Read Online Autumn's War (The Spirit Shifters Book 4) by Marissa Farrar - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marissa Farrar
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seat.
“What are we going to do?” said Peter, keeping his voice low. The wolves were caught up in their game, so much so they hadn’t noticed the roar of the approaching bikes, so Chogan doubted they’d hear their voices.
He climbed from the bike and shrugged his leather jacket from his shoulders, letting it drop to the ground. “We’re going to show them that you don’t pick on women and children.”
Peter nodded his agreement.
“Hell, yeah,” said Sahale.
Chogan realized he had a woman with him, one who had said her ability to shift wasn’t always as in control as she needed it to be. “You can hang back if you want, Nadie.”
“No way. I’m a woman and a shifter. I plan on teaching these guys some manners.”
Chogan grinned. “Let’s do it. ”
A car drove past on the opposite side of the road, but offered no assistance, despite seeing the trapped woman and child. They were afraid, Chogan realized. Even though he’d wanted to show the public that shifters were nothing to be feared, scenes like this only served to embed the stories of terrifying monsters that they were told as children into their heads.
Just as he was about to call his wolf guide, movement came from the other side of the freeway. A massive, spotted leopard came prowling out from the forest bordering that side of the road. The animal seemed in no way concerned about the two wolves, who continued to yelp and snarl, tumbling with each other like two overzealous teenagers. Instead, the leopard strolled over and stalked around the vehicle.
“I guess our numbers just evened out a little,” said Peter, keeping his voice low.
Chogan lifted his eyebrows. “Is that a problem?”
“Not for me. Let’s get those sons of bitches.”
Chogan gritted his teeth and nodded. With all thoughts of modesty not even entering his head, he reached down to unbutton his jeans and kick off his boots. When this was over, he intended on having some clothes to wear. He closed his eyes briefly and focused in on his wolf. The animal was close, drawn nearer by the ruckus. Chogan sensed it lift its head in response to his call, and then its energy burst toward him like an explosion. The spirit hit his body, making him take a step backward. The pain began instantly. No matter how many times he shifted, he would never get used to the red hot agony of the change. His muscles tore, his bones snapping. The skin on his face wrenched in one direction and then another as it took the shape of a muzzle. Knives speared behind his eyes, pain shattering through his skull.
He was only vaguely aware of his companions shifting around him, and he willed his change to complete faster. The other wolves had not been far away, and the distinctive sound of a number of shifters turning was bound to get their attention. He couldn’t afford for them to be noticed and attacked mid-shift. They were weak and helpless while they were changing form.
His shift was complete.
In wolf form, Chogan shook out his fur and stretched, releasing his new muscles. The world was clearer now, his sense of smell and hearing sharp and focused. He also found it easier to read the wolves’ body language. From where he stood, partially hidden between the trees, he understood now that the wolves were playing a game. Though they might have hurt Madison and Billy if they could have gotten into the vehicle, they were having more fun just inciting fear. The leopard who watched was harder to read. The animal was restrained, observing or perhaps overseeing as opposed to joining in. It was a solid ball of muscle, every inch tensed.
He hoped Peter would have more insight into the big cat.
He turned to his companions. Peter had finished his shift, his fur a sleek gold, his coal ringed amber eyes wise.
Despite her words, Nadie hadn’t managed her shift. She mouthed, “Sorry,” at Chogan before stepping back and melting into the forest. It was best she stayed out of the way. He figured this thing might get
“What are we going to do?” said Peter, keeping his voice low. The wolves were caught up in their game, so much so they hadn’t noticed the roar of the approaching bikes, so Chogan doubted they’d hear their voices.
He climbed from the bike and shrugged his leather jacket from his shoulders, letting it drop to the ground. “We’re going to show them that you don’t pick on women and children.”
Peter nodded his agreement.
“Hell, yeah,” said Sahale.
Chogan realized he had a woman with him, one who had said her ability to shift wasn’t always as in control as she needed it to be. “You can hang back if you want, Nadie.”
“No way. I’m a woman and a shifter. I plan on teaching these guys some manners.”
Chogan grinned. “Let’s do it. ”
A car drove past on the opposite side of the road, but offered no assistance, despite seeing the trapped woman and child. They were afraid, Chogan realized. Even though he’d wanted to show the public that shifters were nothing to be feared, scenes like this only served to embed the stories of terrifying monsters that they were told as children into their heads.
Just as he was about to call his wolf guide, movement came from the other side of the freeway. A massive, spotted leopard came prowling out from the forest bordering that side of the road. The animal seemed in no way concerned about the two wolves, who continued to yelp and snarl, tumbling with each other like two overzealous teenagers. Instead, the leopard strolled over and stalked around the vehicle.
“I guess our numbers just evened out a little,” said Peter, keeping his voice low.
Chogan lifted his eyebrows. “Is that a problem?”
“Not for me. Let’s get those sons of bitches.”
Chogan gritted his teeth and nodded. With all thoughts of modesty not even entering his head, he reached down to unbutton his jeans and kick off his boots. When this was over, he intended on having some clothes to wear. He closed his eyes briefly and focused in on his wolf. The animal was close, drawn nearer by the ruckus. Chogan sensed it lift its head in response to his call, and then its energy burst toward him like an explosion. The spirit hit his body, making him take a step backward. The pain began instantly. No matter how many times he shifted, he would never get used to the red hot agony of the change. His muscles tore, his bones snapping. The skin on his face wrenched in one direction and then another as it took the shape of a muzzle. Knives speared behind his eyes, pain shattering through his skull.
He was only vaguely aware of his companions shifting around him, and he willed his change to complete faster. The other wolves had not been far away, and the distinctive sound of a number of shifters turning was bound to get their attention. He couldn’t afford for them to be noticed and attacked mid-shift. They were weak and helpless while they were changing form.
His shift was complete.
In wolf form, Chogan shook out his fur and stretched, releasing his new muscles. The world was clearer now, his sense of smell and hearing sharp and focused. He also found it easier to read the wolves’ body language. From where he stood, partially hidden between the trees, he understood now that the wolves were playing a game. Though they might have hurt Madison and Billy if they could have gotten into the vehicle, they were having more fun just inciting fear. The leopard who watched was harder to read. The animal was restrained, observing or perhaps overseeing as opposed to joining in. It was a solid ball of muscle, every inch tensed.
He hoped Peter would have more insight into the big cat.
He turned to his companions. Peter had finished his shift, his fur a sleek gold, his coal ringed amber eyes wise.
Despite her words, Nadie hadn’t managed her shift. She mouthed, “Sorry,” at Chogan before stepping back and melting into the forest. It was best she stayed out of the way. He figured this thing might get
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