Autumn's End: The Spirit Shifters, #6

By Marissa Farrar

The final book in the Spirit Shifters Series!

Pregnant with Peter's child, Mia is adjusting to life as a shifter. Filled with a hunger she seems unable to sate, and with the baby growing at an unnatural rate, she and Peter seek help.

An ancient brotherhood get heed the baby might be the first of its kind—a true genetic shifter—and they will do everything they can to stop more shifters being created, including abducting Mia.

Caught in an explosion downtown, Autumn has to figure out if she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, or if someone is out to kill her. When news of Mia comes through, both Autumn, Blake, and the others will stop at nothing to get her back, even if it means waging a battle between their own kind.

Will Mia and Peter's baby be the start of a whole new legacy of shifters, or will lives be lost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Warwick House Press
• Release date: Jan 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519945495

Book preview

Chapter One

AUTUMN STOOD BEFORE the woman she hadn’t seen for the last twenty years of her life.

Numerous shifters surrounded Autumn, but they all vanished into the background. Only one person captured her attention in that moment. Though older, she looked just as Autumn had always remembered her, as though no time had passed at all. All of the photographs her father had kept around the house of the three of them together could have been taken yesterday.

No, they couldn’t have, Autumn reminded herself. She was a grown woman now, and back then she’d been a small child. Her mother might look the same, but Autumn was someone else entirely.

It’s so good to see you, Autumn, her mother said, a smile curling the corners of her lips. You’ve grown into a beautiful woman. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.

I’ve missed you, too, she wanted to say, but couldn’t. The shock of seeing her standing there, combined with what had just occurred back in the cemetery, had sent her mind spinning. She felt as though she was hallucinating, or had been placed in some kind of alternate reality. The ground no longer felt solid beneath her feet, and her vision had gone hazy at the edges.

She doesn’t look exactly the same, Autumn realized. Her mother’s hair was a shade lighter, almost white rather than blonde. Plus she had lines where she hadn’t before, crow’s feet from the corners of her eyes, horizontal grooves across her forehead, and vertical creases beside her mouth. What had happened since she’d been gone to create those lines? Were they simply from living a happy life in the sun? Had she been enjoying herself somewhere warm near the ocean while Autumn and her father had been grieving for her? Or had the lines been caused by worry and stress, concern for the family she’d abandoned and seemingly forgotten?

Please, Autumn, her mother said. The older man, Congressman Robert Carter, reached out and touched her mother’s shoulder in support. Please, say something.

Autumn’s paralysis broke and she took three steps forward, swung her arm, and slapped the other woman hard on the cheek.

You bitch, Autumn said, clenching her hand into a fist, her palm stinging. "You let my father think you were dead all these years. He died thinking you were dead! Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of her father. He was never the same after we buried you. You broke him, and when you did that, you left me without a parent at all."

Her mother clutched her reddening cheek, her eyes swimming with tears. Oh, Autumn, I’m so sorry. I was trying to do the right thing to protect you both. People were threatening my life, and if they got to me, you would have been next on their agenda. I had to keep you off their radar. You were safer without me.

"We buried you! What the hell was in that casket, Mom, because it sure as hell wasn’t you? When we were at the funeral directors, I overhead them telling my dad you needed to have a closed casket because of the impact of the fall. Do you have any idea how many nightmares that gave me? I was only five years old. I kept waking up thinking I could see you in the dark, so badly crushed you weren’t even recognizable!"

A touch on her arm drew her attention, interrupting her outpouring of anger and grief.

Autumn, said Blake. It’s all right.

She twisted her body into his, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest. He wasn’t strong enough yet to hold her up, though she would have given anything in that moment to be able to allow him to support her.

It’s not your mother’s fault, Autumn, Blake continued. She thought she was doing the right thing.

She sniffed, feeling like a child again. Well, she wasn’t. She allowed herself a moment to gather herself, taking strength from Blake’s presence. She’d almost lost him. How much worse all this would be if she didn’t have him with her.

Forcing herself to straighten, Autumn turned back to her mother. Who helped you disappear? Was it him? She directed the accusation toward Robert Carter.

He was part of the team, her mother replied.

So who else helped you?

Other shifters.

Shifters I know?

She shook her head. No, a different group. They believed in the exact opposite of what your followers have done. They’re secretive and never wanted anyone else to discover what we were able to do, or use it.

Autumn gave a cold laugh. So I guess they’re really thrilled with me, then?

What’s done is done. Things were getting out of control, and they understood changes needed to be made.

So where are they now, this group of yours? They’ve stayed pretty quiet through all the fighting.

Chogan stepped forward. "I’d like the answer to that, too. What kind of shifters are they to watch us all fight for our rights—their rights—and just stand back and watch?"

They’re peaceful, spiritual shifters. They’re not fighters. Autumn, you have to accept that people have different values and beliefs. Not all shifters want to be known. Some are happy to live in hiding. They didn’t want any of this.

Chogan pushed his long, dark hair from his face and scoffed. You think we did? The government started this whole thing by experimenting on shifters. You think what they did was right? You think we should have stood by and done nothing, all in the name of peace? That doesn’t sound like peace to me—that sounds like cowardice!

Robert stepped forward. We’re not doing any good standing out here in the open throwing insults at each other. Damage had already been done as far as how the public feel about Autumn now, and those shifters, he nodded to the group lurking farther back, the group led by the leopard shifter Ollie Pritchard, haven’t helped matters. He exhaled a long sigh through his nostrils. The fact is, Autumn, you may now be in the same danger your mother was all those years ago. We’re concerned people might want to hurt you.

Autumn folded her arms across her chest. So what’s changed? People have been out to hurt me since this whole thing started.

These are dangerous people, Autumn, her mother warned. They know what they’re doing, and they won’t stop until they get what they want.

Which is? she challenged, her tone biting.

You, dead, so the possibility of making more shifters is over.

Why do they hate the idea of creating shifters so badly? asked Blake.

Robert looked to him. They’re religious fanatics. They see the ability to shift as being a gift from God, and anyone else who is able to create shifters is an insult to them. They call themselves The Brotherhood of Pure Spirit. They’re the reason we had to fake Autumn’s mother’s death.

But even if they kill me, said Autumn. It won’t be over, will it? She locked her eyes on her mother. You’re still alive, so the ability to create shifters will still exist. What’s to stop someone snatching you and draining you of your blood like they threatened with me?

People think I’m dead, Autumn. You can’t drain a dead person.

Autumn cocked her head to one side. And what if I let everyone know you’re still alive?

Blake’s warning tone came from beside her. Autumn, don’t.

She spun to him. Why not? You think I’m going to protect her? I don’t owe that woman a single thing.

Perhaps not, but there’s been enough death.

He was her strength, her conscience. He knew how to ground her when her emotions threatened to spin her out of control. Gratitude at having him by her side flooded through her.

We need to get out of here, called Ollie Pritchard. He had shifted back to human form and was standing naked behind them. He made no effort to hide his nudity. People might have heard the gunshots. Even if they didn’t know where they’d come from, they might still alert the authorities.

He’s right, said Chogan. We need to get out of here.

What about the casket? Autumn asked. It needs to be fully buried.

We’ll do that, said Ollie. You guys get somewhere safe.

Blake’s hand on her arm pulled her to one side. One of us should stay with Ollie and The Company, he said in a low voice. I know you’ve trusted them to help you, but they’ve proven themselves to be untrustworthy in the past.

Chogan stepped closer. He’s right. I’ll stay and make sure what needs to be done will be done.

Blake staggered slightly, and both Autumn and Chogan reached out to catch him. It’s okay, guys, I’m fine.

No, you’re not. You’re still recovering, and you shouldn’t still be on your feet, said Autumn. Chogan, stay here with Ollie and his shifters, make sure Vivian Winters’ body goes into the casket and is buried. Robert, she said, turning toward the government official, we’re taking your car.

What? the older man started, but her mother put out a hand to stop him.

Autumn wedged her shoulder under Blake’s armpit, and gave him her full strength to help him to the car parked on the sidewalk.

I’m fine, Autumn, he said, but she heard the exhaustion in his voice.

Shut up and let me help you.

She opened the passenger door, and he got inside the vehicle. Turning to Robert, she held out her hand. Keys?

He sighed, but threw them to her, and she snatched them out of midair.

Mia, Peter, can we give you a ride?

Mia shook her head. Nah, Peter’s parked right around the block.

Peter hugged her to his waist and kissed the top of her head. Mia needs to get some rest, too.

I’m pregnant, she laughed. Not an invalid. Her eyes widened at Blake and her hand clapped over her mouth. Oh, my God. I didn’t mean anything by that!

Blake gave a low chuckle. Don’t sweat it, Mia. Seriously.

Her expression relaxed. I’m such an idiot sometimes.

Autumn gave her first genuine smile at her friends, and then slammed the passenger door shut on Blake.

Autumn, wait a moment.

She turned to Robert. The older man was scribbling down something on a piece of paper. He ran over to her and placed the slip in her palm.

Those are all my contact details, including my home address. Your mother is staying with me. I know you don’t feel like it right now, but if you want to talk, or you need help in any way, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Autumn’s hand closed around the paper. Part of her wanted to screw it up and throw it away, but the sensible piece of her mind convinced her to hold onto the details. She walked around the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. The interior was new, soft leather, and she inhaled the pleasant aroma. She needed to focus on the good things in life, not on the past, which had bulldozed its way into her life when she’d least expected it.

Autumn turned the key in the ignition and pulled the car away and into traffic, heading toward home.

Chapter Two

IT WAS HARD to imagine she’d been standing in her apartment that morning, planning to kill a woman. Now, she’d committed that murder, and yet Autumn felt nothing. Part of her had believed she’d be in turmoil, emotionally wrung out after all that had happened, and devastated by what lengths she’d been driven to, but instead, she felt empty. Perhaps she was a monster after all. If she was able to kill with no mercy or emotion, perhaps she was no better than Vivian Winters.

So what now, Autumn? Blake asked, once she’d helped him to the couch. What do we do moving forward?

First of all, I have to arrange a real funeral for my father. Then we get on with our lives, and that’s going to start with finding you some physical therapy so you can be strong again.

My wolf will see to that. It’ll just take time. But what about the rest? What about everything your mother and Robert told us?

I don’t care. She dropped onto the couch beside him and put her head in her hands. I’ve had enough, I can’t take any more.

He reached out and gently pulled her hand away, forcing her to look up. It’s not that easy, Autumn. What your mother said might be true. What if people out there want you dead?

And as I said to her, what’s changed? It feels like everyone has been out to kill me lately.

Well, what about the body Vivian took? She said she’d be able to use it to hurt me and my father, and Wenona, too. Madison’s husband was an important man and the officials aren’t just going to forget about his disappearance.

She chewed her lower lip as she thought. Vivian wouldn’t have left the body somewhere people could just stumble across it. She might have been a lot of things, but she wasn’t sloppy. She twisted to face him. Are you upset I didn’t find out where she’d left it before I killed her?

He shrugged. I can’t pretend I wouldn’t have felt more secure knowing, but I guess it couldn’t be helped.

What about Madison? The authorities are going to catch up with her sooner rather than later.

I think Chogan is going to try to find her, too, he said. He keeps his emotions closely guarded, but I’m pretty sure my cousin would want to know both she and the boy are safe.

She leaned into Blake’s solid body, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. That’s good. I hope he finds her.

Yeah, me, too.

So let’s just lock ourselves away in here and forget about everyone and everything else. I don’t even want to know what’s happening in the outside world. All I care about is you.

Autumn, I want to stay here and forget about everything as much as you do, but I don’t think everything is just going to be forgotten. Your friend Ollie Pritchard—

He’s not my friend, she snapped, pulling away from him.

Whatever he is ... Ollie and the Company of Tooth and Claw put out footage that made it appear as though you’d ordered an attack on a group of innocent civilians. That’s not going to just be forgotten. And then what about your mother and what she’s said? People are out there—other shifters, even—who aren’t happy about what you can do. I have to be honest, Autumn, I’m worried.

I’m worried, too, but what would you suggest? Should I run away just in case someone comes after me? How long would I need to be gone? What sort of life would that be?

I’m not talking about you hiding for the rest of your life, just laying low until things cool down.

Blake, my mother faked her own death twenty years ago, and is still laying low and frightened. Her tone hardened. I refuse to do what she did. She was a coward back then, and she’s still a coward now. I won’t be anything like her.

Autumn, you’re nothing like her. Look at everything you’ve already done. No one would ever accuse you of being a coward.

Maybe not right now, but people have short memories. If I run, that’s all anyone is going to remember.

"Fuck everyone else. I only want you to be safe."

His love for her caused her heart to swell like a balloon in her chest, pushing out all the fear and hatred.

Autumn pushed herself up and swung her leg over his lap, straddling him. She leaned in and laced both hands behind his head, her fingers knotting in the soft hair at his nape. She pressed her forehead to his. I don’t care about any of that. All I care about is you, and us. Let’s just forget everything else, if only for this moment.

He tilted his chin up, touching his mouth to hers. His hands gripped her hips and he pulled her hard against him. Their kiss grew deeper, tongues teasing and tasting. She was enveloped in the sense of him, the scent of his skin filling her nostrils, the touch of his skin beneath her fingertips, his mouth firm against hers. He was doing an excellent job of making her forget, but still her mind kept working.

She suddenly thought of something, and broke the kiss, pulling back. What happened to Mia and Peter? she asked, conscious that they could walk through the front door and catch them making out like a couple of teenagers on the couch. Peter’s house was destroyed. They only have here to come back to.

Blake shook his head. Nah, I gave Peter the keys to my place. I figured we wouldn’t all want to be on top of each other. He gave a slow smile. Figuratively, I mean.

She laughed and leaned in to kiss him again. Good thinking, she said as her lips touched his once more.

He pulled her against him, his hips lifting to grind himself against her. She could feel his desire pressing hard against her mound. Her own need for him dampened her panties, and she reached down to the button of his jeans, wanting to rid him of his clothes.

She was so thankful he was able to move again, that he could raise his backside so she could pull his jeans down his beautiful thighs. She slid off him, down to the floor, and dragged the rest of his pants and shoes from his feet.

Autumn ducked her head and placed an open-mouthed kiss against his thigh. His skin was hot beneath her lips, the fine dark hairs tickling her nose. I am, she said, punctuating her words with kisses, trailing higher and higher, so thankful, kiss ... you are able to, kiss ... use your legs again.

And she placed another kiss on his thigh.

She was close to the juncture of his thighs now, his erection curving up toward his stomach.

His fingers laced in her curls, tightening. Autumn, he warned.

She looked up and blinked innocently. What?

You know what. Stop being a tease.

The musky scent of him swept over her, causing her heart rate to step up