Away From the Sun

by Austina Love

  She continued backing away.

  “Shye…please…you’re wrong,” he pleaded. “You have to trust me.”

  She refused to waver. He wants to believe that his ex is telling the truth. She looked up to the sky.

  “Shye, don’t!” His voice rang with desperation.

  But he had not given her any leeway with Gage so she denied him the same right now. A majestic bald eagle soared overhead casting its shadow on the ground. She stared at Trip with sad eyes. Her heart tumbled, but she saw no other way to end the torment in her soul. He began running toward her. Just as he reached for her hand she shifted and pulled away. Up, up…higher and higher she floated upward on eagle’s wings.

  Chapter Four

  Coldness settled over her as it always did when she was in shadow form. She had become accustomed to the process and found it easier to shift each time. She could complete the transition almost instantly now as she’d just done to fly away from Trip. Tears formed in her heart, but in her shifted form she could not cry, as if her soul had become empty. She did things as Shadow that simply were not possible in human form such as moving through solid objects and assuming the identity of whichever shadow she borrowed.

  Freedom—the feeling of flying away never grew old.

  The old chief’s cautioning words that her father had reminded her of came to mind.

  You must release the shadow before the sun sets or you will disappear with it and roam in the land of darkness forever. Be careful. Do not succumb to the lust for power and hold onto the shadows longer than necessary. Complete your task and release them.

  She wondered what roaming in the land of darkness would be like—to ride away from the sun forever.

  Whether she was in her own shadow or using that of another creature the experience empowered her. Away from humanity, from heartbreak, and the betrayal she found peace. Would it be so bad to stay in the shadows forever? She contemplated the questions and possible answers while soaring on spread wings high above the mountains. The temptation to ignore the warning and fly away deluged her.

  A setting sun loomed in the distance, threatening to steal her escape from humanity. She was sick of it. Twenty years in the military only to come home to another war. Her long awaited homecoming had brought nothing but pain. At times she felt homeless, now drifting between worlds. The hundreds of acres she’d called home had been tainted. She’d been forced to fight evil men at their sordid game of drugs and money.

  Trip had been the only good thing about returning home thus far and now his past had smacked her right in the face. Why he had lingered in Gage’s office with those two women drove her mad with frustration. What did he hope to gain? She wondered. His hesitation created a flurry of doubt in her soul.

  If not for Carter’s trickery she’d have settled on the farm with her parents, set up a gunsmith shop, and lived in peace as she’d wanted. She wondered if this was a test to discern if she was worthy of inheriting the priceless estate that had been passed down through the generations. The land had belonged to her family since records began and she’d been one of the few Native Americans to have the privilege of growing up on native soil.

  She extended her wings and flew toward the western horizon where streaks of blue and pink painted the golden skies. Water far below from rivers and lakes glistened in the late day sun. Soon dusk would arrive and she’d be forced to make a decision—a choice she didn’t feel up to making—shift back into human form or fly away from the sun— for eternity.

  * * * *

  Trip grabbed the backpack Shye had left behind in her moment of haste. He straddled his Harley and prepared to ride in search of her, hoping she’d see him and return. He was very much aware of her favorite shifter the eagle. She’d employed her gift on numerous occasions for various reasons. This time, however, he feared a great misunderstanding had taken place and he had possibly placed her in an extremely vulnerable position.

  Her temptation to remain in the shadows was no secret to him. He recalled how she’d struggled with it before. If she didn’t shift back before sunset, she’d be lost forever and so would he. Life without her would be empty. He couldn’t bear the thought.

  Despite her accusations, he knew in his heart that the only thing he felt toward Natayla was contempt. If only Shye would trust him.

  Regret consumed him over lingering in a cat-and-mouse game with his ex under the foolish hope that he’d flush out something that might not even be there. Natayla had always possessed the ability to draw people into her net and make them believe they wanted something she didn’t actually have. She was a pro at what she did, manipulating words and facts to bend others to her will. She’d always used anyone to get ahead and after all these years she was still the same—eager to use Shye’s story to land a better position in her career.

  Why did I think there was something more? I heard the word evidence and everything melded into one big blur. I’ve been living on that word for so long…the bitch really got me there. Shye was right. I don’t need anything else to prove my case. The Rain Riders have given me the best gift of all and if not for my precious woman, I’d still be clinging to that one word…evidence.

  Damn Natayla for using her quick tongue to control me again. I loathe that woman. I wish she’d disappear like Carter and Gage. I want to marry Shye and be happy. Now she’s out there somewhere feeling sad and torn again. This was not supposed to happen. I can’t allow my ex to keep Shye on the run.

  And only one person could’ve tipped that tenacious reporter off about Shye’s gift—Draven! That prick is going down this time and I look forward to watching the riders take his ass away forever.

  He throttled the engine, kicked his bike into gear and sped off toward the north, hoping Shye would find him and resist the pull toward the shadows.

  * * * *

  Pike leaned against the cool brick wall smoking a cigarette while watching Viper ride off on his bike. He’d listened in on the catfight that had taken place in Gage’s office, then watched in disbelief with this own eyes as Shye took flight as an eagle. Since the first day he’d caught her emerging from the wall of Carter’s bank carrying a sack of money, he knew something supernatural surrounded the stunning vixen. She’d been evasive as hell to pin down and in the process both Carter and Gage had lost their lives to the Rain Riders.

  He felt lucky over escaping their wrath especially since he still carried the rain stick that his crew had dug up on Shye’s farm. Now he knew exactly what she was and where she’d retreat to. He’d heard the stories of shifters—or tricksters as they were sometimes called. But never had he believed those old Indian tales even though he was half Native American himself. He had always mocked the legends of his youth and those around these Dakota hills.

  Today his opinion had changed. Shye was the real deal. Not a legend and not a dream, but a real woman with a rare gift. His groin ached at the thought of having her. The few brief encounters with her had been tense and against her will. However, the new dissension between her and Viper was the break he’d been waiting for. The time had finally come for Pike to make his move. He felt confident that if he could get her away from his old nemesis long enough, that he’d stand a chance of making the hot little seductress his woman.

  Assuming that Viper would ride the highways all night searching for her in vain, he would outsmart her hotshot boyfriend and be waiting at the one place she’d seek solace. Apparently the Rain Riders were not coming for him, he mused, and considered that keeping the ancient relic with him at all times might be the reason he’d been spared.

  He gave the old stick a studious once over while flipping it end-over-end, increasingly fascinated by the emulated sound of rain coming from inside. For some reason he’d been left behind when the riders had taken his entire crew. Perhaps he was the man meant to join with the elusive Indian maiden.

  Visions of her long tanned legs wrapped around him floated through his mind. He longed to kiss her luscious pouty lips and bury his hands
in that satiny black mane of hair. She had a body of a goddess and now her secret had been exposed. What a treasure to hold and own. He sighed. He’d give almost anything to have a woman of her stature—anything except the priceless rain stick, which he believed had saved his life from the merciless riders.

  He stomped out the spent smoke then walked to his pickup. Surely Shye would return to her farm for the night. Glancing upward, he noticed clouds gathering and blocking out a half-moon. Thunder rumbled in the distance. After sliding behind the wheel, he laid the stick on the seat and gunned the engine. A cloud of dust whipped up behind as he tore out of the parking lot and up the road toward Shye’s farm.

  Tonight, Miss Shye, you will see that your boyfriend is wrong about me and that I am not a monster. Tonight I will make you mine.

  * * * *

  Shye kept one eye on the sun as it slipped lower and lower from the sky. Any minute dusk would be upon her and she was still flying high above the pain she left behind. Far below, her farm came into view—over a hundred acres of prime land rich with fertile soil and precious minerals.

  How can I turn away now? My parents would be devastated. They need my help now more than ever. I can’t abandon them. I must know that they are safely returned home before moving on with my life. Even if I decide to move away, I owe it to them and all those who walked the sacred land before me to see this through.

  With a reluctant heart she glided lower in wide circles around the one place she’d called home. Half the sun had dropped below the horizon. Her emotions swirled inside. Minutes, maybe seconds before the sun would be gone for the day. What would it be like to stay here forever? How bad can the darkness be? The urge to cling to her shadow form had become more tempting than ever before.

  She swooped down and over the land at blazing speed, loving the rush of flight. The ground whipped by beneath her as she took in the beauty of her estate while soaring on extended wings.

  I don’t want to deal with this but I must. And I will have to face Trip and his unresolved feelings toward his ex. Whether we end up married depends on how this pans out.

  Reluctantly she landed on a fence post and watched the setting sun. Just before the last arch of light disappeared, she shifted back to human form. Intense heat washed over her in powerful waves indicating that she’d been in the shadows longer than usual.

  She stretched her neck and arms then glanced around. Storm clouds had begun gathering in the south and were moving in. She wondered what flying above a storm would be like. Surely that would be a thrilling experience! Squatting on a fence post, she almost laughed at what she must look like perched there like a bird.

  “I knew there was something peculiar about you.” A man’s husky voice startled her.

  Her head jerked around, throwing her off balance. Before she could steady herself, her foot slipped off the post and she flopped to the ground in a most ungraceful manner. Sharp pain raced up her arms as her hands shot out in front to catch her weight. She looked up with a glare to see who’d invaded her privacy.

  “You! What the hell are you doing here?” she snarled while pushing to her feet.

  He stood tall over her. Long ebony hair hung past his shoulders and shone in the rays of light filtering through the clouds. She stared up into the dark gold-flecked eyes. For a murdering bastard he lacked nothing in appearance. His strikingly handsome features emanated a dangerous allure, which she found thrilling and terrifying. That she could even consider him the least bit appealing disturbed her.

  “I figured you’d return to your home eventually,” Pike said while giving her a steady once over. “So that’s how you framed Carter…you’re a trickster.”

  She refrained from offering a verbal response. This man knew what she could do, which made her feel suddenly vulnerable.

  “I must admit, Shye, you’re the kind of woman I want on my side and certainly not as my enemy.”

  “We’re already enemies.”

  “I’ve done nothing to you. Gage was the mastermind behind the plan to steal your farm. But I see your lover-boy outsmarted the lawyer and got your land back for you. Nice work. Your interference, however, has left me with a dilemma.”

  “Your problems are of no concern to me.” She shrugged with ambivalence. “So get off my property. You and your filthy band of drug runners did enough damage.” She pointed to the charred remains of her house in the distance. “Look what I’ve had to do in order to purify my home.”

  “Did you use the same firepower on your own house that you used to blow up the bank?”

  She turned her head to hide a smirk. “You seem to know everything. You figure it out.”

  “You might want to hold that sharp tongue until you find out what I have to offer.”

  “I highly doubt that you have anything that I would want.” With hands on her hips, she whipped around to face him again. “Now just go or I will make you go.”

  “Tough girl, huh?” He leaned toward her with a sneer. “Yeah, I remember how you shot your way out of the barn. You don’t scare me, woman.”

  His brazen attitude irked her. She didn’t have a weapon handy and inwardly questioned if her skilled combat skills could defeat him in a hand-to-hand fight. He looked strong and the rage lurking in his dark eyes led her to believe he’d fight with vengeance. She’d learned to read people fairly well and this man definitely carried demons from his past. She wasn’t sure about entering a mortal battle with him. His aura felt somewhat intimidating in an alarming way.

  “You don’t scare me either,” she lied, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin.

  “Aren’t you the least bit curious as to what I have?”

  “Nope.”

  “Okay then,” he said with a casual sigh. “I guess I’ll just sell it. I’m sure there will be quite a bidding frenzy over such a priceless relic. Every Indian in these parts would love to get their hands on an authentic rain stick.”

  “You still have it?” She silently fumed over failing to hide that he’d captured her interest.

  “My crew dug it up, but they’re gone…taken by those ghostly riders. I’ll make a deal with you.”

  She tossed her head and let out a phft sound. “I’m not making any deals with you.”

  “Have it your way. Have fun tracking down your precious stick. Once it hits the market you’ll be forced to pay a fortune for the old thing. I know you want it back.”

  “Then why don’t you do the decent thing and give it to me.”

  “That wouldn’t be much fun. We both have something the other wants. Why must you be so damned stubborn?”

  “What do you want from me? There is no way I will join your crew so if you’re trying to use the rain stick as a bargaining chip, it won’t work. My land has finally been returned to me and sanctified. Nothing you offer will entice me into allowing you to conduct your corrupt business here.”

  “I told you that my crew is gone and so are Carter and Gage. I no longer have a business, as you put it, to run. I’m looking to make a fresh start and thought perhaps offering you a good trade might help.”

  “I have never met anyone so impudent! You barged onto my land, stole a sacred item from my family’s burial ground, and now offer to make a trade as if you are performing a noble act? You’re insane!” With a shake of her head she turned sharply and stomped away. “You and those daft sisters make a great team. You’re nothing but self-absorbed, opportunistic dregs on society!”

  “Speaking of them,” he called after her in a tone of voice spiked with a menacing undertone. “I overheard your little cat fight today. I bet Natayla would be very interested to know who really blew up the bank and how she has managed to fool an entire community.”

  Instant rage welled inside Shye. Her stomach and fists tightened and heat flooded her face. “You cursed bastard!” She spun around and raced toward him, taking him by surprise. “The riders will have their revenge on you!” Her boot made contact with his groin, causing him to double over.

/>   He groaned in obvious pain and muttered, “But you want that stick so you won’t let them take me.”

  While he was doubled over she delivered a sharp kick to his face. “I hate you!” She clutched his hair, yanked his head back and slammed her palm against his nose. “I knew you were the one who brought that meddling bitch out here!”

  Fighting back the obvious pain, he grumbled in between gasps. “She paid me a lot for that tip and offered me more if I help her find the mystery woman.” Strong arms grabbed her waist then hoisted her off the ground. “Hate me all you want, but tonight we’re going to reach an agreement. I want the riders off my ass and I’m not handing that stick over until we come to terms.”

  Her frantic struggling, kicking, and biting did little to stop him from marching up the hill toward the barn. I didn’t level the barn! What was I thinking? She fought relentlessly as they neared the old wooden barn where the drug dealers had been storing their contraband. He’s going to hold me captive there again and this time Trip has no idea where I am! Panic threatened to consume her.

  Darkness had settled over the land, which meant there would be no shadows available to utilize for shifting. Pike had the upper hand with the night still young. She prayed for strength and a way to escape.

  Chapter Five