Transition: The Chimera Hunters Series

By Megan S. Johnston

The Chimera are a race so old, the humans relegated them as a myth. The Gods
feared the Chimeras powers, believing they were a deadly race with physical
abilities beyond belief. So they split their race in half, condemning them to
wander the earth searching for their other half to be complete. Without their sodalis,
each is destined to live life without dreams, without love, without hope. The future
rests on fi nding their one true mate for life.

SHELBY ONEIL has led a solitary life with her parents. So when she goes to college,
she believes her life has just begun. Now in her second year, the dreams begin. She
dreams with the same man, night after night for months. When her dream world
becomes her reality, and her life becomes a danger zone, she quickly learns to trust the
one man who has thrown her into this new and dangerous world.

DEVELON COLE is Chimera and his race has been on earth as long as humans. His
people are desperate to fi nd their one true mate for life, and Develon has just found
his, in the small college town of Pullman, Washington. His duty is to protect her
against the Chimera hunters and guide her to who she was always meant to be, his
sodalis, his mate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468596632

Megan S. Johnston

Megan S. Johnston is a freelance writer and entrepreneur living in the Pacifi c Northwest. In addition to writing fi ction, she runs several family-owned and operated businesses, which she started over twenty years ago. She is an avid reader of paranormal romance and a member of the Pacifi c Northwest Writers Association. She has four children and seven grandchildren and lives with her husband and two dogs in Woodinville, Washington. Transition is her début novel.

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© 2012 by Megan S. Johnston. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/27/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9665-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9664-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-9663-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907772

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

Dear Reader,

I’m thrilled to present my new paranormal romance six-book series, THE CHIMERA HUNTERS, which begins with Transition. You will find inside a little mystery and a lot of sexual tension for a fun, romantic suspense adventure.

Trust

Heart means everything—

though, just a word.

Wow, you were once a stranger—

‘til we occurred.

Yes, it took a while—

but, I did bloom—

and for your patience

you can stay—

I’ve made room—

I sigh and cower—

simultaneously—

your care and power—

awakened me.

I thank you—

as I slowly adjust—

to what it means

to finally—

someone like you—

trust.

Through a wall—

or face to face—

joy or ow, I’ll trust you now—

at any pace.

Robert Fulton Laird 2012

THE SEVEN CHAKRA’S

1st Chakra:            Muladhara (Root):             Earth

2nd Chakra:           Svadhisthana (Sacral):       Water

3rd Chakra:            Manipura (Navel):              Fire

4th Chakra:            Anahata (Heart):                Air

5th Chakra:            Vishuddhi (Throat):          Ether/Sound

6th Chakra:            Ajña (Third Eye):               Light/Dark

7th Chakra:            Sahasrara (Crown):            Thought/Space

TRANSLATION

LATIN = ENGLISH

Amor               =       Love

Sodalis            =        Mate

Anima Vita     =        Soul—Life

Vale                 =        Farewell

DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First I would like to dedicate Transition to Todd William Powell, a close family friend, may he forever rest in peace. Also to my awesome sister-in-law, Char, thank you for going above and beyond and helping me through the turbulence of being a writer. Thank you to my editor, Jody Braverman; your keen eye and professionalism made Transition the best it could be.

A special thanks to my wonderful husband, Rob, my son, three daughters and eldest granddaughter, you always stood firm in your belief that I would succeed. I love you.

Last, but not least, thank you to all the readers. I hope you enjoy reading The Chimera Hunter novels as much as I enjoy writing them.

Megan S. Johnston

CHAPTER 1

Perched in his ghost owl form on the window ledge, Develon Cole watched the woman asleep on her twin-size bed.

Long, golden caramel hair tangled around her sensual face. Inky lashes rested gently on her high cheekbones. Her nose was small and pert and perfectly shaped, her lips petite and kissable. Lying on her side with one hand resting gently by her face, she seemed so tranquil in sleep.

She was one of the most stunning women he had ever seen. His gaze searched her face and he knew she was the one, his sodalis, his mate. They had been sharing dreams together for several months, ever since he had arrived in the small college town of Pullman, Washington.

He was Chimera and his race had been on Earth as long as humans. His people were desperate to find their one true mate for life.

The theory was that the Gods had feared the Chimeras’ power and had split their race in half. The Chimera people were condemned to wander the earth, searching for their other half to be complete. Without their sodalis, each was destined to live life without dreams, without love, without hope. The future rested on finding their sodalis. And Develon had just found his, lying on her side, one hand resting gently by her face.

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Shelby O’Neil had been dreaming of the same gorgeous guy for the past several months, though she couldn’t remember exactly when it had started. He was very tall—she estimated about six foot six—and muscular. Not an inch of fat on him anywhere, he was ripped, six pack and all. His long, thick black hair, which was pulled back from a flawless face, was tied at the nape of his neck with a dark brown leather strap. He had a decidedly Greek nose, a straight line from top to bottom; his cheekbones were high and prominent; and a small dimple sat squarely in the center of his proud chin. All she could think about was nibbling on the edges of his plump, sensuous lips and gazing into his piercing green eyes, which blazed beneath their dark lashes with a savage fire. She knew if she looked into them long enough she wouldn’t be scorched, but simply drown in their depths.

His skin was darker than hers, very smooth, with a hint of chocolate and a healthy glow. His arms, shoulders, and much of his back were covered with a large tattoo of a white Siberian tiger; one of its sharp-clawed paws gripped the inside of his left wrist, its leg wrapped up and around his arm and across his large bicep and muscular shoulder. The rest of its sleek white body cascaded over and across the back of his neck, then down the right side of his back where its striped tail disappeared inside the top of his black denim jeans. The tiger appeared to be in 3D, nearly jumping off his skin with vibrancy and textures, making it appear alive.

Her dreams were becoming lucid; so vivid, so real. And, last night’s was no different.

In her dream, he relaxed against the side of a giant oak, one ankle resting over the other. The trunk of the tree was about fifteen feet in diameter. She looked up. The top of the branches disappeared magically into the hazy clouds above. The leaves were in full abundance; it must be spring.

The soft fragrance of lavender drifted in the air, and she looked around for the hidden flowers. Where was she? She couldn’t remember being here before, and she knew she had never seen this tree.

Shelby looked down at her hands. She held a brown vintage wicker picnic basket with woven slats. She glanced up at the handsome man. He held a red-and-white checkered blanket, and he was grinning at her. She smiled back and continued to take in her surroundings.

Two horses stood not far away drinking from a pristine lake, their tails swishing tirelessly at the flies on their backs. Had they ridden to this beautiful place?

She watched as he unfolded the blanket and laid it beneath the branches of the towering oak.

He placed his hand over the top of hers, and she shivered at the sensation of warmth that started deep inside and spiraled up through her body. They shared a bond, and it opened wide between them. She relaxed and felt the warmth tingle across her skin. She lifted her chin, looked into his eyes, and felt a blast of heat. Her body felt hot as the sensation vibrated off her skin. How could one touch from this man bring her such pleasure?

He took the basket from her hands and placed it in the center of the blanket. She watched him remove the contents: roast chicken, potato salad, plump red and green grapes, soft rolls with honey, and a bottle of sparkling cider. Her mouth watered not only from the aroma that emanated from the chicken, but also for the man himself.

Shelby watched intently, admiring the way he moved. Such precision in his motions, he was nature itself.

The landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, and she glanced once again toward the lake. The light from the sun shimmered on the water, reflecting the shapes of the birds passing overhead. The blaze from the sun was warm and brought a hint of moisture to her skin. She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead and wondered again how this could be just a dream. It seemed so real.

Her childhood had included family vacations to places just like this. It felt like home. Shelby pictured her mother and father standing by the lake laughing, which brought joy to her soul.

Is this someplace you’ve been before? she asked him. Then she sat on the blanket, her back against the tree.

He sat down next to her, slowly unfolding his long, graceful body. He held a piece of straw between clenched teeth. It was endearing. Shelby reached over and plucked the straw from his mouth and smiled.

Yes, the whisper of his voice entered her mind. Part of my life was here. My parents owned this ranch. It was a place for us to get away and relax. My father and I used to ride here for hours.

She knew this was a dream because he spoke directly into her mind, his lips not moving. They ate and talked for some time. His eyes never left her face.

You are so beautiful, anima vita. You are my soul, my life. He captured her hands with his, bringing them up against his lips, kissing each finger slowly. His hands engulfed hers. Then, he turned one hand over, pressing a kiss into the center of her palm.

Incredible warmth spiraled its way up her spine; this was something she had never felt before. She felt detached, but knew she was fully living in his emotions. They were his feelings, but now, somehow, hers too. She stroked her fingers over the back of his hand, closed her eyes, and inhaled. She leaned back against the giant oak and reveled in his feelings.

This is the first time I have been back since my parents’ death. My fondest memories of them were here. After that, I saw no reason to come back. Until now. It was a long time ago. Shelby, I need to leave. It will not be long until we are together. Soon, I promise.

Shelby felt his lips gently graze across hers. Oh God, she didn’t want him to leave. She wanted this dream to continue. Wait… , she said. Please, don’t go. There are so many things I want to ask you. So many things I don’t understand. What did he mean, ‘Until we are together’? It seemed every dream they shared ended the same way, his corporeal body disappearing into a cloudy haze…

Beep! beep! beep! Her alarm began its annoying reminder, summoning her into wakefulness. Her sense of hearing had always been sensitive, so even the low chime grated on her nerves.

Shelby groaned and opened one bleary eye. She tried focusing on the face of her clock. Was it already six o’clock in the morning?

It was time to get out of bed and get ready for school. She hit the snooze button, placing her hand over the top, resting it there. When it sounded again, she wanted to pick up the blasted thing and toss it out her loft window, a window that showcased her first attempt at making curtains. They were blue and white, horizontally striped, and lopsided. If she tilted her head just right, the stripes would straighten out. Her bedroom was on the second floor, so she knew no one would ever see them, and that was fine with her. As her mother could attest, her talents did not rest in her homemaking abilities.

Her loft was small, and she only had room for her twin-size bed and a small nightstand in her bedroom. She kept her clothes in plastic containers, which she stacked neatly against the wall.

What she truly wanted at this moment was a few more minutes alone with her dream guy. His voice was still a hushed whisper inside her mind. He used a word for mate for life that sounded like another language, but somehow she had understood the meaning.

Shelby stretched her long arms over her head and luxuriated in the feel of her taut, tired muscles, which still tingled with awareness. Her fingers brushed against the smooth plaster of the wall behind her bed, and she yawned again. Good Lord, why was she still so tired? It felt as if she hadn’t slept at all. She pushed a few wayward strands of hair away from her face, and rubbed the pads of her fingers in a gentle circular motion around her eyes. She turned her face into her pillow and sighed. She couldn’t lie in bed all day dreaming about this guy, she had a final exam in her first period class. She had spent the last few weeks cramming for this political science test—maybe that was why she was so tired lately.

After dressing, Shelby shuffled slowly down her carpeted stairs, holding firmly onto the banister, her eyelids still at half-mast. In her cramped bathroom she washed the remaining sleep from her eyes.

Shelby glanced up at her reflection. She had never considered herself a real beauty, but she didn’t think she was unattractive either. Her best feature was her hair—a sandy blonde with golden highlights, maybe getting a little too long. It was just past her bottom, like it had been when she was a child. She appreciated the length of it; all she had to do was pull it back into a ponytail and go. Her eyes were an unusual shade of blue, an aqua marine, with a yellow ring that circled her pupil. She used to stare at them in the mirror for hours at a time when she was a child. She used to think they were entirely unique, but now she didn’t notice them.

After she finished in the bathroom, she walked into her small kitchen. As she reached for the coffee that had already brewed, her hand stopped in mid-reach. A hushed sensual whisper wound its way through her mind. Alarmed, she glanced quickly around. She was alone. How was it she could still hear him? For that matter, why could she smell his earthy pine scent lingering in the air…Stop it, she demanded aloud. Stop thinking about him, he’s just a dream. You’re awake, you’re alone. She tilted her head slightly forward, her hair hanging in rivulets down her face, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the counter.

These dreams she created in her subconscious were intoxicating, and she shivered at their reality. It felt as though he still stroked his fingers down her neck; a tingling sensation ran slowly up and down her body. Shelby shook her head and groaned.

She stood in her kitchen not moving a muscle. The robust smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air. She knew all she needed was a cup to feel rejuvenated. She shook off the sensation, grabbed a red mug with white polka dots, and poured her first cup of the morning. Leaning back against the counter, she sipped the strong black brew. What she should be doing at this moment was concentrating on school, not some made-up fantasy guy.

Shelby knew it wasn’t normal to hear voices. In fact, before now, she had never understood what they were saying. She learned at a young age how to tune them out. The older she got the better she became at ignoring the mutterings, and in the last few years she almost never heard them. Well, at least not until the last few months. His voice and these dreams she could deal with; when she was dreaming with her guy, she felt complete contentment. If she did visit a therapist, she wondered if it would be like when she was a child. Would they give her something to make the dreams stop? That, she didn’t want.

These nightly dreams were nothing like the nightmares she used to have as a child. They were always with the same man, who was romantic and intriguing. Not only did he take her breath away, but with every dream they shared she learned a little more about him, except his name.

In her dreams, they talked about their hopes and what they wanted in the future. She told him how important college was to her and about her love for photography. The desire, the passion in expressing herself through the arts, was always inside her. That’s where her heart truly was. To shine a little light into a seemingly dark world was what she wanted. Her dream man encouraged her to follow her passions.

As Shelby stood in her kitchen, her thoughts went back to last night and her phone conversation with Jen, her closest and perhaps only friend. She had been telling Jen about her dreams ever since they started a couple of months ago.

I know he exists only in my dreams, but he seems so real. When I wake up in the morning, I can still smell his musky scent lingering in my bedroom. Do you think I’m crazy?

Wow, Jen giggled. "I wish I had dreams like yours. And no, I don’t think you’re crazy. But if you got out more and dated a real guy, you wouldn’t be so hung up on Mr. Fantastic from your dreams. You know, someone you could take home to meet your parents, someone to have fun with."

I know he’s just a dream, but he seems so real.

Jen was silent for a minute. Look Shelby, I know you have issues.

I wouldn’t call them issues, Jen, I just never had time to make friends, let alone have a boyfriend. It was always just my parents and me.

I can’t imagine what that was like, Jen said. I mean, growing up without friends. But, you’re in college now, and there are tons of guys on campus who would love to go out with you. Some of them are not so bad. You just have to give them a chance.

Maybe you’re right.

Of course I’m right. What about Jared? He’s cute, and he’s made it very clear that he’d like to go out with you. You need to say yes one of these times and just go out with him.

Shelby had to agree with her friend; having intimate dreams with the hottest guy she had ever dreamt up didn’t count. Jared’s cute, but he isn’t my dream guy. Why go out with him if I don’t feel a connection?

"Because, you just might have a good time. A real good time."

Maybe… But when am I going to have the extra time to go out, with school and working at the restaurant? After a long day, the only time I have for a relationship is in my dreams. Doesn’t that count? These dreams are more intense than anything I’ve ever experienced before. I feel as though I know this guy, deeply—wondrously. The phone was silent. Jen, are you still there?

Yeah… I’m here, she said. Look, you study way too much. School’s all good and everything, but you need to go out and socialize too.

When Shelby didn’t reply, Jen kept talking. Okay… so tell me, what’s so impressive about this dream guy that you can’t find in a real one, right here?

Well, Shelby cleared her throat. For one, he’s the sexiest guy I’ve ever laid eyes on. He has this amazing tattoo that wraps over his shoulder and down his back. I would love to see where its tail leads to, she giggled. He also seems older, more mature than the guys here at school. We connect with each other. He wants to know about me, what I want to do with my future. It feels like when he’s with me I’m all that matters, all he needs. Where am I going to find a guy like that here? At the student union?

Jen giggled. I’m sure there’s someone real out there for you, Shelb. You just have to keep an open mind and give it a chance.

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Shelby’s mind returned to the present, to her tiny kitchen and the steaming cup of coffee in her hands. She knew Jen was probably right, but she just didn’t have the time, or the desire.

Both Shelby and Jen attended Washington State University, or WAZZU, as many of the students called it. Shelby’s favorite class was photography, but she excelled in all her classes. She was a dedicated student.

Evenings and weekends Shelby waitressed at a charming Italian café in the heart of downtown Pullman. Her bosses, Beppe (short for Giuseppe) and Antonella, were wonderful. They understood that she carried a full load at school. She truly loved working there. The only drawback was that she didn’t have time for any extracurricular activities, like going out with friends or dating, though the latter was something she didn’t miss at all.

This was her sophomore year and she wasn’t living on campus. She liked her solitude, to focus on her schoolwork. In her opinion, dorm life was really for students who wanted to play. She wanted to get through college with a real education and move on with her life. Playing wasn’t an option that appealed to her practical nature.

Her small loft apartment was only a half mile from campus. It was an older unit, but in good shape. There were four identical units side by side, each one occupied by a college student. Shelby would glimpse them in the mornings, and they’d smile and wave as they all headed out for school. Beyond those trivial exchanges, she didn’t know anything about them.

As Shelby sipped her coffee, she thought about her conversation with Jen again and decided her friend was right. She did need to get out more. Dreaming of this guy night after night was becoming oddly too important. And, having his outdoorsy, earth-pine scent lingering in her room every morning when she woke up was crazy.

Shelby rinsed out her mug and set it upside down on the drain rack. She’d talk to Jen at lunch. Maybe she would go to one of Jen’s famous parties she was always raving about. She said they always had great music and hot, sexy shirtless guys who loved to flex their muscles. Shelby knew she didn’t want a serious relationship; she didn’t need to get all wrapped up in an emotional entanglement that she wasn’t ready for and didn’t have room for. But Jen was right, she needed to get out and socialize, and a little flirting never hurt.

As she left her apartment she smiled and waved at her neighbors, just like every other morning, hoping that old Betsy, her forest green 1968 Chrysler 300, would start. She could use a new car. Betsy didn’t have much life left in her. But she would have to baby her along, just for a while longer. She didn’t have the time or the money to buy a new car. Oh well, maybe she would hit it off with a hot guy at one of Jen’s parties and he would just happen to be a car dealer. She laughed to herself.

Her parents had bought Betsy for her when she was seventeen. It was their gift to her for completing her in-home high school program. The car had seen forty years at the time, but was still sound with relatively low mileage. Well, a new car was just one more thing she would have to dream about, for now.

As Shelby drove to school, she remembered there were only two days of class left until Christmas break. She had two classes today and only one tomorrow. It was already starting to feel like a vacation. She was so ready for time off from school and work, but she still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do for the holidays. Maybe stay at her apartment for the first week and relax. Then, for Christmas and New Year’s, go to her parents in Wenatchee. She didn’t want to stay in Pullman the entire time, and she was happy her bosses understood her not wanting to work over the holiday.

Shelby’s mind wandered to her parents and the constant struggle she had with them about her education. She wanted a college education more than anything in the world, but it seemed her parents were always trying to change her mind. She talked to them weekly on the phone, and without fail, somewhere in the conversation one of them would say, Sweetheart, you can always come home and stay with us on the farm. Yeah right, staying on the farm was the last thing she wanted to do. She had never understood their resistance to her college dreams and whatever lay beyond. For now, Shelby would have to accept their differences of opinion.

She did miss the farm though sometimes. Just last week, her father had told her they had added more livestock.

What did Mom buy now? she laughed. A few more pigs?

Nah, he chuckled. She decided we needed to get out more, so she went to the auction and bought a couple of quarter horses. I guess she thought we needed more animals to feed, he chuckled again. I do have to say, we have enjoyed riding them.

They’d had a few horses over the years. She missed riding with her father. It was during those rides that she was best able to express her feelings to him.

Thinking about her parents and the farm brought her back to the same conclusion. She needed to de-stress; it was having an effect on her productivity in school. She needed time away from her studies to get her head together. She hoped going home would help her put her life back on track, because these dreams seemed to be taking it over.

She thought about Jen again. She would go out, damn it. She would meet some real flesh-and-blood guy, not some fantasy of a man who smelled like Christmas. Problem solved.

Shelby parked Betsy in one of the student parking spaces and was walking toward her political science class when Jen jogged up behind her. She had met Jen last year in debate class, and they had become fast friends. As they walked, Jen linked her arm through Shelby’s.

A small mole sat just above the left side of Jen’s lip, just like Marilyn Monroe’s. Her plump lips always had a subtle hint of pink gloss on them. A piercing on the right side of her delicate nose sported a small diamond.

Hey, what’s up? Jen raised her brows and giggled. Whatcha doing for lunch? You want to eat in the cafeteria or go out someplace?

Well… probably just stay here and eat. Are you hungry already? Shelby laughed. You know we just got here, right?

Jen squinted her eyes, then stuck out her tongue. Ha, ha… No, I’m not hungry. Hey, have you thought about what you’re going to do during break?

Um, I thought I might stay here the first week and relax, then go see my parents for Christmas and New Year’s. She knew it didn’t sound very interesting, but it was better than not doing anything at all.

Jen smiled and wiggled her eyebrows up and down. "Well, how