Shadowed Read Free Page A

together, whispering. Ashe might have heard what they were saying if the cafeteria wasn't already buzzing with micro-conversations. "Where will they live?" Mr. Dodd, the History teacher raised a hand.
    "Temporary housing will be trucked in," Winkler answered. "All paid for by the Vampire Council. I believe the Council has arranged to have vampire assistance tomorrow evening to put everything in place. You won't be expected to do anything except treat our guests with respect while they're here."
    "But they're all humans," someone else spoke up. "Except for their half-human kids." Ashe recognized the derision in Chad's voice. Jeremy's mother, Diane, frowned at her son from a seat near the door.
    "Don't tell me this isn't Ashe Evans' fault," Jeremy chimed in.
    "What did you just say?" Winkler was now examining Jeremy Booth with guarded interest. Jeremy, a shapeshifter, wouldn't fall under as much scrutiny as Chad, his adopted werewolf brother and best friend.
    "Nothing." Jeremy knew when to keep his mouth shut around older, stronger adults. His animal was a wildcat, but a younger werewolf could take him down easily.
    "Are the humans aware that they'll be among those who aren't human? Do they even know we exist?" Greta Rocklin, the Transformational Arts teacher asked. Also a werewolf, she was married to Micah Rocklin, Second to Marcus DeLuca, Cloud Chief's werewolf Packmaster.
    "I am joining Bill Jennings, Director for the Joint NSA and Homeland Security Department in Dallas tomorrow morning. The families will be informed at that time," Winkler replied. "Many of you know already that werewolves and vampires work in a special division of Mr. Jennings' department. He, the Grand Master and the Head of the Vampire Council all wish for us to protect these children inside Cloud Chief's hidden boundary. These families have not been informed as to what their children truly are and why they are hunted. The Director and I will attempt to explain things tomorrow, and I'll be taking one of you with me to meet these families so they can see a werewolf and shapeshifter for themselves."
    "No self-respecting werewolf will agree to that," Principal Billings almost exploded, causing Winkler's head to turn swiftly in the Principal's direction.
    "I was going to do it," Winkler said, "so they can see a wolf. I'm taking Ashe Evans with me because he has something in common with those children. Shall I report your reaction to the Grand Master?"
    "No." Principal Billings hung his head immediately. Ashe knew the Principal wasn't sorry for what he'd said, just as Chad and Jeremy weren't. He raised his hand.
    "What is it, Ashe?" Winkler lifted an eyebrow in Ashe's direction.
    "Where will you put the temporary housing? Will they really be protected by the witch's boundary?"
    "That's our hope. The Elemaiya haven't found their way back here after your father placed compulsion on the two that came last year. And the housing will be in the field behind your home, I think. Water and electrical lines were laid there in case Cloud Chief ever increased in size. The location will also make it easier for your father and Nathan Anderson to guard them at night."
    "Have you talked to my parents? About me going to Dallas?"
    "Ashe," Winkler smiled, "I spoke with your father last night. I have your parents' permission."
    "Okay, just wanted to check," Ashe huddled into his seat, feeling slightly embarrassed.
    "How many will be coming?" Mr. Dawkins, the Math teacher, asked.
    "Seventeen will be coming to Cloud Chief," Winkler answered. "Ten parents, six half-Elemaiyan children and one human child. Trace and Jason will be back to help guard the community and run errands—the families won't be leaving Cloud Chief once they arrive. They have to stay hidden. I warn you to treat them as any other member of the community, at the Grand Master's command. Their names and whereabouts are to be kept confidential. You understand why, I hope."
    "Those lives depend on it," Miss Campbell