Intention

The night was about to end when they both finished telling their stories. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was no longer black. It was the last chance of the creatures of the dark side to find shelter. The light was only disturbing for a part of them, for others it meant absolute death.

Daniel was leaning back in his chair with his arms folded. He took the coffee cups and stood up. He set the empty mugs down in the sink, his back turned to Jason. ''So, nobody in the city knows about the murders because the shape shifters are hiding them, but how do we explain the rumors I've heard?'' He turned on the tap, ''And local shape shifters want you to start a hunt. In fact, they are making great efforts for this. What about that?'' He rinsed the cups one by one and dried them. Jason would wait until there was no cup left to use. There was more than one reason why he liked living with Daniel.

''I have no idea, Daniel. I wish I know,'' Jason said. Daniel looked at him like he is an idiot.

''Come on Jason, you're smarter than that.''

Jason shrugged. ''If you have an idea, feel free to share it.''

Daniel turned to Jason after he was done with the dishes. ''Actually yes, I have an idea. Now there are murders that we presume were unknown to anyone but us. Think about it, they said there are eight murders to you, but how do we know that there is no more than that?''

''If they want me to start a hunt, they may have said the number more than it actually is. But why would they say less?'' The running water sounded to Jason as good as the coffee.

''You said yourself that the pack leader was hiding the murders so as not to look weak, if you were a little more foolish and started the a city wide hunt, he might portray the murders as the work of hunters.'' Daniel was leaning against the counter, looking at Jason.

''Ah,'' Jason was not able to say anything. ''I didn't think of it that way.''

''By facing hunters and surviving, he could gain the respect of other packs. Of course he would be cooperating with you behind the scenes. Isn't that what he offered?'' Jason nodded. ''He could even let the hunters get rid of his rivals in the pack with a little effort.''

Jason thought Amelia, ''You may be right. But would he go so far as to kill his own pack members for that?''

''Ambition makes people do worse than that. Were the victims those who didn't support Rex?'' Daniel started to linger with his glove again.

''I guess I can learn. Don't do that. You will bleed yourself again.'' Daniel inhaled and held his breath. Jason saw sadness under his mask for a moment. ''Will you tell me how your hand got hurt?''

He exhaled slowly. ''Will you tell me how your collarbone was injured?''

Jason nodded, ''If you want me to.'' Daniel's lips curled. It wasn't his gentle smile, it was something wilder. It was his smile as he tell that Sally's arm was accidentally broken. Jason liked that smile more. He answered Daniel's smile with his own smile. For a moment he wondered whether it was strange to examine another man's facial expressions that much. Then he decided that he was sure of his sexual orientation. If Daniel knew what he was thinking, he probably would have punched him. Or maybe he had matured already to do that. Maybe Jason would tell him what he thinks to see Daniel's reaction.

Daniel's eyes focused somewhere behind Jason. His smile turned gentle one. Jason turned to see what he was looking at. He could turn his back to Daniel. He was the most skilled warrior he knew, but Jason trusted him. Jason silently prayed not to get to the point that he could not turn his back on him, even though he was not sure there was anyone to hear his prayer. The bedroom door was not completely closed, gray eyes he had saw through the doorway suddenly disappeared.

''How long has she been there?'' It was Daniel, ''I usually feel when people look at me.''

''You usually sense the intention in their gaze, you didn't sense an eight-year-old girl because you didn't perceive her as a threat. This is also how the apartment's protection principle works.'' Jason pointed the feather hoop in the glass door of the balcony.

Daniel was frowning, ''What if I changed my mind after entering the apartment?''

''Intention is different from thought. It doesn't change simply.''

''You can't count on a defense who let me in, Jason.'' Jason didn't answer. In fact, he was beginning to agree with Daniel. In an instant, scenarios which his loved ones who did not want to harm him were threatened filled his mind. He shook his head.

''Where do you stay?'' He had no room to give him, but it would be rude not to ask.

''In a hotel. Jason,'' There was no joy in his face, ''If I wanted a hunt to start, there would be only one thing I would do. There is a very sure way to anger the Hunter's Guild.'' Jason looked at his serious eyes. ''Attacking the families of the hunters.''

Rajid's last words rang out in Jason's mind.