Autumn's War (The Spirit Shifters Book 4) Read Free Page A

need somewhere safe for us to try to change people.”
    He nodded. “I know somewhere about an hour south from here.”
    “And you’re sure you know how to do this? I don’t want others to end up like—”
    She realized what she was about to say and clamped her mouth shut.
    Lakota finished her sentence. “Like Tala, you mean?”
    “Yes. I’m sorry.”
    The old man rubbed his face with one hand and shook his head. “I can’t begin to describe to you how much it hurts to know that not only is Blake gone, but Tala is going through such pain and fear. I know she did it to herself, and that she hurt you, but she’s still my little girl. Every moment I spend knowing she is hurting, another part of my soul dies with her.”
    Nothing she could say would do anything to heal him.
    Lakota continued. “I promise you, I would never do anything to put another person in the sort of pain Tala must be in. If any part of my mind had even the faintest flicker of uncertainty, I wouldn’t go through with it.”
    That was good enough for Autumn. “Okay, thank you. And I really am sorry about Tala.”
    “I know you are.”
    She cast her eyes over the multitude of people. “But who would go first?”
    A familiar voice spoke from the right. “I would.”
    Autumn turned to find Mia standing there. Autumn’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. “No chance.”
    Mia put her hands on her hips, a defiant glint to her dark eyes. “Why the hell not?”
    “Well ...” She fought to think of something. “You’re not Native American, for one.”
    “So? Peter doesn’t have Native American ancestry, but he’s still a shifter. There are plenty of spirit shifters who are as white as both of us.”
    Autumn looked pleadingly toward Lakota, hoping he would come up with a reason not to use Mia, but he gave an apologetic shrug.
    “What about Peter?” she tried again. “Don’t you think you should discuss this with him first? I can pretty much guarantee he’s not going to like it.”
    “Autumn, honey. Since when has either of us given a crap about what a man’s opinion is?” She glanced to Lakota and then added, “Sorry.”
    Lakota appeared to be suppressing a smile at the comment.
    “I know, but this is different. This is literally life changing. And you and Peter seem so good together. Don’t you think he would want to be involved in this sort of decision?”
    “Peter’s a shifter. What could he possibly say that could make me change my mind? I want to be like him, Autumn. I want to see the world in a different way. I want to be special.” She paused and then said, “Like you.”
    Autumn stepped toward Mia and wrapped her arms around her, squeezing her tight in a hug. “Oh, Mia. You are special. You’re the most special woman I know. Can’t you see that’s the exact reason why I don’t want to change you? You’re perfect just as you are.”
    Lakota cleared his throat, and Autumn released her friend. Mia swiped away a tear and gave a sniff.
    “Perhaps it would be best if one of my people were to be changed first,” Lakota said. “The color of your skin has nothing to do with how well a spirit will connect with you, but my people have been aware of the existence of spirit shifters their whole lives. It feels only right they should have the first chance.”
    Mia’s cheeks turned pink. “Oh, of course. I’m sorry, it wasn’t my place.”
    “It doesn’t matter. I completely understand your desire.”
    Autumn shot him a thankful glance.
    Mia gave a regretful smile. “You’re not a shifter yourself, Lakota?”
    He shook his head. “Sadly, no. The gift was never mine, though I watched Blake and Chogan grow up being able to shift from a very young age.”
    Autumn shook her head in amazement. “I can’t imagine raising a child with such a gift. It must have been hard on you.”
    He shrugged. “When they were very young, no more than toddlers, really, it was horrific to watch them go through such pain when the shifts first