Read Online Fading (Shifter Rescue) by Sean Michael - Free Book Online Page B

continuing to pet them both. “You don’t need to be afraid of me.”
    Cather wasn’t afraid. He’d stopped being afraid a long time ago.
    “You two must be starving. Do you two like meat? Rice? My favorite is Chinese take-out. I could get it delivered and we could eat together. I find that’s a great way to become familiar with someone. To trust them with food. There’s still water, too. In your bowls, and I have bottles if you decide you want to shift, show me your other form. I could start by showing you my jaguar first, though. Would you like that? Would it make you feel better?” The words went on and on, the deep, strong voice almost hypnotic.
    Cather found himself relaxing despite everything, sinking under the weight of that sound.
    “That’s better, kitty. I’m not going to do anything to harm you or your mate here. I swear. And one day you’ll shift, and you’ll tell me your name. Then I won’t have to call you kitty one and kitty two.” The man laughed softly.
    Hill chuffed, obviously listening to the endless chatter.
    “Oh, excellent. I didn’t know if you would get the reference. I should get the book and read it to you, hmm? That would be something to do together. I like reading. Everything from Seuss to Crichton.” The touches became deeper. The man wasn’t touching Cather harder, but it was as if Cather could feel it more the longer it went on.
    As Cather faded, sank into the sounds, Hill seemed to wake up, wriggling underneath him.
    “Everything okay? You hot? You need food? Water? Just let me know.” Jag just kept talking.
    Hill pushed at Cather, trying to get him off.
    No. No. They had to stay together. Right here. With each other until they joined Darri in the light.
    “I think he needs something,” murmured the man, helping Hill to move Cather over so Hill could stretch and move away.
    Cather took a tired swipe at Hill, but he was simply exhausted.
    The man patted him, long gentle sweeps of his hand, easing him. “I won’t hurt him. I promise.”
    Hill arched into the man’s touches, trusting easier than Cather, and he growled, warning Hill away.
    Rest, Cather. He’s safe .
    Silly kit. What did Hill know? He was being seduced by the confident voice and the touches that knew just where to press and where to stroke and where to scratch.
    “Your coloring is beautiful,” the man told Hill, and Cather could feel that his lover was enjoying every touch, arching into it.
    Traitor. He found the shadows. They were Darri’s, and Darri was gone. Cather would never let himself enjoy anything ever again.
    I can’t live in the dark, Cather .
    He closed his eyes tight. Fine. Don’t .
    Hill would figure it out or not. He didn’t care. Cather kept telling himself that.

Chapter Three
     
    Hill chirruped unhappily. No. No, don’t be like that . He hated that Cather was curled up on his own, drawing away.
    Hill tried to stand up, but he was too weak, too tired.
    “Easy, kit. You haven’t had any food in far too long.” The man’s hands were magical, so gentle, but firm enough it felt like a proper grooming. “I’ve got meat in the fridge in the other room. I’ll bring it out in a bit.”
    He looked back over his shoulder, but Cather wasn’t looking at him.
    “It’s okay, kit. He’ll come around -- I’m not going anywhere.” The man’s fingers curled, scratching behind his ears. “I’m Jag, pretty kitty. I bet you’ve got a great name.”
    He did. He had a glorious name. Hill. Hill and Cather.
    “If you shifted, you could let me know what it is. In the meantime I’ll just keep on with the nicknames.” There was a thread of laughter in the man’s -- Jag’s -- voice. He seemed very nice and he gave the best scratches. It had been so very long since he’d felt those. Cather didn’t know what he was missing, being a stubborn kitty. This was worth coming out from under the covers for.
    Of course, Cather had been the one who was strong enough to wait for Darri to come and