For a second, Derek wished that he and Curtis had a common telepathy, so that they would be able to communicate through their mind links, out of the hearing of prying ears.

Throwing a suggestive look at Curtis who nodded his head in understanding, they stepped tentatively, their feet almost making no noise as they brushed the leaves and damp soil, in the direction of the smell, the blood smell.

The scent got realer and stronger as they approached a big oak tree, some degrees west of the area they had been standing on before.

They came to a halt, few feet from the tree, before turning to themselves and...