And he was a companion of the current God Touched warrior on Earth, who was himself the self-fallen angel, Malahidael, and a major impediment to Hell’s plans for Earth. An impediment who was undoubtedly either on scene or soon would be. Her little display in the office of the dentist had to have caught that one’s attention. After all, she had designed it that way.

She watched with eyes that could see in absolute pitch black. That pathetic Princess of Fairie had been unable to contain her vitriol for this witch and his female, this very werewolf standing not fifty yards away. Lilith sank back into the shadows, knowing werewolf night vision was excellent but unconcerned with her scent, as the predominant winds in this little burg came from the neighboring political region to the west, across the big lake, and those gusts came straight up the hill in cold, blustery blasts. She was standing uphill and upwind of the interesting couple. However, that same covering wind made it difficult to hear their discussion; only rarely did a word or two get through, and none of them of interest. Then it died down, calming for a rare moment, allowing their words to reach her.

“Okay, well, that sounds like a plan. But let’s get back to Arcane. Evening snacks will be coming out and I’m pretty sure the kitchen will make you guys anything they have from tonight’s dinner menu,” the witch said, his voice a pleasantly deep tone.

“Yeah, as long as you’re not on anyone’s menu,” the blonde wolf said, wrapping an arm around his waist and matching his longer pace with her supernaturally athletic one.

Lilith was tempted to follow, but the senses of the school’s inhabitants could pick up her scent, if they knew enough to recognize it, and a God Touched could possibly feel her presence, especially this one, so caution dictated a pullback. Besides, their discussion of food had whetted her own appetite. She had eaten so little of the tooth doctor and his assistant, being more committed to her artistic expression than food. So it was time to feed, to bring herself to full strength, and this form brought her food like flowers brought pollinators.

Fluffing her lustrous hair, she stepped out of the shadows, onto South Willard Street, heading north before turning downhill to hunt the homeless shelters downtown. Maybe the one on North Winooski, far enough north of Arcane to avoid easy detection, close enough to rattle their confidence when the remains of her meal came to light.

Chapter 14

“Do you understand why you are here?” the ancient vampire asked. She was tiny, with porcelain skin, black hair, and black eyes.