Page 51 of Mytho Investigations: Side Stories

His gaze drifted to the screen as various videos played, showing the chaos happening around town. Somewhere out there Reyman was leading the wild magic—and his pack—away. No doubt he’d stopped by Jake’s place to see if he’d join them. When he’d woken up this morning, he had deliberated, but only for a few seconds. While the temptation to be able to shift was strong, it wasn’t something he craved like some of the older werewolves because he didn’t remember much of the before.

That was the lie he told himself, anyway.

The truth was he worried about what Adam might say. He liked him too much to lose him. He was worried about leaving and having to start over somewhere new, and he didn’t like Reyman or trust him. Those reasons had been enough for him to drag his tail to work instead of getting involved in unicorn drama—which was probably best avoided.

He finished up and was told to take a patient down to x-ray and then bring them back. By the time he stopped and checked the news again, he was on his dinner break, which was also his break between shifts. He’d been regretting accepting a second double for the last four hours. Partly he was going to miss the Samhain celebrations, and while he could turn up late, he’d be too tired.

He messaged Adam to see how he was doing with the chaos. He’d hadn’t expected a reply, especially if Adam was busy, but he got one back as he finished his second cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. He hoped the caffeine and sugar were enough to get him through another eight hours.

Be safe. It’s weird out here.

I know, you should see it where I am.

The ER was full of people who were wild magic affected and had gotten injured as a result.

Have you seen anything like this before?

No. But if you see a unicorn, run. That’s what we were told growing up.

Any other advice?

Don’t make any wishes.

While wild magic was dangerous, it would settle and become stable and then this place would be more like the home he didn’t really remember. He’d thought the missing memories were part of the collapse damage, but he’d learned it was some kind of trauma response. Working in a hospital had given him all kinds of insights. Unlike a lot of others, he didn’t mind rotating to the psych ward because he enjoyed talking to the doctors and nurses, and sure, some of them were curious about werewolves and the before, but learning meant trading knowledge.

While he’d considered going back to school to become a nursing assistant, unless he was classified as a person, there didn’t seem much point. And if the Mythological Persons Bill didn’t pass, he didn’t know what was going to happen to his job.

Or what it might mean for him and Adam.

I don’t think I’ll be finishing on time. I’ll sleep at home.

Okay. Later, maybe?

Jake winced. Was he being too needy?

Tomorrow afternoon?

Sounds good.

Are you going to the mytho party?

I’m already dead on my feet. The only party I’m planning is with my pillow.

That’s a party I want to attend.

Jake smiled. He wasn’t being brushed off. Wild magic had simply gotten in the way of them sharing a bed and snuggling up after too many hours working. He checked the time.

I need to go, break’s over. Good luck.

You too.

Jake tossed his rubbish and made his way back to work, tail drooping. Stupid doubles. He’d swear off them for a few weeks before deciding it wasn’t too bad as he always needed the money.

Jake woke up face down on the bed like he always did, but something was off. He kept his eyes closed as he tried to work out what it was. There was no one in his apartment, and he could hear the people who lived upstairs moving around.

He didn’t feel unwell, but he didn’t feel quite right either.

He pushed aside the feeling, blaming it on exhaustion and the back-to-back doubles. He opened his eyes, ready to force himself up, and stopped. Where there had always been a paw, was now a hand. And clearly his hand as two of his claws were filed short and blunt for fingering Adam.