Chapter 2 Blood on the Moon

Evelyn barely had time to react.

Evelyn couldn't stay in her apartment. Not after the call. Not after the warning. The moment she stepped into the parking lot outside her apartment, a hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her backward. Instinct kicked in. She drove her elbow into the attacker's ribs and twisted free, stumbling onto the pavement.

A figure in black lunged at her. No hesitation. She fired.

The gunshot echoed through the night, but the bullet never landed. The figure moved impossibly fast, sidestepping at the last second. A gloved fist smashed into her wrist, knocking the gun from her grip.

Pain exploded through her arm, but she didn't stop. She pivoted, slamming a knee into the attacker's stomach. They grunted but didn't fall.

Whoever they were, they were strong. Too strong.

Evelyn reached for her backup knife, but before she could draw it, the figure grabbed her by the collar and hurled her backward. She hit the ground hard, air rushing from her lungs.

The attacker stepped forward, a shadow against the dim glow of the streetlights.

Then, they spoke. A voice low and guttural.

"Stay away from Voss."

Evelyn's blood ran cold.

Voss. The name comes from her father's old case. The name is tied to every single murder.

She forced herself up, ignoring the pain. "Who are you?"

The attacker didn't answer. Instead, they took a step back-and then they were gone.

Not running. Not retreating. Just... gone.

Like they had vanished into thin air.

A shiver crawled up her spine. She scrambled to her feet, grabbing her gun with shaking fingers. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. The parking lot was empty. No sign of movement. No footsteps.

Nothing.

She wasn't alone. Something-someone-was still watching.

Sirens blared in the distance.

Evelyn turned and sprinted to her car. She had one name, one lead, and now, a very real threat breathing down her neck.

Damian Voss wasn't just connected to this case.

He was at the center of it.

And whoever was protecting him-they weren't human.

Evelyn didn't go home. She couldn't. Instead, she drove straight to the police station, gripping the wheel of the car like a lifeline.

Inside, Ramirez was waiting.

"What the hell happened to you?" he asked, eyeing her messy state.

"I was attacked." She threw her gun and badge onto the desk. "By someone fast. Inhumanly fast."

Ramirez frowned. "You think it's our guy?"

Evelyn shook her head. "No. I think it's something worse."

She reached for the case file and flipped through the reports. "I need everything on Voss. His businesses, his properties, any known associates."

Ramirez hesitated. "You think he's involved?"

Evelyn looked up, her expression grim.

"I don't think." She exhaled. "I know."

She ran a hand through her hair, trying to calm the storm of thoughts in her head.

Whoever attacked her knew she was investigating Voss. But she had only started looking into him hours ago.

How did they find out so fast?

A cold realization settled in her gut.

Someone was feeding Voss information.

Someone inside this building,she went to the surveillance room to ask for all the footage and they figured someone out.

Evelyn stood abruptly and stormed toward Harris's office. He was on the phone, but the moment he saw her expression, he hung up.

What now, Cross?" he grumbled.

Evelyn slammed her badge onto his desk. "We have a rat."

Harris frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She leaned forward. "I barely scratched the surface of Voss's name, and I was already attacked. Someone inside this department is leaking information to him."

Harris stiffened, his jaw tightening. "You're making a serious accusation."

"I'm not accusing." She pulled out her phone and tossed it on the table. "I have proof."

She had gone to check into everyone financial records before concluding. Nothing official-just enough to see if anything was off.

And something was.

Detective Frank Decker-one of their own-had unexplained deposits in his bank account. Large sums of money arrive in increments. And each transfer aligned with a major development in the Full Moon case.

Harris's face darkened. "Decker?"

Evelyn nodded. "He's been selling our investigation to Voss."

Harris swore under his breath. "I'll handle this."

"No." Evelyn shook her head. "I need to move now. If Decker knows I found this, he'll warn them. I'm going to Voss Enterprises."

Harris stared at her, then sighed. "You're walking into a fire."

Evelyn grabbed her badge. "Then I'll make sure it burns."

Voss Enterprises

The towering glass building loomed against the night sky, sleek and untouchable.

Evelyn strode through the front doors, flashing her badge at security. "Detective Cross. I need to see Damian Voss."

The receptionist barely blinked. "Mr. Voss doesn't take unannounced visits."

Evelyn slammed a folder onto the counter. "Tell him I have evidence linking him to multiple murders. If he refuses, I'll have a warrant in the morning."

The receptionist hesitated, then made a call. Seconds later, a well-dressed man appeared. Tall, composed, with an unsettling calmness in his eyes.

Damian Voss.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Detective Cross. I've heard a lot about you."

Evelyn didn't bother with small talk. "You're under arrest."

His smile widened. "On what charges?"

She opened the folder, showing the connections-victims who worked for his businesses, financial records, and suspicious activity reports. It was all there.

But Voss barely glanced at it. "Detective, this is circumstantial at best."

Evelyn's jaw clenched. "Don't play games. We both know you're involved."

Voss chuckled, stepping closer. "Yet, legally, you can't touch me."

Evelyn hated that he was right. The evidence wasn't enough. It painted a picture, but not one strong enough to hold up in court.

She had come here hoping to shake him, to rattle his cage.

Instead, he looked... amused.

"You're persistent," Voss said, voice smooth. "Just like your father."

Evelyn froze.

Voss leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "He came for me once, too. Thought he could stop what's coming." He tilted his head. "Do you know what his last words were?"

Her breath hitched.

Voss smiled darkly. "I do."

Rage flared through her, but before she could react, two security guards stepped forward.

"I believe we're done here, Detective."

Evelyn's fists clenched. She wanted to fight. To break that smug expression off his face.

But she couldn't. Not yet.

She turned on her heel and walked out, her pulse hammering.

Voss had just confirmed what she feared.

Her father's disappearance wasn't random.

He had found something. Something dangerous.

And now, so had she.

This wasn't just a case anymore.

It was personal.