Shifters in the Shadows: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Sexy Shifters, Dangerous Vamps, & Things That Go Bump in the Night

by J. K Harper

  “It’s not like that—”

  It was only Astrid’s hand on my arm that stopped me from finally knocking Bastian the fuck out.

  “He’s not selling me; he’s using me to buy favor with one of the larger clans.”

  How the fuck did she sound so calm? And why the hell couldn’t I understand what was going on? “Will someone please explain this to me, plain and simple.”

  Bastian opened his mouth, but Astrid glared at him. “Correct me if I’m wrong,” she murmured to her brother, “You owe money to three of the local clans. One is too small for you to worry about their retaliation, but the other two could make your life very difficult. If I agree to mate with one of the two clan Alphas they will waive your debt as a dowry and combine their power with Jewelcrest allowing you the time needed to find the rest of the money?”

  Bastian slid back down into his chair, his hand rubbing a weary path over his face. “Nearly. There are three Alphas vying for your hand.”

  “Three?” Astrid sounded confused, which made me feel a little better. Either half of this conversation had gone on inside of Bastian’s head, or I wasn’t firing on all cylinders. I preferred the first option.

  “A third clan has heard you are a Seer, and they have offered to match the dowry.”

  “And if Astrid says no?”

  Panic widened Bastian’s eyes a fraction before he got it under control. “Then the Jewelcrest clan would be absorbed into other neighboring clans.”

  “Are you still gambling?”

  I held my breath, waiting for Bastian to answer her question.

  “No.”

  I couldn’t tell if he was lying, his scent already soured by humiliation and defeat.

  “He’s telling the truth,” Astrid whispered. “Okay. I’ll consider it.”

  What? Was she kidding me? But before I had the chance to object, she’d grabbed me by the hand and was tugging me out of the room, a hypnotic sway to her hips.

  I bit back the words on the tip of my tongue; surely she knew she couldn’t go through with this.

  But it’s not like you’re offering her an alternative…

  Chapter 13

  Astrid

  Gripping his hand tight, I burst out of the house and headed across the dirt track, following the windy road down to the main village. Trees lined our path, soaring above us and branching across the sky, casting the path in dappled shadows. The scent of the woodland filled my nose, bringing with it a sense of calm and familiarity. I’d run wild through these woods and meadows as a child, skinning my knees and honing my skills for when I’d become one with my dragon.

  And when the shift had never happened, the woods had provided shelter for me. A place to retreat to when the voices were too loud, too insistent. A place where the only noise was the chirping of the birds, and the rustle of rabbits and mice scurrying through the grass.

  Glancing at Trent, I visually traced the outline of his firm jaw and the full softness of his lips. He moved beside me with a smooth, rolling stride that hinted at the predator within. Each footfall without hesitation or wariness; he was a man who knew his place in the world, felt comfortable in his own skin.

  “Can we not talk about it, not yet?”

  A wealth of emotion shone in his eyes, but he didn’t hesitate. “Sure. What would you like to do?”

  Grateful for the small reprieve, I shrugged. “I was going to take you to the village. Have you been there?” When I’d thought he was from Jewelcrest, I’d wondered if he lived on the family land, or if he was one of the clan members who chose to live apart. “Actually, where are you from?”

  His hand loosened in mine, and for a second I thought he was going to let go, but his fingers slid through mine, linking in a crisscross pattern. “Like your brother said, the Greenwing clan.”

  Like that told me anything new. “I’ve heard of them … I think?” My voice rose in question, probing for more information.

  Ahead of us, signs of civilization broke through the woodland, and he tugged me to a stop. “We’re a small clan, there’s only a few of us left. Home is out to the west, on the other side of the canyon and then straight across country for a few more miles.”

  I knew where the canyon he referred to was, but after that I was lost. Dragon shifters tended to refer to locations by way of landmarks rather than place names, a hazard of the trade, I supposed. “Not far away then.” I tried to keep the hopeful note out of my voice, but failed miserably.

  “Not far,” he murmured, turning to face me. “Do you really want to go to the village?”

  Of course I didn’t, but I’d thought it would be better to get it over with. Especially since with Trent in tow, I wouldn’t be subjected to the spiteful thoughts that I was sure to receive. “What did you have in mind?”

  “We could try and connect with your dragon.”

  Oooh. That sounds like a plan I can get behind! I grinned at him. “Where do you suggest?”

  He returned my grin with one of his own. “Somewhere quiet, where we won’t be interrupted.”

  If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect him of planning a seduction… “I know the perfect place,” I murmured, turning off the path and into the trees, my mind dancing with possibilities.

  * * *

  About ten minutes later we reached our destination. It was exactly as I remembered, the lush grass still thick and green despite the bite to the fall air, the small clearing bathed in rays of golden sunlight. Fallen leaves dotted the grass, dashes of purple and browns breaking up the dark green. Several boulders, smooth with age, appeared to grow from the ground, soft moss covering the pale gray as if hugging them into the earth.

  This clearing had been my secret hideaway as a child, the entrance hidden by a thick row of bushes and well away from the beaten path.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  I turned to Trent. He understood, the look in his eyes told me that he got it. Moving over to a large flat-topped boulder, I sat down. “What do we do now?”

  Throwing himself down onto the grass at my feet, he rolled onto his back and squinted at the sky. Laying an arm over his face he sucked in a deep breath, his chest rising and stretching his T-shirt tight. “We wait.”

  “Wait?”

  Not moving his arm, he nodded.

  “For what?”

  He didn’t answer, the rise and fall of his chest slowing.

  I nudged him with my foot. “Hey, don’t fall asleep on me!”

  “I’m not on you,” he mumbled. His hand shot out, grabbing my foot and yanked.

  I pitched forward into arms that cradled me, cushioning my fall.

  “But I can be, if that’s what you want?” His voice was low and husky, his eyes swirling with flames as he gazed into mine. Not waiting for an answer, he rolled, crushing me into the sweet smelling grass. “Is this better?”

  His arms cradled my head, putting us eye to eye. The hard length of his body pressed into mine, heavy and promising. Delicious.

  He’s going to kiss me… Words caught in my throat as I waited, anticipation thrumming through me.

  Massaging his fingers through my hair, he lowered his head, his eyes never leaving mine.

  Yes. It wasn’t my thought; it was my dragon’s.

  “There she is,” he murmured, approval lighting his eyes. “Talk to her, Astrid. Tell her she can come out to play.”

  And how the hell am I supposed to do that? I was half annoyed at what I now recognized as his scheming and half admiring it. A whole boat load of disappointment swelled inside of me.

  “Go on, talk to her.”

  All right then. “Hello?”

  Silence.

  “This is silly.”

  Why do you think it’s silly? My dragon sent back.

  Huh. Okay, then. You’re talking to me! Rather than trying to talk to her, this time I thought the words.

  Of course I am.

  But … you’ve never spoken to me before.

  Silence again.


  Dammit, had I scared her away?

  You’ve not scared me, I’m not going anywhere, the feminine voice sent back with a reassuring firmness.

  Where have you been all my life? Why now? I’d no sooner thought the question, and I knew. Trent.

  Yes. He is our mate. I couldn’t find the way to you before, but his dragon called me.

  Can we—

  Shift? Of course silly! We are the same; what I can do, so can you.

  My eyes flashed open, though I’d been unaware of closing them. “I can shift!”

  “Of course you can,” Trent murmured, a smug smile tugging at his lips.

  Does he know?

  I wasn’t directly asking my dragon, but she answered anyway. That we are true mates? Of course he does; his dragon will have told him.

  “Do you want to try now?” His question tugged me out of my internal conversation.

  “Now?”

  “Why not?”

  Because I’m scared? What if I can’t—

  I’ve got your back, and I’m not a new hatchling, my dragon replied, her tone a little huffy, as though insulted.

  I sent back soothing thoughts, stroking her ruffled scales. Of course you have. “Yes. Now!” The words flew out of my mouth.

  He jumped up, helping me to my feet.

  I stood, swaying slightly as the magnitude of what I was about to do hit me.

  Reaching back, he tugged his shirt off over his head, muscles rippling and bunching.

  My eyes widened. “What are you doing?” I squeaked out.

  His hands paused on his waistband, fingers hovering dangerously close to the top button. Arching a single eyebrow, he frowned. “Shifting.”

  “I— But— Why?” I eventually got out.

  “I thought it would be easier for your dragon to follow mine. Flying can be a little … clumsy the first time around. Of course, if you want to go solo the first time—” He winced, a doubtful expression on his face.

  “No!” He was right. All juvenile dragons had a spotter for the first time, something I’d managed to forget in my jubilation.

  “Okay, then.” His jeans hit the floor.

  And so did my jaw. The man obviously didn’t believe in underwear. Ridges of muscle lined his stomach, jutting into deep lines that arrowed down as if pointing out the main event. I had no control, I looked.

  I screwed my eyes shut, heat burning my cheeks. Then, peeling one eyelid open, I peeked, just to make sure, then squeezed it shut again.

  Yup. The man was hung like a horse. Or a dragon. I swallowed back the inappropriate and slightly deranged laughter that threatened, but a snort managed to escape. Shit. Forcing myself to open my eyes, and my mouth, to explain the strange sound, I found myself face to face with a dragon.

  Chapter 14

  Astrid

  He was a gorgeous bronze dragon, his scales shimmering with a myriad of colors from dark brown to light gold, reminiscent of a sun dipping just below the horizon. His body was huge and strong, filling nearly half of the clearing, his tail curling around and resting over claws that were nearly the length of my forearm and as sharp as any manmade sword. But his eyes … they were pure Trent. The gold flickering brown I had grown to cherish.

  Cherish? I rolled the word around on my tongue, trying it on for size. It felt right. Trent had quickly become important to me, not only was he a lifeline of silence in a world drowning in noise, I was quickly coming to realize that he had my back too. That no matter what he said he was, or wasn’t, going to do—he’d come through for me in the end.

  Hell, he hasn’t abandoned me yet, and he could have.

  Steam huffed out of his nostrils as he lowered his large head, his lips curling back from wicked looking fangs in a dragon attempt at a smile. He butted me in the chest, demanding my attention.

  Letting a chuckle spill free, I scratched his brow ridge, more laughter escaping at his deep rumble of pleasure. It was almost a purr.

  His forked tongue darted out, swiping the side of my face in a wet lick.

  “Hey! Knock it off,” I rubbed at my cheek, a mock scowl plastered on my face, but really I was touched. Trent had just given me the equivalent of a dragon kiss.

  He butted me again, this time giving me a little shove until I was at the other side of the clearing. The look in his eyes was clear—it was time for me to shift.

  Or attempt to shift.

  Turning around I shed my clothes, focusing on the task ahead rather than the fact that Trent was seeing me naked for the first time. Though I couldn’t help but wonder if he liked what he saw, or if my plump curves and dimpled skin were a turn off.

  A quick glance over my shoulder blasted my worries clear out of the water. Trent’s eyes burned into me, filled with a longing and heat that I’d have to be dead to miss. Warmth filled me, a liquid throbbing between my thighs at the thought of him shifting back to naked and dragging me to him.

  Yes … my dragon crooned, and I could tell she was torn between the thought of taking flight for the first time and claiming her mate.

  I never thought I’d say it—or, at least think it, but flying seemed the least complicated of the two. It’s time, do your thing, I whispered to her, both out loud and in my head.

  Invisible flames licked at my skin, a heaviness settling in my stomach as my mind seemed to fragment—as if trying to cling onto what was happening to me was too much. Too hard. The boiling inside of me peaked, a coolness rushing through me and chasing the nausea away. It hadn’t worked. Bitter disappointment streaked through me, souring my mood. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled.

  At least I tried to mumble. Instead, flames spurted from my mouth, scorching the air. I tried to blink, the reflex feeling strange, and lifted my arms. Huge wings curled around me, glittering emerald in color.

  Holy crap! I’d done it! I swung around and nearly tripped over my tail. I was off balance, my human arms where my wings were, but I now had four legs. Concentrating hard, I took a step forward. Lurching, I pitched forward, planting my wings in the grass at the last moment to keep from hitting the deck like a pile of undignified dragon splat.

  Steam streamed out of my snout, the grass bending and wilting in the hot breeze. This was so not fair, having to go through this as a grown ass woman.

  We just need practice, my dragon huffed inside my head.

  I felt a scratch where my wing joined my body—on what used to be my shoulder—and pushing myself up I found myself face to face with Trent.

  Hooking his shoulder under mine, he pushed back until I leaned back in a crouch, taking my weight on my back legs. Another gentle nudge from his wing, and I folded my wings against my back.

  He clucked at me, the sound deep and throaty, his eyes locked on mine and filled with approval. Then he lowered his head, his snout nuzzling at my neck.

  Did he want me to stretch my neck? I tried to follow his silent instructions.

  My dragon’s trill of laughter was my first indication that I’d read him wrong. The second being when he continued to nuzzle, his breath heating my skin, ending the caress with a lick.

  If green could have blushed, I was pretty sure I’d have turned into a pink dragon.

  Giving me another nudge, this one the firm look-at-me kind, he turned and gracefully made his way across the clearing. Lowering into a crouch, he reared up onto his back legs, his wings folding against his back, then he sprung up, muscles powering him into the sky. His wings snapped out, catching the air in a move that looked so effortless, I was pretty sure I had absolutely no chance of replicating it, and then continued to beat until he hovered above me.

  Okay… Bracing my knees against the need to tremble, I crouched down onto my back haunches.

  Trent tossed his head in a silent you-can-do-it.

  Knees bent, front legs up, wings back, look up, I recited while trying to force my new body to obey. And … fly! I kicked off, catapulting myself into the air.

  I’m flying!

  My excitement was short lived as m
y trajection altered, gravity pulling me back to earth. Shit! Wings—flap! I thrust out my wings—in my head they were still my arms—and flapped them frantically. It’s not working!

  Then the air caught beneath them, lifting me to the top of the trees. But it wasn’t enough, I wasn’t strong enough, I didn’t know what I was doing. I was still going down more than I was going up!

  My claws grazed a solid object and I glanced down. Trent hovered beneath me, his wings steady and strong as he lifted me higher.

  Matching my strokes to his, I mimicked the slow and steady beat of his wings, the feel of the wind catching and sliding beneath them slowly starting to make sense. I had to ride the wind, not try to pummel it into submission.

  With that eureka moment barely formed, he dropped away from me, leaving me shooting through the air on my own.

  Chapter 15

  Trent

  Panic radiated from the smaller, green dragon as she flapped her wings.

  Easy … not too fast.

  For a split second she hovered, unable to catch the air current.

  Come on, you can do it, Astrid! I let out a roar of encouragement, smoky flames billowing through the sky.

  She craned her emerald head, locking eyes on me. Determination replaced panic, as she forcefully beat her wings in a slow swooping glide, catching the air and riding it on a glide through the sky.

  We shot forward, tracing a lazy path beneath the clouds across the dragon land. People craned their heads to look, and even from here I could see the astonishment on their faces. I knew what they were thinking. A green dragon; tales were told but never before had one been seen. Not in this lifetime.

  Well, they’d seen one now. Maybe they’d think twice about treating her like dirt, and if they didn’t … well, I’d have something to say about it.

  Looping around her, I nudged her to turn. It was time to go back, her wings weren’t used to flying and she would tire easily.