Shifters (Shifters series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Plan—He Thinks
    –TANNER–
    I was not acting like a baby. Seriously, Ryland’s always teasing me about my size. I just can ’ t believe we’re ready to follow this creepy mutant guy though alleys and backyards to who-knows-where? At this point, I ’ m pretty sure our bloodied bodies won’t be discovered for weeks, but Ryland is like, “Let ’ s go!”
    If this guy was missing one of his eyes or had a disfiguring scar, I ’ m pretty sure she wouldn ’ t have been so quick to follow him. But no, he has to look like some Disney Channel star, so off we go! Isn ’ t this the guy who just pulled a knife on you?
    Evidently, Ryland left out some key details before our little adventure tonight. So, we ’ re sitting in this cheap diner, talking to the guy stalking my sister, and I learn about being: 1) adopted, 2) a mutant, and if that ’ s not enough, 3) hunted by some crazy people called Shifters. And if all Shifters can do what my sister and this guy can do, that ’ s a pretty big deal. Talk about a lot to take in for one night!
    It was fun watching Ryland swooning over him, I have to admit. She ’ s always been the one guys are trying to impress. Now she ’ s batting her eyelids and talking in this super sweet voice. Hilarious.
    So, Kai says he’ll take us home. “It ’ s not safe,” he says, as we walk out of the old diner.
    “We ’ ll be fine.” I look around, trying to figure out exactly where we are.
    “Of course,” he says. “It would just make me feel better if I walked with you.”
    “Tanner, it ’ s fine. I think we should stay with him,” Ryland pleads.
    Oh, my God. Seriously? She is totally crushing on this guy.
    “Fine. If it makes you feel better,” I tell her.
    Actually, I have no idea where we are, and I don ’ t want to admit I ’ m not exactly comfortable in the dark in a strange area. One more thing to add to my list of things I never plan on doing. Kai does seem to know his way around.
    I ’ m not exactly sure how we got home, but when we try to sneak in, both of our parents are sitting in the dark waiting for us.
    Dad stands up, saying in a hushed but stern whisper, “Where were you? Your mother was worried!”
    I ’ m standing in shock. Dad seems really mad. I don ’ t really remember seeing him angry before.
    Ryland just flips. Not even trying to be quiet, she yells, “Mother? Really? Is that what you are?”
    Dad doesn ’ t know what to say.
    Mom makes a shush sound before whispering, “Quiet, you ’ ll wake your brother and sister.”
    “Are they my brother and sister?” I ask quietly, hurt.
    Mom just stands there, stunned.
    Ryland walks right up to her and says, “Are we even related at all? ‘Cause that ’ s not what David said in your precious study today!”
    Mom ’ s eyes flit between my sister and my dad. The funny thing is dad ’ s expression is closer to relief than shock or pain. He takes a deep breath and sits down.
    A small voice speaks up from the kitchen doorway, “What ’ s a matter?” Bryce is standing in the doorway holding Peanut, who’s rubbing her face and looking at us through sleepy eyes.
    Walking over to them, mom says, “It ’ s nothing, Sweetie. Come on, you two. Let ’ s go back to bed.”
    Bryce walks into the kitchen, handing Peanut to Mom and saying, “It ’ s okay. I was having a bad dream anyway.”
    Mom starts to take Peanut out when her little voice asks, “Is it ‘cause of the Shifties? Did they find Ry and Tan Man?”
    “Yeah, Mom ,” Ryland asks pointedly. “Is it because of the Shifties? Did they find Ry and Tan Man?”
    Mom stops in her tracks with her back to us with Peanut ’ s sleepy eyes looking over her shoulder.
    Bryce pulls up a chair. Sitting down, he says, “This sounds good. There ’ s no way I ’ m missing it.”
    Dad quietly says, “Elizabeth, it ’ s time.”
    Mom stands for a long moment then turns around, placing Peanut on her hip so they’re both looking at us. Mom’s actually tearing