Read Online The Mercenary and the Shifters (The Turning Stone Chronicles) by C.D. Hersh - Free Book Online

grass and yellow wildflowers dotted the otherwise brown, rocky ground. The mostly treeless landscape provided Mike a clear view for miles. He checked the rearview mirror. No one followed. Overhead, the cry of seagulls filled the air. He peered out the side window. A single large, dark bird soared among a flock of white seagulls.
    He followed the dirt road to the end.
    “Where to now?” LJ asked.
    “Forward.” Mike pointed at a trail of bent grasses. “Someone has been through here recently. Judging from the lack of habitation, I’d bet this is the way to Eli’s place.”
    They followed the faint trail across uninhabited land, until they were within sight of a small hill. Mike headed for it, following the path.
    “GPS shows there’s a small lake just ahead,” LJ said.
    Mike slowed, searching for the lake edge. The ground started sloping downward.
    “The GPS marker is over the hill, right behind the lake,” LJ said.
    Mike searched the surrounding area for another trail but found none. “This path is fake. Probably meant to lead the unsuspecting into a watery grave.” He wheeled to the right, away from the water, following the small stream that ran toward the lake. “There’s probably a bridge or land crossing nearby.”
    A few hundred feet upstream he found a wooden bridge, with no safety rails, hidden by a small copse of low bushes that scattered onto the ground away from the creek in a natural pattern. Rocky ground led up to the crossing. Perfect for hiding tire tracks.
    Those in the know would look for the bushes. Those who didn’t would follow their GPS and the fake trail right into the lake. Genius.
    Skirting around the bushes blocking the bridge, he steered over the narrow boards and angled to the left up the rise to the other side.
    On the back side of the knoll, at the end of a gravel drive, sat a two-story stone house, much larger than the stone buildings they had passed on the road, and, without a doubt, older than most of them. The whitened outcroppings of several foundations lay a few hundred yards on either side of the house. Beyond the building, he could see a smaller stone structure with garage doors. Past that building sat what looked like a helicopter pad.
    “Is that it?” LJ asked.
    “Only one way to find out.” He drove the short distance to the house and cut off the engine. LJ handed him his cell phone, and he dropped it in his pocket. “Stay here,” he commanded. “I’ll see what kind of welcome we’re getting.”
    Except for a large bird circling overhead, the area appeared deserted. As he exited the car, the bird made one more circle then reversed directions, his wings flapping furiously as he straight-lined toward the direction they’d come from.
    As Mike neared the house, a redhead opened the door and leveled a weapon at him.
    “Yer on private property,” she yelled. “Get off now and I won’t shoot yer sorry hide.”
    He held his hands up, palms facing her, and continued to approach. “I’m looking for Eli McCraigen. Hugh Allen sent me.” He motioned to the vehicle. “I’ve got Hugh’s wife and son with me.”
    A black-haired woman with a child balanced on her hip came into view. The redhead tried, unsuccessfully, to shove the pair inside.
    “LJ?” said the black-haired woman. “Where’s Hugh?”
    “Dead,” Mike replied. “Rogue shifters killed him. Or rather he blew himself and them up. Same difference if you ask me.”
    The dark-haired woman motioned him forward. “I’m Alexi Temple,” she said. “And you are?”
    “Mike Corritore, a friend of Hugh’s.”
    “LJ?” Alexi called.
    LJ stepped out of the car. Alexi handed the child to the redhead and ran to LJ.
    The redhead continued to eye Mike suspiciously.
    “You can lower the weapon,” he said. “We’re legit.”
    She waved her gun toward the car. “She is, but I’m not sure about ye.”
    “I’m going to help LJ with her things. Don’t shoot me in the back. Okay?”
    The woman said something