Moonlight Medicine: Inoculation by Jen Haeger Page B

knowledge of what had been happening to them, and what was going to happen to them around the next full moon, control of the rage that accompanied the Wolfkin transformation was almost impossible, however, it was all but assured with the prior dehumanization. Since Taras preferred most of his pack to have little control during the change, so that none could best him in a challenge, it was a well-practiced strategy within the Vulke, and had served them well in the past.
    In addition to checking the training facilities, Nicolas had to negotiate and secure a site for the battle to take place, and acquire transport to and from the site for all of the strays and other Vulke troops. The logistics of the fight would be tricky, and he would have to rely on the desire of the other packs to remain hidden from society at large and avoid killing innocents. His preference was to take the battle to Michigan, the heart of the Wahya pack, to make the Vulke triumph even more poignant, and he was certain that the other packs would agree thinking they would have the best advantage there.
    The car pulled off the expressway and drove down several surface streets that went from ugly and dangerous city streets to a less populated industrial area to an abandoned manufacturing plant at the end of a crumbling concrete drive. They parked inside an old supply shed to mask their presence. Two other beat-up vans with darkly tinted windows were already in the shed, but other than the hidden vehicles there were no outward signs of occupation. Nicolas was pleased by this, and smiled as he exited the vehicle and followed the driver a short distance to the main building. The metal door boasted a new and formidable lock, and the driver reached into the pocket of his cargo pants and extracted a key that was attached to the garment by a keyring on a length of elastic. He pulled the elastic tight as he unlocked the door, and he carefully replaced the key in his pocket as he pulled the door open, its creaking metal hinges making a harsh sound that echoed loudly in the vast hollow interior of the building. The man entered first and motioned Nicolas to follow him, then shut the door quickly behind them, relocking it with the key.
    While the man worked to secure the door, Nicolas took in the interior of the building. They were in an entry hallway that was only separated from the rest of the building by metal walls that fell well short of the three story tall ceiling, and was lit solely by the natural light coming through distant windows far up on the exterior walls. The floor was dirty concrete and the hallway led to another metal door with a small broken window. As they approached the second door a man’s face appeared in the window space. He was pale with dark circles under his eyes, prodigious scruff on his face, and dark, greasy hair that hadn’t seen a shower in several days. A surly demeanor went along with his unkempt appearance, but as Nicolas got closer to the door the sour look on his face was replaced by one of respect and not a little fear.
    “Sir, welcome, we are ready for your inspection.”
    The grubby man reached through the window and hurried to unlock the inner door with a key from the outside. When he had the door unlocked he held it wide for the other two men to enter, and Nicolas noted that the inner deadbolt latch was missing. Again he approved since it would be difficult for anyone to enter or exit the building via this door without having both the key to the inner door and the key to the outer door. He only hoped that his men were smart enough not to allow one individual to have both keys. Nicolas filed it away as a minor detail that he would ask about later, but for now he was anxious to see the rest of the facility.
    The inner door opened up to a larger area of the factory floor which was littered with various bits of old, rusty machinery and metal drums. In one corner was a cot with a threadbare blanket and lumpy pillow, near that a