Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF

closest group of children sitting on their cots.
    “But, Zalora, I want to stay with you.” Anya helped line the children up. They carried their few belongings. Some cried softly as they waited to leave. Anya was tender with them.
    “I need you to go to the Med-Vac camp to make sure things are okay. The children trust you. I trust you, too, to look out for them. Cora will stay with me until our last group leaves. I need one of you there. ” Zalora patted Anya on her arm. “I’ll be there shortly to help you.”
    “Okay.” Anya started to prepare her bag to leave. “I’m really torn about leaving you. But, I’ll look out for these children. Can we trust the Xihirians?” Anya looked to where the soldier had walked out of the room. She frowned, making her eyes narrow. “This solider, Val, he’s so big, powerful-looking. It’s really intimidating.”
    “One reason why you need to go so you can comfort these children.” Zalora looked down at the child clinging to her waist. “Yes, my father always spoke well of Xihirah. They’re fine warriors as well as honorable people. They have the most powerful military in our Fiaxe Universe. They’ll protect us. Being powerful only helps them protect us. I trust them.” Zalora hugged Anya.
    “Can you read this man’s emotions?” Cora joined them to listen closer.
    “No, he’s unreadable.” Zalora shook her head, looking in the direction he’d gone. “But some humanoids are.” She shrugged. “Xihirians are very different. They’re shifters, so their minds no doubt work differently.”
    “You still trust them even though you can’t read them?” Cora made an unpleasant face. “He shifts into a beast? A flesh-eating beast with claws and giant teeth. He’s dangerous. I’ve heard tales of their fierceness.”
    “Yes, I suppose he does shift into some sort of beast. They’re different, fierce. We’re different, too. Everyone can be dangerous. You know what I mean?”
    “I suppose. But we’re not animals.” Anya shook her head.
    “You both sound as bad as Realmist. Don’t allow ignorance to make you fearful of the very thing which is helping you.” Zalora gathered items in a bag for a waiting child. “We’re different, too. There are Tallusians who possess great powers. Some say there’re evil. They’re called sorcerers because of their differences. Besides, as I told you, Father called for these Xihirians. They came to help us. They’re all we have.” Zalora looked directly at each woman. “Father knows their king. He spoke highly of him as well as his son, their military leader. They’re here to help. Shifting has nothing to do with anything, which matters. They can either use their power to help us or not, or hurt us. We have to trust they’ll help us.”
    “I guess you’re right. They’re all we have.” Anya put her hair into a ponytail. “I’ll be waiting for you. You’d better not make me wait long. I’ll be so worried.” Anya finished packing her bag. Without another word, she led her group down the corridor. The rest of the children were occupied while they waited. Some were dozing off to sleep. Others were eating, coloring, or reading.
    “Princess Zalora, our next transport will be soon.” Val called to her as he entered to central room. Stunned at hearing her title, she looked around quickly. Others looked his way. He was imposing standing at the room’s entrance. He made the huge room seem small. A shiver rode down her spine as she watched his muscles move beneath his flight suit. He was like a powerful animal. As he walked toward her, a warm sensation washed from her head to her feet, making her stomach flip. Her palms were moist, and she wiped them on her pants.
    “Yes.” Her voice caught in her throat making her sound hoarse.
    “The other battleship is sending their loaddisk, too. It’ll speed up this evacuation. The Realmist have landed all over Tallusia. We believe they’re searching for something to have landed.