Read Pieces of Three for Free Online Page A

in such foulness again. “Looks like your little plush toys need some assistance. I hear they get pretty soggy in the water, almost as pathetic as humans.” He cocked the weapon and glanced over his shoulder to find the guard, the one who injected him and Porter. Unlike his Aktrosian cohorts, he remained in his quasi-human form. The Captain’s pet obviously suffered from some human complex.
    “But not quite as useless as you after we gave you some much needed medicine.” The guard charged toward him, a syringe out and ready.
    If the needle even grazed him, in their precarious situation, death would be certain. He fired the gun, but missed his mark. He and the guard collided.
    They wrestled on the deck, shifter against shifter, yet neither transformed. Their human fingers kept hold of their respective weapons.
    “Get him!” The Captain commanded.
    Julian slammed his elbow into the guard’s face.
    The guard grinned and held up the injection.
    He would take his enemy down, tear him apart by the throat. In need of all his strength, he prepared to shift right as a flash of brown fur jettisoned into the fray and in one swift motion threw the guard off him.
    The guard let out a growl and shifted into his bear form. With his huge paw, he dropped the syringe. The needle landed in his foot.
    Another flash of lightening lit the scene. Porter’s golden eyes, the bear’s white teeth, the silver of the syringe.
    Julian jumped up and hit the plunger down, injecting the bear with the swill.
    “Ahhh!” The bear collapsed back and writhed on the floor as his body transformed back into his more human state. He convulsed, twitching and squirming like a bug until at last he stiffened and passed out.
    The click of a gun cocking echoed through his ears.
    “Useless animals.” The Captain chuckled. “Why even bother with medicine when I could have your head hanging on my wall?”
    Another scent, one of fear graced Julian’s senses. “An animal just killed you.” He wouldn’t give the man a second chance. Once more he spun toward him, and without pause he fired the gun, purposely hitting him in the leg.
    The Captain’s cries of pain took over the pounding of the storm before he passed out. Julian kicked the gun away, inhaled and with nothing inhibiting him, morphed into his wolf form in a blast of freedom. His clothes tore away and the power took over.
    He glanced at Porter and they each took one of their enemies in their jaws. Together they made their way to the side of the ship and rid themselves of the true poison.
    The release subsiding, their mission complete, they returned to their human state. At least one of the bears succeeded in lowering the sails before departing the ship. Even with their strength they couldn’t stop the boat from drifting, following where the wind and the water led. Death lingered throughout the ship.
    Nude, soaked, and exhausted, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. No matter where they ended up, he failed his task and now those on his island were in more jeopardy. How would they ever get medicine to them?
    “Let’s get the ship under control, or what’s left of it.” Porter saluted him. “At least it’s only us aboard.”
    “Us and the girl.” His chest seized. In the pandemonium he forgot about their little charge. “I can only hope we’re not taking on any water.” If water flooded the ship, or if the bottom of the ship were damaged, it would be the end.
    “Let’s get the ship secure, we can’t do anything about her right now.” Porter stomped away. “Damn it!”
    Julian ran toward the bridge, but before reaching the safe haven of the door, the ship heaved in a sudden slow down, and he fell against the deck. The vessel ground to a stop. The grinding of wood against stone overpowered the crash of thunder and reverberated throughout his entire body.
    He turned to find Porter. “We ran aground.” Where the hell were they? He pounded his fist into the deck. They told Alyssa the