On the Move Read Online Free PDF Page B

He wore a dark scowl, and she knew he must have seen Griffin, but the ritual was still in progress and he was helpless to do anything.
    The priest shouted another command, and then sliced his way out of the circle, the boy practically carrying him. He disappeared into the jungle, and Addison decided his duties for the day were finished.
    Her attention went back to the men. They stood for a moment, eyes on her, and then in unison they began to shift into jaguar form.
    It had been dark when she’d watched Griffin shift, but she recalled the fluidity with which he changed. Now, watching this group, she was mesmerized again as the men shifted. But it was too many for her to focus on any one man. It was a kaleidoscope of skin melting into fur, a tangle of arms and legs resolving into front and back legs, claws and fangs.
    She found herself ringed by a group of jet-black jaguars, slowly circling her, eyes locked with hers. Frantically, she sought out those piercing green eyes belonging to Griffin, but she couldn’t find him.
    Xavier stepped forward, scanning the group, brows drawn down into a dark frown. The shifters moved restlessly, their energy barely contained. Hisses and snarls broke out among them and Addison knew they were poised to fight.
    “Start the ritual.” Xavier’s voice carried across the clearing. Addison looked up, catching the man’s eyes. This wasn’t the ritual; this was Xavier’s test of the men. No wonder the priest had left.
    The jaguars broke the circle, pairs and groups moving apart, forming and reforming. It was an intricate dance, but a dangerous one. Addison spun, looking for Griffin, and Kade.
    She spotted them on the far side of the clearing, the other shifters giving them a wide berth. They circled each other like boxers, sizing up the other, coiled and tense, ready to lunge. Griffin was leaner, longer, taller, but Kade probably outweighed him. He was stocky, low to the ground, broad chested.
    Griffin made the first move, dropping low, snarling as he tore at Kade’s belly with a swipe of his paw. The other jaguar jumped, twisted, spun away from Griffin. Kade turned, claws slicing into Griffin’s shoulder. Addison cried out as Griffin stumbled.
    But he recovered quickly, teeth bared, growling, tail held low and lashing the ground. Addison saw blood glistening on his dark pelt and she wondered how deep the gashes were. There was no limp, but she knew he had to be in pain.
    Kade pressed forward, crouched low and even Addison knew he was going to strike. But even so, he was lightning fast. Griffin rolled away, coming quickly to his feet.
    But Kade had misjudged, or didn’t believe he could miss, and his momentum carried him past Griffin, his front legs scrabbling on the ground, kicking up grass and dirt.
    Griffin was right there, jumping, landing on Kade’s back, driving his chest into the ground. Kade struggled but Griffin held him down, jaws snapping above the downed jaguar.
    The snap and crunch of teeth meeting bone sent a shiver through Addison. Griffin had his jaws clamped onto the back of Kade’s neck.
    Kade snarled, his head twisting around, snapping futilely at Griffin. Griffin twisted his head, and the snarl turned into a scream.
    Even pinned, with Griffin on him, fangs sunk deep into his flesh, Kade struggled against the pain and weight, pushing up on his front legs. Griffin struggled to remain in control, but it was clear the jaguar was gaining his feet.
    At the last moment Griffin jumped off, springing away, landing light on his feet. The jaguars locked eyes as Kade drew ragged breaths, head hanging, mouth open. Addison saw a thin trail of blood running from his mouth, dripping onto the dirt.
    They resumed circling each other, Griffin limping visibly. The blood had seeped down his leg, and each footstep left a bloody print on the ground.
    Addison glanced away at the rest of the jaguars. By comparison they seemed passive, circling each other gingerly, eyes watching not each other