Chapter 32

Millersville was starting to go back to normal. It had only been days since what the locals call the night of silence; nobody had a reason, nor did anybody want to talk about it to find an explanation.

If it was talked about at all, it was in hush whispers and behind closed doors; everyone seemed afraid to mention it out in the open like they were worried that to speak of it would somehow invite it to return.

The only person that knew the whole story was Sheriff Brad Thompson, and he wasn't talking about it to anyone, not even his wife.

A story was made up telling everyone that the serial killer was responsible for all of it and that the Sheriff had killed him in a shoot-out just outside of town.

No one questioned it, nor did anyone ask for proof. They just nodded their head and went about their business, trying to make things go back to the happy normal it was before.

The caretakers returned to the mansion across the lake, and the lake house was being packed up and would remain empty until Daisy decided what she wanted to do with it.

Micheal decided that he would like Noah and Daisy to stay with him, but he wasn't sure. Noah now has more responsibilities with Noah's dad being gone.

Tiger shifters didn't have clans or packs. Sometimes families would get together and form small communities, but that was it unless it was like in the Lucas family, which were well established as a hierarchy in the Tiger shifter world.

The old families as they were called might not accept Daisy as Noah's mate; that could be trouble. He also knew that Noah was all Daisy's and hers alone. He was amused at the thought of when those snobs find out who she is.

Micheal had a feeling that the whole Elixir business was just getting started. There were still at least three women Tiger shifters out there who he knew were taking it. There was no way of knowing how many more there were out there waiting to turn into monsters.

Chief Stormwalker clarified a few things that Micheal couldn't find in the ancient books. Everyone who takes the unwilling elixir will become the monster that their soul and personality resemble the most.

The problem was each individual taking the elixir is affected by it in different ways; some could take it for years upon years and eventually shrivel up and die, turning to dust.

While others turn into demons of various kinds, there was no set number of doses that it would take to turn someone either.

For sure, there was no cure; once you willingly take the unwilling elixir, you are doomed to a horrible death at the very least.

Dear God, Micheal thought, let us hope that Judith Lucas was the worst of the bunch and not the best. What other things could be born from this Elixir?

Not only that, he wasn't a fool to think that the Ghost, aka The Wraith, was gone for good either. He knew that bastard still had a part to play in all this he just hoped he could stop him before he got going again.

He stood up and went to his private garden. It was time to collect those tears.

______________________

The Wraith was so happy with himself that he managed to establish his workshop and living quarters right under all their stupid noses. Raymond would choke on his tongue if he knew where he was sitting right now.

He giggled at his cleverness and creativity; now that he had his workshop up and ready to go, all he needed was a new play toy to mold into the perfect masterpiece that his audience had come to expect from him.

Thinking of his next victim carefully, he would have to have a test subject; at least, after all, his primary guest is royalty.

Searching his map and the register of living humans and vampires in the community, he was almost drooling over the possibilities; he wanted to start with a test subject before going after his primary target, who at this moment was not here.

The gossip, if it were to be believed that his main target would be here for the grand introduction ball of the new princess. He thought, now how will I get an invite to the ball.

He started to laugh maniacally as he thought he should ask his fairy godmother. Perhaps she could even give him the glass slipper treatment.

Laughter could be heard echoing off the dark corridors deep in the earth where only the shadows could listen.

_______________________

Raymond paced in his bedroom. He started to hear rumors of what was going on in that shit town. There was no way that the Elixir he was making was flawed unless, of course, the only blood that would work was that of the girl and all other blood makes the Elixir evil.

He wasn't deterred, though, as he stared at the amber-colored vile on his nightstand. He still made one more large batch. He had to keep his customers happy till he could offer the super Elixir.

I will have to bid my time, that is all. Once the girl is in my possession, I can make as much as possible; she will become my cash cow.

The only problem was that he didn't know where the girl was anymore. He'd heard rumors of Lucas bringing his true mate to the princess introduction ball; he knew that Lucas was there in that town while he was but is she the one?

He was going to have to get out his list of contacts. Those who owed him favors or, perhaps if needed, someone off of his blackmail list to help him find out if she was the one.

He wasn't worried he would find someone who knew; his indexes were extensive and went back many years.

All he has to do is get the information, and then he could plan on how to obtain the girl; his only problem will be if she turns out to be someone of high society, then she will be missed, which could lead to more significant troubles.

Perhaps he could buy her if those she was with were willing?

________________

Miss Tanya Harrison was an elite socialite and another Tiger shifter; she was 32 years old with long beautiful deep red hair and bright greenish-grey eyes.

She was every man's fantasy, and she knew her favorite pass time was to seduce married males so she could break up their families.

Her worst hatred was of children of any species, nasty little needy things always wanting something or crying or getting snot on things; they should all be put somewhere away from people until they were of standard size.

She drank down her Elixir and watched as her body transformed into a goddess, letting out a giggle; she smoothed down her skin tight almost hip-high black dress and put on her three-inch heels.

She didn't need the Elixir. She was still vibrant and beautiful even with her being older, but she didn't want to leave anything to chance, and the Elixir made sure that she was received well.

Feeling perfect, she went out the door into the waiting limo right into the arms of a seventy-year-old human male, he was filthy rich, and he had a wife that was thirty years his junior.

"Hello, my dear. You look ravishing tonight."

"Thank You, and you look dashing tonight, Jason."

Right at that moment, her stomach let out a horrible sound. She had eaten, so she shouldn't be hungry now, but it sounded like.

Jason started to laugh when Tanya turned all red from embarrassment.

"It is ok, my love. We will get dinner before we go to our room, or would you like to order room service instead?"

She didn't know what was going on, but her Tiger Silky was going crazy hungry on her; she had all she could do not to shift right then and then, and oh god, she could feel Silky wanting to eat Jason.

Without any warning, Silky took over, and her eyes went from greyish green to a deep emerald. Tanya could do nothing but watch as a very hungry Silky manipulated the situation to her needs.

In her most sweet and sultry voice, leaning into him so he could see down the front of her dress as she whispered to Jason...

"Room Service, please."