AwayFromtheSun (5 page)

Shye glared at La. “Looks like lying runs in your family.”

Natayla ignored her and continued her pursuit. “I heard you’re a bounty hunter now, Trip. Don’t you want to get your target?”

“I’ll get him,” he said, sounding increasingly impatient. “Why are you here? There’s nothing going on in this dust ball town that would attract a big city reporter. Go home.”

“Oh, but there is,” she said with a coy smile. “I received a hot tip about some supernatural Indian activity around these parts. My source is very reliable. I’m not leaving until I get my story.”

Shye knew at that moment that Natayla and La had to be working with Pike. He was the only man left other than Trip who knew about the Rain Riders. An uncomfortable knot formed in her gut.

“You’re crazy,” Trip scoffed. “Whoever led you way out here to chase ghost stories steered you wrong.”

“Not ghost stories…but a story that would glue everyone nationwide to
our
news channel. This story will put me on top and land me the anchor position of my dreams. Kit Katrane is moving on and I want her spot at IBC news.”

Shye recognized the name of the newswoman who’d done the television story on the explosion at the bank. No doubt Natayla intended to try and tie up the mystery behind a string of bank robberies followed by the peculiar actions of the banker.

“You’re still dogging that story about the bank?” Trip laughed. “Good luck. The man who blew it up is dead. You’ve wasted your time coming here.”

“Oh I don’t think so.” She glanced at Shye. “My source says there was a woman involved…an Indian woman with some…unusual characteristics. I fully intend to flush out this story and when I do, my career will peak.” In a bold move, she moved closer to Trip and batted her eyes flirtatiously. “Now, do you want the evidence I have against Pike Draven or not? Maybe we can mend old wounds.”

Shye yanked her hand free of Trip’s and stepped back. “We don’t need your evidence!”

“Shye, wait!” Trip called after her as she raced out the door then down the steps. He caught her by the arm and spun her toward him. “Baby, there’s no way she will discover who you are. You don’t have to run.”

“That…” she said between heavy breaths. “Is not the only reason I took off. I was sick of listening to the lies and disgusted that you let her flirt with you.”

“I wasn’t flirting. Clearly she enlisted her sister to help with something and I wanted to find out what. Whatever their sordid reasons are, if they have hard evidence then it was at least worth my time to see what they had. I was trying to keep the situation civil in there. I couldn’t tell her I no longer need the evidence without raising a flood of questions. She’s a damn reporter. She’d know something is up and I don’t want her spying on you.”

“Don’t double-talk me, Trip Viper,” she snapped. “I saw the conflict in your eyes. You don’t need anything from them. In case you’ve forgotten, you were given all you need to deliver justice.” She paused with a hard stare. “You
want
to believe she is innocent. For whatever reason, there is a part of you that wants to believe her. Maybe you never let go of your past. Maybe you need closure. Maybe seeing the proof of what really happened will give you what you want. I don’t know what it will take for you to let go. But I do know that your words are not lining up with what I saw in your eyes.” She took a step away from him. “You think those two women can show you something that will resolve the conflict in your soul. You’re mistaken to fall for such a trap and I won’t be a part of this charade. When you see things for what they really are then come looking for me. Until then…I won’t be around.”

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.