Shapeshifter's Struggle

Chapter 9: Meeting an Enemy

"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance." ~Harrison Ford, American actor

I walked into the small coffee shop where Jared was supposed to meet us. Rachel, David, and Logan followed me into its dark interior. I scanned the room and quickly picked up Jared and his friend. They were both watching the door and at the moment my eyes met his in my cursory sweep, I knew them as Shifters.

I pulled out my wallet and handed Rachel a twenty dollar bill. We needed cover and in a coffee shop, that meant coffee. "Logan, go with her," I instructed quietly, my eyes still on Jared and his friend. I didn't want Rachel alone, and Logan would be watchful. Logan nodded. David and I went to Jared's table.

When we moved close to the table, one of them smiled and gestured to the chairs across the table from him. David pulled his away from the table and angled it so he could see the others at the register. I sat down facing the one who'd gestured.

"Samantha Stryder, I presume," the one I had assumed was Jared asked. "I'm Jared Cain. This is my younger brother, James."

They looked like brothers. Both tall, muscular, with brown hair and unremarkable brown eyes. Jared's face looked softer than James's. It was also easy to see that Jared was older. Both wore blue jeans and T-shirts, nothing spectacular.

I nodded. No one offered to shake hands. "David, Rachel, Logan," I introduced. But I didn't point them out. "What do you want?"

Jared laughed. "You haven't even gotten your coffee yet, cousin. Down to talking business already?"

"I'm not here because I want to be," I answered coldly.

"Why don't we wait for the rest of your friends," Jared smiled. He seemed perfectly comfortable in this setting. He seemed like the kind of guy who would be comfortable anywhere. So we waited for Logan and Rachel. It wasn't a long wait. The shop wasn't particularly busy so we got our coffees pretty quickly.

Logan set mine down on the table in front of me and stood next to me. There were no more chairs at our table. David stood up and pulled over a nearby table for two. Logan grabbed the two chairs, but Rachel didn't seem inclined to sit next to Jared. David pulled the chair around the table and at the corner next to him. She nodded and sat down.

"Now, what do you want?" I demanded.

"Impressive," Jared commented. "You've already taught her to be afraid of us. You don't have any reason to fear me. Not right now."

"She is not afraid. She knows better than to trust being near you but unable to see you directly," I said. Rachel nodded, but didn't speak. She was leaving that to me.

"Nice," Jared admired. "Now, down to business, since you seem so eager. You are the canine council's favorite Finder, Samantha."

"Not really," I said.

"Oh yes, I think you are. What about this new rogue phenomenon? The interracial Shifter?" he looked at David, then Logan. He didn't know which one was which. "Logan. You are his handler, are you not."

"Logan is a person, not a dog. I am his friend and team leader, not handler," I said. "How did you know about Logan?"

"No, not a dog. So much more," he said. "The Cains would like to make him a counter offer to the Interracial Council's. And you, Samantha. Such a talented Finder, you would be quiet welcome among us. You have Cain blood."

"You want me to leave my family, abandon my team, and turn myself and Logan over to the Cains? Do you think I am stupid?" Some of my cool professionalism slipped.