Some revelations

Hunter felt a prickle of unease and apprehension growing in him as he stared across his desk at the dignified elderly man.

"You're crazy," he said with a snort of disdain.

"Perhaps if I told you some things about yourself it would go some way to convincing you. And believe me Mr. Collins, it is in your own best interest to be convinced, and to learn from me."

Hunter stared at Dunnigan for a minute, then nodded his head for the older man to continue.

"Your injury, Mr. Collins. Do you notice that you no longer feel pain, or even much in the way of discomfort."

Hunter's eyes narrowed as he realised he hadn't felt any sensation from the bite for some time. He touched the wound through his pants, but felt no ache or throb.

"The antibiotics must have kicked in," he said with an attempt at confidence.

"If you were to examine the wound you would find that all swelling has gone down, and the bite marks are well on the way to healing. If you wish I will avert my gaze while you look," Dunnigan paused. "No? Well then, I suspect you have begun to notice that your senses are enhanced, your hearing and sense of smell more acute than before. You have not? Well, you will soon. You are also much stronger than you were, and your reactions are far quicker.

"That's nonsense," Hunter snorted. "You're just making stuff up now."

"Am I?" said Dunnigan with a polite smile as he reached into his briefcase and brought out a round piece of wood, about eighteen inches long and a little over an inch in diameter. Without warning he flung it at Hunter's face.

Hunter's hand moved faster than he could think, snatching the baton out of the air. He glared at the elderly man, who held up a hand with a smiling gesture.

"My apologies for indulging my taste for drama Mr. Collins. Be so good as to destroy my little object lesson. Snap it in two if you would."

Hunter stared at him, looking at the piece of wood. With a frown he grabbed it with two hands, intending to show this elderly maniac that he was no stronger than he had been.

The wood snapped like a pencil, leaving him holding a piece in each hand, his eyes staring at the splintered break.

"You see Mr. Collins, you have changed. You may also have noticed that some women detect a change in you. A scent." Dunnigan smiled. "I see by your expression that you have. You now give off pheromones that affect human females. The strength of this effect will vary depending on the subject's feelings for you, her willpower, and where she is in her breeding cycle." He paused and cleared his throat.

"I wonder if it would be possible to get a glass of water? At my age I find my throat dries out if I talk a lot, and we have much more to discuss."