Autumn's War (The Spirit Shifters Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

driver’s seat and carry him to the Honda. Sahale opened the door and they dumped him inside, much in the same position as he’d been in the truck.
    “Well, if he didn’t have a neck injury before,” Peter observed, “he’s probably going to have one now.”
    Chogan straightened. “At least we’re doing something.” He peered in the back where Madison sat with her son curled into her lap. She gave him a weak smile and he lifted a hand in a wave.
    He hoped the truck driver didn’t die on them. They’d all seen enough death to last them a lifetime.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    GETTING THE WHOLE convoy back on the move was harder than she’d imagined. Some people had wandered away from their vehicles to take bathroom breaks—which basically consisted of peeing in the bushes on the sides of the highway—and left their cars blocking the way for others to get through. Tension ran high among the people, and it only took a small disagreement to get the men, and sometimes even the women, rolling up their sleeves.
    Autumn had thought she’d be in a car at the front of the convoy, but in the end Lakota took the main vehicle, with Mia, and Peter’s friend David, joining him, while she kept Calvin Thorne by her side. They used one of the motorbikes, which someone had swapped in exchange for a ride in the car, to maneuver between backed up vehicles and placate those who were fighting.
    She sat behind Thorne as he drove, her arms around his waist, stopping places where there appeared to be altercations. She managed to answer people’s questions and put minds to rest, and finally the convoy was on the move again.
    Autumn didn’t want to be in quite such close proximity to Thorne, but she was running out of people she could trust. Part of her wished she’d not sent both Chogan and Peter off to search for Blake, but searching for Blake’s body and finding out what happened to Tala was more important than staying here to hold her hand. So far, people seemed to be listening to her, and she hoped she would be able to come through with her promises to them.
    The convoy traveled an hour down the highway, and then Lakota turned off, taking a smaller route through the bordering state forest.
    The temperature was dropping now, a bite to the air which cut through her clothing, especially seated on the bike, the wind tearing through her. She wished she had thicker clothing on, her fingers growing numb as she clutched around Thorne’s waist. Though she didn’t want to give him any ideas, she found herself burying her face against his back, wanting protection from the chill.
    Her heart longed for Blake. If he were here, he would be keeping her warm. Sadness welled up inside her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back the tears. She needed to show everyone how strong she was. They didn’t need to see the person who was leading them in a sobbing heap on the ground, though it took all of her strength not to give in to her tears. Her mourning of Blake would have to wait until after she’d stopped the persecution of the shifters.
    Within an hour, they pulled up at a campground surrounding a lake. The area was deserted at this time of year, everyone preparing for winter to set in. A cabin served as a tourist information center, and also contained bathrooms, according to the sign hanging outside. Autumn didn’t think she’d be the only one grateful to see those.
    One by one, the cars, trucks, and motorbikes roared into the parking lot, which was basically just a cleared area in the forest. From the signs posted everywhere, Autumn guessed the place was popular with fishermen, but there didn’t seem to be anyone else around.
    She spotted Lakota, giving directions and words of support to those who approached him. Mia stood at his side, nodding and smiling as people from the reservation spoke to her.
    Autumn climbed off the bike, her inner thighs groaning as she tried to stretch out her cold, stiff muscles. She hoped she would be able