Free Reads
Running Shadow
Chapter 1
“Best-selling author, Harmony Edwards, joins us today to talk about her latest thriller, A Gourmet Murder.” The talk show host, Miles Parkerd, was loud. Too loud. Harmony couldn’t hear anything but him.
She wondered, not for the first time, what on earth her agent had been thinking. Wasn’t it bad enough she had a book tour coming up? To have her appear on television was literally taunting the person who was copying the murders she wrote about. This was crazy!
She didn’t have to agree to do this and she knew that, but she couldn’t hide forever. She had to be brave and live her life. Isn’t that what the heroine of her series would say?
She wished she could be more like her character but she wasn’t. She wasn’t as witty, didn’t have as many friends and she’d never be lucky enough to have a boyfriend as drop dead gorgeous as Cassidy did. Nope, she was just plain Harmony Linda Edwards.
She was a twenty-eight year old boring writer, at least that’s how she thought of herself. She knew there wasn’t anything special about her, no outstanding features to speak of and she swore her auburn hair drove men away from her. Her eyes weren’t blue but they weren’t green either, they were teal. That was the only thing men noticed about her it seemed. Well, if this television appearance didn’t get her killed, maybe it would get her a date at least.
Being a writer wasn’t the only thing that truly distinguished her from the rest of her family though. Harmony had a secret. One ever her closest friend, Debbie, didn’t know.
Harmony attracted spirits.
Yep, they flocked to her as though they were lost puppies. Though she couldn’t see them, she could feel them and hear them. She always knew when they were around. She had only seen two in all her life and she could certainly go without seeing more, they frightened her. Unbelievable as that may be, she was terrified if a spirit wanted to ‘appear’ to her.
But recently she had felt a presence unlike any she’d felt before. This one was strong and always seemed to be around her, never leaving, but not staying too close either. ‘It’, as she referred to the spirit, was a monkey on her back, though in a good way she supposed. This one had been around to pull her out of danger twice now. The first time when a dog had gotten loose from it’s owner and was about to attack her and the second time when a driver had jumped a curb and would have surely run her down. ‘It’ had literally jerked her back both times. She’d felt ‘it’s’ arms around her.
The backstage manager finished adjusting the microphone and held up his hand, indicating she had five seconds. When he reached one, Harmony’s feet moved toward the stage. She put a smile on her face and said a silent prayer asking to last the next twenty or so minutes without throwing up.
Miles turned and walked over to hug her. When they were seated, Miles began his version of the Spanish inquisition. She answered the questions with as much honesty as she could and when it came to the book, well, she didn’t tell the whole story. Miles tried to get her to tell how the murder was committed but she wouldn’t say.
Finally, with her portion of the show finished, Harmony walked off stage during a commercial break. She let out a sigh of relief as her agent, Monica, came up to her. “Harm, that was so great! I loved it! Do you know how many readers are going to buy this one? Millions, we’ll have to go into a reprint.” Harmony often wondered why Monica didn’t just pass out, she hardly ever took a breath.
“Now Monica, I didn’t do anything but recite the blurb. That’s all.” She smiled when Monica threw her hands in the air, a sure sign she thought Harmony was being thick headed.
“No Harmony, it wasn’t just a blurb you recited. Just like in your books, your words were passionate and full of life. I couldn’t have written a script that good.” Monica smiled. “Harm, you just topped the best-seller list and the book isn’t out for another two weeks. Mark my words.”
Harmony shook her head and went to the dressing room she’d been assigned. She opened the door and as she walked through, she felt ‘it’. The sudden overwhelming urge to leave the room overcame her and she knew why…someone had been in here. She flipped on the light and looked around the room but saw nothing out of place, yet ‘it’ was urging her to leave. “Shadow, not it.”
Harmony felt strong arms holding her and was afraid to look down. The voice had sounded so real, as though ‘it’…um…he were really standing behind her. “You must leave this room Harmony, he has been here. Please, I need you to live.”
She lowered her eyes, expecting to see nothing. Instead she saw sun bronzed hands and arms around her. Lifting her head, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Behind her stood a tall, amazingly handsome, half-naked Indian. He had deep chocolate brown eyes and long straight black hair. As she watched their reflection, he lifted his hand and touched her cheek, “For me you must live.”
For the first time in her life, she fainted.
Chapter 2
Harmony opened her eyes and looked around the room. Monica was sitting in a chair across the room but there was no one else in the room with them. She raised her hand to her head and moaned. Monica’s head turned and she jumped up and rushed to Harmony’s side. “Hey, how are you feeling?”
Harmony looked at her and grimaced, “I feel fine. I don’t know what happened.” She knew she could never tell Monica about Shadow. Had it even been real? Was he real? She had no way of knowing for sure but she sincerely hoped it didn’t happen again. It had all been too weird.
Monica helped her to sit up and put a hand to her forehead, “You don’t feel warm so I don’t think you’re sick. What do you remember after coming in here?”
Harmony again looked around the room but found nothing out of the ordinary. “I walked in and remember something feeling off about the room. Then the next thing I know, I’m opening my eyes and laying on the couch.” She thought about that for a moment and wondered about it. “How did I get on the couch? How did you know to come check on me?”
Monica sat beside her and gave her hand a squeeze, “Honey, all I know is I was talking to one of the PR people and I had this sudden urge to check on you. You’d only been in here a few minutes but something told me I needed to be in here. So I came and found you lying on the sofa.” She shook her head, “Other than that… well, I can’t tell you much. I got scared and called one of the medical personnel and they came in and checked you out. They said you’d probably fainted but wouldn’t know more until you woke up.”
Harmony didn’t know what to think. Shadow must have done something to get Monica in here. “How long have I been out?”
Monica looked at her watch, “Only about ten minutes, why?”
Ten minutes. Well, she could chalk this one up to an amazing and somewhat unwanted experience. “I was just wondering that’s all. I think I’d like to go home now.” She remembered then she was supposed to go to a meeting with her publisher. “Do you think you can cancel that meeting or go in my place and make my excuses? I really don’t feel like sitting through all that right now.”
Monica nodded, “Sure, I’ll go. Do you want me to have someone drive you home?”
Harmony shook her head, “No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I just think I want to lie down and rest.” She held up her hand when Monica would have protested. “Monica, I’ll be fine. I promise. If I feel like I’m going to pass out again, I’ll call my doctor. But most of all, I’d like to have a quiet evening at home.”
Monica nodded her consent and made Harmony promise to call her later and let her know how she was feeling.
Once Harmony got to her apartment, the first thing she did was open a bottle of wine and take a hot bath. She felt better afterwards and wandered into her office to write about what she had experienced. She checked her email first before she wrote down her thoughts and feelings. The first email she saw was from someone she didn’t know, but the subject caught her attention. It said ‘You looked wonderful on tv today, perhaps next time I’ll stick around to see you personally.’ She opened the email and her breath caught in her throat. The email contained a picture of her standing with the stage manager. The picture had been touched up to show the dress she had worn splattered with blood.
Harmony realized whoever this person was, he was definitely looking for her. If he knew her private email address, what else did he know about her? Was this someone she knew or had known? She couldn’t think of anyone she had ever known that would do this. With shaking hands she reached for her phone and dialed the police. She had already been in touch with the detective on the case and had his number programmed. When he answered she told him about the email and he asked her to send it to him and he would be in touch later.
The air around her moved as she hung up the phone and it sent a chill down her spine. She had a feeling she knew who was there. “Shadow?” Her voice sounded faint and shaky. She was a bit nervous about him showing himself again. “Shadow, is that you?” When she still received no answer, she thought he’d left. She was mistaken. A noise behind her had her turning around in her chair.
He stood there with his arms crossed and his legs spread wide. He was dressed in blue jeans and boots, but still had no shirt on. Her mind was reeling and she couldn’t find her voice. He just stood and stared at her with his warm brown eyes, as though he could see into her very soul. “Harmony, are you feeling well?”
His voice was deep and held a note of concern, but made her feel warm and safe. “I’m fine.” She thought over her next words, not sure how or where to begin. “Shadow, first of all, did you put me on the couch after I fainted and did you send Monica to me?”
He nodded, “I could not let you lie on the floor and someone needed to be with you. I only did what was right and took care of you the best I could.”
She took a deep breath and decided she would just bite the bullet and ask the question that would probably send her screaming. “Thank you for that, I appreciate it. Why have you chosen me out of all the mediums in the world? What makes me so special?”
If Harmony thought it would be a simple answer she was entirely mistaken. Shadow walked forward and knelt in front of her, “You are the one who will allow me to come over to this side and become human again. You are my mate.”
Chapter 3
Harmony thought she would pass out again, but she didn’t. When she spoke her voice was shaky, “Shadow I don’t think so.” She stood and began pacing, being careful to keep her distance from him.
He frowned, “Why are you afraid of me Harmony? I will not harm you.”
“That’s fine but I’d really prefer it if you stayed right where you are. I’m not real great with spirits ’showing’ themselves to me.” She paused, “Especially when they appear out of thin air.”
He nodded and his hair floated and rippled around him like black flowing water. “I understand. I can’t help that I am what I am but you can change that.” His head turned towards the area of the living room. “You did not set your alarm when you came home. Go set it now.”
She held up her hand, “Now just a second buddy. You may think I’m your mate and all but you can’t go bossing me around.” But still she went out of the room to check the alarm. When she returned to the office, Shadow was sitting on the floor, his legs stretched out in front of him. “Okay so now that the alarm is set would you mind explaining to me just exactly how I’m supposed to be your mate?”
He regarded her, appreciation showing in his eyes as they ran the length of her body. “I am a spirit. I died long ago, before the Great Journey. I have done what was expected of me and have now earned the right to either continue the path I am on now or return to the living.” He stood up and being taller than Harmony, looked down at her. “In order to return to the living, I must find my mate. That has not been easy. I’ve waited for years to find you. I found you when you were a teenager but knew that wasn’t the time to come to you. I had to wait, so I did. Now I am here and I’m asking you to help me.”
Harmony was shocked to say the least. She didn’t know what to do or how to handle this. Okay, she admitted she was scared out of her mind. But what if he were telling her the truth? Then again, what if he was lying? “How do I know what you say is true? How can you prove yourself?”
He pointed to the computer, “Search for me. You will find me on your computer.”
“Oh? You were famous? What did you do? Were you a Chief?” She knew her voice held a hint of awe.
“No I was a Shaman with the Blackfoot tribe. My tribe fought against the white man. We did not want to be herded like cattle and moved from our sacred lands. That is where I died.” His eyes filled with sadness. “My wife and three sons were spared in the fighting but they had to move.”
Harmony held up her hand, “Okay, wait just one minute, you’re telling me that you were married? You had three sons? What happened after they were moved?” She was thinking it would be just her luck to have him tell her she was his mate but he would probably turn out to be in love with his long dead wife.
“White Deer did well. She stood up to the men and my sons stood with her. But they were still forced to leave our home. Once they were on the reservation, the white man brought diseases with them and she died from smallpox shortly after. My sons survived and turned into good men, you can find some of my family still on that reservation.”
She laughed, “Yeah like anyone on a reservation would trust me if I started asking questions about you. Is that what you want me to do? Hunt down your relatives and talk with them?”
He smiled and she felt her knees go weak. “Yes Harmony. That would be wonderful.”
Chapter 4
Harmony sat in front of her computer and did a search for Running Shadow. She was unprepared for the number of sites that came up. “Man, there’s a lot of information to go through. Do I just start going through the sites starting with number one?”
Shadow was looking over her shoulder, he pointed to the third one down the list. “Go to this site. That is my tribe. They will have the most information and a way to contact them.”
“Where are they? What state are they in?” Harmony asked while the site loaded.
“They are in Montana now. We… I lived in what is now Alberta, Canada. Those were our sacred lands. But they moved us to Montana and that is where my family stayed.” He sat down next to Harmony’s chair, “My sons married and had many sons of their own. I have two grandsons who are still living there. Michael Running Elk, he is a shaman and Robert Little Bear, he is with the Tribal Police. I think your best bet would be to contact Michael. He will possibly know a bit more than Robbie.”
Harmony looked at the computer and smiled, “They have a search engine so you can search for members of the tribe.” She typed in Michael’s name and clapped her hands. “They list an email address for him. I’m going to send him an email.” She opened her email and typed a short email and sent it off. “Now all we have to do is wait.” She continued to browse the site, looking at pictures and learning more about the tribe. There was a picture of Michael and Robbie, both men were smiling and though they weren’t a spitting image of Shadow, you could definitely tell they were related.
A chime sounded and a message box popped open letting her know she had mail. “I’ve got an email.” She said as she opened the mail program. It was from Michael. “It’s him. He’s online now and he wants to know why I’m asking about you.”
“What did your email to him say?”
“I told him that I was interested in finding out about you and I had learned that he is your many times great-grandson. Maybe I should give him my phone number. I think it would be easier to explain if I could actually talk to him.” Harmony sent off another email to Michael.
She jumped a few moments later when her phone rang. She picked up the phone and pushed the button, her hands shaking. She felt Shadow place his hand on her leg and give a gentle squeeze, encouraging her. “Hello.”
The deep voice on the other end of the phone did not sound pleased. “This is Michael Running Elk, would you like to explain to me why you are asking about Running Shadow?”
“Well yes actually I would. You may think I’m completely nuts, but please hear me out.” She stood and started pacing. “My name is Harmony Edwards, I’m an author. But I’m more than that really.” She laughed, “I attract spirits and I’ve got one in my apartment right now who claims I am his mate.”
The silence on the other end of the line was long before Michael spoke, “Did this spirit tell you this or are you just assuming?”
She gasped, “You believe me? Oh God, I was hoping you would. It’s why I need to know more about Running Shadow.”
“How is he… where are you?” Michael’s voice held a hint of excitement.
“I’m in Dallas why? What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’ll be there tomorrow. Give me your address and tell my grandfather that I will be arriving.” There was a thump in the background. “Ms. Edwards, there is only one way that you would even know about him and that would be if he is the spirit you speak of, if you are his mate. Am I right?”
She looked over at Shadow, who was frowning. “Maybe I should ask Shadow about this. Hold on a moment.” She covered the phone with her hand, “He wants to come here. He said that he can be here tomorrow.”
Shadow stood up and walked to her, “Tell him to come. He can protect you better at the moment than I can.”
Harmony put the phone back to her ear, “He says to please come because you can protect me better than he can.”
“I heard him.” Michael’s voice was shaky as he spoke. “I never truly believed it would be possible. Thank you Ms. Edwards, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Harmony hung up the phone and plopped in her chair. “I can’t believe I’m going to have another Indian in my apartment.” She turned her eyes to Shadow, “You do understand I can’t possibly fit your whole tribe in here.”
He smiled, “I would never ask that of you. Now go to bed Harmony. You are tired and I must leave you for a while.”
“Will you come back?”
“I’ll come back to you I promise Harmony.” With those words he faded from sight.
Chapter 5
Harmony rolled over in bed and opened her eyes. She’d never slept as well as she had the night before. Ever since she’d begun receiving threats, she barely slept four hours a night. Maybe she just felt safer somehow knowing Shadow was nearby watching her.
She slowly sat up and looked around the room. “Shadow? Are you here?” When she received no answer she sighed. Oh well, maybe he’ll come back later. She looked at the clock, nine o’clock, she knew she should get up and take a shower and straighten the apartment. Michael would be here sometime today and she wanted to make a good impression. After all, if what Shadow said was true, Michael could possibly soon be family.
She got out of bed and shivered as the cool air of the apartment hit her legs. She hurried into the kitchen and started coffee. As she walked past her office, she stepped inside and froze. Sitting on her desk was a bouquet of dead roses. She didn’t know what to do.
Running from the room she went to the front door and checked the alarm. She knew she’d set it the night before when Shadow told her to. So how was it that now the alarm was turned off? “Oh God.”
“What’s wrong Harmony?”
She spun around, fright making her clutch her chest. Shadow stood there, dressed as he’d been the night before, blue jeans, boots and no shirt. “Shadow, someone turned off the alarm. He’s been here. He left a bouquet of dead roses on my desk.”
Shadow’s muscles tensed and he looked around the room for other signs. “When will Michael be here?”
“I don’t know, he didn’t say.”
“Call him. Find out when he’ll arrive.”
Harmony walked over to a small table set against the wall and picked up the phone. Scrolling through the caller id, she found his number and pressed the connect button. A man answered the phone. “Michael?”
“No, this is Robert. May I ask who’s calling?”
“This is Harmony Edwards. I need to speak with Michael.”
“Ms. Edwards, he told me before he left this morning that our grandfather is with you. Is that true?”
If she weren’t so frightened, she’d have laughed. “Yes it’s true. Can you tell me when he left?”
“Around six this morning. He should be in Dallas by ten. Is everything all right?”
“Actually no it’s not. Shadow is impatient for him to be here.” She watched Shadow go from room to room looking for anything out of place. “Thank you Robert. I hope to meet you soon. Goodbye.”
She hung up the phone and went to her office. Shadow was standing beside her desk looking at the flowers. “What are you doing?”
He turned and looked her up and down. She only wore a t-shirt that barely hit her thighs. He had to get her dressed. “Go take a shower, Michael will be here soon. You can’t meet him at the door dressed like that.”
“Now wait one second mister. I can meet him dressed as I please. If I choose to meet him like this, then I will.”
“No, you will not.”
“Why not? You’re only a spirit. There’s nothing you can do to me, so why should I be scared by your ‘I’m the man and you will do what I say’ voice?”
Before she could blink, Shadow was in front of her. “You will get dressed before he arrives, Harmony. As for me not being able to do anything, you’re wrong there.”
He grabbed her arms and pulled him to her. “There are many things I can do and many things I will do to you.” His lips covered hers and he felt her stiffen in shock and then relax into the kiss. Gods, he’d been waiting to do this forever. The need to have her in his arms had almost driven him mad. The need to have her and claim her as his was even stronger. He knew he had to keep this kiss soft and not let it get out of control.
Harmony couldn’t believe it. She was kissing a spirit. The feel of his lips against hers sent her libido into overdrive. She wanted to melt into him and never stop kissing him. She moaned and put her arms around his neck as she opened her mouth to welcome him deeper. If he kissed this amazingly, what else could he do? Possibly even better.
