Rose: Briar's Thorn by Erik Schubach

explained what we believed was coming, that nobody in the city was safe.  I could hear him telling her it was impossible, even if he could convince the mayor, there were just too many people in the city for what little time was left.
    Daria was getting shorter and shorter and her voice was getting a growling tone.  She said, “I can't hold my human form any longer.  Speak with the Red Hood, she will have to be on speaker since her magics would fry the phone.”  She hit a button and said in an animalistic voice, “Chief, you arrrrre on speakerrrrrowwl grrrrrrrrr.”
    The cloak fell to the ground as she fell to all fours and became a huge werewolf again.  She looked at herself with a look of sorrow in her eyes then down at the phone on the floor.  Red was kneeling with her arms spread wide.  Daria stepped into her embrace, then Mari took off the talisman and tossed it to Gretta, who deftly caught it.  Her eyes turned amber, then white, and I saw fine wisps of power pull apart the magic in the talisman and it crumbled in her hand.
    Parker picked up the phone and moved farther from Mari, who looked up as she dug her fingers into Daria's pelt and scratched.  Red said, “Chief Mendez.”
    A man's deep voice said, “Miss Damaschin, it has been a while.”  Then his voice took on an accusing tone.  “McQueen has been alive all this time and you didn't tell me?”
    She repeated Daria and said, “The deception was necessary.  You know what the government types would do if they knew what she was, and got their hands on her.”
    There was a pause then he growled out,  “You could have told me, trusted me.  She was one of mine and I thought we lost her.”
    She nodded and closed her eyes. “I truly am sorry Chief.”  Then she exhaled and said, “We can discuss this later, I promise that if any of us survive the oncoming storm, I will bring Daria by to have a nice long chat.”  She added, “She's done Seattle proud sir.”
    There was another pause and he spoke with less sternness,  “Yes... she has.  Can you tell me more about what is coming so I can talk to the mayor?”  Before she could answer, he confided in her, “You know, it was smart having McQueen call, I don't know if I would have listened to, or believed you otherwise.”
    She nodded to herself. “I understand.  Believe me, I wish it were not true.  But whatever the Alpha's have planned, Gretta Snow can't prevent it, there are just too many druid circles left.  And we have it on good authority that whatever it is, is going to be bigger than simply a massive breach.  Our sources don't know if even we Avatars can face it.”
    He asked, “And who are your sources?”
    She chuckled. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you.  Let's just say that some higher powers are at work here.”
    He almost groaned. “I'll probably need you here when I speak to the mayor.  If they okay it, it will be the biggest walled city evacuation in history.”
    “ We are at your disposal.  But you are underestimating what we are asking it seems.  Not just the walled portion of the city needs to be evacuated.  Where do you think the Alpha's forces will go if they find the city empty?”
    He snapped, “Shit!  Are you saying that the Seattle metro needs to be clear?”  He gruffed then asked, “Can't we just blow all of the druid circles?  Wouldn't that prevent them from making this... focus thing?”
    Gretta spoke, “This is Gretta Snow, Chief.  It would, but it would leave the city vulnerable to the ferals at the full moon tomorrow night.  Even Ella and I could not seal that many breaches in a day.”
    He cussed then said, “You ladies are a pain in my ass.  Okay, I'll call this number back if I need you to back me.”
    Red said, “We will be waiting to hear back.”  Then she tilted her head and paused, looking directly at me, slowly smiling, then said toward the phone, “If we can't effect a full evacuation we need to get whoever remains as far