Quinn sat uncomfortably in the back seat behind Vincent. Scout was half on his lap and licking the young girl on the other side. The older girl sat in the front next to Vincent.

That… sheriff had hurt these girls. Had hurt the boy. The idea of it angered Quinn. Young were to be protected, cherished, and raised to survive and thrive once they were no longer capable of staying with their parents.

Stevenson had betrayed that natural order by doing this and that infuriated Quinn.

“Mister?” The younger girl called out softly, as if she were afraid to raise her voice. Quinn looked over to her and frowned. She was holding a large children’s book. Quinn only knew it was a children’s book because he had to read a few when he first met the team. He despised them.

“Yes?” Quinn met the wide brown eyes of the girl and saw something shine in them.

“I’m sad,” Samantha whispered. She held the book out to him and he groaned. He wasn’t sure what she wanted.

“Samantha wants you to read her book,” Cara told him from the front, looking back over her shoulder. “She likes her book read to her when she’s sad. She can read it on her own, but she likes someone to read to her.”

“Why is she sad?” Quinn grumbled, trying not to bare his teeth at the youth.

“Ask her,” Cara said with confusion. “I can’t read her mind.” Cara tried to turn further. “Sammy, why don’t you read to yourself, quietly?”

“I don’t want to,” Samantha pouted.

Quinn looked back to Samantha, who continued to hold the book out. He saw tears shining in those eyes and sighed as he took the book.

“Maybe we can stop, and you can switch spots with Cara,” Vincent offered, sounding concerned.

“No, I can do it,” Quinn mumbled, looking at the cover of the book. He thought about it. He was reading much more difficult text now. This would be easy. Everyone made him read out loud to practice.

Easy.

“There once was a girl named Jill,” Quinn began and heard a giggle. He looked over to Sammy and narrowed his eyes on her. She was smiling at him now and nodding. Cara watched him, her brows brought together.

He read to Sammy quietly as Vincent drove them closer and closer to Dallas. At one point, he sank down a little and Scout curled into a ball. He took a quick glance at the girl and noticed she was buried in Scout’s fur and fast asleep.

He just kept reading, wondering if real parents did this for their children. And siblings. Quinn didn’t know his father, but his mother… she’d never done this for him. He remembered her ice blue eyes like his own, the white blonde hair. The pale skin, but without the freckles that Zander had. She had been a bit like Jasper in looks, he realized as he remembered her.

“If she’s asleep, you can stop,” Cara told him, trying to keep her voice low. Quinn closed the book slowly but kept it with him. He held on to it, as if it were a treasure. He thought about that a moment longer. Maybe to Sammy, it was a treasure. That made it more important to him.

“With Samantha asleep, may I ask you some questions, Cara?” Vincent spoke up, giving Cara a quick glance. Quinn sat back up, ready to hear whatever the youth had to say.

“About?” Cara inquired warily, giving Vincent a strange look.

“You mentioned that your mother is gone, but that she also made you promise to leave if you ever had the chance,” Vincent reminded her. “If we knew more, we could help more.”

“Oh,” Cara looked away from Vincent, turning to look out the window. Quinn watched her carefully. The child didn’t want to talk about it, but he had a feeling she would.

“Please?” Vincent pressed gently.

“Dad and Mom didn’t like Magi. They never had. But all of us were Magi. Me, Bucky, Sammy, and Cory. Dad too. But not her. She wasn’t a Magi,” Cara whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. “Over time, she changed. She stopped disliking Magi so much and decided to take us far away. Cory was hanging out with Dad a lot. Cory always has hung out with Dad a lot…”

“Forgive me,” Vincent cut in as Cara trailed off. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Mom didn’t like that Dad hit us,” Cara bit out, and Quinn could hear the emotion in her voice. He held back the snarl, his shoulders shaking from the effort. “Well, he’d started hitting us, and she didn’t like it. He called us all sorts of things. Said we were demon-spawn, devil worshippers. That we sold our souls for magic, and it was his fault. Mom didn’t like that. I think she didn’t like Magi for other reasons. She read her Bible a lot and said God would want her to protect us. So, one night, she helped us pack bags to run. I was with Sammy, and she helped Bucky. We share a room.”

“What happened?” Vincent coaxed, and Quinn knew he was trying to be gentle.

“Dad stopped us,” Cara sniffed. “And Mom, the next day… she was covered in bruises. She said we would try again, and if she couldn’t do it, I should make sure I got Sammy and Bucky out. Then, a few weeks later, she was gone, and Dad said she left us behind. That she didn’t really love us. I didn’t… I don’t believe him, but I don’t have my own abilities, so I couldn’t do anything.”

“And Cory? Your older brother? He should be protecting you,” Quinn growled. Brothers protected. He protected his brothers, wolves and humans. They protected him. Brothers protected their family.

“He agrees with Dad,” Cara mumbled, and Quinn watched her wipe her cheeks. “He’s not very nice either. He hangs out with Dad’s Anti-Magi friends. They both think I’m too stupid to understand, but I know what they talk about.”

“Oh shit,” Vincent gasped. Quinn kicked his seat.

“Children,” he snarled.

“It’s okay, our Dad says worse.” Cara chuckled weakly, “And anyway, Sammy is asleep. I’m fifteen, I can hear someone say shit. It’s not a big deal.”

“So, your mother, before she… left, said that if you ever had to chance to get away, you should take it?” Vincent was looking for confirmation. Left. Quinn wanted to snort. Died. Their mother was dead. There was no way a woman would work so hard to save her young and just leave them for her own safety. He refused to believe it. He had little faith in his own mother, but he felt like theirs would be better.

“That’s right.” Cara nodded. “And here we are. I know what the IMPO is. Dad doesn’t know, but when he’s away, I look stuff up on the internet. I’ve… always wondered if maybe I should send an email or call Dallas for help, but I figured if my Dad found out… it wouldn’t be good.”

“You did what you could,” Vincent said gently, reaching out to pat her shoulder. Quinn saw her wince, and his nostrils flared as he took in the scent of her pain.

“You are hurt,” Quinn snarled. “Zander could have healed you after Bucky and Sammy. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I’m fine,” Cara mumbled. “Cory pushed me a couple days ago, I fell, and it’s just a bruise.”

Quinn’s next snarl was inhuman, and Vincent snapped his fingers back at him.

“Stop. Sawyer and Elijah are handing it.” Vincent commanded, glaring at Quinn in the rear-view mirror. “We’ll have Zander look at it when we stop for food.”

“When are we stopping?” Cara asked. “Bucky is probably begging for food. It’s nearly his lunch time.”

“We’ll stop once we hit Dallas. We’ll give you and your siblings a couple of hours to relax before handing you over to someone else. Other agents, who will be able to send you away from here.” Vincent smiled at her.

“And they won’t separate us,” Cara said with a steel, stubbornness that impressed Quinn. Good for her, he thought. She would protect her siblings where her brother had failed.

“No, they won’t. Actually, when we stop to eat, you can question a couple of the team, Zander and Jasper, about where the Dallas agents will send you. It’s an orphanage of Magi children, and they grew up there.” Vincent nodded at her, pointing back to the rear window. Zander and Jasper were driving behind them with Bucky and Shade, staying close on their back end.

Quinn began to ignore the conversation between Vincent and Cara as he entered Shade’s head. Shade lifted his head and gave Quinn the view he wanted. Bucky was playing with two action figures. Zander, sitting next to him, was helping. Zander looked up from the toys and met Shade’s eyes. Quinn/Shade gave a nod that Zander returned. The bruise on Bucky’s cheek was completely gone, like Sammy’s black eye.

Quinn left Shade after confirming that everyone in the other Explorer was okay. He came back into his own eyes and noticed Cara giving him a wide-eyed look.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, only sounding curious, so Quinn felt she might not know what he’d done.

“The wolves are my animal bonds. I can look through their eyes. I was checking in with Shade, who is with Bucky.”

“I knew they were your animal bonds, but I didn’t know you could do that!” Cara gasped. “That’s really cool. Will I get one? I would love a puppy!” Cara’s eyes twinkled, and Quinn felt his heart tighten.

“You might,” Quinn told her, smiling. “You’ll find out when you get your abilities.”

“I can’t wait. I did a lot of research on Dad’s computer. I knew they had to be yours. I read a bunch of articles about different abilities, and I hope I get healing and an animal bond. It’s really cool that you have two. That means you’re really strong, right?”

“Some think it does. Thank you.” Quinn inclined his head, feeling somewhat proud to have been called cool by the youth. No one had ever said he was ‘cool’ before. He knew what it meant. It made him feel normal to hear her say it. Less different, less strange. Less like a weird freak of a Magi.

“I’ve never had other Magi to really talk to.” Cara sighed, happily. “What other abilities do y’all have?”

Vincent chuckled and told her about Kaar. Quinn cut in to talk about his own abilities as well. They both began the slow education of Cara, Magi without a community. She knew so much about what she was, but Quinn knew she never could verify it. She had two younger siblings who knew less than she did and didn’t understand. Her father was a Magi who hated his own kind, and her brother seemed to be going down their father’s path.

“Here comes Dallas-Fort Worth,” Vincent announced, pointing to the city on the horizon. “We’ll stop at the mall or something and you get you three some food and maybe a few more things to keep you occupied.”

“Bucky will want more toys.” Cara laughed. “Thank you.”

“For?” Quinn asked, giving her a small frown from his spot in the back.

“All of this,” Cara answered. “Saving us, taking us away. For showing up and bringing us here.”

“You aren’t scared?” Vincent gave her a glance and Cara shook her head.

“No. Home was scary. This… this is our great escape. I’m sorry about the knife when you showed up. I couldn’t see the Magi come in, the lady and the blonde one, Jasper. I was scared they had come to hurt us.”

“Thank you, for trusting us to help you and not trying to stab one of us,” Vincent said with a humorous tone. “Though that lady would have won if you tried to stab her. She’s scary.”

“She really is!” Cara said, excited someone seemed to agree with her. “She just stood there, looking super angry, and I was really confused and terrified. Elijah was much nicer.”

“Her name is Sawyer. She used to be an assassin,” Quinn told her nonchalantly. “Now she works with us to help people. She lived in New York and saved other kids like you, there.”

“An assassin?” Cara gasped, swinging to look at Quinn, her limp brown ponytail whipping around.

“Quinn, we can’t just tell people that.” Vincent coughed.

“I’m not sure what the big deal is,” Quinn huffed. “I think Cara would like to know that an assassin is going to make sure Sheriff Stevenson never comes after them.”

“That’s so cool!” Cara exclaimed, grinning. “Was she really?” She directed the next question to Vincent, who groaned.

“Yeah.” Vincent sighed, “she really was.”

“THAT’S SO COOL!” Cara screeched, clapping her hands together. Sammy shot up, and looked around, confused.

“Sis, why are you yelling?” Sammy complained, kicking Cara’s seat.

“Oh, sorry,” Cara laughed. “It’s nothing, Sammy. Lay back down. I’ll make sure you’re up when we stop for food.”

“Okay,” Sammy yawned. They all waited for Sammy to fall back asleep. Quinn nodded towards the front the moment he was certain they wouldn’t disturb her again.

Quinn was amazed by these children. Cara had done well with them, making sure they were always ready to run, to leave. They trusted her judgement without question. She’d taken the place of their mother and yet was still a child herself.

“I have a question for you guys,” Cara spoke up, dropping the topic of Sawyer’s previous profession. “Why were you in my house today? Dad had mentioned something about outsiders coming in to be nosy about some old Magi dying but…”

Quinn held his breath, deciding that Vincent should answer this. How does someone tell a child that there was a serial killer running around? He always let Elijah handle younger children. This was the first time he’d ever had to deal with them on his own.

“Cara… I’m going to give you the truth. The honest, scary truth because I think you’re mature enough to handle it. I think your father is covering up for a serial killer. We broke into your home to gather evidence.”

Quinn watched Cara pale and sink into her seat.

“The people dying,” Cara whispered, shaking her head. “No, no, no.”

“Cara?” Vincent’s voice was laced with worry as he reached to touch her.

“They’ve been whispering about it,” Cara mumbled as Vincent patted her shoulder. “Cory and Dad. They’ve been whispering about the people that were dying. Saying there was no way anyone would ever find out what really happened.”

Quinn leaned forward, thinking about that.

“Let’s stop,” Vincent said suddenly. “Let’s eat. Cara, forget I said anything. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“But-”

“No buts.” Quinn cut in. Cara looked back at him with a frown. He’d heard her say it to Bucky earlier.

“Cara, you need to focus on Samantha and Bucky,” Vincent reminded her. “Do that and you’ll be helping us.”

“Okay.” Cara sighed. “Okay.”

“If you know anything else, though, we’d be happy to hear it.”

Cara only shook her head.

“Alright, let’s eat something. I’m going to call the Dallas office once we stop.”

“How long do we have until we need to get back to Sawyer and Elijah?” Quinn asked as Cara wrapped her arms around herself and sank down in her seat.

“I left Kaar there on watch for them. He’s going to let them, and me, know when Stevenson gets home. Cara, when does your dad get off work?” Vincent turned back to the youth as they entered a parking lot.

“Around five or six,” Cara informed him softly. “He never comes home early, though he could come home later. Sometimes past dinner. Sometimes he even goes out at night, like really late. I’ll hear his truck.”

“So, they have plenty of time to just hang out at your house?”

“Yeah, they’ll be fine.”

“Good,” Vincent sighed.

They parked at the mall, and Quinn climbed out, Scout following him. He and Vincent waited as Cara woke up Sammy and got her out of the Explorer. Vincent was already on the phone with the Dallas office, quickly explaining their situation.

Zander and Jasper walked up, Quinn letting Shade follow Bucky towards his sisters. He knew Shade was feeling protective over the younger brother. He did similar with Scout, even though they were littermates. He was the bigger wolf, and it was expected that he take care of the smaller one and stay in charge.

“Sissy, I have a big doggie!” Bucky laughed. “He’s fluffy.”

“He is.” Cara laughed softly. “What’s his name?”

Quinn felt Zander elbow him and point, distracting him from Bucky’s answer.

“He calls your wolves, puppies and doggies,” Zander snickered with a grin. “You going to do anything about that?”

“He’s a child,” Quinn huffed. “No, he can call them whatever he wants.”

Six years ago, he would have considered doing something, but his time in the civilized world had changed his stance on many things. He, as a child, would have never made the mistake, but he wouldn’t begrudge this child for making it. Bucky probably didn’t think a wolf was with him, just a dog that looked like one.

“We have a problem,” Jasper whispered, jerking his head towards their leader. “Look at Vincent.”

Quinn turned back to their leader, who was looking pale as someone from Dallas spoke to him on the phone.

“Vin?” Zander called out.

“We need to take them to the Dallas headquarters right now,” Vincent growled, removing the phone from his ear.

“Why?” Cara asked, looking up from her brother. “I thought we would get to stay with you longer.”

Quinn met Vincent’s gaze. It was something he didn’t want to say in front of the children. Quinn turned to the kids and opened the Explorer door again.

“Let us talk for a moment? I’ll find out what’s going on.” He didn’t want to let these children continue into the great unknown of their future yet. He wanted to protect them a little longer. He wanted to read to Sammy again and listen to what Bucky said about his… puppies. Quinn needed to know what Vincent had to say, though.

He loaded them in together and closed the door on them. When he made it back to Vincent, he was off the phone.

“Bodies,” Vincent snarled. “Our killer went out last night, after screwing with us.”

“Where?” Jasper snapped.

“A… a family in Acampo, three Magi. Two adults and one… a four-year-old girl,” Vincent choked out. “They were just found about twenty minutes ago by the neighbor. She was smart enough to call the Dallas IMPO office, knowing about the recent Magi deaths, and not Stevenson. Known Magi, on that list found in Stevenson’s office. There’s one older child in school, a ten-year-old. The guys here in Dallas who got the call told the school to not release the student, under any circumstances, to anyone until an IMPO agent picks him up. They are sending one of their guys. We’re being told to investigate the bodies and the message left at the house.”

“What was the message?” Jasper asked.

“God’s Will.” Vincent whispered. “He’s with the Anti-Magi group… or playing it off as them. This has now escalated.”

Quinn felt ill. Zander was shaking in rage and disgust. Jasper didn’t seem like he was breathing.

“This is a purge,” Jasper groaned. “This killer is trying to purge the area of Magi.”

“Yes,” Vincent confirmed. “And the people of Albany are helping. Stevenson is fucking helping him. He falls into the same fucking trap as Stevenson. Hates his own kind.”

“I’ll get the children to the office,” Jasper offered. “Zander will be needed to investigate the bodies. I want you two with him for safety.”

“Okay,” Vincent agreed, nodding.

Quinn slowly sat down on the asphalt parking lot. He rubbed his face. They had dealt with dead children before. It was always rough.

“No wonder his magic is fucking broken and sick,” Zander mumbled, bending over.

“Yes,” Vincent sighed. “Let’s get moving.”

Quinn stood back up. This was probably one of the sickest cases he’d ever been a part of. But then, Quinn never could understand how Magi, or even humans, could twist themselves like this.

The wilds were cleaner—brutal but cleaner.