Gravel scattered as the bike slid to a stop, engine growling an iron predator in the night announcing its hunt. The Foundry’s neon sign glared bright and harsh in the darkness as Mel and Thalia stepped off the bike. The two shared a smile, a smile that only friends up to no good have as they stepped over the threshold into the bar. Cade waved, maintaining his professionalism, though the frown gave him away. 

Unlike last time she was here, this time was easier. The music was still loud, she could hear every one’s beating heart, the clinking of glasses, as well as the scent of human and blood and alcohol. It was getting easier to, at least a little to not be so immediately overwhelmed. At least as long as she focused. 

“Grab us a booth, I’ll sooth over his delicate sensitivities,” Mel grinned, suspecting that Cade could hear her. 

Thalia shook her head and went off into the gloom of old industrial metal and beam, as Mel stepped up to the bar, propping herself up with her elbow. She looked around, feeling the eyes on her, and she caught a few staring and ignored them, before waiting for Cade to wander over. It didn’t take long,

“Evening Cade. No trouble, just having a drink – Well, Thal is. I’m just here for the vibes.” 

“You wouldn’t survive if there were trouble.” Cade grimaced.

“Is that a threat? I like you better without ‘em.” Mel said, teasing. 

“No,” he sighed, “Our kind – we’re just wary of yours is all. That and we don’t like the one who’s locked down much of the control round here.” 

“Who’s that? And cut me some slack Cade. I’m not getting any introduction here.” 

“If it wasn’t Lira or one of her enforcers, who kicked your bucket?” 

“Kicked my bucket?,” Mel snorted, “Haven’t heard it like that yet. As to who took a shot at me… Humans, regular people. Or at least not part of any spooky gang. I got lucky, or as lucky as you can get with some old pale lady spouting Yoda crap.” 

“Huh. Lira won’t like that.” 

“Yeah, it’s what I heard. Second time I’ve heard that name tonight.” Mel responded.

“Well,” He sighed, taking a cigarette from his shirt pocket, “I won’t shelter you from her, can’t afford that fight, but s’long as you and her are good you’re free to come and go. No eating round here though.” 

“What if they pick a fight first?” Mel asked, grinning.

“No. Don’t make me get the bat.” He huffed. 

“Fine, fine. I still struggle with it.”, she frowned, “but, it is a second chance.” 

Cade leaned back against the shelving behind the bar, something searching in his eyes, taking a long drag on his smoke. The dim light and curling smoke, the scent of liquor and wood and steel made an intoxicating atmosphere, almost mystical. Something about it, Mel thought, likely appealed to nearly everyone regardless of who – what they were. 

“It’s good to know you won’t lose yourself. Most do, your kind. Two weeks of no guidance—” 

“No, she gives good guidance, regardless of whether I like her or not.” Mel interrupted. 

“Well then, there ya go.” 

“Thanks Cade. For letting me hang around. Let me know if I can return the favor.”

Cade didn’t reply as Mel stepped away from the bar, and stepped further into the gloom. She didn’t make it far before a rough hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. That all to familiar red haze, the warning instinct wanted control flared in her mind, red seeping into her vision, but with a breath it receded.

“Don’t like your kind here, corpse bitch.” He snarled. 

Mel sniffed at the air. Not human, the same scent as Cade, earthy and of dog. She was certain they were werewolves. She wasn’t sure what they called themselves or how they worked and didn’t care. She bared her fangs in a snarl and watched him and his buddy tense, ready to fight. She would strike back, but not the way they expected.

“And you smell like you showered either too long or not enough. How you get any when you smell like wet dog is beyond me.” She quipped, “So hands off.” She ripped her hand from his grip, glancing towards Cade. She wanted to be sure, she wasn’t the problem here.  

His face reddened and his friend choked in laughter. 

“Ha. I like this one.” He said, laughter bubbling low in his throat.

“Look. Cade gave me the okay. No trouble.”

“Then you’re good. I’m going to remember that one,” He said. “Frank, and stank here is Tom. Ignore him. I’ll, uh, try and get it spread around that you’re ok. I remember seeing you around before. You weren’t dead then.” he grinned.

“Mmm. I’m going to miss the whiskey.” 

“Shame, it’s good stuff. Anyway, have a good night.” 

Eyes still stared but now more in curiosity than outright hostility. She had a feeling Tom was going to become ‘stank’ now, and that earned an enemy but raised her standing somewhat with this pack or group or whatever. She hoped anyway. 

Mel wasted no time and made her way to Thalia and slid into the booth opposite of her. Thalia’s eyes were glinting in amusement as she slowly and deliberately nursed and savored her glass of molten amber. 

“Making friends I see.” Thalia snickered. 

“It’s what I do, you know it.” 

Mel watched as Thalia took a slow, languid sip from her glass. Mel let her have her moment, she sat back, eyes narrowed enjoying the theatrics. Enjoying this moment of peace, normality. As always when Thalia’s scent hit her, it left her feeling content, grounded. 

“Shame you can’t have it.” She snickered. 

Mel leaned forward and snapped her teeth back at her.

“Shame you can’t join me later.” Mel whispered back. 

She watched Thalia’s eyes light up, knowing she was loving this. It was so easy to lean into, and it made her feel… strangely not human, but okay about things. She didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing, but it was nice. Martinez thought she was a monster, Rowan wanted her dead. Daniel, god help if he ever found out would not be ok with this. Thank god her mother would never know either. Jesus, that would be met with an army of priests to exorcise her. 

“Well… what is it like?” Thalia asked, a coy smile curling on her lips. 

“It is—“, Mel licked her lips, “something else.” Mel let the tension, the intensity fall flat. 

“Oh you bitch! I’m serious, I want to know!” Thalia cried. 

This was the part Mel didn’t know how to handle. She didn’t know how to even answer the questions for herself, let alone answer in a way that wouldn’t have Thal running from her. The thought of losing not just her only real connection to the world she once knew, but the only one who could just be with her.

“I… don’t know how to answer that.” Mel said quietly. 

Mel wasn’t sure what showed through, she tried to keep a stoic face, but she was sure she slipped. Thalia leaned forward, a gentle look and Mel couldn’t look her in the face, but she couldn’t ignore how human her scent was, how much she wanted to drown in that dark abyss and savor the siren’s call and the blood on her tongue. 

“It would be a lie to say I hate it.” Mel said slowly, “It would be easy to say I loved it, if I could… think of it only in a vacuum, away from the consequences.” 

Thalia was quiet for some time, though she never pulled back away from Mel.

“I don’t think that is a bad thing, Mel. Maybe I shouldn’t feel like it is. Maybe I’m selfish and care more about you than others, but it doesn’t really bother me. Life is messy, things go wrong, people die and it is never fair.” Thalia finally responded.