RainRiders Read Online Free Page A

focus.
    “Bloody hell,” he muttered. “That’s not a weapon he’s holding…it’s a rain stick…like this one.”
    What he saw next he knew would be forever etched in his mind. The warrior gave a loud whooping sound from his mouth while closing in on the man.
    Poor Nate, run, man…run!
    His silent pleas did nothing. Nate glanced back to see the rider swing his long stick like a sickle. A look of sheer terror flashed through Nate’s eyes seconds before the warrior struck. He didn’t even have time to scream. His body instantly turned black like a shadow—then crumbled as dust before the wind and rain carried his soul away.
    Pike watched in horror as Nate’s silhouette rode off into the storm on the back of that fiery looking horse with the warrior driving it on.
    As the screaming died down he became aware that whoever had not escaped had been taken by whatever had ridden in. When the storm cleared—only silence remained. Pike lay under the truck shaking uncontrollably. He’d never believed in the spirit world, ghosts, or Indian legends.
    What he’d just witnessed was without a doubt supernatural. The Rain Riders had come and exacted their punishment just as Aiden had feared—he’d been wise to walk away. Assuming they’d fulfilled their mission—Pike crawled from beneath the truck and did his best to compose himself.
    How the hell am I going to explain this? He wondered if anyone else had survived and if they had, would they be willing to talk about what just went down? If not, he’d have to remain silent for fear of appearing foolish or even worse, weak.

Chapter Three
    Shye sat quietly while listening to Trip and Remle wrap up details on handling the pending invasion. Her thoughts began to drift and she wondered why. Bothered by her inability to remain focused on their conversation, she began to get restless. The beating of drums and familiar chanting sounded in the distance.
    Nagi … Howiwacipi… She recognized the call. Shadow…the Ghost Dancer. The spirit world was summoning her.
    “I have to go,” Shye said out of the blue.
    “What?” Trip’s brows shot up as he looked at her.
    “It’s the Ghost Dancer…she’s calling me…I must go.”
    “Shye, no. You can’t run off by yourself. Gage and Pike will be on the hunt for you in a matter of hours.” He reached for her hand but she pulled away.
    She stared at him with pleading eyes. “I’m sorry, my love. But Nagi calls me. I must become Shadow now.”
    “But there is no sun yet. How can you find a shadow to borrow? And you can’t change at night…remember? You’ll be lost in darkness forever. Please…baby…don’t go.”
    “This is different. The Rain Riders have arrived. I am to join them.” Even as she spoke the words her voice sounded like someone else’s. She’d heard the legend but had never known anyone who’d actually seen them.
    “ Rain Riders ?” Extreme concern hung on Trip’s voice. “What are they?”
    “I-I’m not sure. But I have to go. Something is wrong. I hear the drums of my past calling me.”
    He stunned her by quickly wrapping strong arms around her and pulling her tight against his chest. “No. I refuse to let you go. This isn’t like you.” He buried his face in the curve of her neck.
    “I’ll be back,” she said while stroking his hair.
    “I’m not letting go. We are so close to ending this nightmare.” He cupped her chin with a tender hand and stared into her eyes.
    “Gage is coming for me as you said but I won’t be here. I don’t know why Nagi calls me now. Still, I cannot deny her. I cannot deny what I am and neither can you. You knew this before we committed to each other. Please don’t try and change me.”
    Sorrow flooded the depths of his beautiful eyes. “I would never want you to change. I just don’t want you to leave. Not tonight…not like this.”
    “I must. I am sorry.” Gently she pushed away from his chest. “Promise you will wait for me.”
    His expression forced