Chapter One

Wiping the sweat off her brow, Elisabeth tossed her screwdriver into the open toolbox behind her. "That should do it," she said to herself before turning around and checking to make sure all her tools were still where they needed to be. Latching the box she crawled out of the helicopter.

Lugging the toolbox out and hauling it over to the workbench, Elizabeth grabbed the power cable off the wall. Dragging the heavy cable off the rack she gave a start as a door slammed. "So how she doing Doc?"

"Oh I think she'll live," laughed Elizabeth turning to look at Jack.

Jack was on older man in his late 60's who's soul income was made from his touring business. Elizabeth could never understand why anyone would pay $400.00 for a 30 min flight; was beyond her, even if it was through the mountains. On the side. He'd take hunting parties for a local hunting lodge. Up to a secluded patch of land owned somewhere in the mountains. He says it's the only way in or out unless you hoof it.

Hunting time really was the only time this little town saw any kind of action. Other then that it was nothing but a rich mans hiding place. It was her patch of heaven though. She had all the aircraft she could care to work on even if the owner of Howling Wind Wing Mechanic's was younger then her.

"That's good to hear. So when can I take her home," asked Jack helping her pull the cable over to the starboard side of the aircraft.

"Well give me about five minutes and you might get to take her home tonight. But you need to take it easy on her. If she acts up tell her to take two aspirins and call me in the morning," laughed Elisabeth as she opened a side panel and plugged the cable in.

"You laugh, but everyday she's down is a day I don't make money," scolded Jack as he watched Elizabeth walk over to a panel on the wall and start punching buttons.

"Ow whatever. You have three birds and this one's just your beater. I'm surprised she's still flying. I had a hell of a time finding you a compatible attitude directional indicator for this thing. They stopped making these things right after the Korean war. One of these times, Mac or if I'm still here, ain't going to be able to fix her."

"Ow come on you can't be saying that. You'll hurt her feelings and she really wont work for sure," said Jack lovingly as he petted the side of his beat up helicopter. "And what do you mean if you're still here? You've only been here six months. You're not planing on leaving already. Mac was just saying the other day how glad he is to have good help. Good help is hard to find around here ya know. No one wants to stay in a town where the closest Wal-Mart is a hour away."

Laughing Elizabeth flipped the switch sending power to the bird. Crawling into the cockpit she op checked the new instrument before crawling back out and turning the power off. "Nah I like it here a lot, and who needs Wal-Mart? I have the internet. I can order whatever I can't get around here. Hell Jack, that's why I moved here. Plus the job. I couldn't pass that up. Any way, I had to run all new wiring because the crap you had was falling apart literally. Its the new wiring so you should be all set there. Mac's gone to lunch right now, but whenever he gets back I'll send him out flying, and if all's okay there. You can come get her so you two can go on your next honey-moon."

Laughing Jack roughed up Elisabeth already messy hair. "You're alright kid you know that?"

"So I've been told Jack, and I'd wish you'd stop calling me a kid. I haven't been that for a long while now," said Elizabeth wiping her hand off on a shop rag.

"Haven't you heard, 30's the new 20, and you don't look a bit over 22 if I do say so myself. If I be a younger man, I'd be over here courting you instead of Cleo," whispered Jack with a wink and a playful elbow to the rids.

"Oh yeah, Cleo's in a right temper today. Mac forgot to tell her something about some kind of cat he saw in town. Strange if you ask me but heads up," laughed Elizabeth before she choked on the dead serious look on his face. "What?"

"What else did you hear?"

Tossing the rag to the table Elizabeth put her hand on her hip. "The only thing I caught is that there's been a lion seen in town and to be careful. When there's a lone female, that she's probably running from a felix. But you know there's woods all around here. I don't know why ya'll are so worked up about a mountain lion. I guess I can understand if it was spotted in town. Some city person's yappy dog might get eat'en," joked Elizabeth before turning the red rag to her tools.

"You beware now young lady. Them cougars like to eat pretty girls who hike in the woods by themselves," scolded Jack shaking a finger at her before he lost his composure and laughed. "But on a serious note. The Nate boys saw you hiking up to widow peek last Saturday. You really shouldn't hike by yourself in those mountains, Lord knows what could happen to ya girly."

Turning from her tools she shock a greasy finger at him. "I'll tell you, like a tell my friends. I'll stop hiking alone the day God graces me with a partner who can keep up with my ass, and likes to hike. Until then just keep a prayer in that my guardian angel doesn't call in sick."

"Jack! You harassen the help again! What has Mac told you about that," came a motherly voice demanding attention.

Spinning on his heals Jack throw his hand in the air. "How is the most beautiful woman in the world doing today?"

"You're either going blind old man or going senile. One or the other, but I know you're not talking about me," huffed Cleo placing both her hand on her hips.

"You know she just can't get enough of all this handsomeness," whispered Jack before hurrying over to the scowling woman.

Laughing Elizabeth went back to cleaning her tools. "I hear you snickering over there Elizabeth Marshall. You need to stop encouraging the old man. You're not helping matters! Isn't it time for you're lunch? How about you run on down to the dinner today. Mac's going to be gone a while and there's nothing else for you to do today until Mr. Black arrives back. I'll call you if he comes back early."

"But Ms. O'lander."

"No butts," interpreted Cleo, "Off with ya now. Maybe you'll meet at nice man while you're there. Shoe, shoe," added Cleo when Elizabeth didn't move fast enough.

Knowing better then to argue with the old women Elizabeth tossed the rag into a cardboard box before grabbing her coat and headed out the door.

The diner fell silent as Elizabeth walked in. Even though she'd been there for six months, she was still the new kid on the block walking into a local hot spot. It was off the beaten path for most tourist who preferred the two fancy dining facilities or the fast-food joints. To them the mom and pop shops where off the radar and unworthy of their attention. Even if Elizabeth thought this place was the best ever. Ignoring all the hushed conversations and stairs, Elizabeth went to her normal seat. The last bar stool in the corner with her back to the wall. Hurrying over to her the young waitress sat a glass of sweet tea in front of her. "I'll be right with you Beth," said the girl before hurrying off again.

Looking around Beth noticed the dinner was fuller then normal, and felt bad for Donna. Who was the waitress for the customers at the bar, cashier, and drink maker for the all tables. Elizabeth could tell that the lunch crowd came early today for it was only 1:00 and Donna's brown curly hair was falling out of her pony tail. For a 19 year old who lived and died by beauty products wasn't waring any, made for a bad day.

After serving up more drinks she hurried back pin and pad in hand. "Busy day huh?"

"You're telling me. Mom came up stairs and woke me up early this morning. We've so been non-stop. It seems as the whole town showed up, and just hasn't left yet. And let me guess. Cleo kicked you out of the hanger again," asked Donna while she redid her pony tail.

"What gave me away?" asked Elizabeth as she looking at the menu she almost knew by heart.

"Well, besides the big grease smear across your forehead. I'd say it's that you're here for lunch, and you're never here for lunch. I don't know why you even look at that menu you always get the same thing."

"Not always," said Elizabeth looking at her reflection in a napkin disperses while she tried to scrub the mark off.

"Okay what do you want today," asked Donna rolling her eyes.

"I'd like a plain bacon cheeseburger."

"You can't sit there and say you don't always order the same thing, and then order the same thing," argued Donna grabbing a wet towel off the counter and scrubbing at Elizabeth's heard getting the spots she missed.

"I wasn't done yet. I'd also like a slice of pumpkin pie, so hah! That's something different!"

Rolling her eyes Donna took her order to the kitchen window before seeing to her customers again. "You know," said Donna when she returned, "If you're wanting to get a man's attention. You really should try to clean up more before you come to the dinner. It would also help if you got out of those nasty coveralls."

"Well I'd rather eat with my clothes on. Not in a t-shirt and shorts," laughed Elizabeth. "On top of that I'm not looking for a man. I haven't been in a really long time."

"How long is long," came a voice as the owner of it sat down beside her.

Growling Donna stomped off ignoring the man. Looking over her shoulder Elizabeth saw it was Chris. Elizabeth didn't know what to think of him. He was a very charming man with strawberry blonde hair and baby blue eyes. He had all the looks of a super model, and as close to a greek god as she's ever seen. He had every girl in town rapped around his finger and he knew it, but the girl he wanted the most didn't care for him at all.

"About two years Chris," answered Elizabeth taking the plate from the brooding Donna.

"How come she doesn't like me?"

"Maybe because you're 25 and she's 19, or maybe she doesn't want what everyone else in town has already had," said Elizabeth between bites of her burger.

"Ah now, that's cold. No wonder why you're still single," said Chris blowing it off as if it wasn't a low blow. "But seriously how come she don't like me?"

"I'm single because there is nothing, but sheep on the market. An I'm looking for a wolf, and I was being serious Chris. You are egotistical, conceded, self absorbed, and a man whore. Would you like me to go on."

Chris made a cat noise that sounded like the real hiss as he clawed the air. "Retract the claws Ms. Marshall. I'm not as bad as you think really."

Elizabeth gave him an undignified snort and continued eating her lunch. "Okay okay, I get it. To get to the pups you have to be nice to the bitch. So how about I take you both out and prove to you I'm not what you think I am," said Chris giving Elizabeth his best smile.

Washing the last bite down with a swig of tea, Elizabeth turned to him. "You know you just called me a bitch right?"

"Well it's true. You can be a bitch if you want to be. Other then that you're the nicest person in town to the people you work with. Everyone else can go stuff themselves."

"That's true, I look out for my friends and family if I had any. I don't like to see them get hurt. Everyone else can shove it."

"Okay, well you know there's a party at the lodge this weekend, and I'd like to take Donna and you to it. If you two would allow me."

Looking up at Donna, Elizabeth found she had wondered closer to the conversation, acting like she was busy and not listening. Catching her eye Donna gave her a quick nod in agreement. " Alright what time?"

"Let's say 10:00, your house, Saturday night," asked Chris grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"You just want to know where I live. That's all there is to it."

"No, I figured Donna would have a better chance going if she was at your house."

Finishing her pie Elizabeth looked at Donna who's ears where betraying her blushing. "Okay we'll go, but I'll drive and I'll meet you at the lodge at ten. Donna ask your mom if you can spend the night, tomorrow night. I'll swing by here after work to get you," said Elizabeth handing Donna a twenty and stepped away from the bar.

Walking toward the door a thought struck her and Elizabeth spun around and ran smack dab into a man. "My apologies," said Elizabeth quickly before venturing past him and froze as the mental image finally made it to her brain.

The man was her height with long black hair in which he had put into a pony tail. But that wasn't the thing that froze her feet, causing her to whirl around to do a double take. The thing that caught her attention was his grey colored skin,elf like ears, and the lion like tail that stuck out of the back of his blue jeans. But when she looked no one was there. At least not what she knew she saw. "Beth you okay?"

Turning back, Donna was standing right behind her with a nervous look. Looking around the room everyone was staring at her again. "No I'm not, I don't have a dress," said Elizabeth pretending that she didn't just run over an alien that disappeared into thin air.

After being in the Navy for 11 years you learn to take things in stride. You see enough crap that you just have to shrug, and go on. If the military thought her anything it was to take what life gives you, and use it to you're advantage. So it life gave you a case of Cokes you find the lucky S.O.B. life gave the Jack to and have a party. For what the military lacked in training her for oddities her three childhood friends made up for it.

"Anything else? You look like you just lost your keys."

Shaking her head trying to clear the fog Elizabeth smiled. "Nope all is well other then I need a dress, or a nice pant suit."

"Easy enough. After you get home and cleaned up. Come get me and I'll take you out shopping, because lord knows your fashion since sucks," laughed Donna as the room went back to its low roar.

"I'm not denying that one bit," agreed Elizabeth before waving goodbye and heading back to work.

Work passed slowly and Mac was in and out all day leaving Elizabeth alone to immerse herself in her most resent vampire romance novel. "I don't see why you read that junk. If you're going to read romance at least read about something that's got feelings," said Cleo as she ventured into Elizabeths small cubical in the far side of the shop.

"I like vampires, always have since I was little. They're predators just like any other animal in the world. But as for feelings I couldn't tell you. I've never met one," laughed Elizabeth as Cleo's face fell. "Oh come on Cleo, they're just books. It's not like they're real."

Clearing her throat Cleo gathered her composure before saying, "Mac just called, as you know Mr. Black is running late. He should be here by 8:00. Just ask them if they had any problems with their flight. Tell them that he'll move the plain into there hanger as so as he gets back. Of course that's if he's not back by then, and he said sorry for keeping you so late tonight."

"Alright thanks Cleo. Have a good night."

Looking around her cubical walls Elizabeth watched Cleo walk out the door. Hearing her lock the door behind her, Beth went back to her book. At 1900 Elizabeth got up and walked into the office. Training the security camera toward the tarmac where Mr. Black would park his fancy Learjet 45, she waited. Kicking back in Mac's office chair, Elizabeth placed her nose back in her book. At twenty to eight she saw the Learjet pull into the parking spot out front of their hanger. Closing her book, Elizabeth started digging around on his desk for the flight log for Mr. Black's plane. Turning back toward the monitor she saw several people had filed out of the bird. "Crap," stated Elizabeth before turning toward the drawers, and the book shelf trying to locate the book.

Finding the log book on the shelf she turned to leave when a commotion started outside. Staring at the screen Elizabeth watched in shock as two men rolled around on the ground fighting. Everyone had moved back to let them have space to duke it out. Rushing out of the office and through the hanger she had to stop the fight, before Mac got sued for something stupid. Busting through the door Elizabeth slid to a stop. She watched as one of the men lunged at the other, but the thing that made her mind real was he started as a man, but he didn't finish that way.

She watched in slow motion as the man's body seamlessly shifted from a brawny, overly muscled man, to the strangest looking wolf she'd ever seen. He was the size of a pony, was wide as a horse, and it's ears where two times bigger then any canine she'd seen. The biggest thing that set her off was it's glowing red eyes. She felt a little bad for the other man, for when he shifted he looked like a normal grey wolf, but a bit bigger then most.

The fight looked more like a dog verses a horse, and she couldn't believe the smaller one was holding his own. Everything drawled to a close as the hanger door slammed behind behind her. "Fuck," said one of the fight spectators.

Turning on her heals Elizabeth went back inside to Mac's office and flopped down in his chair. Staring at the computer screen she watched as the screen went fuzzy like it had just lost it's signal. Thinking quickly Elizabeth popped the dvd out of the recorder and placed a new one in. Placing the cd into a case she tossed it into her bag just as a young man walked into the office.

The boy looked like he was about 16 years old with platinum blonde hair, and glacier blue eyes. "Hi," said the kid making himself at home.

Grabbing a coke out of the mini-fridge. He plopped down in a chair on the front side of the desk and spun the monitor around. "Looks like the security camera is on the fritz again. It was like that last time I was here. I figured Mac would have fixed that by now. Where is Mac by the way," asked the kid as he propped his feet on the desk.

"I don't know, and do you mind," said Elizabeth grabbing the kids ankles and pulled his feet off the desk. "He's been running around like a chicken with his head cut off all day. And who are you prey tell?"

"I'm Mr. Black,"said the kid with the air of a man beyond his years, and no hint of lying could be seen on his expressionless face.

"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of Sheeba, kid."

Before she could say anything else Mac ran into his office out of breath. "I'm so sorry I'm late. How come you're not out on the flight line Marshall," asked Mac as he nodded to the kid before raising a questioning brow to her.

"I went out as soon as I saw it land, but when I got out the door I realized I had forgotten the log book, so I came back in to get it," replied Beth picking the log off the table. "I had a heck of a time finding it. By the way, I don't know what happened but the camera quite working. It was working fine when the plane landed, but it's fuzzy now. If you want I can look at it tomorrow."

"No that's fine Marshall, you can go home now thank you," said Mac before looking at the kid who was now juggling Mac's wooden coasters.

Grabbing her bag, Elizabeth stilled her nerves and walked out the door with such military barring it would make any Chief proud. Even if her insides were screaming to run for her life. "Why do you call her Marshall instead of Elizabeth?" asked the kid as the door began to close behind her.

"She was a Sailor. And to her, Marshall is her name. It's a military thing I fig..," but the rest of conversation was cut off as the door closed.

Pulling her keys out of her bag Elizabeth unlocked her car and tossed her bag in. Taking a deep breath she pulled out of the small parking lot as if nothing had happened and headed home. Once through town she laid on the gas. Flying up her driveway she slid to a stop and ran for the house. Flinging the door open, she slammed it behind her. Leaning against the door panting she slid down to the floor trying to gather her wits. Today had been a strange day, and she thought maybe she had finally gone insane after all these years. Pulling the disk out of her backpack she looked at it. She knew those people had to of done something to the camera system, because Mac had the top of the line everything. The system was good enough that you could read a newspaper a football field away if you wanted to.

Getting out of the floor Beth walked through the living room and down the hallway into the Library. Turning on her laptop she inserted the c.d. and replied the video up until the signal died. She watched it over and over for a good half hour trying to get the event to absorb into her brain, but it just rolled right off. She'd always like the supernatural, but for these events to be real there was so no way possible for it to be so. But the facts were right in front of her face. Replaying it again Elizabeth pause it when her grandfather clock played its half hour tone twice. On the third time she jumped to her feet in realization it was the door bell. Removing the c.d. she placed it back into its case and hid it behind some of the books on the shelf before hurrying to the door. Pulling it open she was surprised to see Donna standing there with bags in her hands. "Donna how in the world did you find me," asked Elizabeth sticking her head out the door and looked around to see how she'd gotten there considering she didn't have a car. "Ah it's a small town," said Donna pushing her way pasted Elizabeth into the house. "Everybody knows everybody, and everything. Carlie Joe's mothers, aunts, nieces, grandson, is the one who sold the house. An she told me that her mother said that her aunt said, her nieces grandson sold it to a young girl out of Kentucky who use to be in the military. So I knew it was you. So I drove up and knocked on the door and va-la it's you."

Elizabeth stood holding the door open looking at Donna with a, you lost me expression when a sudden movement caught her eye. Looking back outside she saw a kid with dark spiky hair standing at the foot of the steps looking like a dear in the head lights. "So who's your friend?"

"My friend," asked Donna in a tone that said, what are you talking about.

"The guy who's now standing on my porch wearing a leather jacket, combat boots, kind'a spiky black hair or dark brown. Can't tell the porch light is out, and smells like a camp fire," asked Beth gesturing to him with a thumb.

"Ah, ah," stammered Donna with an expression that said she was in trouble.

"I'm her neighbors, friend, Keigan. I gave her a ride. I was just going to sit on your porch and wait for Donna. Is that okay," asked the young man in a voice that almost crackled like the sound of the campfire he smelled like.

"Yea sure, you're her neighbors, friend. Either way it's warmer in here," said Elizabeth turning back toward Donna. "I'm going to get a glass of tea would you like one?"

"Sure," replied Donna sweetly as Elizabeth disappeared behind the wall that separated the living room form the kitchen. Rushing over to the door Donna growled in a low whisper. "The only reason I agreed to this is because you were 100% sure she wouldn't see you. Now I'm going to have to play 101 question, and she's going to think somethings up when there's not! And why are you just standing there in the door way like an idiot. Get in here already!" Grabbing a hand full of his leather jacket Donna tried to wrench him in, only for Keigan to slam into an invisible wall.

Rubbing his face his black eyes glared at her. "I can't, I already tried, thank you!"

"Then what the fuck are we going to do," whispered Donna as panic sat in.

"Just make it quick. Tell her I'm smoking and close the door," said Keigan walking off the porch.

Closing the door Donna jumped when Elizabeth asked, "Is he not coming in?"

"Geez you scared me. I didn't hear you come in the room. He's out by the truck smoking a cigarette"

"Yeah," replied Elizabeth handing her a glass of sweet tea. "Don't feel bad I do that to a lot of people. So what's up," asked Beth after she sat down on the couch.

"Oh, you didn't stop by to go shopping with me, and I heard you had to work late because Mac wasn't there. An since it's to late to go shopping now and not to mention the pickings aren't so good anywhere close to here. I sent out a distress call, and I've got a whole slue of dresses here you can try on and see if you like them. All of my friends said that they should look good on you. They're all dark earthy tones to compliment your fair skin," said Donna pulling out a burgundy dress. "All of them have picked out their dresses weeks ago so they're good. They're all excited and are making bets on who's dress you'll wear. You're going to be the talk of the town. A lot of them sent jewelry too. I didn't know if you had any. All I ever see is those silver ball earrings you wear everyday," added Donna holding up a small box containing a necklace and earrings.

"Well, you didn't have to go to all that trouble. I'm pretty sure I could have found something after work tomorrow, but tell you're friends thank you. That was overly kind of them. So are you going to tell me about smoky out there or what.

"Well hum," said Donna as she fidgeted with the stuff she'd brought over. "Like he said, he's my neighbors friend. I really should go. It is late and mom will be closing up soon so I'll, hum, talk to you later okay."

Elizabeth looked from the anxious teen to the untouched glass of tea and back before raising a questioning brow. "Okay, but we'll definitely have to discuss this tomorrow if your mom lets you spend the night."

"Okay, tomorrow." said Donna as she walked briskly to the door. "Good night Beth."

Getting out of her chair Elizabeth picked up both glasses and watched the truck turn around and head down the drive. "Odd, I do say," said Elizabeth to herself before heading back to the kitchen.