Sons of Destiny Prequel Series 003 - The Shifter Read Online Free

these mountains is supposed to be as unpleasant as winter on the Plains. I can head to Nespah, if you like, and cut down on our overall travel time?"
    "And I'll head to Mespak," Narquen offered.
    "One of us should also report back to Her Majesty that we've finally made some progress," Ashallan murmured. Anaika raised her hand, and Ashallan nodded. "You have a fast enough bird form, cousin; you go to the capital and let the Queen know what we're doing. As for you , Bellar... the fact that you held secret your knowledge of this Family Mongrel is a black mark against you. Cooperate, and you may erase it. Withhold much more information, and you may end up needing to ask your brother for room in his home."
    Bellar gave her a glum look. "I didn't want my brother persecuted any further."
    "And if he is free of further crimes, he will not be," Ashallan said, shrugging. "Those that are guilty, however, will need to be attended to properly... even if they commit their crimes in another kingdom," the princess added grimly. "It's our fault we didn't take stronger measures to stop their wicked ways from continuing.
    "Of course, it means sending a delegation to His Majesty if there is something in need of prosecution, since we're officially within Correda's borders. But first we need proof there is still wrongdoing happening, and whether or not our kind, exiled or otherwise, had anything to do with it." Sighing roughly, she raked her gray-streaked locks back from her face. "We'll handle that once we have a need for it. A dead body, however incriminating, isn't enough, since we still don't know who hid it back there. We are here merely to make sure this so-called Family Mongrel is no longer committing crimes against women—against anyone —and thus bringing dishonor to the real ways and the good name of the Shifterai."
    "I'd be careful, though. If one of the banished shifters perverted his powers enough to take on the identity of this dead man," the other princess of Family Lion stated, "then just asking about his name might make the name-thief wary, or maybe even chase him into hiding."
    Ashallan turned her attention back to Kenyen and sighed roughly. "I do wish your brother were here. We could really use a strong multerai to help us with this. Whoever these murderers are, they're frightfully strong, if they feel they can imitate others and get away with it, but I guess we'll have to make do with what we have."
    Kenyen hated the way she put that. As if I'm nothing more than a straw-snake, only good for frightening little children, and only for a brief moment at that. I may not have ten or twelve or more shifts, but I am good at the things I can do. He kept his reaction hidden, however. The only way he could prove himself was to show his competency in other areas. I'm not helpless, and I'm not useless. Instead, he spoke lightly, chasing the topic at hand.
    "A good point, Anaika," Kenyen agreed, nodding at the young woman. "I think Narquen and I could learn whatever we need just by perching in trees and listening to the locals speak. It would take longer than a direct inquiry, but it would be safer—Bellar, I have another question."
    "What else do you want to know?" Bellar asked warily.
    "According to the book of Ellet Sou Tred's suffering, on two occasions a new shifter joined Family Mongrel. Both of them were marked with the Banishment scar, just like the others," Kenyen said, tapping his own unblemished forehead briefly before lowering his hand. "Did your brother ever ask you to tell anyone else about his location? In specific, other banished men?"
    Bellar gave him a sour look. "Would you like me to bring back Elder Brother Moon from oblivion, too? Or perhaps give you the secret to eternal life?"
    "Answer the question, Bellar," Ashallan ordered him.
    "Well, of course he did. He knows that if you have the Banished mark on your forehead, it's hard to find work, outkingdom," Bellar admitted gruffly. "He figured he could help them, maybe