The rain poured over Seattle, the sound tapping against the windows of Alexandra "Lexi" Thompson's small office. The place was cozy, filled with old books and a mismatched desk and chairs. Lexi sat at her desk, staring at photos of a young man named Caleb Turner.
Caleb's lifeless body had been found in an alley two nights ago. To most people, it looked like he died of an overdose. But Lexi knew there was more to it. She always knew when something wasn't normal—it was part of being a witch.
Lexi picked up one of the photos and whispered a spell. A faint glow appeared around the picture, and for a moment, she saw flashes of Caleb's final moments: a dark shadow, glowing eyes, and fear that chilled her to the bone.
She dropped the photo onto the desk, her fingers tingling from the magic. "Something hunted him," she said quietly.
A soft chime from the door broke her focus. She glanced toward it, her heart racing. Lexi wasn't expecting visitors, especially not this late. She walked to the door, one hand slipping into her pocket to hold a protective charm.
When she opened the door, a tall man stood there. He had sharp gray eyes and a badge clipped to his belt.
"Alexandra Thompson?" he asked, his voice deep and steady.
"Who's asking?" Lexi replied, studying him.
"Detective Ethan Stone, Seattle Police Department. I need to ask you some questions about a case."
Lexi leaned against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow. "What case?"
Ethan pulled out a photo—it was the same one Lexi had just used for her spell. "Caleb Turner. He hired you last month, didn't he?"
Lexi hesitated, then nodded. "He thought someone was following him. I tried to help, but it looks like I didn't do a good enough job."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he didn't believe her. "There's more to this, isn't there? You know something you're not telling me."
Lexi crossed her arms. "I could say the same about you, Detective. Why are you here, really?"
For a moment, Ethan didn't answer. The rain poured steadily behind him, filling the silence. Finally, he handed her a card. "If you hear anything, call me."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away.
Lexi closed the door and leaned against it, her mind racing. Ethan Stone wasn't just a regular detective—something about him felt different. But she didn't have time to figure him out. She had her own problems to solve.
---
That night, Lexi grabbed her jacket and stepped into the rainy streets of Seattle. She wasn't heading for the bright, bustling parts of the city. Instead, she made her way to the Velvet Veil, a hidden bar where supernatural creatures could gather in secret.
Inside, soft music played, and the air hummed with faint traces of magic. Lexi walked to the bar, where Nico, a vampire with slicked-back hair, was cleaning glasses.
"Lexi," he said with a small smirk. "Back so soon?"
"I need information," she replied, leaning on the counter. "What do you know about Caleb Turner?"
Nico's smile disappeared. He glanced around the room before lowering his voice. "You shouldn't be asking about him. People are scared. They say someone's hunting us."
"Who?"
"No one knows," Nico said, shaking his head. "But whatever it is, it's strong. Be careful, Lexi. This isn't something you want to mess with."
Lexi frowned. She wasn't one to back away from danger, but Nico's warning sent a shiver down her spine. "Thanks for the tip," she said, finishing her drink and heading out.
---
The next morning, Lexi was going through her notes when her phone buzzed.
"Thompson," she answered.
"You need to come to Pine and 8th. Now," a familiar voice said.
"Detective Stone?" she asked, but the line had already gone dead.
She grabbed her bag and rushed to the address. When she arrived, the street was blocked off with yellow police tape. Ethan stood near a body on the ground, his face grim.
"Over here," he called to her.
Lexi hesitated before walking closer. Ethan pulled back a tarp, revealing the victim: a werewolf, his body covered in deep, claw-like wounds.
Her stomach turned. She'd seen many things in her life, but this was brutal.
"This isn't just a case for me anymore," Ethan said quietly, his eyes meeting hers. "I need your help, Alexandra."
Lexi's mind raced. She'd spent years hiding who she really was, but something about Ethan made her pause. She nodded slowly. "Alright. But you might not like what you find."
As the rain poured, Lexi couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Something dark was stirring in Seattle, and it was heading straight for them.