Shapeshifters Read Online Free PDF

where we would meet with the serpiente before the king and queen of these people, and chambers where the royal family slept.
    Our group was instantly surrounded when we landed and shifted into human form, but the natives relaxed when they recognized us. “The Disa and Dio are waiting inside the reception hall,” a tigress told us. “The others are already there.”
    We were hustled through the tall grasses and toward the grand stone structure that was the heart of the Mistari territories.
    Most of the Mistari stopped outside, but the tigress who had greeted us initially gently pushed aside the ornate silk weavings that hung in the doorway, and invited us into the hall.
    The hall was more dimly lit than outside, but carefully cut windows shrouded with white silk let in enough light to show the brilliance of the Mistari palace. The floor was black stone, polished until it shone, and the smooth granite walls were decorated with an intricate mural of the African Serengeti. Brightly colored pillows formed seats on the floor, several of which were taken by the royal family’s servants. Slightly raised on a red and black granite dais sat the Mistari Disa and Dio.
    All of those individuals quickly lost my interest. Within moments my attention was locked on another group, whose members were seated on the opposite side of the hall from our party.
    Irene Cobriana smiled wryly when I glanced at her, but already my gaze had moved on. Another woman, wearing dark burgundy, sat nearby. Her hair tumbled to her waist, a waterfall of onyx strands, and as she turned to look my way, I avoided her startling sapphire eyes. Charis Cobriana, Naga of the serpiente. The python might not have a cobra’s power, but it was never a good idea to meet a serpent’s gaze.
    There were three others who sat with them, one female and two male. The first man was lightly built, with ash-brown hair cut short. The woman was slender, with blond hair that was tied at the nape of her neck before falling silkily down her back. They had the casual poise andobvious attention of guards. The male guard lingered near Irene, and the female near the man, who could be none other than the Arami of the serpiente.
    Zane Cobriana lounged on a cushion, his back resting against the wall, one leg bent and the other straight. The iridescent shimmer of his black slacks led me to wonder which of his kind he had skinned. His shoulders were broader than those of a common avian man, and in the position in which he sat, the black material of his shirt was pulled taut across his chest. On his left hand I could see the onyx signet ring. For a moment he was absolutely still, then he looked up and unerringly caught my gaze. Twin pools of fire, a shade of red brighter than Irene’s, held me tight. Time seemed to freeze for an eternity. Then his eyes released mine and flickered down my body, a quick scan that brought heat to my face.
    Andreios had caught my arm. With a glare at the serpiente prince, Rei escorted me to my seat, blocking Zane from my sight.
    We’re here to try to make peace with that? I thought frantically. My hands were cold, my face still hot. If he could affect me that strongly from across the room, without saying a word, how would I ever dare to approach him civilly?
    The Mistari Disa stood and held up her hands for silence among her own people. Thehush dragged my attention away from the serpiente leaders and back to the Mistari queen.
    â€œI already know that this isn’t going to be easy,” the Disa began. “But so long as both of you are willing to make an effort, there is always a chance for peace.”
    There was some grumbling between the serpiente guards, but Zane and Irene both shot them searing looks, and they quieted.
    The Disa spoke first to the serpiente. “Charis, you are Naga, are you not?”
    Charis Cobriana nodded, but then answered aloud, “I am, but my Diente is dead. Zane hasn’t taken the throne