Zara tapped a finger against the table as she waited in The Witch’s Way bar. She had given Annalee a call, much to the were’s relief. She couldn’t sense emotions over the phone, but from the way the were had talked, she had been very glad to get the call. Zara had asked what she needed, but the were refused to speak over the phone, so Zara proposed the bar. It was a busy place, and one she had frequented quite a bit. She knew the staff and was friends with the owner who currently wasn’t in. Zara knew she was probably out on a hunt.

Ashley had once asked Zara why she didn’t take up bounty work. It paid well, and her set of skills would allow her to do a lot. In the end, though, Zara didn’t want that sort of job. The type of work was too varied, and she didn’t want to use her gifts to harm. It was easy to do so, and the temptation was always there. Growing up, if she hadn’t had the guiding hand of her grandmother, then she might have turned out for the worst. Even when it came to self-defense, she always went for her magic first, leaving the emotional manipulation to a last resort.

She remembered some of the words, her grandma had told her years ago. “Listen, Zara dear, you can’t allow yourself to use your gifts to change others, even in little ways. You might be trying to help, or maybe it isn’t too big of a change, but trust me, that will lead you down a dark path. Soon those little adjustments will grow and grow.”

Zara was a firm believer in responsibility being tied to power. Especially powers like her, that could change people, including one’s self.

“Zara!” Zara looked up to see Annalee walking over to her, a relieved look in her eyes. The were looked about the same as the last Zara had seen her. That had been back in college, and from what she remembered the were had been quite the wild wolf. Smart, but unmotivated to use that intelligence for anything other than partying and having fun. It was a shame really, but each to their own.

The blonde took a seat, and Zara allowed her senses to take in the wolf’s emotions. She immediately went on alert. The were’s emotions did not paint a pretty picture. Fear, despair, and anger warred with one another. There was relief there as well, alongside hope, kindled by the sight of her. Like a fire finally lit in a dark, cold room. She needed to be careful to not let it be snuffed out.

The were sighed, and Zara noted the tiredness in her eyes. Zara lifted a hand, waving a server over. “Get us two Serene Shakes, non-alcoholic, and ask Jill if she’s got any of her chill pills.”

“Sure.” Hector was another of the staff she knew, a warlock with a penchant for getting into trouble. She remembered the first time she met him. He’d been fresh from his first contract and riding a high, up until he’d lost control, and the demon had also had him on a leash. He and all the other fool practitioners who made contracts with demons and devils were lucky DOSA helped with those sorts of deals.

“I don’t need a drink,” Anna said.

“You will want this one. It’ll help calm you.”

Anna scowled. “Already reading my emotions, huh?”

“Of course, considering how you sounded, and even if I wasn’t you don’t exactly look… well.” Zara leaned back. “So, what is it you need help with?”

Anna glanced around, her fear rising. “I… My pack’s in trouble.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Pack? Since when did you have a pack?”

“I joined just before I dropped out.”

“Oh, well good for you. What sort of problem?”

“A mental problem.” Anna lowered her voice. “The pack alpha, he… Something’s wrong with him and his son.”

“Like what?”

“They’re not acting like themselves. It’s like something controlling them. Also, I don’t think any of the others have noticed, but they also smell funny?”

To a mundane that would have sounded odd, but to were’s smell mattered. Were’s could tell their pack mates apart from smell alone. “And you want me to have a look?”

Anna nodded. “Just to see, and—” The were cut her sentence off as Hector returned with their drinks and two pills for Anna. “Enjoy, Ladies.” The were glanced at them before looking at Zara with confusion clear in her gaze. “Trust me, they’ll help,” Zara assured. The were was hesitant, but then she quickly swallowed them down with a gulp of her drink. The effect was immediate, and her shoulders slumped slightly. “Better?”

Anna nodded, her voice softer, and eyes clearer. “Yes.”

Zara sensed her emotions mellowing out. They didn't change, just lessened in intensity. It was a simple alchemical pill, sort of similar to anti-depresasnt, except these had no side effects and weren’t addictive. “So, what else?”

Anna’s eyes shot up to meet Zara’s. “Huh?”

“That’s not everything, nowhere near.” Zara didn't need her gifts to be able to tell that the were was hiding a lot. “What else is there?”

Zara felt the were’s fear increase. “Nothing you need to know. Yet. Just please have a look at them.”

“Alright, but I expect payment, and I’m bringing some… friends.” Zara was confident she woudlnt be caught off guard as he had been with the Gilden orcs but better safe than sorry. She’d take Nadia and maybe one other with her.

“Sure, how much.”

“I’ll decide after I’ve had a look at them. Where are they now?”

“Not sure, but I can find out. The sooner you can fix this, the better.”

“Hold on, I didn’t say I could fix anything, and there might not be anything to fix. All I’ll be doing is having a look. If I do find something, then we’ll see whether or not I’m the right person to deal with it, or if you’re better of finding someone else.”

“Fine, whatever.”

“Alright, Then. I’m going. You have my number now, so give me a call when you’re ready.”

“Alright.” Anna got to her feet and was silent for a long moment. Then she smiled. “Thanks, Zara.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” It had been a while since she’d done something like this, not since helping a neighbor when she'd lived with her cousins. Back then she’d cleared a minor hex and then set the emotions right. It was one of the few times she'd gone really deep. Like a surgeon operating on a patient. She’d used both her magic and gifts. She hoped this situation wasn't similar as she personally didn’t like messing too deeply with someone's mind, even if the effort was to aid them in some way.

As Anna walked away, Zara fingered the necklace Rick had given her, letting it ease her mind. She glanced around, wondering when he'd have time so that they could have another date here.

Soon, I hope.