Shadow Bloodlines (Shadow Bloodlines #1) by A. R. Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

else. Anything.
    “Tell me about your history.” I rested my head against his chest and heard the beating of his heart and his wings. Wind gushed past and I snuggled against him for warmth.
    “I was born eons ago. Back in ancient times, when shifters were worshiped. Humans depicted us as gods and carved our natures on their temples.” His deep voice made my toes curl, so maybe his words would stop me from screaming like I had on the few roller coasters I’d ridden.
    “Wait.” I looked at him. “Are you saying like the ancient Egyptians or something? The hieroglyphs?”
    “Yes. The Egyptians revered our dual or triple nature. Isis was worshiped for her kite; a type of bird, cow, and sometimes scorpion forms. Anubis for the jackal, and so on.” His voice was hypnotic and calmed my nerves. “Then Seth and others came. He mutilated his own brother and killed so many that the Nile ran red with blood. We became feared and the old religion faded. The Blood Sprits hunted us. I volunteered to be cast into stone, one day to be resurrected by the blood of a shifter in need.”
    I shivered. “Why would you do that? How long were you a gargoyle?”
    “I lost count of the centuries. Originally, I was in France but then was purchased along with a twin statue. It broke when they were installing us on the building where you found me.”
    “OMG! Was the other gargoyle a shifter too? If you shattered in that form, would you have died?”
    “Thankfully, the other statue was just a decoy. It would seem odd to have one gargoyle rather than a pair.” He moved as though to look at me and bumped his chin on my head instead. “If I had been the one that fell while trapped in the granite form, I would have died.”
    I was glad he wasn’t dead. Or I wouldn’t be alive without his help. “I know you have wings like a bird. Is that what you shift into? I thought you said shifters can’t transform into their animal.”
    His wings beat a few times, then we glided on the air current. “We used to have our animal’s full body and gifts. Our blood has been diluted by intermarrying with humans; it will never go away completely. I used to transform into a hawk as my hereditary animal, but when I accepted the curse, it only allowed my wings to stay. I can turn back into the gargoyle or this form at will. Maybe with time, I can shift the wings away.”
    “I guess I’m glad I won’t turn into an octopus. Having eight arms and my klutziness would be disastrous.” Also slimy, so gross. “I have to at least see that my mom and my best friend are safe.” I dreaded not being able to touch the ground. Even flying on a plane made me nervous. I guess I could rule an air creature out of my potential spirit totem animals. Wasn’t that what he had called it?
    “It is unwise, but I will do as you wish.” We swerved toward the west.
    Despite my brave words, I squeezed my eyes shut and buried my head into his chest as my stomach tickled the back of my throat. I inhaled his scent of musk, stone, and a spice I identified as cinnamon, swirling through me. God, what must I smell like? Stinky sweat probably.
    Being this close to him made my throat tighten with nervousness. I wanted him to kiss me, yet I wanted to go back to my normal life. This was just a hot guy I’d kissed, and not boyfriend material. Especially not with wings. The wind threw my hair in every direction. Over his shoulder, mountains faded into the distance as we flew.
    I tightened my hold around his neck.
    “I won’t let you fall.” His voice made me feel warm all over.
    Of course not . ‘ Cause I’m taking you with me if I do.
    I gave him directions to Jacqui’s once familiar landmarks began to come into view. I saw the corner gas station that Jacqueline and I strolled to nearly every day in the summer, and the skateboard ramp at the end of the dead-end street. The ramp was where I’d twisted my ankle the same week Jacqui had got her first kiss.
    My mom would be at work.