Free King of Prey: (A Bird Shifter Novel) by Mandy M. Roth Page A

“Cease my chatter? Thinks he’s king of the jungle. Asshole.”

Chapter Fifteen

    Kabril winced at the sound of Rayna cursing him as she headed towards camp. She had every right to be upset with him. He had reacted poorly to the idea that the enemy’s mark was near her. The feather, that was just a feather to her, was so much more to him. It was a part of the enemy. An enemy that had come too close to her as was. Kabril would not allow threats directed at him to leak onto her.  
    And his temper could not be settled at the moment. He knew as much. She would be safer far from him. The falcons would want nothing to do with a human. They would not dirty their hands with the likes of her. That was good. If they were focused on him, she would be safe.  
    He had never been more thankful that his kind—the bird shifters—thought of humans as pests. In this instance, it would save Rayna’s life. He twisted, his gaze wild as he looked to Sachin. “I killed at least two. You?”  
    “Two as well,” returned Sachin. “But there were more, Kabril.”  
    “Go with Rayna. I will lead them far from here.”  
    Sachin sighed. “I cannot and will not leave you. Though, I do not think you should have sent her off alone.”  
    Kabril’s chest tightened with worry. “Keeping her near me placed a target upon her. Now she is merely a human female. They will have no use of her.”  
    Sachin appeared nervous. “Still, my lord. Perhaps we should keep her close.”  
    “So that my enemies can see that she matters to me?” he demanded, pacing, his shifter side wanting free. He flexed his arms, wanting to release his wings, track the bastards who had dared to attack them and remove their heads from their shoulders. How dare they think to threaten him with Rayna near? Did they not realize he would kill any who even looked in her way with thoughts of aggression on their minds?
    He stopped pacing and met Sachin’s gaze. “Take her and protect her.”  
    “Kabril.”  
    “Then track the others and I will take her to safety!”
    “I will not leave you or her. We should go to her now.” Sachin wasn’t acting like himself. Something was wrong. Kabril spoke, “They will not want her, correct? She is but human. They will have no interest in her, right?”  
    Ah, there was a point I too thought I would never have an interest in a human either. Now look. I am at the mercy of one.
    “She will hold value to them, my lord, because she holds value to you,” Sachin said, his words cutting Kabril like a knife.
    He was right.  
    He tried to go in the direction of camp but Sachin stopped him. “I will go. She is none too pleased with you at the moment. I cannot blame her. You were what the humans like to call a dickhead.” Sachin coughed slightly and shook.
    It took Kabril a second to realize he was being laughed at—again. He punched out quickly, catching Sachin’s right cheek. “I do not find this amusing. I hold her in high regard.”
    “Do you?” Sachin mocked. “I would have never guessed. I mean, with all the nights you have spent in shifted form, doing your best to reduce your size to that of an earth bird—the shame in that alone is enough to suggest you more than hold her in high regard, but you are not ready to admit the true extent of your feelings for her. Are you?”
    He scowled. “I wish to know how the enemy found us? The falcons know I am here therefore they know Rossi is sitting on the throne in my absence.”  
    “Your brother will protect the kingdom,” stated Sachin. “Your place is here and now.”  
    “Yes, the prophecy you speak so much of.” Kabril spat to the side. “I curse it and all it stands for.”  
    Sachin looked tired. “Again?”  
    “Yes, again.”  
    “Forgive me if I hide my shock. Now, as for Rayna.”
    His chest tightened at the thought of Rayna falling into the enemy’s hands. He couldn’t believe his enemy had tracked him down on Earth and attacked. “She is most