Discovery: Altera Realm Trilogy by Jennifer Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

started to attack, slashing with his long claws. Blood seeped onto the wolf's fur, and it staggered a bit, giving the panther a clear shot to attack.
    Fear welled up in Syney. She had seen some freaky stuff that day, but she knew beyond a doubt whose side she was on in this fight. She felt something buried inside her, something almost primal. As the panther leapt for his attack, Syney held up her hands and yelled, "No!"
    The energy building inside her poured out of her hands in the form of purple lightning, which struck the panther in midair. The lightning circled him, and he let out a frightening cry of pain before falling helplessly to the ground.
    Syney stared at her hands. They seemed normal—although purple lightning wasn't so normal. She breathed heavily, the sound of her breath echoing in her own ears. She looked down at the panther's lifeless body. She had done that. How had she done that?
    The wolf nudged her leg and looked off into the woods as the girl's taunts began again. He wanted her to move. The others were getting close. She nodded in agreement. Purple lightning had to wait. The two began their trek again.

Cass

    Pain shot through Cass's arm as she struggled to sit up. It was probably broken, which, considering the day's events, wasn't so bad. She looked around the destroyed store; boxes and bags of food were scattered everywhere.
    "Raine?" she called out, as she gritted her teeth against the pain and stood up.
    A gray wolf trotted up to her, blood soaking its fur in various places.
    "Are you OK?" Cass asked.
    He let out a whimper before lying down. After a moment his fur changed into smooth skin, his limbs enlarging and his facial features growing smaller. Raine, now human, looked up at Cass, carefully covering certain parts of his anatomy, which were now bare. "Somewhat," he said. "Never took down a bear before."
    "I'll get you some clothes," she said, and hurried out to the car. She had seen Raine change before many times, but he was always very good at making sure he was covered. Cass tossed some clothes to him and turned to give him some privacy.
    "Arm broken?" he asked.
    Cass nodded. "I think so." She winced as Raine, now fully clothed, touched her arm.
    "Not too bad. Nothing that can't be fixed," he said.
    Cass glanced over to the other end of the store, where Raine had fought the bear, but he quickly blocked her view. "Is he dead?"
    Raine nodded.
    "There were three of them," Cass said, worry filling her voice.
    Raine nodded again. "The panther went after Hunter. And she was a snake. Smelled like one at least."
    "We have to find Syney. They were after her."
    "I know." He placed a reassuring hand on her good arm. "But I also know Hunter, and he'll be with her. He'll protect her with his last breath."
    "What if he already took it?" Cass asked, tears coming to her eyes. There was no way they had come so close to bringing the Chosen One home just to have her lost forever.
    "He's still alive. I can feel him. He's not close enough for me to get an exact read. But he's out there," Raine reassured her.
    Cass sighed. "How are we going to find them?"
    Raine steered her out the door and to the car before answering. "Hunter knows what to do. He just needs to call on the emergency cell phone and give his location"
    Cass still didn't feel completely satisfied. She never had heard of a Shifter attacking out in the open like that—and a panther at that. Only members of the royal family were big cats, although not all were. Cass looked over at Raine as he pulled onto the road. "Where are we going?"
    "I know some people who can help with your arm." He glanced at her. "No questions asked."
    She nodded. Most magic users never left the Village, but all Protectors were required to spend time out in the human world in order to prepare for situations like today. They needed to have resources should their charges need them. "Are they human?"
    Raine hesitated. "No, but it's all right."
    Cass shivered. The only other