The Shaman Charms the Shifter
A Nocturne Falls Universe story
Larissa Emerald
Welcome to Nocturne Falls
Dear Reader,
Nocturne Falls has become a magical place for so many people, myself included. Over and over I’ve heard from you that it’s a town you’d love to visit and even live in! I can tell you that writing the books is just as much fun for me.
With your enthusiasm for the series in mind—and your many requests for more books—the Nocturne Falls Universe was born. It’s a project near and dear to my heart, and one I am very excited about.
I hope these new, guest-authored books will entertain and delight you. And best of all, I hope they allow you to discover some great new authors! (And if you like this book, be sure to check out the rest of the Nocturne Falls Universe offerings.)
For more information about the Nocturne Falls Universe, visit http://kristenpainter.com/sugar-skull-books.
In the meantime, happy reading!
Kristen Painter
The Shaman Charms the Shifter
A Nocturne Falls Universe Story
Copyright © 2017 by Larissa Emerald
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.
This book is a work of fiction and was made possible by a special agreement with Sugar Skull Books but has not been reviewed or edited by Kristen Painter. All characters, events, scenes, plots, and associated elements appearing in the original Nocturne Falls series remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Kristen Painter, Sugar Skull Books, and their affiliates or licensors.
Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author or Sugar Skull Books.
Published in the United States of America.
Table of Contents
THE SHAMAN CHARMS THE SHIFTER
Welcome to Nocturne Falls
Copyright
Other Books by Larissa Emerald
Dedication
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
Excerpt from AWAKENING FIRE
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Other Books by Larissa Emerald
Paranormal Romance
Nocturne Falls Universe
The Vampire Bounty Hunter’s Unexpected Catch
Divine Tree Guardian series
Awakening Fire
Awakening Touch
Vampire – Blood Keepers Series
Forever At Dawn (novella)
Forever At Midnight (novella)
Romantic Suspense
Chalet Romance Series
Winter Heat
Contemporary Romance
Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Come Sail Away
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Dedication
For my granddaughter, Bailey, who stands strong in her fight against leukemia.
Our faith is unending.
Chapter One
Kianso Oka Kane glanced at Seth in the stylist’s mirror as the archangel strolled through the entrance and into the salon’s waiting area. He tucked his wings tight against his back and out of sight from human eyes. Otherwise, he probably would have knocked over the nearby product display case.
“Howzit, brah?” Kianso said.
Seth halted and leaned one shoulder against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “Hey, Five-O. You want to find some action this weekend? I’m heading to Nocturne Falls. Want to come with?”
“Trim over the ears a bit shorter, please,” he said to the stylist, then moved his gaze to Seth. The archangel had nicknamed him after the Hawaii Five-O TV show. Hearing it always made him smile. There were worse things to be associated with.
“Well?” Seth asked, his lack of patience getting the best of him.
“I know it’s not far, but I’ve never been to Nocturne Falls,” Kianso said. “What’s it like?”
The stylist piped up, her Georgia accent just as sweet as it could be. “It’s super awesome. My man and I went a few months ago. The town celebrates Halloween all year long, and the townspeople dress up every day. Vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal creatures roam the streets. You should go. It’s fun.”
“I can’t believe you’ve never been, man. It’s like an hour and a half from Tyler.”
Kianso shrugged. “I’m happy being a small-town lawyer. I have no desire to gallivant around.”
It was true. He was like a general practitioner: his practice handled estate planning, tax law, family law, personal injury, and bankruptcy, just to name a few. He did everything except criminal law. In Georgia, 70 percent of the lawyers worked out of Atlanta, but he had not wanted to run that big-city rat race. The desire for a more laid-back lifestyle was the one thing he took with him when he left Hawaii. Tyler, Georgia, gave him that. Life was good, even if a little lonely at times.
“Come on. It’s the weekend,” Seth pressed. “Let’s go chill for a while. Venn and his bride have returned from France, and the Divine Tree is back under his protection. I’m finally free. And I’m ready to let loose a little before the next Guardian calls me with some dire dilemma.” He rolled his eyes.
“You should get that mop of yours trimmed, old man,” Kianso said, evading the question at hand. He eyed Seth’s head of dreads. The archangel reminded him more of Jack Sparrow in that pirate movie than an angelic being. Not that he understood such things. But his shaman side knew there were paranormal creatures in this world. That’s probably why his best friend was the shape-shifting Divine Tree Guardian Venn Hearst. Yep, there were unexplainable creatures in this world, like the ones who protected special trees against evil and demons, and… Well, and more things he didn’t want to think about.
The stylist brushed the loose hair from around his neck and then removed the drape. Kianso slipped his glasses into place. He stood and reached into his pocket to grab the bills he already had ready. “Thanks,” he said, passing the tip to the petite woman. “Looks great. See you in a couple of weeks.”
Given his Hawaiian heritage, his hair grew thick, and it required frequent trimming to maintain the business look he liked. As he headed for the door, Seth fell into step beside him. They exited onto the street.
“Well?” Seth asked again.
Kianso kept walking. It was Columbus Day weekend. He didn’t have to meet with clients until Tuesday afternoon. But did he really want to visit a town that celebrated Halloween 365 days a year? Hell, yeah. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t been to the spooky town already.
From the other side of the street, a bird flew across his path—a red-tailed hawk. He stepped sideways as it zoomed past. Kianso stopped short. As a spirit animal, the hawk was powerful and unrelenting, presenting messages of courage, wisdom, and illumination from the universe, prodding him to see the bigger pictures of truth and experience—the wise use of opportunities, magic, and focus, and how to overcome problems.
He felt the light press of a hand on his shoulder. It seemed to giv
e him a slight shove toward Seth. It was his sister, Jen. The strong essence of her spirit floated all around him. She had died in a mudslide eight years ago along with their parents. And even though he missed his makuahine and makuakane, it was his sister’s death that had shattered him, causing him to leave the island.
Out of nowhere, the scent of Play-Doh intertwined in his memory as he recalled growing up with his sister. They’d spent hours sculping animals out of the colorful modeling clay. Creating things with her hands was her favorite pastime. She was an artist…he was the practical one.
And even with the pain of losing her, he was glad they had their time together. She’d had a hand in shaping him into the man he was today. She still did.
After her death, he’d abandoned his shaman training and fled, and now, her spirit urged him as if she were right there with him.
Why couldn’t she just let him be?
He peered at the archangel. “She’s here, isn’t she?” he inquired, wanting confirmation.
Seth’s only response was a half smile and a lift of his brow.
Kianso pressed his lips together and then allowed his cheeks to billow slightly as he exhaled. She was telling him it was time he embraced his shamanic heritage. Practically no one knew about that side of him. But he suspected that Seth knew. Even though Kianso had never come out and told the archangel, Seth knew. It was there in his shrewd glance.
Kianso rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. He could use a vacation. “Naw. I should stay at home and work on my knitting.”
Seth smiled at Kianso’s mischievous glance. “Excellent,” the archangel said.
“I’ll pick up a few things from my place and then the weekend is ours.”
For some reason, the decision to get away didn’t excite him as much as it should have.
Kianso’s brows bunched as a wave of apprehension washed over him. If he took the time to tune in to his shamanic instincts, he might be able to foresee what lay ahead in Nocturne Falls. But no, that wasn’t who he was now. He’d turned away from magic years ago; he’d left that part of himself back in Hawaii. It had failed him then, and it would fail him now. He no longer trusted what he couldn’t see and touch.
So with a firm sense of control over his future, he resisted the tug to heed his shamanic voice, struggling against the feeling of expectation and urgency.
Both men slid into his royal-blue Mustang convertible, and he drove away from the quaint shops of downtown Tyler.
When he got to his apartment building, which sat on the edge of a private golf course, he cut the car’s engine. “You wanna come up?” he asked as he got out.
Seth locked his hands behind his head and leaned back. “No, thanks. I’ll just soak up some sun while you’re gone. You never know when the first cold snap will appear. Better enjoy it while I can.”
“Huh. You won’t be here by then anyway.” Kianso dashed into the lobby before Seth could respond and took the elevator up to the fourth floor. He unbuttoned his dress shirt at the neck and removed his tie. He peered out a large, paned window as he made his way from the living room into the bedroom. Outside, a hawk soared in a flight pattern above the trees—his spirit animal guide. He’d seen it various times in his life since his sister’s passing.
No. He tightened his jaw and spun away from the window.
Flipping through his closet, he tossed jeans and a couple of shirts into a satchel. He didn’t imagine Nocturne Falls was much different from Tyler, so he didn’t think he’d need anything special to wear. Most Georgia towns looked the same, all having a similar Southern charm.
Several minutes later, he landed back in the driver’s seat and fired up his GPS. “Directions to Nocturne Falls,” he said aloud.
As he drove away, he thought he heard the hawk squawk its approval.
* * *
In the yard behind Creepy Critter Pets, Sasha perched on a sturdy branch overlooking the patio. Living in the body of a bird sucked…big-time. She was a gorgeous green Quaker parrot. Her face, neck, and chest were pale gray, her back and tail feathers gleamed a green to yellow, and her wing feathers contrasted in blue. But still…a bird. For crying out loud, she ate birds when in her shape-shifter cat form. Now, all because a witch got her britches twisted, she was wearing feathers almost full time.
Sheesh. She inhaled a calming breath. She had faith that she would find a way out of the curse Lilly Reese had put on her. Just stay positive and the answer will come.
Above her, a flock of cardinals battled three ravens, trying to outdo one another in song. The noise made Sasha grin. Even though she couldn’t actually credit the ravens as singing—their voices sounded more like squawks—they were so filled with life and vigor as their voices carried on the cool October breeze. She wished she felt such abandon.
Caroline Linzer, a longtime friend and the pet store owner, strolled out carrying a fragrant cup of coffee and settled in a chair at the patio table. A hint of envy twisted in Sasha. How she’d love a cup of joe right now.
Caroline glanced up into the trees and squinted through heavy-lidded eyes, then lifted her coffee cup to her lips and drank. Her friend murmured a pleased sound. It was her usual late-afternoon cup of joe to help her get through that sleepy time of day.
Sasha wasn’t tired, though. In a few minutes, she’d change into her human self. Then the next three hours were the highlight of her day.
“Thank goodness for caffeine,” Caroline mumbled.
“CC… CC… CC,” Sasha singsonged. It was the nickname she’d learned from Camille, Caroline’s friend who had moved to Minnesota earlier this year. Sasha had picked it up during a phone call that Caroline had put on speaker.
“What? Are you trying to outdo the other feathers up there?” Caroline asked, angling her chin toward the other birds.
“Don’t insult me,” Sasha said in a scrappy bird voice and then dipped her beak into the down beneath one wing and scratched. “I don’t give a wit.”
Caroline sighed. “Sorry, Sasha. Being caught in a spell must be rough, and I understand happens more often than people think. A witch, warlock, or sorcerer has a disagreement with someone, and bam! In their anger and frustration, a spell is cast.”
“I know. I know. I just need to up my search for a remedy. There are more supernaturals in Nocturne Falls than anywhere else. Surely one of the residents knows how to undo it and return me to my feline shape-shifter self.” Thankfully, she was able to articulate as her human self; however, her speech came out in a birdy voice that really exhausted her patience. She tired of hearing it.
Caroline had been a tremendous help, taking her in, helping her discover the food she needed, being her friend.
At the moment, her life was in limbo. She’d left Montgomery and given up her job as a recreation supervisor for the city. She hadn’t had much choice, really. It was pretty hard to work in bird form, especially when she was stuck like this twenty-one hours of every day.
In the shop, the mantel clock chimed 5:00 p.m. Yes! The change began. Her wings shifted into arms and hands, and she dropped to the floor on legs and feet that absorbed the landing on hard ground. It felt wonderful! She stretched.
It was time for Caroline to lock up. She closed the store at the same time during the week, with short hours on Saturday, finishing at four, and Sundays, when the store didn’t open at all. In a town like Nocturne Falls, people liked to dine and drink and play when the sun went down, not shop for pets.
When Caroline finished closing the store, she ambled out back again. Sasha sat at the table in her human form, draining the last sip of coffee from Caroline’s cup.
“Sorry,” Sasha said impishly. “It’s been a long day.” She walked the cup past Caroline, into the store, and into the kitchen area where she proceeded to wash it. Caroline joined her. “Let’s go. I have a limited time before I change back into that infernal bird. I plan to make the most of every second. If you don’t mind, can we visit Misty’s Boo-Tique? There was a cute outfit in th
e window.” She licked a final taste of coffee from her lips. “Flying around makes for terrific window shopping.”
Caroline chuckled softly. “Fine with me. Lead the way.”
Without hesitation, Sasha did just that, only pausing to let Caroline lock the door behind them.
Sasha’s steps quickened. There wasn’t a minute to waste. It was extremely frustrating to be trapped for most of the day, only allowed to assume her human form for three hours each day and not being permitted to enjoy her snow leopard form at all.
Sasha lengthened her stride, allowing her legs to stretch, enjoying the tug and pull of her muscles as she strolled down the lane. A bird’s legs didn’t have the same feel. The difference in anatomy wasn’t something she would have contemplated before, but now, well, she was experiencing the contrasts up close and personal. So when she transformed into her human form for those few hours, it was heaven.
It took them around fifteen minutes to walk to Misty’s Boo-Tique. The outfit she’d admired this afternoon was on a mannequin in the display window. The window dressing fit the Halloween theme of the town with a timeworn haunted house motif, featuring a lot of spider webs, a huge bird cage suspended from the ceiling, and a few whispy ghosts flying in the background. Sasha pointed to the mannequin on the right seated in a chair. “That coral halter top. Isn’t it adorable?”
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