Moonlit Feathers Read Online Free Page A

view. I dove a little lower to the ground, but no one appeared to be nearby. I lightly touched down on my rooftop, taking a moment to shed my raven form. Sighing, I glanced between the creek and the forest with its colorful autumn leaves. The sight was absolutely breathtaking. If I hadn't been naked, I would've sat up there for hours.
    I lived out in the sticks because I didn't like being too near other people. My instincts screamed at me to keep my distance and let no one close enough to hurt me when they eventually left—either because they found out just how messed up I was, or worse, because those around me had a bad habit of dying. I'd lost so many loved ones already, and I was barely twenty-one years old.
    My childhood was littered with death and betrayal, and I'd been bounced around from one foster home to another. Regardless of what Kevin said, at times I did feel cursed, as if my hardships weren't just bad luck. Was I the cause of all the pain? Being a shifter made me so different from everyone else that I didn't doubt it.
    I hopped down from the roof and softly landed on my feet in the grass. The cool evening breeze sent shivers over my naked skin. I wasn't expecting any company, and the tree line on my property was designed with privacy in mind. No one could stumble upon my yard and see me like this, so I hadn't planned any clothes drops for quick dressing. The forecast had called for rain. Even though it hadn’t come, I kept my clothes inside. A little water on my feathers or skin wouldn't hurt.
    I rounded the corner of the house only to see a man knocking on my front door. I froze in place like a deer in headlights, blinking in surprise. How had I not noticed him when I was coming in to land? I'd scanned my surroundings, as I always did.
    He turned toward me, and my legs kicked into high gear, propelling me back around the corner, out of sight. Modesty wasn't an issue, but I didn't flaunt my nudity when I had no idea who the person was or why they were here. It could be a human, or someone looking to hire me for a job. Granted, the latter was less likely, since I hadn't told anyone in town what I did, and none of my clients knew where I lived. This was supposed to be my sanctuary. The little piece of paradise I had in the world, aside from the sky.
    "Sorry, miss. Didn't mean to come by unannounced, but I heard you could probably help me. Something of mine has been...lost. I need it found." He let out a sharp hiss of a sigh, but even though he came a little closer, he didn't turn the corner to face me.
    I leaned against the building, closing my eyes for a brief moment. Damn it. This intrusion on my home turf bothered me. How had this man found me? I should probably listen to him and see what he wanted, although I really hated that he'd broken my place of refuge. But I'd have plenty of time to rage about that later. First, I needed to find something to cover up with if I was going to talk with him. Money wasn't good for me right now, and I aimed to be professional with potential clients. No matter what.
    "Give me a moment, then I'll be able to talk with you further." I glanced around the corner at him, peeking out just my head and neck. He stood at average height, and his broad, muscular shoulders tapered into a narrow waist that made me think of a professional swimmer's physique. My mouth went dry as I wondered what his chest looked like.
    He peeled off his jacket while I watched him. "You can borrow my coat." His biceps flexed as he held it out for me. I started to protest, but he tossed it on the grass and turned around. "I insist."
    I leaned down and grabbed the leather jacket, keeping an eye on his back as I reached for it. For a guy as lean as he was, I thought the jacket might not cover me, but it did. It hung just to my upper thigh, showing lots of leg, but it could've been worse. I zipped it up and stepped around the corner.
    He kept his gaze straight ahead, as if unsure whether to turn around. Although