TRANSITION

AuthorHouse

Chapter One

Long, golden caramel hair tangled around her sensual face. Inky lashes rested gently on her high cheekbones. Her nose was small and pert and perfectly shaped, her lips petite and kissable. Lying on her side with one hand resting gently by her face, she seemed so tranquil in sleep.

She was one of the most stunning women he had ever seen. His gaze searched her face and he knew she was the one, his sodalis, his mate. They had been sharing dreams together for several months, ever since he had arrived in the small college town of Pullman, Washington.

He was Chimera and his race had been on Earth as long as humans. His people were desperate to find their one true mate for life.

The theory was that the Gods had feared the Chimeras' power and had split their race in half. The Chimera people were condemned to wander the earth, searching for their other half to be complete. Without their sodalis, each was destined to live life without dreams, without love, without hope. The future rested on finding their sodalis. And Develon had just found his, lying on her side, one hand resting gently by her face.

* * *

Shelby O'Neil had been dreaming of the same gorgeous guy for the past several months, though she couldn't remember exactly when it had started. He was very tall—she estimated about six foot six—and muscular. Not an inch of fat on him anywhere, he was ripped, six pack and all. His long, thick black hair, which was pulled back from a flawless face, was tied at the nape of his neck with a dark brown leather strap. He had a decidedly Greek nose, a straight line from top to bottom; his cheekbones were high and prominent; and a small dimple sat squarely in the center of his proud chin. All she could think about was nibbling on the edges of his plump, sensuous lips and gazing into his piercing green eyes, which blazed beneath their dark lashes with a savage fire. She knew if she looked into them long enough she wouldn't be scorched, but simply drown in their depths.

His skin was darker than hers, very smooth, with a hint of chocolate and a healthy glow. His arms, shoulders, and much of his back were covered with a large tattoo of a white Siberian tiger; one of its sharp-clawed paws gripped the inside of his left wrist, its leg wrapped up and around his arm and across his large bicep and muscular shoulder. The rest of its sleek white body cascaded over and across the back of his neck, then down the right side of his back where its striped tail disappeared inside the top of his black denim jeans. The tiger appeared to be in 3D, nearly jumping off his skin with vibrancy and textures, making it appear alive.

Her dreams were becoming lucid; so vivid, so real. And, last night's was no different.

In her dream, he relaxed against the side of a giant oak, one ankle resting over the other. The trunk of the tree was about fifteen feet in diameter. She looked up. The top of the branches disappeared magically into the hazy clouds above. The leaves were in full abundance; it must be spring.

The soft fragrance of lavender drifted in the air, and she looked around for the hidden flowers. Where was she? She couldn't remember being here before, and she knew she had never seen this tree.

Shelby looked down at her hands. She held a brown vintage wicker picnic basket with woven slats. She glanced up at the handsome man. He held a red-and-white checkered blanket, and he was grinning at her. She smiled back and continued to take in her surroundings.

Two horses stood not far away drinking from a pristine lake, their tails swishing tirelessly at the flies on their backs. Had they ridden to this beautiful place?

She watched as he unfolded the blanket and laid it beneath the branches of the towering oak.

He placed his hand over the top of hers, and she shivered at the sensation of warmth that started deep inside and spiraled up through her body. They shared a bond, and it opened wide between them. She relaxed and felt the warmth tingle across her skin. She lifted her chin, looked into his eyes, and felt a blast of heat. Her body felt hot as the sensation vibrated off her skin. How could one touch from this man bring her such pleasure?

He took the basket from her hands and placed it in the center of the blanket. She watched him remove the contents: roast chicken, potato salad, plump red and green grapes, soft rolls with honey, and a bottle of sparkling cider. Her mouth watered not only from the aroma that emanated from the chicken, but also for the man himself.

Shelby watched intently, admiring the way he moved. Such precision in his motions, he was nature itself.

The landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, and she glanced once again toward the lake. The light from the sun shimmered on the water, reflecting the shapes of the birds passing overhead. The blaze from the sun was warm and brought a hint of moisture to her skin. She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead and wondered again how this could be just a dream. It seemed so real.

Her childhood had included family vacations to places just like this. It felt like home. Shelby pictured her mother and father standing by the lake laughing, which brought joy to her soul.

"Is this someplace you've been before?" she asked him. Then she sat on the blanket, her back against the tree.

He sat down next to her, slowly unfolding his long, graceful body. He held a piece of straw between clenched teeth. It was endearing. Shelby reached over and plucked the straw from his mouth and smiled.

Yes, the whisper of his voice entered her mind. Part of my life was here. My parents owned this ranch. It was a place for us to get away and relax. My father and I used to ride here for hours.

She knew this was a dream because he spoke directly into her mind, his lips not moving. They ate and talked for some time. His eyes never left her face.

You are so beautiful, anima vita. You are my soul, my life. He captured her hands with his, bringing them up against his lips, kissing each finger slowly. His hands engulfed hers. Then, he turned one hand over, pressing a kiss into the center of her palm.

Incredible warmth spiraled its way up her spine; this was something she had never felt before. She felt detached, but knew she was fully living in his emotions. They were his feelings, but now, somehow, hers too. She stroked her fingers over the back of his hand, closed her eyes, and inhaled. She leaned back against the giant oak and reveled in his feelings.

This is the first time I have been back since my parents' death. My fondest memories of them were here. After that, I saw no reason to come back. Until now. It was a long time ago. Shelby, I need to leave. It will not be long until we are together. Soon, I promise.

Shelby felt his lips gently graze across hers. Oh God, she didn't want him to leave. She wanted this dream to continue. "Wait ...," she said. "Please, don't go. There are so many things I want to ask you. So many things I don't understand." What did he mean, 'Until we are together'? It seemed every dream they shared ended the same way, his corporeal body disappearing into a cloudy haze ...

Beep! beep! beep! Her alarm began its annoying reminder, summoning her into wakefulness. Her sense of hearing had always been...