The Sage

The elder Redclaw nodded as he studied me along with his brothers. He was silent for a few seconds. "I was with my brothers. We were having our weekly business meeting discussing problems in the pack and problems that would need to be addressed. It might be the timing in this. I don't know for sure. You thinking it's someone in the pack that did this?" He said.

I shook my head. "I didn't say or express to you any of that. I'm still just figuring things out as I go and asking questions to get a clear picture on how and when she was taken." I said honestly.

The elders laughed shaking their heads. Ghost nodded his head. "We started to figure as much. How bad was it when you found her. No don't bullshit us. We need to know what kind shit we have to deal with if we're going to allow you to come in our pack and kick in doors to hunt out this snake among us."

I sighed. "I was working a case for a Oracle that was kidnapped yesterday. Eva Night was butchered and her blood was used in a demonic summoning spell. The person that had a hand in it has a death sentence on their head for the homicide and the illegal magical summoning act. If you harbor anyone guilty of this shit that would bring in his Majesty and his people." I said.

The elders weren't smiling now they were staring at me. Ghost studied me. "Who are you working for?" He asked me.

I nodded to Erica. "I'm working for Erica to solve this situation quietly as possible before it gets out what the hell happened. I'm not here to terminate anyone but I have to bring them out of hiding. What happens to them afterward is really not my issue." I said pointedly.

Ghost stared at me nodding his head. "If and when you find them. Can you give us a bit to handle it quickly and you can tell his Majesty that it was handled in house you follow me." He asked.

I nodded. "I follow you loud and clear but it has to be handled or the person involved might continue to bring more shit to your people in the future that won't be able to clean up later if your following me." I said.

Ghost hissed between his teeth and nodded his head. "Understood. Anything else before the shit starts going on?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah. What is the nature of the relationship between Griffin RedClaw and Eva knight." I asked.

Ghost frowned. "He's my son and Eva's cousin. He wouldn't have anything to do with the murder or homicide as you call it. They were best friends sense they've been kids and grew up together." He said.

I nodded. "Did he order you to watch over the Eva's children while they ran the farm?" I asked.

Ghost scowled shaking his head. "He ain't got no part in this. Just because he's got problems with you in the past doesn't mean he would something as evil as having a hand in summoning those bastards to our realm. His father died in the damned war." He said.

"I know this is a difficult situation for you right now. I am not trying to purposely confuse or bring harm to your family situation and connections. But I have to find justice for Eva Night and her children. There is accounting to be done. I am not looking to put blame on anyone." I said calmly.

Ghost stared at me. "What was your profession in your old life?" He asked me.

"I was ranger that helped people and solved crimes similar to the situation involving your niece. Helping people or bring justice for the victims of crimes is what I do." I said.

Ghost closed his and rubbed his face. "Damn it!"

I stared at him. "If this is going to difficult for you then we don't have to go here. So how have Miss Night's adult children been holding up?" I said.

"Griffin didn't ask the elders to come here. He was in a mad rush and angry. He wanted to find out who took Eva before we got this kind of news. My son wouldn't do this kind of thing. It's not in his blood." He said.

I nodded taking a note of it. "Thank you for the information. How has the Night children been holding up?" I asked again.

"Oddly." Hank said on tired sigh. "The daughters have cried oldest has been a rage only with the second youngest son and the youngest boy has been just working on the garden quiet saying nothing. I think he knew this was going to happen. He's got instincts about things. He thinks differently." Hank said.

I nodded. "Okay. When they arrive. I promise not to take to much of their time. I just need to address some questions toward them and then and my mates will get going. I got one question though before they arrive soon enough."

Hank stared at me. "Yeah." He said.

I looked at my notes. "Dragon Draconian. He's the property owner that the pack leases the property from correct?" I asked and looked up.

Ghost held up his hand. "You already know that from your mates. What's your question?" He asked me.

"Did he could by here recently over the past couple of days?" I asked making sure to keep my voice neutral.

A long quiet followed my question. Ghost looked like he was chewing on the inside of his mouth in thought. "Yeah. A few times just to ask about how the hunt was going and to make sure the farm is running smoothly so that he can still collect his lease payment for this month." He said and stared at me.

I nodded. "To your knowledge were they in a sexual relationship?" I asked him.

Ghost stared and smiled. "They had sex occasionally. I don't know for how long or what type of deal it was or if it had something to do with keeping the farm. Everybody knew about it. How did you know?" He asked.

"Lord Draconian wouldn't kill her." Hank said.

I shook my head. "You gentlemen are getting ahead of yourselves. I have not accused anyone of anything. I'm asking questions. I'm just a visitor here. I'm asking questions because their is a lot I don't know about your culture that I am learning sense my arrival here and especially with your pack in particular." I said and my eyes cut over toward the house to see the three brothers coming out. A short young girl was hugged up close to the Frank. Another girl just as tall beautiful dark hair with chestnut eyes stared at me. I looked at the other others they all had the same eyes and strong scents of dominance.

The youngest male one. I stared at his dark eyes. He had the look. He met my stare. I acknowledged what he was at the same time he acknowledged me as well. I had the answers I needed now. I would get the hell out of here soon enough. I problem though. A big problem. I had to see the Draconian Lord quickly.

I turned my gaze toward Ghost frowning at him. "Mr. Redclaw. Where is your son currently? I need to see him as soon as possible." I asked him.

Ghost started to open his mouth. I shook my head. "It's not what your thinking Mr. Redclaw again I haven't accused your son of anything. I just need to see him soon though I'm blind or dumb Sir. I spend a lot of time around the Draconian and I have an adopted sister who is a half-breed. Does your son know?" I said.

Ghost froze and took a step away from me. His eyes grew wide and open mouth in surprise I got an answer but still needed to move fast. This case turning to a explosive shit storm. I had to get move fast with this case. I turned my attention toward the Night family. I smiled passively as they arrived.

I saw expressions on their faces that I was all to knowledgeable about what were they thinking and what rumors and stories were in their minds. I smiled. "Hello. I'm Ranger Danny Sage. I am sorry for your loss." I said.

"What are you here for?" The youngest boy asked with the scent and presence about him that made me feel like I was staring at younger version of myself.

"I help people. Some times I find things or people. I'm here to help you find a male and justice. What happens to that male afterward isn't my concern." I said.

The boy stepped forward away from his family to stand in front of me holding out his hand to me. "I'm Max Night." He said.

I took his hand in a firm shake. "It is nice to meet you Mr. Night." I said taking in his measure.

Max nodded letting my hand go. He then turned to his siblings." You know my big brother Frank, My other brother is Dan. My sister near Frank is Dolly and my brother Frank's twin sister is Darla." He said and then he turned to me. "We won't have much to tell you. We were all working when Momma left the farm for her pack assignment. It was the last time we saw her. Mr. Draconian will be coming by again today. I think you better go and find my Mother's killer. He won't want to see you or hear the news from you. We'll tell him about Momma and you working for us to find out what happened. He'll see you later afterward but you really need to go and start trying to find Momma's killer." He said.

I nodded to him. "I'm sure he will. He listens to you though right?" I said.

Max nodded. "Yeah. I know how to tell him things so he doesn't blow up. He can get pretty mad if he thinks somebody is trying to take a piss on us or Momma." He said and then took out a shirt. His mother's scent was on it. I took it but I felt a hard book under the shirt.

I nodded my thanks to him. "Thanks. I'll get on the job after I leave. Oh. Can you advise your Mr. Draconian to stay here a bit just to make sure things stay safe for you and your siblings and give me some time to work. The bastard I'm looking for is a smart ass piece of shit." I said bluntly.

Max nodded. "I figured as much Mr. Sage. Momma was a mean fighter so that bastard had to be evil cleaver devil. She doesn't have a close relationship with anybody but my siblings and you know who. Mr. Draconian will be around here. Don't worry. Thank you again." He said.

I nodded bowing my head to him and then I looked around at the others shocked faces and realized the strange conversation I had going with there youngest and nodded my head to them. It was time to get going. Frank held up a hand when I turned to go. "Mr. Sage. Thank you again for helping our family." He said.

I bowed to him. "It's what I do Mr. Night take care of your family. I'll take care of hunting the bastard that has robbed you of your mother." I said with a nod to and turned heading quickly back to our ride. The door to the cabby was opened for me by the pack brother that was in control of the horses. I waved him back up to the driver's seat.

"Thanks brother but I got it." I said gentle giving him a wink. He bowed his head in surprise but went back up to driver's seat. I turned and holding open the door of the cabby and held out a hand out Erica.

Erica stared at me until Fire gentle pushed her back. Erica then placed her hand on my palm and allowed me to help her up to the cabby. Fire took my palm and sneaked a kiss on my cheek as she climbed up inside to sit by Erica.

I gave the family one last look of nod. The Night family and th Redclaw elders all still gave me that odd confused look now. I smiled and climbed inside the cabby and closed the door behind me.