. Just needed a five minute break, she said.” Alice snorted in amusement, “I take it that she wasn't out there for the reasons we thought?” She shook her head, “No she was…” Myla paused and cleared her throat, “Actually I can't really say yet. At her request I mean. She's… well she's actually more skittish than you might think knowing all that.”

  Alice frowned, “Skittish how?” Myla thought about it and shrugged, “Like she was practically throwing herself at me at the party and then went cold once we started actually real talk. I know what she is now, but I had to talk her into letting me tell the sheriff so we could get her back on her feet.” Alice frowned, “Why tell the sheriff if that's all there is to it?” She blinked at Alice, “Uh… cause he's the local rep for the settlement program.” Alice slowly sat forward, “Wait. Is she still in the shadows?” Myla nodded, “Yep.”

  She glanced around and leaned forward, “Between me and you, she hasn't known anything but shadow shit from what she's told me.” Alice drummed her fingers on the table, “How old is she exactly?” Myla shrugged, “Dunno but older than the Return certainly.” Alice studied her, “Wow. Definitely doesn't look her age then. I'm guessing she also doesn't want people to know where she came from?” Myla shook her head, “Nope.” Alice frowned, “So she's definitely a serial killer right?”

  Myla nearly choked on her coffee, “What? No! Er, probably not?” Alice steepled her fingers, “She came out of the woods, doesn't want anyone to know where she came from, what she is, and I'm pretty sure she had a gun.” She stared at Alice, “You noticed the gun too? And didn't say anything?” She grinned, “I didn't know for certain but now I do. She didn't hide it from you?”

  Myla chewed her lip then coughed, “She um… she used it as an excuse to get me to touch her?” Alice nodded slowly, “Yup. Serial killer.” Myla sighed and finished her muffin, “Not a serial killer, but maybe a little crazy? I gotta go, I need to pick her up for the meeting with the sheriff.” Alice called after her, “Don't blame me when she murders you and eats your kidneys!” Myla decided never to tell Alice about how she fed Kasia. She would never hear the end of it if she did.