Read Online The Shifter by Janice Hardy - Free Book Online Page A

didn’t have a scratch on it and crying that it hurt funny. Mama had grabbed me by the shoulders and told me to never, ever do it again. Then she hugged me so tight I couldn’t breathe, made me swear to Saint Saea I wouldn’t tell anyone what I could do.
    Until tonight, I never had. Only Tali had known.
    “Was she—”
    “I’m really tired,” I said. I was done talking. It wouldn’t change anything, and why haul regrets back into the light.
    “Oh, sorry. I guess I should let you sleep then.”
    I fluffed my pillow and fought not to look at him again. It was a lot harder than I’d expected. “Night, Danello.”
    “Good night, Nya.”
    Another door thumped closed. His da’s room. I settled into the makeshift bed’s softness, my mind too full of guilt and relief to sleep, enjoying the lingering smell and warmth from the stove and the quiet murmurs of overexcited boys trying hard not to sleep, even though sleep would ease their pain. A quick, not-so-quiet order from Halima shut them both up. Despite my melancholy, I grinned. She was taking to her new role well. I’d forgotten how nice family felt.
    Unable to sleep, I sat up and leaned my head against the window. Moonlight washed the market corner in muted silver. Dark shadows cut across the stone in patterns, darker where the pair I’d seen earlier under the bushes slept. It was a good spot, protected from the coastal breezes and usually dry.
    A bouncing glow caught my eye—the gentle sway of the night patrol’s lantern. The soldiers stopped next to the bushes, kicked the sleeping pair, and scared them off. The patrol didn’t chase after them like most did, just continued on their way, passing a man who didn’t seem concerned to be out alone at night.
    The lantern rocked and a shaft of light spilled across the man’s face.
    Saints and sinners! My fancy man was back again. I pulled the blanket tighter around me and slumped, even though he couldn’t possibly see inside the dark room. What did that sneaky reed rat want? He’d had plenty of opportunities to grab me after the ferry accident, while I was wandering and not paying attention. Danello had certainly been able to do it.
    I glanced at the children’s room. The twins! What if he came after me tonight and sensed them? After everything Danello had done for me, I couldn’t risk putting his family in danger, but if I left now, the fancy man was sure to spot me. I hunkered down, fingertips hanging on the windowsill with my eyes peering over.
    Shadows flickered, and another man stepped into the silver light. He spoke with the fancy man, who gestured up and down the street with one hand. Heads shook, fingers pointed as if they weren’t sure where I’d gone and were arguing over which direction to look next. The new man nodded and leaned against the wall, watching the street with his arms folded across his chest. The first fancy man walked away and vanished into the dark.
    Now there were two of them! I shivered in the dark room that didn’t feel nearly dark enough to hide in. I glanced at the door, soothed by the heavy bar across the middle. Good and locked. I was safe for now, and they couldn’t know about the twins. Who had sent them after me, the League or the Duke? I slid down and pulled the blanket over my head.
    It didn’t matter. Trackers were trackers, and I was prey.

    I woke feeling like someone had shrunk every muscle in my body while I’d slept. Extending my arms hurt. Bending my knees throbbed all the way to my toes. I should have expected it. I’d hauled too many people from the water the day before to avoid it. Or maybe it was punishment for shifting pain to children. I was just as sore as if I’d slept on hard ground. Served me right. I should have told Danello no. I’d been tired and hungry before—I could have managed like I always do.
    I unfolded myself, and my joints popped in the silent house, waking up hurts I’d forgotten I’d taken. I hated to admit it, but I’d probably be