Research

Beth, for the first time since walking through the dormitory doors, said nothing. She put down her brush, pulled her hair into a ponytail, slipped into her black converse and made for the door, grabbing her phone.1

"I'm gonna scope out the local scene before the cows let out for breakfast. Be back in a bit," she told the room, jogging out the door and down the hall.2

Running was cathartic, freeing. Beth wished she could change. Her human form was magnificent, but nowhere near the speed and agility of her lupine form. And as it stood, she needed as many miles between her and whatever Kira was as was possible. In any effect, she needed to do a bit of studying.3

Her wolf side was such a blessing in many ways. Finding the library was easy: a simple manner of searching the breeze for the right mixture of newsprint, book-binding glue and printer ink. A quick test of the building to listen for the hum of computers and climate control machines, and Beth ducked into the swinging doors.4

This is ridiculous, she told herself, turning down the gothic literature isle. I never thought I'd be using Stoker as a serious research source. But something inside her, the animal side was frightened beyond reason. If left to itself, it would run until that sweet, sickly smell was so far away, even the river would not smell of it.5

So does she turn into a bat? Or a wolf? Beth snorted. The idea of Kira having the same pelt was laughable. The girl was beautiful, to be sure. But Liz couldn't imagine anyone having a black coat like she had in her true form. If anything, Kira would be a brindle, or a gray, not the pure black that Stoker insisted upon.6

But many of the other points were still up for debate. The inhuman speed, the heightened sense of smell and hearing. The ability to perceive people's thoughts, read their heartbeats.7

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Elizabeth breathed. A Higher Power than even her would need to intervene on this one.