Shifters of the Elements Read online

  Shifters Of The Elements

  The Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance Series Prequel

  Lark Sterling

  Contents

  Shifters Of The Elements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2019 by Lark Sterling

  www.redlilypublishing.com

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  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quoted passages left in an online review. This book is a fictional story. All characters, names, and situations are of the author’s creation. Any resemblances to actual situations or to persons who are alive or dead are purely coincidental.

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  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; this copy is not available for resale or to give to another reader.

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  DISCLAIMER

  This series is intended for readers age 18 and over. It contains mature situations and language that may be objectionable to some readers.

  Shifters Of The Elements

  The Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance Series Prequel

  Chapter One

  “Ta ith kyrnawi norn dolibix,” the Matriarch chanted as her shoulders swayed.

  Her long black hair shimmered in the flickering of the lambent wax-held flames that surrounded her in her chambers. All around her, shadows danced along the walls, their movements almost choreographed like a flight of fairies in the bright moonlight. Elliptical bands of Abramelin spiraled from the small crystal dishes that perched on the edge of the ritual table that sat just a foot off the ground and close enough for Omera, the Mother, the guider of the Shifter clans, to pull her tools from as she drifted into a deeper meditation.

  The ritualistic meditation was a regular affair for Omera. It was her time to connect with her ancestors, those that had ruled before her and guided her through her time on Earth. She ruled over all of the Shifter clans, shepherding them to a safe and prosperous life amongst the humans. They had spent centuries in the shadows, hiding their truths, but most liked it that way. They knew if humans were to discover their secret, it would only lead to mass hysteria and death.

  “Moiparran kalipar kali lethodar.” The Matriarch’s voice was low and quiet, a whisper in the breeze of the open window.

  As she spoke the words, her meditation pulled her from her conscious mind and thrust her into the ancestor’s realm. They called it the Fields of Moribund, the land of the dead. Omera had no fear of the dead, as they had no fear of her. They were the wise and strong, those that had spent lifetime after lifetime with their hands on the shoulders of Queens, Kings, and High Alphas, helping to keep the Shifter species safe.

  Omera reached up and grabbed her small dagger, her hand wrapping tightly around the soft ivory handle. With controlled slow movements, her eyes closed and a small hum reverberated from her chest. She dragged the blade of the knife across her scarred palm and made a fist, holding tight as blood dripped down onto the burning Abramelin. The warm liquid hissed as it evaporated, and the dagger fell from the Matriarch’s hand.

  As the process went, her head snapped back and her eyes opened, but instead of having pupils, they were simply white balls of light. On the outside, she sat perfectly still, her breath shallow, her legs crossed over each other. On the inside, her consciousness faded and she emerged, youth having found her skin once again. Barefoot, she walked forward through the Fields of Moribund, running her palms against the tall grasses along the path. In the center was a stone platform with the sigil of each of the four Shifter elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, etched into the rock.

  Her long flowing white gown fluttered around with the cool wind that whipped across the field. Omera’s voice was fluid and soft, almost singing to the ancestors. “I am here at your will. What is the message you have summoned me for?”

  Colorful sparks whistled and hissed in the air as they whizzed around the stone platform clockwise. With each pass, the colors separated a little more until they formed over their sigil, creating animals of each element. For Earth, a mighty Stag developed, snorting from its nose as it stomped its hooves. For Water, the sparks formed into a large drop and fell, hitting the stone and evaporating to reveal a Sea Serpent, curled tightly, its teeth baring. For Air, the white and silver sparks took flight, swirling around Omera and back up to the platform where the long span of an Eagle’s wings took shape. And for Fire, the sparks crackled and smoked, creating a flair of dancing flames before extinguishing into a mighty Lion roaring loudly.

  A smile moved across her lips as she bowed her head to the four great ancestors. When her eyes fell to them again, their bodies twisted and swirled, bringing forth two men and two women dressed in long flowing robes. Their feet barely touched the ground as they walked forward, standing at the edge of the platform, looking down at her tenderly.

  “My lords,” Omera whispered, bowing again.

  The two women, Air and Water, stepped carefully down off the platform and to her side. They each hooked an arm in hers, surprising the Matriarch. She had known the ancestors all of her life, but they had never come to her comfort in that manner.

  The Air Shifter, Helena, patted Omera’s arm. “No need to worry, child. Everything in life changes, just as it does in death.”

  Omera stopped, her smile dropping. “What do you mean?”

  The two women smiled kindly at her as they released her arms and rejoined the other two on the platform. The Shifter ancestor of Fire, Syrian, took in a deep breath and raised his arms, looking all around him. “For centuries, the ancestors have welcomed both nobles and peasants to the great Fields of Moribund. It is a great honor to be returned to your people to live in peace when your time on the cosmic mortal plane is done. That time for you, Omera, is growing close.”

  Immediately crossing her arms over her chest and gripping her skin, she shook her head. “But the girls, my daughters, they are not ready yet.”

  The Earth Shifter, Gregor, gave her a kind look. “You have done all that you were tasked. You mothered four girls from four different elements, one Fire, one Air, one Earth, and one Water. You have grown them strong and mighty within the Shifter realm, and now you must let their High Alpha reigns begin. As a mother, you still see them as little girls, but they are mighty and it’s time to reunite all four elements beneath their rule.”

  Omera’s heart beat quickly in her chest and she opened her mouth to protest. Her eyes fell on Atlantia, the Water Shifter. She was her great, great-grandmother, and the most relatable to Omera since she started her reign as a Water Shifter, but in order to birth four daughters of different elements, she was granted all four powers. She became the Matriarch, the mighty warrior Queen who protected all Shifters with her ability to change into any form necessary. In that moment, though, she felt small and insignificant.

  Atlantia began to walk back toward her, her body aging before her eyes as she stepped down and stood in front of Omera. Normally in the after fields, everyone was young and beautiful, but Atlantia knew Omera needed the comfort of her elder in that moment. Even in old age she was gorgeous. Her blonde hair had turned silver and glistened in the sun; her blue eyes were bright and rivaled the sky.

  “Omera,” Atlantia hummed, rubbing her hand across her great, great-granddaughter’s cheek. “We hold so tightly to the things on the mortal plane, but you will see them again. You will help guide them. It’s time. Go back, prepare through ritual, gather your daughters, and then join us here, in the great afterlife of Sh
ifters. We all await you.”

  Omera nodded and looked around, finding herself surrounded for as far as she could see by Shifters, ones she knew, and ones she had yet to meet. The emotion overwhelmed her and Atlantia touched her chest, sending her spiraling back to her meditating body. The Matriarch’s eyes flew open, shimmering in a bright silver light, and she gasped heavily, feeling the cold stone beneath her and the heaviness of mortality in her chest. The shift had begun; she could feel it in the depths of her bones.

  “Good morning, Topper, are you cooking something delicious for us today?” Althea flashed her radiant smile as she plucked an apple from the top of the chef’s basket, walking through the castle.

  The keys hooked to her belt clinked against the holster of her pistol as she merrily made her way toward her mother’s chambers. Across her tight black shirt was a large, mighty Bear and the symbol of her element, Earth. While mighty as her animal, in her human form she pranced along, bubbly and excited, her curly dark brown hair bobbing.

  The chef bowed his head to her and smiled. “Of course, those salmon cakes you like so much.”

  Althea turned, walking backward. She closed her eyes and let out a small whimper. “You are the real royalty in this castle.”

  She giggled as she turned back, the chef’s cheeks blushing as he held a basket of fruit against his stained apron. Althea hummed to herself as she nodded to each and every Shifter she passed, taking large bites from her apple. She was constantly eating something; Bear Shifters tended to burn through food in an instant. Her human body stayed lean and strong though, just like her Bear.

  As she approached her mother’s chamber doors, she slowed, seeing the Royal Polymath standing outside of her room in his long white robe. His ice blue eyes met hers and they both smiled, embracing. The Polymath, Redmond, had been extremely special to Althea through the years, teaching her when she wanted to learn, giving her shelter as a child when she wanted to learn to fight instead of playing with the other girls. He was a not a Shifter, but a mage and a man of knowledge.

  “My Bear cub,” he said fondly. “It is good to see you have returned. How did things go?”

  Still holding his arms lovingly, Althea leaned back with her normal grin still on her lips. “It went fine. Squabbles, really. Is Mother not out of meditation yet?”

  Redmond tried to hide a slight worry in his eyes, glancing at the door. “No. She usually isn’t in that long. Though she was summoned this time, so they could’ve had more in-depth Council news to share with her.”

  Just as he finished his words, a blast of wind hit the door from the inside and they could see the flicker of the candles extinguish from beneath it. Althea’s hand, out of habit, gripped her pistol, and Redmond grabbed his large ring of keys, sticking the skeleton key into the door and turning it. The door clicked and Althea carefully pushed it open, peering through the candle smoke to the space in front of the balcony where her mother always meditated.

  In an instant, her hand released and she raced across the room to catch Omera in her arms. “Mother, are you alright?”

  Althea ran her fingers over a long streak of silver hair that hadn’t been there before. The Matriarch blinked and let out a long deep breath. “Yes. Good grief, I must have come out of that mediation too fast.”

  Althea helped to sit her up and lifted her to her feet. She felt lighter and more fragile than before. Slowly, she helped her over to her bed, with Redmond standing worried at the foot of it. “Your highness, what can I do for you?”

  Omera smiled at him, something she didn’t do often. She was a very serious Queen. “I’m okay, dear Redmond. I just need some time alone with Althea.”

  He nodded, shifting his eyes to Althea and back to the Matriarch. “Of course.”

  The Mother waited until the door was shut behind him, and took Althea’s hand. “How did your visit go with the Ravenwood clan?”

  Althea still looked worried, but she answered quickly. “It was fine. They were happy to have me there to calm things down. There’s nothing else for me to do out there. I guess when they go all day trying to fit into the human world, they tend to get a bit pent up. A few beers and they’re slinging fists at each other. I did warn them, if there were any more incidents of human and Shifter animal interaction, I would have to take further steps.”

  Omera smiled. “I knew you would get the hang of this quickly. You are my youngest and the most kind and fair. The Shifters love you.”

  “They love all of us,” Althea grinned, pulling the covers over her mother, noticing her pale skin and the glimmer from her eyes not as bright as usual. “We’re here to keep the peace, protect them, and protect the humans from the rogues that decide to act up. Them and the hundreds of other Fantasticals out there in the world.”

  “You know they don’t like being lumped into one category,” Omera replied, giving her daughter a motherly look. “There are Warlocks, Fairies, Gnomes, Elves, and all manner of creatures out there.”

  Althea shrugged with a sigh. “I know. It’s just easier to say it that way in conversation instead of listing them all off.”

  Omera coughed, her body jolting violently. Althea furled her brow and put her hand on her mother’s knee. “What did they say, the ancestors? You look…different.”

  The Matriarch’s eyes shifted to the window, watching the snow fall over the Royal Mountains. “All will be told in good time, my sweet daughter. But I have to ask you to go back out, without a rest.”

  Althea wasn’t going to argue. “Of course. What do you need?”

  Omera’s eyes shifted back to hers, sending a chill down Althea’s spine. “Gather your sisters and bring them here. Tell them time is of the essence.”

  Chapter Two

  “You know, if you would stop chasing all these stupid boys, you might actually have the energy to get your flight hours in,” Iris said into the small microphone next to her lips.

  She turned the small Cessna TTx, finding that it flew through the air with speed and agility. She could hear her best friend sigh on the other end of the headset, speaking to her from the ground. It put a smile on Iris’s face.

  “I know you came rolling into the human world already knowing how to fly, but some of us have to take it slowly,” Milly replied. “I still can’t figure out how your Griffin translated into flight hours, though. How do you even prove that?”

  “You make friends with the pilot that works for the Council,” Iris laughed.

  “Mhmm,” Milly groaned. “Friends…right.”

  Iris wrinkled her nose, taking the Cessna for a slow downward loop. “He’s like sixty. I may be a free spirit, but I have some standards, thank you very much.”

  “Standards? I distinctly remember you showing your airport to a guy who thought that basil made a good deodorant,” Milly said, giggling.

  Iris didn’t answer this time, too busy opening up the plane to see what it could do. From the ground, the aircraft looked like a large Griffin, painted in its likeness. Milly came over her com unit again. “Iris, you just got this thing and it wasn’t cheap. Try not to break it before we’ve used it for business.”

  “If I had a dime for every time my mother said that to me as a child, I’d own a thousand airports,” Iris replied with a roll of her eyes and a sigh as she brought the plane level again. “But I suppose you’re right. You humans don’t know how to have fun.”

  “Most of us humans can’t just eject from a plane and fly off like you can,” Milly pointed out.

  “Touché,” Iris replied. “Though, being one of the few humans that know about the Shifter existence, I think you picture it as way cooler than it really is.”

  “No,” Milly corrected her. “I picture it just as cool as it actually is. So, what are we doing this weekend? I was thinking art gallery and maybe some wine.”

  Milly could hear Iris snoring loudly on the other end. She laughed and shook her head. “Fine. What did you have in mind?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, living maybe,”
Iris said, her voice already full of excitement. “We should go out to the gorges and go jumping again.”

  “You mean you should go out to the gorge and go jumping and I’ll hold the camera?” Milly asked.

  “One of these days, Milly, I am going to strap you to my back and make the jump with you.” Iris swerved around in the air. She loved flying. She loved to capture the feeling of the air as it flew past her.

  She wasn’t able to shift as often as she wanted to, and her Griffin got restless on the ground. Becoming a pilot and owning her own personal flight company was the only thing she found that kept her animal calm. Besides, she was an Air Shifter, she belonged in the skies.

  “Hey, a car just pulled up,” Milly informed her. “Go ahead and land her and I’ll take care of them. I’m starving. We need food.”

  “Mmm, sushi or lamb sounds delicious right now.”

  Milly made a gagging sound in Iris’s ear. “You need to control that Griffin. She’s messing with my food now. Signing off. Don’t crash.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Iris replied, peeking out the window at the car far below.

  It was a chauffeured car, probably someone coming to book a flight. Iris made one last speeding loop around the compound and brought the plane down to the runway like a pro. She parked the new plane in one of her hangers and hopped out, tossing her headset and gloves onto one of the service tables. As she walked out of the hanger, she glanced up, seeing someone walking across the yard, with Milly timidly walking behind her.

  The sun hit the small necklace on the woman’s chest, blinding Iris for a moment. Her hand came up to shield her eyes and when it came back down, the woman’s face registered. “Well, I’ll be damned.”