Read Online Protect and Serve Shifting Forces by Cassidy McKay - Free Book Online Page A

he saw something of his son in me and helped me. He was my mentor. But after the government outlawed paranormals in the military, he changed. Turner started blaming paranormals for everything -- especially shifters. Didn’t matter if they were rogue or not. When I had to shift right in front of him to save Aurora…” His gaze rolls over the hills covered in forest, shrouded in fog. “My team thought I was human. By hiding what I am, I’ve put her in danger.”
    “You know him, Kender. Where would he head first?” I have to get him to focus. Aurora’s life depends on it.
    “I used to tell him about how I liked to hike along the river by my cabin. I think he’d probably start near there and send men along the trails, looking for tracks in the mud. But that’s just a guess. We’re going to have to check everywhere, just in case. We can cut off at least half an hour by heading straight over the mountain.”
    Now he looks like the gryphon I first met -- in charge, assured, and determined to save his mate.
    “Mom, send someone to my cabin in case she comes back. Dad, you take some people and check the streams. Brianna, you take Sean and check the main roads. Jordan, I need you and your friends to search near town. Whatever you do -- all of you -- do not try to fight the military. They’ll have orders to take anyone down who opposes them. Anyone. I just need help finding her. He’ll use her to lure me. His grudge is against me, not you.”
    “Son, this fight has been a long time coming between the military and paranormals. It’s bigger than just you. If this sergeant comes after you or your mates, then he’ll have all of us to deal with.” Kender’s dad clears his throat, uncomfortable with the outpouring of emotion.
    “But why would you do that? Neither I nor Aurora are gryphons.” I don’t understand . His gaze shifts to me, a slight smile on his face.
    “You’re family now, son. Family sticks together.” He shifts into a magnificent gryphon -- even more impressive than Kender -- and wings into the air, disappearing into the night.
    The searchers disperse, most shifting into one form or another and flying or running into the forest in an alternate form in search of our mate. Not only Kender’s family, but all the others who came running at the first sign of trouble, with no expectation of repayment.
    So, this is what it’s like to have a real family. I fly to the forest, determined to do whatever it takes to keep my new family safe.

Kender’s Blog (11)
     
    Complete and utter terror for Aurora races through my veins. I know Sgt. Turner -- at least who he used to be. The man he has become scares the hell out of me.
    “Kender, what are we going to do if we find them?” Varick flies next to me, his bright fire muted in the fog.
    “Like I said before, he’s coming after me. He thinks I betrayed him -- betrayed the military. To him, it’s the same thing. He’ll never stop hunting us now that he knows who you and Aurora are and what you mean to me. If I can, I’ll take him out. God, Varick, what have I done? What if she gets hurt?”
    “We can what if all night long, son, but it won’t do us any good until we see what we’re up against.” The voice comes out of the fog behind us. I drop a little altitude in surprise.
    “Dad? What are you doing here?”
    He flies in next to us, strong and regal in his gryphon form. “I figured I’d be of more use helping you rather than searching streams.”
    “Dad, you don’t know how dangerous this man is. I’ve lived and fought next to him for the past ten years. I don’t want you in harm’s way.”
    “That’s nice, Kender. Sweet, really. But have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”
    “Oh. Sorry Dad.” Yeah, I had forgotten. Dad comes from a long line of heroes, and he continued in the family business. The kind of hero stuff that legends are made of. Sometimes it’s hard to see him as more than just a parent. Too bad the hero gene ran out