Seraphina
I'm distracted.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat, fidgeting. I moved things around my desk like a kid forced inside when all he wants to do is play with the sand outside.
I keep glancing at the note that arrived the day before while I count down the clock to when I had to make my way to Obsidian bar.
I'm jittery the entire day even without coffee. My nerves forced me to mask my scent four times before the end of day. Which is typically unusual.
The stress must be pushing my natural scent way more than usual. I placed the scale box in inventory, concealing it under thousands of other boxes. Out of sight, out of mind. Except it wasn't out of mind.
And sooner or later, I'd be forced to display it with the other artifacts.
I started packing up as soon as the clock struck six. And by six-thirty I had clocked out and reapplied my oils and perfumes for good measure before heading out.
The drive to Obsidian bar was only less than twenty minutes, but I was too nervous to wait till eight.
Thoughts of what if whoever had sent the scale was a dragon had filled my head, and now I was filled with hope and a little fear of what I'd do if that were true.
I made my way to the table at the far end of the bar. Secluded enough to hide shady dealings, but close enough to the back exit to leave if it all goes to hell.
A barmaid approached my table after a few seconds, a pen and notepad in hand.
"Hello, what can I get you?"
"Water, would be fine," I replied.
She looked up at me, and nodded slowly. I probably looked weird ordering water in a bar, but it is what it is.
"Would that be all?"
I nodded.
"I'm afraid you need to get drinks or order some food to keep your table," she said politely.
"Then give me the best food you have on your menu with some water please," I said.
She nodded, smiling.
"Coming right up," she said before leaving.
She returned fifteen minutes later with water, and what looked like burgers and bottled water.
"It's not the best food we've got, but it's the only thing you can eat here without feeling your stomach curse at you," she explained. "Plus it goes well with just water."
I nodded and thanked her. I took a huge gulp of water before eating the burger. Three bites in, and he finally walked through the door.
He scanned the bar for a second before making his way to my table. I pushed the plate to the side when he sat in front of me.
"Sarah."
"Nick."
"So what would you like me to do a location spell on?" He asked.
I handed him the note.
"This isn't enough to get a location on," he said.
"I know. I was hoping, if the spell couldn't work, you could maybe find out, using your other means," I said.
Nick was a witch. One the best I've ever met during my long lifetime. Not only was he a witch, he was also the best forensic I know and minored in hacking.
Like I said, the best.
He was also the one who helped me renew the protection around the borders of my place every few years.
"So can you help?" I asked.
"Sure. My aunt's shop isn't far from here, and she has everything I'll need for a location spell," he said.
I nodded. "Paid my tab and we both walked to his aunt's shop."
She led us to the back room, and returned a second later with everything Nick needed.
I sat quietly at a corner, holding my breath while he said the spells. The candles in the room flared for a second before dying back down.
They flared two more times before he gave up and turned to me.
"I told you it won't be enough for a location spell."
"Nothing at all?"
He shook his head. He rested on the table, and held the paper in between his index and middle finger. If I were human I would have found the action sexy.
But no matter what or who it was, I didn't feel any attraction.
"Can you give me the contents of what was delivered with this note?"
I shook my head. The scale was the museum's property now.
"Could you take the note with you and find out who sent it?" I asked. "I'll pay whatever you ask."
He shook his head. "The usual fee is fine."
I nodded.
"Are you going to tell me anytime soon what pack you belong to and why they chased you out?"
I shook my head.
"Then will you tell me why I can't feel any wolf in you or is that why you were sent out?" He asked.
"Something like that," I replied. My perfectly curated backstory.
"Well, if you're hiding from other werewolves, it's only fair to warn you, as a long standing client and all," Nick said. "Some wolves came into town earlier this week. You should watch your back."
"I will. Thanks," I replied.
I sent the part payment for the job before returning to the bar for my car.
If magic couldn't find out who sent the package, technology sure would.
The drive back home felt a lot calmer than I'd expected. My head bobbed to the music playing on the radio while my hands drummed on the steering wheel.
It felt like a good day to shift. I did just that as soon as I returned home. I fly around just above the ground and hunt the squirrels and deers surrounding my forest.
I felt better after releasing all the pent up energy and frustration I had had bottled up inside this past week.
My bath felt even more calming. And when my head hits the pillows, I drift into wonderland. For a few blissful hours I'm content.
Then as usual, the terrain of my dreams shift, and back in my own little body watching my family get massacred by vampires.
And as usual, the vicious cycle of the worst night of my life plays out in a loop, and I'm forced into the front seat, watching everything I love turn to ashes around me.