“When Carla and Anthony get back — “Heda started to say.

"We'll let ‘em know, and everyone stays in doors," Joanna replied.

"Check the windows and the doors," Peter added as he and his fellow bird-shifter got out to his car. The two of them hauled ass, but the house was only a few minutes away from the gym meant for meetings.

Reichert was already on the podium.

After a few more minutes, he spoke up.

“Everyone here?" He did a head count.

"Close enough. Okay, we've had another disappearance, and this guy is getting bolder. Somehow, he was able to kidnap a shifter right out of her dorm room. We're not sure how he got in, but he knocked out the roommate somehow and made off with a 19 year old girl. He waved down as the crowd began to rumble.

"This changes everything. He's coming in closer, and simply being near another person does not ensure safety."

“How was the roommate knocked out?" Heda asked.

"We're not sure, but the initial belief is that she was drugged."

More rumbling, then Heda spoke again.

“Drugging a shifter is hard as hell."

Reichert nodded.

“Which means there may be a magical component to it.

All we know is that there were no other apparent injuries, no residue of spell-casting, and no sign of a struggle. The roommate was discovered in her room late this evening after missing several appointments and not responding to calls. As mentioned earlier, this changes everything," he said, sweeping the room with his gaze.

"We can't hold this from the human authorities, so when the story breaks, we are encouraging all shifters to leave for the semester. We cannot risk . . . I said WE CANNOT RISK YOUR LIVES!" he finished loudly.

“We can't —-'

-- panic and —

-- about tuition?"

"QUIET!" Reichert bellowed, and silence ensued.

"We cannot force you to go, but we cannot guarantee your safety if you stay."

"What can you tell us about the shifter who was taken?" Peter asked.

"Her name is Twila Morgan, and she's an alligator shifter. That's all that I can say at this time. Please, consider withdrawing. You will not be penalized in any way by the university. Until you are safely off campus, or if you decide to stay, stick in larger groups. We are bringing in warrior shifters from all the communities to help, and they'll be posing as campus security."

"Crap,' Heda thought. She did not want her mother being brought into this. Of course, her mother was retired from active service, but that did not mean she might not try to volunteer anyway.