Coyote Sunrise: coyote, #2

By nikki broadwell

Sara and Istaga and their two-year-old baby are not what they seem. All three can shift into coyotes. When the Predator Masters arrive and hunt coyotes for sport Istaga turns into a snarling replica of himself, insisting they travel far into the mountains to warn other coyotes and keep out of danger. But before that can happen Sara's former husband, Raleigh, steals their baby girl and discovers exactly what she is.

When Istaga shifts into a coyote and nearly kills Raleigh, someone manages to get the entire surreal scene on his camera phone. From that moment on Sara and Istaga are thrown into turmoil, their lives and that of their shape-shifting baby placed in grave danger. With hunters and cops searching for them they head for the hills.

What will it take to free themselves from Raleigh? Can their love survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Airmid Publishing
• Release date: May 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533772329

nikki broadwell

Nikki Broadwell has been writing non-stop for sixteen years. From the time when she was a child her imagination has threatened to run off with her and now she is able to give it free rein. Animals and nature and the condition of the world are themes that follow her storylines that meander from fantasy to paranormal murder mystery to shapeshifters--and along with that add the spice of a good love story. 

Book preview

1

"I do not understand humans! What the fuck is wrong with them?" Istaga’s outrage echoed off the dark stone of the cave, reverberating in Sara’s ears.

Lately his moods had been erratic and dangerous, but she had to smile at his use of this particular swear word. Despite being a coyote he knew exactly how to place it in a sentence. Come to think of it, he didn’t fully understand the concept of love or most human emotions, but he was adept with swear words, as though his coyote nature understood them intuitively.

Sara and Istaga had been together nearly three years now. When she first met him, he was hurt and vulnerable, showing up at her door in human form with a bullet lodged in his shoulder. And I was the one who shot him, she thought, remembering that night. An accident that she regretted on every level. As Istaga, he’d seemed foreign, but she would never have guessed how foreign he truly was. Their courtship, if you could call it that, had been filled with surprises, his animal magnetism impossible to resist. She had overlooked his oddness, chalking it up to the possibility that he had come up from South America and didn’t understand much English or American mores. And their sexual connection was strong enough to override any possible misgivings she might have had.

She actually fainted the day he divulged who and what he was—after explaining it, he demonstrated, switching from human to coyote and back again until all the blood drained from her head. But the strangeness of that was topped the day she turned into a coyote herself, loping after him into the desert and away from danger.

A shaman had bestowed his gift, but hers…it was an utter mystery how a normal woman could suddenly learn how to shift into an animal. Love and stress, she figured. Because if she hadn’t shifted at that precise moment, she would be in jail for a crime she didn’t commit.

Sara’s thoughts fled as Istaga followed his statement up with a growl that a normal human would never make, a sound she’d come to recognize as uniquely his.

I only like being human when I’m with you, he muttered, his narrowed yellow eyes focused on her. The human species needs to be culled.

Culled, another word he’d recently picked up. Sara thought back to when she tried to teach him to read--the books she’d given him to help make sense of the human world. Some had been childhood stories like Charlotte’s Web, a book she’d read to him early on, and Doctor Doolittle, the vet who could talk to animals. Simple stories but profound at the same time. But in the end, she’d given up, figuring he would learn about humans from time spent with humans, not by information in books. He was uniquely himself, and how he viewed things offered her another way of looking at life. You’re right about that, she said, meeting his gaze. Now what brought up all this anger?

The hunters have arrived again, the ones who kill for sport, not for food.

Sara felt weak for a second and lowered to the floor to lean against the cave wall. The group they call the predator masters?

Istaga nodded, his eyes narrowing to menacing slits.

Sara stared at her mate, remembering the last time this happened. She’d known nothing about it until she and Istaga had come upon the area of slaughter. It had taken weeks to get over the sight of the dead and dying animals. Her trip to the Fish and Game Department had almost made matters worse. Despite her protestations, they told her there was no law against it and no limit to it. Their impassive expressions made her sick.

Sara gazed at their two-year-old baby girl playing on the cave floor. We need to be careful. We have Kaliska to consider now.

With the mention of her name, Kaliska looked up from the array of strewn rocks. She gurgled and smiled, waving a piece of quartz in her baby fist.

As much as I hate to say it, none of us are getting out of these human skins until this hunt is over, Istaga announced, bending to pick up the baby. Kaliska let out a shriek of pleasure and promptly shifted into a coyote pup, wriggling out of his arms before running out of the cave.

When the pup stopped to look back, daring Istaga to shift and chase her, Sara grabbed Istaga’s arm. How do we stop her from doing that? she whispered.

Istaga watched the pup for a moment. We cannot. That’s why I’m worried. The hunters will be everywhere, Sara.

Outside the cave, stars winked alive, silver blue between the dark tree branches and wheeling across the velvet dome, bringing an illusion of safety. Their secluded aerie lay between valley and sky was hard to reach on foot, despite the gravel road below where the sound of cars occasionally reached their ears. The cave was one of several along this mountain ridge, housing many species, predators and prey alike. There seemed to be a tacit agreement among them all to go further afield for their food, which was still plentiful. But if the balance was disturbed things could change. I’m going to town tomorrow to talk with Rosie about it, Sara muttered before heading outside to retrieve her wayward baby.

It was late in the night when Istaga rolled over and took Sara in his arms. She didn’t complain about being awakened, responding as she always did to his nips on her neck, or his wandering hands that seemed to understand her body better than she did. He took her to places she’d never known, filled with imagery that caught at her senses making her believe in past lives. Sometimes in these visions they were animals, and sometimes humans, steeped in either the past or the future where life was not as it was here, but all of it was magical.

Sara left the cave early the next morning, heading down the mountain in coyote form and then shifting as she drew closer to town. She ran her fingers through her short blonde hair, registering how thick and gummy it was. She only noticed how desperately it needed washing when she came off the mountain to be in polite society. She laughed at herself for this way of looking at Black Base, a town on the fringes if there ever was one. Dirt roads, one bar, one café, a county building, a grocery store/post office, and a vet’s office were nearly the only amenities. But it was a step up from living rough and being a coyote half the time.

In town she headed to the flat-roofed building that housed the county offices, heading up the steps to the glass door and pushing it open. It was lunchtime and the room was nearly empty. Rosie still sat behind her desk, her gaze meeting Sara’s over her computer screen.

What’s up? her friend asked.

They’re back, Sara announced.

Rosie pursed her lips. Look at this, she said, pulling up some info from the Internet. She turned the screen so Sara could see.

Spread across the screen was an advertisement that described the unlimited local hunting opportunities and the contests for the most kills. Is there anything we can do about it?

Rosie removed her close-up glasses and pushed her fingers through her curly dark hair. Half Hispanic and half African-American, her looks were exotic with her café-au-lait skin color and almond-shaped brown eyes. Sara always felt frumpy around her, as though her blue eyes and blonde hair were ordinary and not very interesting.

These hunts were outlawed back in 1998, but our illustrious governor at the time overrode it.

Sara frowned. And our newly elected governor isn’t any better. I hate that man and the senators as well. They don’t care about anything that matters! I’ve written, but all they do is send some platitude-filled letter back that doesn’t answer my questions. This is why I prefer life as a coyote. As these words tumbled out of her mouth Sara knew this was not entirely true. Lately she’d had longings to work on her computer and to drink beer in a pub and eat something besides meat and the occasional berry or nut. She was tiring of her life in the wild, but hadn’t yet admitted it to herself or to Istaga.

Rosie smiled. I’m glad you came clean about your double life, Sara. I would have worried for years if you hadn’t explained your disappearances. Her smile faded. But I would suggest that you don’t shift again until all of this business is done with.

Sara thought back to the day she broached the subject of shifting to Rosie. She’d tried to soften it, but ended up blurting out everything; she was not surprised by the look of shock on her friend’s face. It had taken an hour or more before Rosie believed her and understood that Sara had fallen in love with a coyote. We aren’t planning to, but Kaliska—she’s unpredictable.

When do I get to meet that baby?

Maybe sooner than you think. How would you feel about putting us up for a few days? Kaliska needs to be corralled, and if we’re out on the land she could wander off. She’s done it before and I would hate to have her picked up by one of these yahoos.

Rosie’s expression was unsure, but then she nodded. My house is small but I’d love to have the company for a few days. But if I know you and Istaga, the two of you won’t be around much. Am I right?

Sara grinned, but then her expression darkened. We have to warn the animals and convince them to hide higher up in the mountains. The hunters have these calls they use that sound like coyotes in distress. The coyotes have to know so they don’t get fooled.

That doesn’t sound easy. Didn’t Istaga’s pack shun him after he got so interested in humans?

Sara nodded. But there are lots of packs out there. You can’t imagine how pissed off Istaga is right now.

Rosie stared into the distance. I’ve seen him angry so I have a pretty good idea, she said.

Sara thought back to her early history with Istaga/Coyote and how he’d killed a man to save her. Afterward he’d been caught by animal control and taken to the local vet’s office. Luckily Rosie worked for animal services and organized to have the rogue coyote relocated. You know Rosie, if it wasn’t for you, he’d be dead.

They were intent on euthanizing him. I’m just glad I did what I did. Weird to look back on that now. I had no idea who that coyote was, and I certainly didn’t know you had a relationship with him.

Sara laughed. Neither did I! It had taken a few months before Sara realized that the man she’d fallen in love with was actually a shape shifter.

And who could ever have guessed that you’d learn how to do it too?

Sara shook her head and looked down. I still wonder how that happened. I think it was love that did it.

Rosie looked skeptical. I’ve loved many an animal, Sara, but I’ve never turned into one.

I can’t explain it. It just happened. But I was under tremendous stress at the time; maybe it was desperation that allowed it to happen. If I hadn’t, I’d have ended up back in Minnesota with Raleigh. She shuddered thinking of her husband, a nasty and self-serving man who would go to any lengths to keep her with him to help his political ambitions. So far, she hadn’t figured out how to get a divorce without having to face the man she hated most in the world.

Never had the pleasure, Rosie said, making a face. Does this mean I get to spend time alone with your baby?

Sara smiled. I’ll go home and alert Istaga. If he agrees, we’ll be by early tomorrow.

Istaga was crouched next to the fire pit when Sara entered, the fire sending flame shadows dancing across the dark stone of the cave, the smoke wending its way out the front. He looked up, his gaze bleak. You won’t believe what I found out.

One look at his expression told her it was something bad. What is it?

"Your former mate is a member of this hunting organization. He will be here this weekend.

Sara felt something squeeze her heart. How did you find that out?

Istaga gave a lopsided grin, revealing one of his canines. I went to the bar in Black Base and talked to John.

When had he done that?

John and Sara were dating when she met Istaga. He was a nice enough guy who was also the town vet. It was John who had shot Istaga/Coyote with a tranquilizer gun after Coyote attacked and killed a man on the trail—in his defense, if Coyote hadn’t come along at that moment Sara would be dead. But it was the news about Raleigh that made Sara’s skin crawl. She’d hoped to never see or hear from him again. Raleigh should be in jail. I guess if you have unlimited money, you can buy your way out of just about anything, even murder.

Istaga stared at her blankly. He didn’t fully understand the concept of money and what a huge part it played in American society. John told me where the main hunts will be and how many hunters he thinks will come.

Sara met Istaga’s gaze, noticing the animal-like gleam in his yellow eyes. At this moment he looked very dangerous. Is John participating?

I do not think so.

Is Kaliska sleeping? Sara asked, heading deeper into the cave.

Istaga frowned. I thought she was with you.

I told you I was going into town. Don’t tell me you left her here alone. Sara stared at him, unable to breathe. A second later both of them were calling and combing the cave. When they couldn’t find her, they ran outside, but after an hour of searching up and down the hill and along the ridge there was still no sign of her.

I can’t believe you took off and left her here! Sara shouted, trying not to give way to panic. Where could she be?

Istaga’s eyes narrowed and then he was Coyote, his mouth opening in a snarl. Sara backed away and shifted, the two of them facing off with their hackles raised. It was Sara who lunged first, anger and frustration getting the better of her as she attacked her mate. The fight lasted barely a minute before they came to their senses and shifted into human form.

Istaga took hold of Sara’s arm, making her face him. It doesn’t matter whose fault this is, only that Kaliska is missing and we have to find her.

Sara broke away from him, tears in her eyes. Can you track her?

I didn’t pick up her scent.

What if a bobcat got her--or a mountain lion? Anything could have happened.

How about a human? Istaga asked, lifting his head and sniffing. A second later he was on all fours again, his nose to the ground.

Wait! Sara called, but he was already loping down the rocky hill. Sara tried to think, but her mind refused to concentrate. When she left for town Istaga was in the cave. She’d assumed he would hang around, since she distinctly remembered telling him where she was going. How could he leave and not notice Kaliska?

Whoever or whatever had taken the baby was long-gone by now. And if it was a human and the baby had been in pup form, there was no telling what would happen. But worse than that, if it was a mountain lion, Kaliska was surely dead.

Sara shifted and followed Coyote down the hill. After swimming across the narrow river at the bottom she headed into a thicket of bushes and spindly trees, but in the muddled aromas of vegetation she lost him. Her coyote mind worked on instinct, but right now she needed logic. A second later she was herself again and frantic with worry as she headed for the road.

Sara jumped when a truck backfired, all her senses on alert. A series of coyote yips and then a howl split the silence, Istaga’s unmistakable distress call. She pushed her way through the thick bushes and took off running.

2

The truck disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Coyote behind. He howled in frustration, turning when he heard Sara call. She was shrieking words he didn’t understand. He shifted, opening his arms to embrace the sun-haired woman who made his heart sing. I heard her, he mumbled, his words lost in her tangled, sage-scented hair. For a moment he forgot everything, the scent and feel of her blocking out all thought.

She pulled away her eyes wide and frightened. Is it Raleigh?

He came back to the present, his eyes narrowing as he remembered the truck and the sound of his pup. I couldn’t see the driver.

Human or coyote call?

Coyote, but who knows how long she’ll stay that way?

She has a much better chance as a human, Istaga. At least she might be taken to a shelter or child services.

If someone took her on purpose, why would they take her to a shelter?

If I found a baby alone in a cave, I’d take her to a shelter.

What if she was a pup when he found her? It could be a hunter. I’m going after him.

Coyote felt a dread he’d never experienced. His animal mind worked in different ways and he knew if he caught up with the man driving that truck, he would kill him. And he also knew that if he did, that Sara would be very upset. Within his muddled brain the two sides of him fought, but it was the animal that won out. The wind whispered the answer. He would find his pup and dispatch the man who took her.

Sara felt helpless and out of control as she hurried after her mate. The roar of trucks and jeeps was loud in her ears—hunters ripping across the darkening desert in search of nocturnal animals. When shots rang out, she crouched in the weeds next to the road. She heard the distress call of a coyote but it was one she didn’t recognize. And then she realized that it was exactly what Istaga had told her about—a call that the hunters used. She felt physically sick for a second. A truck came toward her; its headlights blinded her for a second before she heard the screech of brakes as the vehicle rolled to a stop next to her.

Are you lost, little lady? the gray-haired driver asked, looking her over with a puzzled expression.

Sara glanced