The creature spun, turning its sightless eyes and a mouth circled with mandibles toward Jasmine. A high-pitched screech emitted from its insectoid mouth, and Jasmine saw the angry intent in its eyes when it turned its efforts toward penetrating her flesh. Its body stretched, fighting against the claw, but Jasmine held her position, gritting her teeth and staring death in the face once more.

  Before it could reach her, the creature’s bleached-white body jerked. It shuddered, and its screech reached a crescendo before its body went limp and hundreds of legs splayed. It fell still and silent.

  The room fell into silence. Jasmine was frozen to the spot, with her eyes fixed on the creature. Eddy and Ivan didn’t exist for a moment as her scrambled mind tried to accept what she was looking at. Was it really dead? Was it playing some trick on her?

  She gently sat back on her ass, finding that she had been holding her breath. She removed her claw from the creature and stared unblinkingly at it, coiled and tense in case she needed to strike again.

  The creature remained still, dead as a doornail.

  “What is that thing?” Eddy asked.

  Jasmine didn’t reply. The gentle chatter of the receptionist greeting a new visitor floated in from down the hall. Jasmine strode to the door and glanced along the corridor, and sure enough, the woman was smiling at a gentleman standing before her. There was no sign of security, no sign the clerk had heard any of the commotion in Eddy’s room.

  How is that possible?

  Jasmine closed the door and turned her attention back to the room. The nurse lying on the floor stirred, and Jasmine moved quickly to kick the creature behind the trash can.

  The nurse sat up slowly. Her eyes were glazed, and she delicately touched her nose as though examining for a nosebleed. She looked dazedly around the room, fixing her gaze on Eddy, then Ivan, then Jasmine. “What happened? Where did she go?”

  Jasmine leaned down to offer a hand to the nurse. As she helped the confused woman to her feet, she asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know…the girl? She was…?” The nurse frowned, looking around as if there should be someone there.

  “Come, take a seat,” Jasmine suggested, sliding a chair out for the nurse. The nurse thanked her, and Eddy commented how strange it must feel for their roles to be reversed as the visitors helped the nurse.

  She looked off into space, trying to process what had happened. Jasmine pressed her for answers.

  “I don’t really remember…” the nurse explained. “All I know is that I had gone out of the back of the building for a cigarette break—don’t judge me, I know it’s an awful habit—and there was a young girl there. She looked lost, which isn’t unusual. This is a big place, and often kids get lost. But she asked me where she could find the critical care ward, and then…then I woke up on the floor.”

  Jasmine exchanged a glance with Ivan. “I don’t know what to tell you,” Jasmine claimed, trying to work out a plan to lead her away from the truth. “I hear stories of how overworked hospital staff are. I can’t imagine the types of pressures that you’re under. You came through the door and almost collapsed from exhaustion. Maybe you should ask your manager for some time off?”

  The woman frowned. “Yeah…maybe…”

  Jasmine looked into her eyes, wondering if even a shadow of memory remained of what had just happened. She knew she wasn’t being too convincing, but the nurse excused herself. She paused at the door to add, “It’s funny…One minute you’re out in the parking lot, sitting at a picnic table, taking a moment for yourself. The next, you’re passed out in a patient’s room…” There was no humor in her voice. “My boyfriend’s going to have a field day with this one. He already tells me how overworked I am.” She looked back at the group. “Anyway, a speedy recovery. Thanks again for helping me.”

  After the nurse disappeared down the corridor, Jasmine dashed over to the trash can. She removed the empty bag lining the can to use as a glove to pick up the creature. Even through the thin plastic, it felt horrible in her hands. It felt like a limp shellfish with far too many body sections.

  “Wait here,” she commanded.

  Eddy and Ivan didn’t have time to argue before Jasmine ran out of the room. She dashed through the hospital, eliciting disapproving looks from staff and visitors on her way outside.

  Cool air greeted her skin, and the sky was awash with pinks and peaches as the sun set. She sent a text message to the pack on her phone, requesting they keep an eye out for a young girl who may appear lost and alone, then turned right, running around the perimeter of the hospital until she found the area where picnic benches were gathered a short distance from the hospital proper.

  Jasmine circled the area, looking for the girl and paying little attention to some nurses taking their breaks. After a few minutes, she spotted a few members of the pack on their way toward her.

  Gloria ran ahead of the pack. “Jasmine, what’s going on?”

  Instead of answering, Jasmine held up the trash bag.

  “I don’t understand—” Gloria started to reply, then cut off when Jasmine opened the mouth of the bag to show her what was inside. “What the…”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Jasmine agreed. “This is why it’s vital we find that girl. She was spotted around here about ten to fifteen minutes ago.”

  Gloria looked at the other members of the pack. “We haven’t seen anyone matching the description you sent. We’ve seen no one under the age of thirty, at least. Even those who had been on guard duty earlier have no recollection of seeing a lost young girl at all. Jasmine, what’s going on? What is that thing?”

  Jasmine spotted a few nurses looking her way, their curiosity drawn. She motioned for the others to follow her, putting more distance between themselves and the hospital staff. “I have no idea, Gloria. All I know is that something is out to kill Eddy, and this isn’t the first creature of this kind I’ve seen since coming back from Del and Kendrick’s wedding. Whatever the fuck is going on, Eddy needs twenty-four-hour surveillance until we can confirm what these things are and how they’re taking over people’s bodies.”

  “Parasites?” Old Pine asked, his dopey eyes blinking lazily.

  “Looks that way,” Jasmine answered. “Couldn’t tell you what or how, though.”

  Gloria looked stunned and shook her head. “Shit.”

  “My thinking exactly.” Jasmine ran her fingers through her hair, looking around again for the girl.

  “Who’s with Eddy now?” Gloria asked.

  “Ivan.” As soon as she spoke, Jasmine realized that his protection was pretty weak without her standing guard. “We need to beef that up.”

  Gloria nodded. “Understood. We’ll form a watch rotation to ensure that he’s got someone watching over him at all times. Who do you want on first?”

  Jasmine, taken aback at being put in command, randomly selected two of the pack. She extended the bag and let the pair look inside. They each took a long sniff of the creature, their faces souring before they gave curt nods.

  “That’s what you’re looking for,” Jasmine informed them. “It could be in anybody. There’s no telling who they will choose as their host, though there seems to be a pattern with younger minds.”

  “Perhaps they’re more malleable?” Gloria suggested.

  Jasmine agreed, then set the pair of Weres toward the hospital. They dutifully ran toward the nearest entrance.

  “Are they going to be okay?” Jasmine asked, watching after them.

  Gloria scoffed. “You’ve met our kind, right? If anyone sees or even smells something out of the ordinary, they’ll be on them. You’ll be the first to know. Scout’s honor.”

  “Good.” Jasmine sighed, determination coursing through her alongside the frustration of letting another enemy slip through her grasp. “Whatever we do, we need to track down these fuckers and bring them to justice. This is starting to get ridiculous.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Jasmine dug her hands deep into her dark overcoat and looked out across the street.

  She would never have believed districts like this existed had she not seen them for herself during her investigative career. The old Batman movies had it right—this place was more like an ancient Gotham than part of a modern city. Steam rose from grates on the ground, the sidewalk was peppered with weeds, and the strong stink of marijuana hung in the air. Even though it was late in the day, the stoops of the apartment buildings hosted dodgy-looking sorts who all leered at Jasmine as she strode along.

  Jasmine knew little of the area other than the crime rate statistics she had found on her cell phone when looking up directions to get there. Had it not been for her abilities, she might have felt nervous under the penetrating stares of several muscular men wandering around in groups and women who looked as though they’d sucked on a lemon and believed Jasmine was to blame for it.

  I suppose we better get this started…

  “Excuse me,” Jasmine called, walking over to the nearest threesome of men hunched on a stoop. A brown bag poorly concealed a liquor bottle near the closest man’s feet. His dreadlocks reached down to his shoulders, and his stained jeans had several holes. A predatory grin stretched on his face.

  “Sup, skinny stuff,” he crooned. “Looking for a bronco to buck?”

  Jasmine held his gaze with her best poker face. “I’m looking for someone.”

  “Oh, we’re all looking for someone,” the man sitting behind Dreadlock replied. He was considerably skinnier and had a long scar winking along his forearm. A tattoo of an anchor covered his neck. “Hard to find people in this neighborhood, though. Hard to call for help…”

  They chuckled darkly. On a nearby street, a motorcycle revved its engine.

  Undeterred, Jasmine pressed on. “Looking for a kid. Tommy Boyd? He’s known to live around here somewhere.”

  They looked at each other.

  “Sorry, baby,” Dreadlock replied. “Ain’t no Tommy here.” He rose to his feet, rubbing his hands and biting his lip. “But if you want, you can come back here, and we’ll show you what a real Boyd looks like.”

  As he approached, Jasmine could smell his musk, a mix of cheap cologne and rank sweat. She held her ground, offering a half-assed smile before dismissing herself and continuing down the street. She felt their eyes on her long after she was gone.

  Jasmine approached a few more clusters of nearby people, all of them giving her the same message: Tommy Boyd wasn’t known around here.

  She decided to enter a nearby convenience store, hoping the owners might know him or at least recognize his description. The bell rang overhead as she entered, and bright lights dazzled inside the building. Snaking through the aisles toward the counter, Jasmine noticed the curious gaze of a group of teens. She studied them, taking note of any distinguishing features before she reached the checkout.

  “Can I help you?” the woman behind the counter asked. Her lipstick was two shades too bright for her face, telling the story of a woman attempting to appear younger than she truly was.

  Jasmine offered a smile. “I hope so. I’m looking for someone.”

  “We don’t sell someones,” the woman replied with a sigh. “We sell convenience items. You want to buy someone, you gots to watch out for the law. Find a dealer nearby. But that’s none of my business.”

  Bile rose in Jasmine’s throat. “No, that’s not what I mean.” She explained who she was looking for, doing her best to give an accurate description of the boy she’d seen enter the Nest.

  “Rings no bells.” The woman offered a suspicious glare to Jasmine. She looked past her at the group of teens at the back of the store. “There’s some kids. Why don’t you ask them—Hey! Hey!”

  The woman darted out from behind the counter, chasing after the teens who had suddenly decided they needed to exit the store. They were laughing, one of them shouting “run” as they fled through the door.

  The woman barreled away from the checkout, crashing into the nearby display stand. She darted toward the door and almost crashed through the glass. She stopped in the doorway, waving her fist, bellowing after the kids. “You little shits! I’ll make sure the cops find you. You won’t get away with this.”

  Jasmine joined the woman by the door, though there was no longer a sign of the teens. “What did they take?”

  The woman shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll find out when I do inventory. Little shits. Every day it’s something in this place.” She sighed, then returned to the counter.

  Jasmine stared out at the street. In the opening of an alley across the road, she saw movement. A grinning face was staring her way. She looked back at the woman once more, about to offer a “thanks,” when she realized it would be pointless. It’s not like the woman had helped her in any way.

  Returning her hands to her pockets, Jasmine stepped from the store. She crossed the road, avoiding looking in the direction of the alleyway until she drew closer. The head had disappeared, but the teens were making no effort to be quiet.

  She crept to the entrance and paused. She heard packets of food items crinkling and the hiss of a bottle of soda being opened. Jasmine shook her head. If you’re going to steal something, at least make it booze or drugs. What have they taken? Grape soda and Twinkies?

  She gathered herself and stepped into the mouth of the alley. She couldn’t see the teens directly, but she knew they were nearby. She found them huddling in a corner a short distance into the alley. A young girl with blonde bangs and braces stood straight, drawing the attention of the others to Jasmine’s arrival.

  “It’s okay,” Jasmine stated quickly, making a placating gesture with her hands. “I’m not going to turn you in. You keep whatever snacks you’ve stolen. I’m not with the store.”

  A kid with dark spiked hair narrowed his eyes at her. “And we’re supposed to trust you?”

  “No,” Jasmine replied. “Trust is earned. You don’t know me.”

  “Then get fucking lost,” a girl with headphones hugging her neck demanded.

  Jasmine held her ground, meeting the girl’s gaze. She had to give her credit. There was no fear behind those eyes, just sheer determination and hatred for a woman she had never met before.

  Jasmine decided to cut right to the chase. “Any of you know a kid by the name of Tommy Boyd?”

  “I said get lost.” The girl took a step toward Jasmine.

  Jasmine remained where she was.

  “Easy…” The leader of their pack stepped forward. He was a tall kid with bright blue eyes, and if not for his dirty hoodie and tattered pants, he looked as though he could be standing on stage as part of a boy band. “I advise you to listen to my friend. If you don’t want any trouble, get the hell out of here. People like you can find themselves lost and beaten pretty easy in a place like this.”

  “Are you saying you’re going to beat me up?” Jasmine fought the temptation to reveal her claws and scare the troop into answering her question.

  The girl with bangs answered, “If that’s what it takes.”

  Jasmine spotted the glint of a blade in the girl’s hand. She smiled and shook her head. “How about we try this another way?”

  Jasmine reached into her inside jacket pocket. The teens all stood to attention, fearful of what Jasmine would produce. Another kid who had been sitting and snacking on candy rose to his feet, also drawing a knife.

  “Relax,” Jasmine told her, drawing out a wad of cash. “How much is it going to cost to point me in the right direction?”

  “Direction for what?” Blondie asked. “We don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Then point me to someone who might,” Jasmine requested. “I’m not from around here, and I’m very interested in pursuing this boy and tracking him down. If you don’t know of him, show me someone who might. Point me to a school or another neighborhood. Give me something.”

  She knew it was a long shot. After all, you couldn’t assume everyone in a district knew everyone else. Jasmine had money spilling out of her ears, though, and she was prepared to put it to good use to ensure Eddy remained safe.

  The teens looked at each other, unsure of the right move. Boy Band drew a cigarette from his pocket before lighting it and drawing in a long drag. Jasmine waited patiently. He was clearly trying to play the role of someone much older and more intimidating than he was. “How much?”

  “Jay, no,” Bangs protested, moving closer to the boy.

  The boy shoved her away without looking at her, keeping his gaze fixed on Jasmine. “Well?”

  Jasmine shrugged. “Name your price.”

  He looked between her eyes and her hands, guessing the amount she was holding. “Five hundred bucks.”

  Bangs looked at Jasmine, drawn by the magic of currency.

  “Consider it done,” Jasmine agreed.

  Jay reached for the money.

  Jasmine pulled back. “Info first.”

  Jay narrowed his eyes. “You want to find DeMarco. He’s connected.”

  “And how do I find DeMarco?” Jasmine asked.

  Jay chuckled. The laughter extended to the rest of the group.

  “You don’t find DeMarco,” Spikes stated. “He finds you.”

  Jay handed over a tattered business card that looked like it had been designed by a child. On it was a phone number written in an untidy scrawl. “Message that. Give him your location. Wait. That’s it.”

  Jasmine studied Jay’s face, searching for signs of deception. It was difficult to tell if there were any lies behind those eyes. What was there to lose?

  She handed over the money and left the alley. She flinched and hopped back when she emerged onto the main street and a cop car blazed past with its siren blaring. The vehicle screeched around a corner, sending a bunch of locals ducking inside their houses.