The meeting finally broke up just as the sun set. Greetings made, social media accounts and posts finalized, weekly plans set, everyone was ready to sleep. I was quite impressed with the results so far. The idea of a group photo was discarded, as many Task Force members were unwilling to have anything to do with personal public exposure. But a handful of accounts for the pairs focused on public relations were in place with photos and introductions.
Me and Karl had decided against making an account to represent the Lycans, on the logic that the werewolves had the lycanthrope population covered. Much to my relief. Our newly formed duo had also eschewed collaborations with other pairs, opting instead to work alone as more of a fast response team.
"Need a ride?" Karl asked over his shoulder, already headed for the parking garage.
"Uhmm, if it's not too much trouble? Are you staying at the arranged lodging too? I didn't see you there this morning." My line of questions was abruptly interrupted by Karl's deep laughter.
The arranged lodging for Task Force members was a local motel that the human government owned and staffed. I shuddered inwardly at the thought of how I had blocked or removed no fewer than five cameras from my room on my arrival this morning, including one in the bathroom. The entire building gave me flashbacks to various horror movies and I hadn't been brave enough to try to complimentary breakfast, opting instead to simply wait for lunch.
Karl raised one eyebrow at my response. "You seriously stayed there last night? You're braver than you look little Lycan"
I growled at the underhanded short joke, causing Karl's raised eyebrow to turn into an honest smile.
"Let's go grab your gear and I'll bring you somewhere better" he responded, still smiling.
I nodded my agreement, wondering if not staying where I was told would anger any of the government sorts. No, my human partner suggested it so it should be fine, right? But the letter did say that all supernatural members were to stay at the arranged lodging until further notice.
Noticing my inner turmoil, Karl stopped in front of his motorcycle, waiting for me to realize that we had reached our ride.
Of course it's a motorcycle. Driving a government issued SUV definitely doesn't seem like his style, I thought with an eye roll at Karl's ever increasing grin.
"Well then, let's be off" Karl snapped me out of my reverie.
"Just to let you know, I've never ridden one of these things before" I reminded him, looking at the vehicle for signs of a helmet or some sort of protective gear, but finding none.
"Shouldn't be a problem, just follow my lead, lean how I lean and hold on tight to me. You'll be fine. Unless you'd prefer to transform and run? But I must warn you, city sidewalks are an on leash area and I didn't bring a collar"
This was the final straw, I blushed at the thought of being walked through the city on a leash held by this intimidating and gruff man, before launching a hard right fist directly into his solar plexus.
BANG
Bang? That's not the sound of fist on flesh. And Moon Goddess did that hurt, like punching a steel plate. What is this man made of?
I cradled my hand in agony and Karl looked a bit sheepish.
"Sorry about that, you're faster than I expected and I didn't take down my defences in time" he responded to my inquiring gaze.
Defences? My confusion grew deeper. Is he wearing some sort of deployable armor?
"This isn't the place to talk about that, let's go get your bags and we can talk about it when we get home."
Thoughts of protective gear now forgotten, after a short ride clinging nervously to Karl's jacket in fear of being thrown from the unfamiliar vehicle, I soon found myself standing awkwardly in front of the bike once again, duffel bag in hand, wondering where exactly I was intended to put my gear.
The answer it seemed was for my luggage to be strapped across the saddle bags, acting as a much appreciated back rest when I remounted and we pulled back out into city traffic.
"We'll reach the safe house in 2 hours, there are a few things I couldn't mention in the meeting, or at the government hotel" Karl's voice sounded over the wind and rumble of the motorcycle's exhaust.
This I understood well. Pack business is Pack business and not to be spoken of in public. It seemed that whatever Karl had been keeping from me was much the same, private information he was waiting for the right time to share. For a moment I wished I'd gotten a less secretive partner, but then reconsidered, thinking of the poor witch that had been saddled with Agent Dalton, the openly obsessed occult fanboy. No way would I wish to be paired with someone like that. For all his faults, at least Karl wanted to explore away from the crowds, not stick us both in a stuffy office doing research or tour around doing publicity meets.
The breeze soon became relaxing, like running through the woods, but without all the physical exertion. "I could get used to this" I whispered, unable to see Karl's grin at the words he should have been unable to hear with human senses.
"Alright we're here, I'll give you the grand tour and then we can settle in for the night" Karl announced, turning down a long dirt driveway well outside any city limits, leading to an old farm house with a wrap around porch. Both the house and yard looked well kept, but there was no sign of other residents, at least none that I could smell. In fact, it didn't smell as if anyone had been here recently at all, certainly not in the past few weeks, which ran contrary to the evident recent upkeep of the property. This place got stranger and stranger the more that I observed it.
As we reached the house a jolt ran through my nerves and my vision shimmered for a moment. What on earth was that? I looked over at Karl in a mild panic, only to find that same small smile on his face that he'd seemingly been wearing all day.
"So, you're mana sensitive. Unusual for a Lycan, but good news for our work together" Karl said by way of acknowledgement.
I sighed, knowing sleep was going to be nearly impossible until the questions in my mind had been voiced, and properly answered. "Shall we go inside? I've got questions and you sir, are going to answer them all"
Karl failed miserably in his efforts to not to look amused by my attempt at intimidation "In we go, bedrooms are in the second sub basement. Shower, change and I'll answer your questions. Welcome to the safe house"