Page 12 of Shift of Heart (Shifter Lords #1)

Chapter

Nine

CAELAN

S he was so fucking beautiful. I lay low to the ground in wolf form, peering through a canopy of wispy flowers. Her power beat through the earth, pulsing all around me, peaceful and content. The air was charged with magic, unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

I’d been following her for a week now, with absolutely nothing to show for it. Evie went to work. She went home. And she went back to work. I hadn’t even seen her go to the grocery store.

It was maddening. Evie was young, beautiful, and powerful. Why was she living such a lonely existence?

Her hair had grown at least three inches. Brightly colored flowers wove through the dark strands. Evie’s eyes glowed a swirling mix of pink and green, and a soft smile rested on her lips. Blooming vines curled around her wrists and arms, and her bare feet were buried deep into the soil.

The trees stretched and groaned as Evie’s magic fortified them, the leaves a dry rattle in the gentle wind. Owls hooted and swooped through the air. But then the strangest thing happened.

A raven cut through the air on wings of ebony, heading straight for Evie. My muscles bunched, but I waited. If it came close enough to attack her, I would act, but it would ruin any hope of peace between us if she caught me stalking her.

Just as I was poised to leap, the raven’s cry shattered the night air, and it banked, slowing its flight until it lowered its feet and landed right on Evie’s shoulder.

What in the world?

Evie reached up and stroked the raven behind the neck. “Hey Poe. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Called home.”

“Mmm. You okay?”

“Hurt.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “Glad you’re back.”

The raven nuzzled her cheek.

“Moira and the others are in the van if you want a ride home.”

“Stay.”

“I’m almost finished.” Evie inhaled and raised her hands, palms up.

Swirling balls of magic rose from her fingers, and she gently batted them into the air.

With a soft sigh, she rose, gently extricating herself from the flora.

The floating balls of power swirled around her as she headed down the hill, the raven still on her shoulder.

I rose and slowly crept behind her, carefully navigating all the extra plant life.

When she reached the van, she flicked her hand and the glowing balls rose and flew in different directions, painting the ground in a wash of tourmaline colored magic.

Evie turned, giving one last look to the land she’d cleansed and refreshed, and locked eyes with me.

Shit.

Evie’s raven shot into the sky in a blur of feathers and wings. Magic boomed, flowing from her body like a percussive blast. The ground under my feet shifted and buckled, tossing me off balance.

I hit the ground, landing hard on my side. Grunting in pain, I scrambled to my feet.

Evie’s eyes had gone from the soft colors of a watermelon tourmaline to the color of a blood ruby.

I backed up a few steps in surprise. What the hell?

A soft cry escaped her lips before she turned, hauling her shoes and cardigan from the top of the vehicle’s hood, and scrambled into the van.

The driver peeled out, gravel flying in all directions. Seconds later, the only thing I could see were headlights disappearing into the horizon.