Chapter Text
It was a quiet night.
Nights in Systar usually were. Oh, there were some scuffles here and there, usually involving newcomers to the small queendom still adjusting to the peace. But they were out on patrol on the rumor of slavers that had managed to make it past the borders. A number of mythos from the outlying settlements had been reported missing, mysteriously vanished in the dead of night. They didn’t expect anyone in their right mind would want to tangle with a pair of alpha sirens, and thus had volunteered to do a sweep in search of the missing individuals.
“They must have caught wind that we were onto them,” Alastar remarked. “How much do you want to bet they high-tailed it and are long gone now?”
“One can certainly hope,” Cary murmured. “I wouldn’t count on it, though. Not until we’ve searched every square inch of Systar to be sure.”
“You’re probably right,” Alastar sighed. “Oh, hold up a moment, would you? I think I just saw a rabbit.”
Cary rolled his eyes. “Just don’t get blood on your uniform.” Alastar only grinned at him in response before disappearing around a hut, on the hunt for an early-morning snack. Cary stifled a yawn as he leaned against a wall. It had been a long, boring night. Perhaps Alastar was right- perhaps the slavers had already moved on, for fear of being caught.
Minutes passed. Cary frowned to himself; his twin should have returned by now, but he didn’t hear any approaching footsteps. The siren scowled to himself; if his brother was up to another of his practical jokes… He pushed away from the wall and spread his wings, beating them hard and lifting himself from the ground in search of his brother.
There was no sign of Alastar anywhere.