Revelations: The Shifter Series: Volume Three

by Cari Schaeffer

  She scrunched up her face and shifted into a long slimy creature, slid out from under him, then morphed into a black bear.

  Boris whipped around and sprang from the bed to land on the balls of his feet, his hands at his sides like claws. His long, well-muscled body was tense and ready. There were eight small punctures across his chest that oozed an inky liquid in the darkness alongside four jagged lines along his shoulder.

  “I can handle you, sweet Kat,” he murmured through his teeth. “I have reinforcements at the ready. You do not. Do you really want an audience for this? You cannot escape. I will have you. Give it up.”

  Kat growled and swung her massive paw, but quick as a flash he dipped, then grabbed her from behind, immobilizing her.

  She shifted again and became a small creature. She leaped onto his arm and reached toward his neck with her sharp teeth.

  He snatched her and threw her hard against the wall. She hit the wall with a thud and had the air knocked out of her. Before she could collect herself, his hands wrapped around her throat like a vice, cutting off all her air. She tried to shift but could not. Black spots filled her vision.

  “I will have you, Kat,” he panted in her ear. “When you pass out and become human, I will have you. You are mine.”

  Just before she lost consciousness, he suddenly let her go. She sucked in hard and choked as she reached for her throat. She realized she had already shifted back to herself. There were vibrations in her chest and she looked at Boris. He stood there, gaping, and his eyes weren’t glowing. Kat lurched to a standing position with her back to the wall and faced the door when she heard the knob rattle.

  Had his reinforcements come?

  The vibrations picked up and panic rose in her chest. She found it hard to breathe and not just because he had nearly choked her out. Kat couldn’t tell if it was from her injuries, the vibrations, or both.

  Boris remained frozen in his tracks. Kat couldn’t make out his face, but his posture looked unnaturally stiff. His breath came in short grunts. She ignored the vibrations, turned toward Boris, bunched onto her haunches and prepared to shift and launch herself at his throat for the kill when a familiar voice hissed at her from the door.

  “Kat! Come with us now!”

  Kat whirled around and sucked in her breath. There were two pairs of glowing eyes staring back at her. She squinted as light suddenly flooded her cell. She couldn’t believe her eyes! She flung herself into the arms of one of the two women before her.

  “I can’t believe you’re here!” Kat sobbed.

  Anna squeezed her hard, then gripped her shoulders and pushed her back. “It’s good to see you, too. We have to move now. Come!”

  The second woman murmured something urgently to Boris in Russian before she turned to follow them out. Boris emitted a low groan. Kat merely glanced at the second woman before following Anna. She recognized her as the one who had always brought her meal trays and even winked at her that one time. When all three were in the hallway, the other woman closed the door and locked it behind her. They hurried down the corridor until they reached a panel that Kat assumed was just part of the wall. The woman ran her fingers along a high beveled edge and pressed at a specific spot. The entire panel opened into a hidden passage. The trio slipped in and clicked the passage closed behind them.

  “Go! Go!” Anna hissed as they hurried single-file through the narrow passageway. Kat was able to move standing upright, but Anna and the other woman were tall enough that they had to hunch over slightly to keep their heads from hitting the low ceiling. The floors were packed dirt, and the walls were hewn out of the ground and smelled damp and musty. They rushed through the corridor in a straight line before it veered off to the left, then right, then left again.

  Kat had many questions but stored them for later when she was free.

  Free.

  She was going to be free! She pressed her lips together and kept moving. The pain in her body was a distant tickle in her brain. Nothing could stop her now.

  Eventually, the passage narrowed even further until they were forced on their hands and knees to crawl. The floor turned to dirt speckled with rocks that dug into Kat’s hands and knees. Her ribs throbbed, and her throat ached.

  “Almost there,” the lead woman breathed.

  Kat pressed on until her knees and hands went numb. They must have crawled for miles. When she thought she could go no further, the lead woman spoke again.

  “Stop!” she hissed. “I’ll see if it’s safe.”

  “They’re waiting for us,” Anna huffed.

  Kat shivered uncontrollably and tried to slow her breathing. Every breath she took made her wince. Her shoulder throbbed violently in time with her pounding heart.

  “I have to check,” the woman whispered. “We can’t take chances.” She scurried ahead a few feet and slowly pushed up a wooden skid until she could peer outside. Kat could see nothing beyond the skid. The woman made three distinct clicking noises followed by a trilling sound.

  Seconds later, the same sound echoed back to her.

  Her shoulders relaxed, and she turned to Kat and Anna. “Let’s go.”

  “Told you,” Anna murmured as she and Kat surged forward.

  The woman threw the skid back until the space they occupied was flooded with fresh, damp air. She reached her hand back to Kat and smiled.

  Kat took her hand and scooted herself out into the darkness, quickly followed by Anna and the woman. She squinted at the surroundings smothered in the blackness of night. Kat looked up and couldn’t even see stars or moonlight. They were enveloped in a dense fog.

  Anna placed her hand on Kat’s arm and gestured to the woman. “Kat, this is my sister, Julia.”

  “Oh!” Kat breathed. “Thank you...so much. I thought...that’s who you were...” Breathing and talking were excruciating.

  Julia waved her off. “We’ll have time to talk later. Let’s go.” She pushed forward and led the way again at a fast trot.

  Kat grabbed her aching side and limped after the women until they pushed through a tree line. As soon as they passed into the line of trees, Kat was snatched off the ground by a pair of strong arms and pressed into a broad muscular chest.

  “Kat! Kat, Kat, Kat...” Christopher sobbed. His chest heaved.

  Kat cried out. “Hurts...” Her voice was a gurgle and the pain made her see stars.

  Christopher placed her gently on the ground, then scooped her into his arms like she was a feather. He cradled her against his chest. “She’s hurt.” His voice was choked.

  “Let’s get out of here!” Peter’s voice sounded nearby. “We’ll check her out when we’re clear.”

  Kat turned and buried her face in his chest while she gasped for breath. She was aware that Christopher was running by the wind that whipped at her back, but his movements were so fluid she felt like she was floating. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and clung to it.

  “Oh, Kat...” Christopher’s voice was thick. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Christopher.” Her voice was barely a whisper as a wave of exhaustion poured over her, followed by another. The adrenaline drained from her body. In its wake, she had nothing left. With a sigh, she gave in and let the night, and blessed numbness, take over.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Kat? Wake up.”

  Kat attempted to draw in a deep breath but winced. The breath tore through her throat and into her torso like a knife. She moaned and clutched her side. There were murmured voices around her. An unease settled on her psyche like a butterfly lighting on a flower. A numbing shot of adrenaline coursed through her veins, her heart pounded, and her eyes flew open. She must protect herself from Boris!

  She bolted upright and called forth the ice, ready to shift and do battle.

  “Kat! No! It’s me! It’s Christopher! You’re safe!”

  Kat gasped in shock, her eyes tracking wildly around her. Finally, her eyes landed on one beautiful, familiar dark pair right in her line of sight. “Christopher
?” Her voice was hoarse and scratchy like that of a heavy smoker. The ice in her chest melted.

  Christopher reached over and cupped her cheek with the lightest of touch. “It’s me. You’re safe.” His eyes scanned her face and he grimaced.

  “Oh!” Kat pitched herself at him and cried out in equal measures of pain and relief. She sobbed until his shirt was soaked with her tears. He held her gently against him.

  “I’m so glad you’re awake, Kat.”

  Kat pulled back and glanced at the source of the voice. “Claire.”

  “It’s me, honey. You be careful, okay? You’ve got several injuries and I don’t want you to make them worse.”

  Christopher’s expression was pained as he eased Kat down onto her back. “Yes. Don’t hurt yourself more, Kat. You need to heal.”

  Kat exhaled and closed her eyes.

  “I’ll let everybody know she’s awake,” Claire announced.

  Kat opened her eyes and watched Claire’s retreating form, then noticed her surroundings for the first time. She was on a queen-sized bed in a tiny room. The shades on the windows to her left and right were accordion-style and partially open. The sun streamed in.

  “Where are we? What is this?” She swiveled her head and ignored the pain the movement caused. She swallowed with great difficulty.

  “It’s an RV,” Christopher replied. “We have three of them.”

  Kat frowned. “Why?” she croaked.

  Christopher sighed and brushed the hair out of her face. “We needed them. Listen, Kat. I’m so sorry. I...”

  Kat shook her head. “No. I’m sorry, Christopher.” She clutched at her throat. “Please forgive me for being so petty. I shouldn’t have been angry with you. It was all me. All my fault.”

  He winced as his fingers brushed her bruised and battered neck. “No, Kat. It was me. All me.”

  “You did the best you could. I know that now. You didn’t want to hurt those people.”

  “Kat, my Kat. I love you. You’re safe now.” He looked her over and winced. “What did they do to you?”

  She brushed her fingers over her face. Her palms were bandaged, and her fingers were black and blue. Christopher took her hand gingerly and kissed her bruised fingertips.

  “Don’t worry about what they did to me,” she replied. “I’m all right now.”

  A door slammed somewhere in the RV and hurried steps grew louder as they approached. Kat turned her gaze toward the bedroom door. The first to fill the doorway was Dimitri.

  “Kat!”

  “Uncle Dimitri!”

  Her uncle rushed to her side and covered her forehead with tender kisses; it was the only part of her face that didn’t hurt. “Sweet girl, sweet girl. I thought we’d never...” He gulped the last words and kissed her again.

  Oksana sat on the opposite side of the bed and slid her fingers gently through Kat’s hair. “Oh, I am so glad you are home and safe! I worried and prayed every day for you.”

  Tears leaked down Kat’s temples and made their way into her hair and ears as her family took turns loving her. Christopher reluctantly gave up his space in the room to allow the others in. Everyone was very careful not to hug too hard or touch her where she ached – which was everywhere. The family was forced to take turns in the tiny space. Only a few people could fit in the room at any one time.

  Finally, Anna and Julia entered. At first glance, they could easily be mistaken for twins.

  Kat’s face scrunched up as they approached. She let out a sob. “Thank you for saving me.”

  Anna sat on the bed next to her. “I’m sorry it took so long.” She glanced up at Julia. “My sister let us know where to find you.”

  Kat turned toward Julia and reached out her hand. “Thank you. A thousand times, thank you.” Her brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you all find me with the tracker?”

  “We’ll talk about that,” Dimitri called from the hallway.

  Julia accepted Kat’s hand and shook her head. “I’m sorry it couldn’t happen sooner. I had no phone to let them know, and there was much to plan. I didn’t even have a location to give them. We women aren’t allowed out of the house often, if ever. When I found out what Uncle Vladimir planned for you...” She glanced at Anna, whose face reddened, and her lips thinned to a fine line. “We had to figure it out and move. Uncle Vladimir isn’t a patient man.”

  Anna looked sober and rubbed Kat’s arm. “I hope we weren’t too late.”

  Kat stiffened. “I would have killed him first.”

  Both women relaxed.

  Anna chuckled darkly. “I imagine you tried.” She lowered her gaze.

  “I was about to tear his head from his torso when you came.” She glanced at the door and lowered her voice. “Does Christopher know about any of this?”

  The sisters looked at each other. Anna slowly nodded. “Yes. I had to tell him, Kat. They had to know why we had to rescue you immediately. We couldn’t wait any longer. We only just confirmed your location a few days ago.”

  “Does he know that Boris didn’t...that it didn’t happen?”

  “No.”

  Kat struggled to sit up. “I have to tell him.”

  Anna pressed Kat onto the bed. “We’ll go get him. Wait here.”

  The pair hurried from the room. Kat stared at the ceiling, pressed a fist to her eyes, and blinked back tears. She was home and safe.

  Christopher rushed into the room and dropped to his knees at her side. He picked up her hand and placed a kiss on each of her knuckles. “Kat.”

  “Christopher, I am okay. I...Boris didn’t...I mean, he tried, but...”

  Christopher raised his head and looked into her eyes. “You mean he...? You two didn’t...?”

  She shook her head. “No. Your sisters saved me.”

  He lifted his face to the ceiling, then slumped over with his head on her hand. “Thank God. Thank God. Oh, Kat.”

  Mariya came in just then and cleared her throat. Kat glanced at her. Christopher’s shoulders heaved, and he didn’t raise his head. Mariya cast a mournful glance at him, then smiled at Kat.

  “I insisted Oksana let me bring your tray. I need to see you for myself.” Her smile was genuine, even if her eyes were sad. She looked around to find a place to put the tray, then settled on placing it directly on the bed. “Are you hungry?”

  Kat’s stomach growled in response. She pressed a hand to it and nodded. “You look good, Mariya.”

  Mariya patted Kat’s hand and sat next to the tray, beside Kat. “Thanks. My hair is starting to grow back more uniformly.” She pulled back her head scarf and fluffed the dark tendrils underneath. The scarred areas of her head were thin white lines. Most were fully covered by hair unless she pulled it back. “I think I may soon get rid of this all together.” Mariya held up the scarf.

  Kat frowned. “How long have I been gone? I lost track.”

  Christopher lifted his head and wiped the back of his hand across his face. “Two months and three days.”

  Kat sucked in her breath. “That long?” She stared past him. “I didn’t realize.”

  “You fared better than I did when I was their guest.” Mariya’s fingers grazed Kat’s bruised cheek. “I mean, you’re hurt, but...”

  “I know what you mean.” Kat smiled.

  Mariya nodded, then jerked and waved her hands. “Okay. Enough emotional stuff. Let’s get some nutrition in you.” She lifted the napkin that covered the plate. “Lots of protein! Oksana made soft food just in case. Your throat is probably quite raw. Chicken salad with shredded chicken and no crunchy bits.”

  Kat tried to hoist herself up, but before she could, Christopher slipped one arm under her shoulders and the other behind her knees. He sat her up in one swift motion.

  “Just like when you hurt your ankle, my Kat, I will do everything for you.” He reached behind her and fluffed up her pillows.

  Kat smiled at him. “Thank you. I’m good.”

  Mariya placed the tray on her lap, gave her a gentle hug an
d a kiss on the forehead, then slipped out to leave her and Christopher alone. Christopher made sure Kat ate every bite. She informed him that she’d been fed rather well in captivity. When she was done, Christopher removed the tray to a small bedside table. She insisted on finding her uncle.

  Christopher shook his head. “You need to rest, Kat.”

  Kat swallowed hard. “Christopher, I have valuable information I need to share. There’s no time to waste. I have to tell Uncle Dimitri.” Kat carefully slid her feet over the side of the bed and took as deep a breath as she could muster.

  He frowned. “I’ll carry you.”

  Before she could protest, he gently gathered her in his arms and carefully wedged her through the small doorway, down the short and narrow hallway and into the living room. Kat looked around. It was more spacious than she thought an RV could be. There was ample seating for at least eight and the ceilings were higher than a normal house.

  “This is an RV?” she exclaimed.

  Before he answered, Christopher set her delicately down onto one of the leather recliners. He reached to the side and pressed a button. The footrest slowly lifted while her back lowered until she was fully reclined.

  “Yes, it’s an RV. It’s got pop-outs and automatic everything.” He tucked a light blanket around her hips, then barely brushed his lips against hers. “You stay here while I get Dimitri.”

  Kat pulled his head in and gave him a longer kiss. “I missed you so much, Christopher.”

  He gave in and deepened the kiss. When he pulled back, their breathing was ragged.

  “I’m so glad he didn’t touch you.” His voice was hoarse.

  “There was never a chance.”

  Christopher caressed her cheek, then stood up. “I’ll be right back.” He reached for a remote. “Do you want to watch television?”

  “No!” she cried. “I never want to see another television in my life.”

  Christopher raised his eyebrows, put the remote down, and ducked outside.

  Kat settled into the molded leather with a sigh. It would take time to reacquaint herself with the sense of safety.