Guardians Of The Shifters by Shannon Schoolcraft Read Free Book Online Page B

pushed them open, inside it looked like a cafeteria that was in schools, only bigger with long black tables and benches. Most of the tables were occupied with people eating. All noises and conversations stopped as we walked farther into the room. We got a few looks of disgust when they saw that Caden’s arm was around my shoulders. I was a little confused by that and didn’t see what the big deal was. Mentally shaking it off, I thought of a different topic. I wonder how many of these people shift into animals.
    Caden stirred me towards the left side of the room to an empty table. “You sit, I’ll get the food.” I sat down as he walked off. I did the best I could at ignoring the stares. I knew that they were still staring because I could feel a bunch of different sets of eyes boring into my back. I jolted in surprise when I felt weight settle in next to me. I looked over to see Cole sitting lazily next to me. I did my best at giving him a smile. I knew that he could tell that it was faked. His voice boomed in my ears.
    “Is your room not to your liking?”
    I shook my head. “No, it’s nice.”
    “I’m glad you think so, it used to be your mothers.” He said with a smile.
    My eyes widened slightly with that little tid bit. “You knew my mother?”
    Nodding his head. “And your father.” He nudged me playfully with his shoulder. “You have his eyes you know.”
    Surprised. “I do?”
    “Yes, his were a darker shade of Amethyst.” He smiled tightly.
    I got the sense that Cole didn’t like my father much. “You didn’t like him did you?”
    “Who?”
    “My father.”
    He chuckled a little. “We were friends once.”
    “What changed?”
    “That my dear is a long story.” He looked over his shoulder. “One I’ll tell you at a different time.”
    I looked up to see what claimed his attention, Caden was heading our way with his arms loaded up with food. How much food did he think I could eat? He dropped the load on the table and gave Cole a death glare. Cole stood up. “I guess that’s my cue to leave.” He glanced back down at me. “I’ll see you around Cora.” For reasons I don’t know, I didn’t like the way my name sounded as it passed his lips.
    Once Cole was gone, Caden sat down across from me and picked up a turkey and cheese sub. He took off the saranwrap and took a huge bite. After he chewed and swallowed it, he slid the same kind of sandwich towards me. “All this food won’t eat itself Cora.” Grabbing the sub I peeled off the plastic stuff and nibbled the meat filled bread. My stomach gurgled with happiness as I took a bigger bite. It didn’t take long for me to eat the sub and I reached for another one. Now that my stomach was awake, it wouldn’t let me stop until it was full.
    After a small bag of chips and two and a half subs later I was full. I sipped the bottled water as I watched Caden eat the rest of the food. When he was done he grabbed the empty wrappers and took them to the trash can. He walked around the table and offered me his hand. Taking it he helped me up from the table. Most of the people or shifter cleared out, only a few remained. Once outside, I was grateful for the cool air and the darkness that surrounded it.
    Caden walked me back to my unit. He stopped me just before I stepped all the way inside.
    “Get a good night’s sleep.”
    “Why?”
    He smiled. “Tomorrow morning we start training.” He was about to turn but stopped. His eyes raked my body. “Oh…and wear something comfortable and something you can easily move around in…goodnight Cora.”
    Before I could get the word “night” out he was already walking away. Letting out a deep breath I closed myself in my room and locked the door. I was glad that I left the light on, that way I didn’t stumble around looking for it. I forgot about the mess on my bed and set about to cleaning it off.
    I put my clothes in the dresser and carefully laid out the daggers and swords on top of the glossy