Ascension
The Shapeshifter Chronicles, Book 4
Natasha Brown
Future Impressions
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Research Notes
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Also by Natasha Brown
Glossary
About the Author
Copyright © 2015 Natasha Brown
Edited by Scott Andrews
Cover design by Natasha Brown
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.
www.theshapeshifterchronicles.com
It has been a long journey completing the last in the series, and I would like to thank my kids and husband for giving up their mom and wife on the weekends so I could write. My mother was amazing as well, providing the support and feedback I needed. I appreciate my readers for being patient and loyal. I haven’t been alone in my travels through Chance and Ana’s world. You’ve been there with me.
Research Notes
If you would like to see some of the the research that was involved with the creation of Ascension, please take a look in the glossary section at the back of the book.
*Fictional liberties taken when writing this fantasy world.
Chapter 1
Moisture stirred in Chance’s lungs and hung from his fur. The familiar aroma of the foliage and clay earth triggered fear, sadness and hunger. Sounds of the jungle permeated the air: birds chirped, leaves rustled and insects buzzed with movement. The humidity made every breath heavy and thick.
He salivated as he stared out from under the cover of the fronds of a large bush. A woman stood twenty feet away from him, hanging her laundry on a clothesline. Long dark hair hung around her shoulders and she hummed as she worked. Her energy was a beacon to him and pulled him closer, his feet moving him across the overgrown grass. All he could think about was absorbing her power.
The sounds from the birds, insects and monkeys all quieted. He paused, an arm’s length away from her. Her melodic song stopped and she turned around. Ana’s emerald eyes blinked at him and she smiled.
“Where have you been?”
Chance tried to respond but couldn’t speak. He wanted to say he loved her and that he’d missed her, but instead, his teeth parted, freeing a deep growl from his chest. His body kept moving forward. He wanted to stop—it was only Ana. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
Claws slashed out and connected with her soft, pink skin. Red blood streaked across her body. Despite the wound, she continued to smile at him. Why wasn’t she protecting herself? He wanted to yell at her, to tell her to run away, but he couldn’t. He was in the conductor’s seat of a runaway train—and he was the train. Positioned to hurt and destroy what was in his path.
“I love you.”
He looked up, expecting to gaze into Ana’s innocent eyes, but instead found the blank stare of Balam’s dead wife.
“No!”
Chance sat straight up in bed, his heart thundering in his chest. His covers, wet with sweat, tumbled into his lap. He dropped his head into his hands and gasped for air.
It was just a dream, he tried telling himself. It wasn’t real. But the fear was real and it persisted at his soul. Every waking moment filled with memories, echoed with evil.
No light came in through the window of his room and the clock on the nightstand said that it was five o’clock. He knew from experience he wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep, so he collapsed backward onto his pillow and stared at the gray ceiling. He’d just have to lie around, stuck in his own head until everyone else woke up.
His thoughts turned to the conversation he’d had with Batukhan nearly twenty-four hours ago and pinched his eyes shut. It was all he’d been thinking about since then. How was he supposed to feel about Batukhan leaving to find Mac, his nomadic shapeshifter friend? Chance had attacked him—bludgeoned him with a lit branch, all while under the powerful influence of another shifter’s voice. This sickness had poisoned him, swaying him to behave in uncharacteristic ways. Made him hunger for power. Would Mac forgive him? A more important question was branded in his mind—can I forgive myself?
Chance rubbed his eyes, which didn’t help the dull ache that seemed to be permanently housed there now. He needed more sleep. If self-loathing could leave its mark, it certainly had.
Calm yourself. Breathe deep and relax. Niyol’s melodic voice soothed his thoughts and his breathing slowed. At least he still had his grandfather’s internal guidance. Chance didn’t miss the memories or echo from Nastas, Markus and the nameless man who’d poisoned all of their lives. Mac had helped push some of the voices away and with much effort and struggle, Ana had removed the poisonous energy from his soul. Although it was a relief not to have them arguing and pushing him around anymore, the damage had been done.
That was ridiculous though. He was a strong young man with the kind of abilities people could only imagine and here he was, having panic attacks between the covers of his bed. He should be a pillar of strength for Ana. Be the person she fell in love with. The person she thought she was engaged to.
He didn’t want her to see him like this: paranoid and frightened of the ghosts in his head. But there was no one who could soothe him like she could. Her touch was the healing balm his heart needed. Chance lifted the gray comforter and sat up in bed. The cool air touched his bare chest, drying the sweat on his skin. The pajama bottoms he’d borrowed from Derek kept his legs warm as he crept out of Ryan’s abandoned room. He moved lightly up the steps, careful not to make noise while he emerged on the main level of Lifen’s home.
He passed by the rice paper doors to the meditation room and walked to the end of the hallway. Chance placed his hand on Ana’s doorknob and glanced at Lifen’s door before letting himself in. Although it was still dark, he could see Ana’s shape beneath the covers of her bed. He latched the door, lifted the edge of her comforter and joined her beneath the sheets.
She adjusted in her sleep and mumbled something he couldn’t understand. Warmth radiated from her body and he slipped his arm around her waist while nuzzling his face against her back. As soon as he came into contact with her, his angst was pacified. Chance closed his eyes and let the rise and fall of her ribcage carry him off to sleep.
Back where he belonged, by her side. Home.
Chapter 2
Heat overcame her and Ana woke with a start. An arm was looped around her waist and Chance’s thick fingers intertwined with hers. She closed her eyes and grinned, happy to have him close.
This wasn’t the first time she’d found him in her bed. Having him pressed against her back felt better than anything she could imagine. As much as sh
e enjoyed it, she knew he wasn’t joining her just to snuggle. He hadn’t talked about his time away from her, but it had changed him. She hoped he could heal from the internal scars that had been left behind. That she could help him.
Ana lifted their intertwined hands to her mouth and kissed his knuckle. In response, Chance squeezed her and his hot breath tickled the hairs of her neck. She shivered and whispered, “Good morning.”
“Morning.” His voice was absorbed by her back and she drank it in.
“Did you have another bad dream?”
“Mm hm.”
Ana turned over so she could look at Chance. His hazel eyes were heavy with sleep, and afflicted with pain and fear. That much was obvious, at least to her. She traced her fingertips along his brow, pushing healing energy into him. His eyes shut lazily and he took a deep breath.
“Feel like talking about it?” Ana asked. “You haven’t said much since Batukhan left yesterday morning. Or at all.”
His free hand brushed up along her waist and settled at the center of her back. Her heart skipped a beat as his leg hooked over her thigh. Chance’s lips pressed against hers and any form of thought evaporated. She allowed herself to be swept away with him, but only for a minute. Breathless and woozy from his attention, she slurred, “Chance, wait. Stop trying to distract me.”
Chance’s hands burned on her flesh. It took everything in her to attempt to push him away and calm her heartbeat. He resisted her touch and wouldn’t slow down.
Her affection turned to frustration when he didn’t listen. This wasn’t like him. “Chance! Stop!”
His body moved away and he frowned at the ceiling. “How many times do I have to say that I don’t want to talk.”
Sure, he’d always had an edge, but he oozed anger now and it scared her. She lifted up on her elbow to look into his eyes. “I’m sorry. But you might feel better sharing with me—”
He avoided her gaze. His lips formed a tight line when he responded. “Now look who’s not stopping. I told you, I’m not ready yet. I’d rather just lay here with you all day.”
“I know. After so long apart, there’s nothing I’d rather do either, but we can’t hide away. We’re not alone in this house. You’ve barely said a word to anyone. I know you’ll like the guys if you give them a chance.”
“Not long ago, I was enough for you. Maybe it’s time we should go out on our own. We don’t need anyone here.” Without looking at her, his fingers trailed down her back and she grabbed them before they reached too far.
“Stop,” she said. “You mean just as must to me now as you ever have. But I disagree—I don’t think we should go. I don’t know if I can help you recover all by myself.”
“I’m fine. I don’t need anyone’s help.”
A lump formed in Ana’s throat. She didn’t know what to say. In the space of a few minutes, what felt like an abyss had formed between them. Even when they’d been hundreds of miles apart, he didn’t feel as far away from her as he did now.
Ana couldn’t stand this. It was obvious that a lot had happened to him, but he wasn’t sharing with her. How could she help if he didn’t let her in? She tried using his own technique against him and nuzzled her nose against his neck. Her voice came out soft and low. “Well, we can’t make any plans until we tell Mom that we’re engaged.”
Chance groaned and punched his fist into the comforter. “Do we really have to go home to do it?”
“I promised Mom that I’d come home for Christmas and if I blow that off and tell her that I’m getting married on the phone—well, angry won’t begin to cover it.” Ana sighed and stared at the bear heartline and jade jaguar pendants that hung around Chance’s neck. “You know how she was when we went down to Mexico. And when I told her I was coming up here to work, instead of going to school, well, she didn’t like it. Getting married . . . that’s a totally different level. We’d better go home and tell her together. If you want to take off, let’s go visit our families. What day do you want to head back to Idaho?”
Lines formed on Chance’s forehead and he squinted at her. “That’s not what I meant. If I leave, it won’t be to go back home. Not yet. I know I have to talk with my parents too. I left a note for them on my way up here and I left a message the other day. They’ll probably need a lot more than that to be satisfied that I’m okay, but I don’t want to deal with that yet.”
He’d said close to nothing about the time he’d spent away from her. Ana hadn’t realized he’d even driven through Clark Bend. It was strange that he hadn’t stayed to visit with his mom and dad, but she didn’t want to ask any questions. Not during his obvious irritable mood. An awkward silence fell over them.
His face hardened while his eyes closed tight, like he was hiding away from her. He muttered, “It’s hard, Ana. There’s a lot I just…”
When he reopened his eyes, the darkness reflected within made her anxious. It hurt her to see him like this. He’d changed. He had never been very talkative, but at least he spoke to her. But now, he was so distant. And dark. If Niyol were alive Chance could have confided in him, but now if he wouldn’t talk to her, who could he talk to?
“It’s okay,” she answered, trying to assure them both.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Chance tilted his head and she could tell he’d heard them too. “Great, time to go. Don’t want Lifen glaring at me again—I swear, that woman could freeze water.”
A deep rumble came from her stomach. “Does that mean you’re coming to join us for breakfast today?”
“Maybe.”
Ana forced a smile, but felt empty inside as she watched Chance slide out from between the sheets and stand with his hand on the doorknob. He peered out into the hallway and disappearing from sight. Ana waited a minute before jumping out of bed and heading to the bathroom. She hoped the hot water would wash away her fears. If she could only be so lucky…
Dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater, she went to the kitchen, ready for some tea. Jordan and Derek were already there and in the middle of their breakfast preparations.
Derek saw her first and greeted her. “Morning, Ana. Your other half gonna show himself today?”
“Hey guys.” She shrugged and pushed past the urge to cry. “I’m not sure. He’s still not feeling like himself.”
Derek shook his head and Jordan’s brow wrinkled in response. It had been a couple days since Chance and Batukhan had come to Lifen’s house and Ryan had left, but the guys were still acting different. When Ana had first arrived here over a month ago, they weren’t very close with one another, although during her stay they’d all become friends. Now they were—the best way she could describe it—moping. She supposed they weren’t the only ones.
Without looking either of them in the eye, too afraid the answer would be the same, she asked casually, “Still no word?”
Derek replied, “You know I’d tell you if Ryan had called.”
Ana nodded and bit her lip. Her eyes traced over the statue of the kitchen god, sitting in his nook in the wall. Ryan had told her the story. She’d tried to focus on the fact that Chance was safe and had returned to her, but now, her friend was gone. Had taken all of his belongings that night and left without a word.
She grabbed a mug from the cupboard and said, “I’m telling you, something’s not right. He wouldn’t just leave like that. We should go and look for him…”
Jordan and Derek shared a glance. “I don’t know, Ana.”
“What?” She got the distinct feeling they were holding something back. “If you know something, you should tell me. I’m his friend too.”
Ana crossed her arms and stared at Jordan, who avoided her attention and turned his back to her. Derek stared at the ceiling and rubbed his chin. He wandered to the kitchen doorway and looked out. “You and Chance were with each other so much there wasn’t a good opportunity to tell you.”
Ana’s stomach rattled nervously and sank to her feet. She didn’t know why this had anything to do with Chance, but s
he wanted answers. “What? Is Ryan okay?”
Derek remained in the kitchen’s entrance as he spoke. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I wasn’t sure how to. Jordan and I have talked about it and we’re not totally convinced there’s anything really wrong with Ryan. At least nothing a little time can’t heal.”
“Enough with the riddles—would you just tell me what’s going on?”
“The last few weeks we’ve all grown close. We’ve become friends. There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for each other.” Derek sighed and looked Ana in the eye. “Ryan cared about you. It’s not like we sat around eating popcorn and talking about our feelings or anything, but…it was something we kinda picked up on. Ana, I don’t think he wants to be here right now. Not with Chance here with you.”
Ana leaned against the kitchen counter while the words sank in. They didn’t make sense to her. Not completely. “So, hold on. Are you saying Ryan liked me, like more than a friend?”
Derek shrugged and Jordan muttered, “That’s what we think.”
She thought back to all of their interactions and tried to make it fit. He was just an obnoxious jerk who was afraid of letting anyone close to him. At least, that was her first impression of him. She’d discovered he had a serious side when he wasn’t cracking jokes and teasing everyone. But could she imagine he’d cared for her as more than just a friend?
Without her knowledge he had followed her the night she left to find Chance. Ryan had crashed into them, thinking he was helping Ana while she was in the process of freeing the foreign energy from Chance. A large burst of light had illuminated the sky and afterwards Ryan disappeared without any explanation. All Ana could worry about was that he’d absorbed the evil she’d worked so hard at removing from Chance. She feared he’d contracted the shifter sickness.
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