Thread

Jason's so called ''office'' was a second hand weapon and armor shop with no profit, at least apparently it was. When he was not helping the police, he would cheaply sharpen knives or he would dispose of bullets and guns that had been smuggled into the city by absolutely honest traders in absolutely legal ways. Everyone needed a hobby, right?

He invited Rajid in and turned on the light. Although the manual clock hanging on the wall was pointing at ten, rain clouds were blocking the sun. The rain pounding the glass door of the shop sounded like a lullaby to Jason's ears. ''Make yourself comfortable,'' he said.

Rajid took off his wet hat and navy blue jacket. The cufflinks of his shirt were shining harmoniously with the brooch attached to his vest and and amber ring. Jason had a hard time believing that the man in the torn clothes he had met yesterday and the man sitting across from him today are the same. In Jason's dispersed shop with knives hanging on the walls, the old man looked like a painting on the wrong wall. They sat on two footstools opposite each other.''May I offer you a drink?'' he asked.

''Water, please.'' Jason went to the back of the shop to get himself and the man a glass of water. The communication talisman was glowing pale blue. It was probably Rajid's missed call, and if not, there was no need to listen to the message next to the man. Sharpening stones scattered here and there, a cup of coffee that he could not remember when he left it, everything was as it should be.

Rajid was sitting on the footstool, his hat and jacket in his lap. Jason gave him the glass. The man took a sip but said nothing. If he was trying to strain Jason's nerves, he did it. ''I am listening.'' Jason said.

The old man took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ''This is not an easy matter for me either,'' he said. Jason wondered if he would be poisoned if he drank half a cup of coffee at the back of the shop.

''You want to talk about the latest murders, right?'' Jason asked. The old man hesitated, then slowly nodded. ''I don't understand why you didn't report the murders to the police,'' he said.

The old man's lips curled, but his eyes were not smiling. ''Pack members do not trust human laws. This isn't a lie. But the real reason Rex's decision to hid the murders is not to distrust human laws.''

''What is the main reason then?''

''The former leader of our pack was strong, Jason. He was strong enough to gain a place in society for shape shifters in the city and keep other Rexes out of our territory.'' He paused for a sip of water. ''Now, in his absence, some of the other cities and cityless gangs began to wonder if we were strong enough.''

Jason asked, hoping to speed up the story, ''Strong enough for what? And what does that have to do with murders?''

''Strong enough to protect what belongs to us. Our territory, properties, the political and material power we gained under the leadership of the previous leader. Explaining that we cannot ensure the safety of our own pack members would be to declare our defeat or, in other words, an open invitation to attack us.'' Rajid look at the Jason's eyes with bright yellow eyes only shape shifters could have.

''I see. Personally, I don't want the city to be inundated with lawless shape shifter gangs. Don't you wear contact lenses?'' Rajid's pupils narrowed. ''How did you done this?'' Jason asked and he couldn't help himself but straightened his back as the beast buried inside him feel offended. The pupils got their old shape.

''I am the best of the pack at controlling my transformation. It is not difficult to transform just a part of me.''

Jason thought for a few seconds. ''Amelia forced the weak ones to transform the last night, it wasn't a full moon and you didn't need to transform. Those who could lose control and transform, even if it was not a full moon, were wearing old clothes.'' Rajid stared at him. ''You are able to control your transformation, but you were wearing old clothes too. Why?''

''You are careful,'' Rajid said. For a long few seconds he fixed his eyes on Jason. Jason's monster was screaming now. Jason wondered about the power the old man hid inside. Was it as strong as their Rex? Maybe more? ''If newbies loses control, it is my responsibility to prevent them from damaging the others.''

''The woman that Amelia was discussing, the blonde one, was wearing old clothes.'' Jason was thinking out loud.

Rajid sighed. ''Yeah, Nikki. Her situation is... a little bit complicated. While Rex could not control his transformation yet, he infected the woman. Now he feels responsible for her.''

''So he made her your queen? And Amelia did not like that?''

''It is not that simple... but, yes, kinda.'' He looked at the clock hanging on the wall. ''Jason, I came to ask you to start a hunt. Would you?''

''No, I cannot do that.'' At least for now, he thought.

Rajid stood up. ''I am sorry to hear that. I have to go now.''

''Sorry for not helping you.''

''No, Jason. You will be sorry for not helping us.'' Rajid said from the door.

''Is this a thread?''

''Not from me.''

''From who?'' Nobody answered. Rajid was already out the door.