69. Ivan

It is time to name the squad. Cherish, Helena and Alexander are waiting on the side of the bleachers in the blazing sun. Jackson and I spent the morning debating, but we have an agreement. We are wearing our full white shirt, black trousers and black cloaks this morning, trying to stamp the appearance of authority upon the sweaty men before us.

The recruits all stared at me as I took centre stage in the dusty earth bowl that used to be a sports field. The grass had been shredded away from all the fighting, running, and drills I had enforced on these shattered shifters.

“I know you probably think I have been too harsh, too demanding. After all we are chasing down common criminals and thugs? What you don’t realise is that the people we are seeking do not play fair. They will have weapons. Silver-edged knives, possibly even landmines peppered with silver and booby-traps.”

Though I had told them this several times already, some of the men’s eyes still looked to the ground at the though