Storm of Arranon Fire and Ice by Robynn Sheahan Read Free Book Online Page A

watched his movements as he came toward her.
    He wrapped her in a crushing hug. “What
happened to calling me Cale?” he asked in a hushed tone in her
ear.
    She put her arms around him, returning the
hug. “I’m sorry, Cale. I really thought I was helping you. It
seemed so simple. I’d just go get the soldiers and bring them
back.” She buried her face in his shoulder. With her voice muffled,
she said, “The last thing I wanted was to make you angry.”
    He squeezed her even tighter. “I was worried , Erynn. You’re part of my family. I love you like my
own daughter.”
    Erynn nodded. A slight grin formed against
the crush of Cale’s hug. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
    “Yes, I do.” Cale pushed away to stare into
her eyes, still holding her. “You aren’t alone, Erynn. You don’t
have to do these things alone anymore.” He brushed at her
cheek with a gentle touch. “We take care of each other, help each
other here.”
    Erynn shook her head. A smile pulled at her
lips. “I’m trying to remember. It’s good not having to hide what I
can do, but still, it’s new for me.” Years of not being accepted,
of it just being her dad, made this sudden belonging difficult to
acknowledge.
    He gave her one last encompassing hug.
“You’re doing fine. Well, you were until today.” He chuckled,
released her, went to his desk, picked up the DVSL’s remote, and
turned toward the large screen. “Now, you wanted to know about
Shifters.”
    Erynn faced the DVSL. The scene quickly
scanned through myriad views of the base, settling on the split
screen of tunnels, changing to another set of corridors, and then
another. “Do you think Dhoran is back?” Her voice was low.
    Cale glanced at her. “What did Zander tell
you about Dhoran?”
    Her brow knitted. She nodded and pursed her
lips. “He told me that hundreds of years ago, Dhoran was born to a
parent from the surface and a parent from the underworld of
Arranon. Dhoran was powerful because of his mixed parentage, like
the children born with a blended heritage from Korin and Arranon.”
Erynn took in a breath. “Dhoran convinced the underworld, and some
from the surface, to fight for him. He wanted to rule all of
Arranon.” She glanced at Cale.
    He sat on the edge of his desk, watching her.
“Go on.”
    “Arranon didn’t want the war between the
realms. She showed those fighting against Dhoran more of her magic,
aiding them. Dhoran was eventually driven underground, his army
depleted and crushed.” She paused. “Zander didn’t think Dhoran’s
evil could die. What do you think?”
    “It would take a lot to bring him back. Was
the alien invasion enough?” Cale shook his head and shrugged. “I
don’t know. Just because Shifters are coming into the open, doesn’t
mean it’s at Dhoran’s orders. It’s like any other rare life form on
Arranon. Occasionally they will be sighted.”
    “Why are they called Shifters?” Erynn had a
good idea why, but she needed to hear it from Cale.
    He stared at her for a long moment. “Shifters
have the ability to take on the form of other creatures, even
humans, for short periods. They seduce their prey with promises, a
comforting appearance, and a calming sense of reassurance before
they kill.”
    Erynn tipped her head. “Short periods? Then
why can’t the victims escape them?”
    “It’s long enough,” Cale stated in an exhaled
breath and stood up. “Once a Shifter begins his deception, the
quarry becomes hypnotized. When the Shifter does reveal his true
form, the victim is in a trance, unable to break free.”
    “I only saw black human shapes, tall and
thin. Nothing else. I heard no sounds. Felt nothing but uncomfortable around them.” Erynn watched the changing view
on the monitor and shivered.
    “Maybe your presence startled them. They were
more curious about you.” Cale also stared at the DVSL, the split
screen of warrens and tunnels changed. “It’s odd. Besides Zander,
you’re the only human I