“Never.” Eogan took her hand in his. “There are secrets that Hunters have among themselves. Not even the Kaladin are aware of them.”
Hester’s hand twitched in his. “Do they involve your mate?”
Eogan nodded. “We are connected to our pair bond on every level. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. If she is in trouble we will do everything in our power to protect her and that includes disobeying orders.”
“So the Kaladin didn’t want to risk that happening.” Hester bit her lower lip. “That still seems unfair to deny you the chance to have a family.”
“We were designed to be warriors, nothing else.” Eogan spoke in a dispassionate voice.
He had never considered what had been done to him as wrong. His sole purpose was to fight and die. It was his honor to do that for the Kaladin. Since coming to Earth, and being forced to do the bidding of the Albireons, he had altered his thinking. He wasn’t certain that a Hunter only had one purpose in life. There had to be more. Now that his implants had been removed, he was realizing that he’d been right.
“It must have been hard being denied a family and wife.” Hester’s voice was full of sympathy.
“We didn’t believe it was possible for us to mate.” Eogan looked out over the ocean. He still didn’t fully trust what was happening. “Until we crashed landed on Earth, the idea of a pair bond and mate was only a legend.”
“How did that change?”
“The other Hunters who are stranded here, have removed their implants. They have discovered that it is possible to have a mate.” Eogan looked back at Hester. “They have even found that they can have children.”
“That’s impossible. You’re not from Earth.”
“We carry the same genes as humans.”
For a few seconds Hester was silent. Eogan sensed the emotions and questions that were going through her. He knew it shouldn’t be possible and yet it was happening. Hester’s thoughts were beginning to become his. There was only one explanation for that and the idea was incredible.
“That can only mean one of two things. Either humans come from a different planet and were brought here while you were left on Cygnus.”
“Or Hunters were taken from Earth by the Kaladin and altered.” Eogan finished the thought for her.
“Which was it?”
“We are unsure.”
Hester’s eyes widened. “You know this proves the theory that extraterrestrials were on this planet in the past. Steve would love to hear this.”
“This is not for the ears of your friends.”
“I understand, but it’s still pretty cool.” Hester sighed. “To think that we were right about aliens visiting Earth.”
“They are still here.”
Hester nodded. “I remember. The Albireons are trying to take over the world.”
“I do not consider it lightly.” Eogan’s voice was stern. “I have had to work for them for the last thirty years. They have controlled my actions, thoughts, and body. They are very real.”
Hester swallowed. “When you put it like that, it’s very ominous.”
“Our situation will not be safe until we have joined the other Hunter units.” Eogan’s grip on Hester’s hand tightened. “I cannot allow anything to happen to you.”
Hester nodded. “I appreciate that you feel obligated to protect me, but you should think about yourself first. You are in greater danger than me.”
“You don’t understand.” Eogan cleared his throat. “The reason I told you about Hunters and pair bonds was because I sense that I am bonding with you.”
Hester stared at him with unblinking eyes. “That’s impossible. No man wants me.”
“I desire you very much.”
She shook her head. “That’s just because I was the first woman you saw after your implants were removed. It’s a response to having freedom from controls.”
“I have explained this wrong.” Eogan leaned closer to her and the scent of her skin twirled around his nostrils sending his body into a spin of reaction. “If I have bonded with you, there will never be another woman.”
Hester shook her head. “I’m not the type of woman who inspires that kind of devotion. Men never look my way. I’m plain and overweight. I keep my nose buried in books during the day, and at night, I chat with others on the internet.”
“That is not what I see when I look at you.” Eogan knew he had to pick his words carefully. “I see the woman that I am destined to be connected with. I understand that you aren’t attracted to me, and I would never force you into something you did not desire. Whether we ever mate or not, you will always be the one I am bonded to.”
Just then the boat slowed down. They had left the harbor long ago and were headed out into open water. Eogan watched as the captain stepped away from the steering wheel. He walked toward them and motioned down. “You should go below.”
“We will do that shortly.” Hester smiled at the man. “Right now it’s wonderful to get some fresh air.”
The captain shrugged. “It is safer in the galley.”
Eogan’s eyes narrowed and he scanned the horizon. Although there was nothing in sight, he didn’t like the tone of the captain’s voice. The man seemed to be hinting at danger. Before they could move, his ears picked up the faint sound of an engine. There was nothing in the water. That meant it had to be in the air.
“We need to go below.”
Hester must have sensed the urgency in his voice. She stood, and let him lead her to the ladder. He motioned for her to go first. Once she was safe, he started down the ladder, followed by the captain. Eogan stopped so that he was able to see what was happening above. The sound of the engine grew louder.
It was a helicopter.
Chapter 12
Hester could hear the whirring of the chopper’s blades as it circled the boat. A shiver of dread raced up her spine. Logically, she knew they were safe. Eogan had pulled out all of the tracking devices inside of him and then scanned both of them to be certain. This must be just a routine flyby.
Eogan grabbed the captain by his shirt. “Did you notify someone?”
The captain took a step backwards and fell on the lower deck. “It is standard practice to let the harbor know where the boat is going in case of emergency.”
“Is it normal to have them fly so close for an inspection?”
The captain shook his head. “It is very unusual.”
Eogan crossed his arms. “They will think it is suspicious if we’re all below deck.”
The captain stood. “They are looking for boats that are carrying refugees. It is obvious that we are too small for that.”
Hester pulled her bag closer. She needed the comfort of something familiar and this was the closest thing she had left from her life back home. Her father had given her the leather backpack when she’d earned her first degree. Everything else she had brought with her was abandoned in the hotel in Sanliurfa. She shivered as she remembered the men who had abducted her from her room. She was thankful she wouldn’t have to meet them again.
“You are safe.” Eogan spoke in a reassuring voice. “Even if others come for us, I will protect you.”
A wave of calm raced through her, and Hester took a deep breath. Eogan was right. There was nothing to worry about. He had killed the other men and this helicopter inspection was probably a check for refugees. Once they were clear of any wrong-doing, they’d be free to continue their journey.
A few seconds later, the aircraft turned away.
Hester shivered with reaction.
“They are leaving.” The captain went up the ladder. “It was a random visual inspection.”
“Thank goodness.”
She leaned back against the side of the vessel. She was sitting in what looked to be a galley area with a sink, burner, and ice cabinet. It was primitive. Hopefully they’d reach Cypress before they had to make use of it. The engine of the boat revved and they returned to the rapid pace that they’d been moving at before the
surveillance helicopter.
“We should be safe now.” She gave Eogan weak smile. “It was foolish of me to be so upset.”
He shook his head. “There is something not right about this.”
Hester was on alert again. “What is it? We know that we aren’t being tracked, and the captain seems to be telling the truth.”
“I do not trust him.” Eogan clenched his fists. “We should leave this boat.”
“Are you crazy? We’re in the middle of the ocean.”
“He must have a lifeboat.” Eogan started up the stairs. “The longer we stay, the greater the risk.”
She rolled her eyes. “I think you’re paranoid.”
“I have to keep you safe.” Eogan disappeared above deck.
Hester closed her eyes and counted to ten. They had passed the helicopter surveillance and still Eogan didn’t trust it. It had been an insane plan to try and charter a boat to take them to Cypress, and yet at the time, it had seemed the easiest way to escape Turkey.
Now that they were out of the country, and free of the men who’d been pursuing them, they should be able to relax. She didn’t think that was possible for a man like Eogan. Then again, he wasn’t like normal men. He was from another planet.
She shook her head as she remembered the conversation that they’d been having before the helicopter arrived. He’d actually told her he was attracted to her. A shiver of pleasure raced through her. To know that what she was feeling for him might be returned was in the realm of fairy tales, and she’d given up on those a long time ago.
When she was young, she’d often dreamed about the man who would be the other half of her. Time and reality had dashed those dreams. Instead of marriage, she’d become an independent woman of letters. Academia had replaced the emptiness in her heart, and even though it was a cold bedfellow, it didn’t disappoint.
Disillusionment had happened at her first high school social.
She’d been left standing at the wall while all the other girls had been asked to dance. The new outfit and dancing lessons had gone to waste that night, but she’d learned a valuable lesson. It was the pretty girls who got asked out, not the nerdy girls in glasses. She had a choice to make. Either she could throw herself into trying to be something she wasn’t or she could focus on other things.
Archaeology was her selection.
She’d never regretted her decision.
Hester excelled in school and had earned her doctorate by the time she was twenty-five. She might not have tenure at the university, but she was respected in her field and enjoyed teaching. It was also boring and mundane. That’s why she’d been researching extraterrestrials visiting Earth. It was exciting and definitely breaking the rules of academia
Now, she had a gorgeous, hunk of a man, telling her he found her attractive.
She needed to pinch herself because this had to be a dream.
It is a pair bonding for life. She swore she heard Eogan’s voice in her head. She gave herself a shake and stood. It was times she got some fresh air. She had reached the ladder when another sound caught her attention.
She poked her head above board. “What is that?”
“It looks like a coastguard cutter.” Eogan turned to her. “Hide below. If it is me they want then they will not find you.”
“I can’t let you be taken. You said they want you dead.”
“I will escape.” Eogan’s voice was insistent. “It’s better if you are safe. I can defeat them and return to you when I am free.”
“You say that like it’s an easy thing.”
Hester debated about listening to him, but the roar of a horn convinced her. They were saying something over a loud speaker in several languages. When they spoke in English, it was clear what their intentions were.
“Prepare to be boarded.”
“Get out of sight.” Eogan’s voice was barely audible.
Hester backed down the ladder and moved into the cluttered rear of the boat. It was more of a storage closet than a room. She pushed under a number of empty boxes and tucked her head out of sight. There was nowhere else to hide.
Footsteps sounding above.
Shouts and then the screams of the captain.
Hester’s body shook. Her imagination was vivid enough that it was filling in the details of what was happening with all of the worst case scenarios. She should be up there with Eogan. He was going to be captured, and she would never see him again. It was just her luck to finally find a man who might be interested in her and she’d lose him on the high seas.
The blast of a gun ripped through the air.
Hester’s breath caught in her throat. Footsteps sounded over the whole ship. There was a man shouting questions and then there was the sound of someone being hit.
Dread filled her.
Was Eogan hurt?
What were the men looking for? Surely if they had Eogan that was what they had come for. Her body shook. She was trapped here and there was nothing she could do except pray that Eogan was fine.
She strained to hear the words of a low murmured conversation. She didn’t understand the language. Another few seconds of silence were followed by more pounding of feet on the ship’s floor boards. This time they were headed toward the door that led below deck.
She heard heavy boots on the ladder.
They were coming for her.
She tried to back up against the side of the boat, but she was as close to it as possible. She inhaled and brought her arms and legs closer in an attempt to make herself smaller. The footsteps were near. Boxes were thrown out of the way and then hands were reaching for her.
They grabbed her hair.
She was yanked upright.
The man holding her had an ugly smirk on his face. “You cannot hide from us.”
He clutched her arm and pushed her ahead of him, forcing her up the stairs. The bright sunshine brought tears to her eyes and she had to blink until she could adjust to the light. What she saw sent her heart beating at a furious pace.
The captain was wounded and lying face down on the deck.
Eogan was on his knees and his hands were bound behind his back.
“Bring her here.” A heavy-set man in military uniform barked. He wore the insignia of colonel and a tag with the name Schneider.
Hester was pushed until she stood in front of the man. He had short gray hair, and beady eyes, which bore into her. She forced herself to stand tall, and straightened her shoulders. She wasn’t going to let this man intimidate her.
“You’ve led us on a merry chase.” The man’s voice was deep and threatening. “I’ve lost good men because of you.”
Confusion filled her as she looked from the man speaking to her, and then to Eogan. Eogan’s face was impassive, his eyes downcast as if he were contemplating the boat deck. Beside him, the captain was moaning and holding his leg. The man who had brought her above grasped her arm and pulled her toward the edge.
“Where she goes, I go.” Eogan’s voice was a low threat.
The man in charge looked at him and laughed. “Do you honestly think you’re in a position to stop us?”
“Yes.”
A chill went through Hester. Instinctively, she knew that Eogan was going to kill all of them. She steadied her breathing and tensed her muscles in preparation. After seeing him in action, she had no doubt that he would defeat these men. The man in charge must have sensed the same thing.
Colonel Schneider grasped her close and put a pistol to her throat. “Alright, big guy. When you’re screaming for freedom, don’t forget that I was willing to let you go.”
“It will not come to that.” Eogan stood. “If you harm her, I will rip you apart with my bare hands.”
The colonel smirked. “Big words for a man in restraints. Because you’re so eager you can go first.”
Eogan walked by them.
The colonel brought the butt of his pistol down on Eogan’s head, sending him sprawling across the deck. “Pick him up, boys, and thr
ow him into the hold.”
Hester opened her mouth to speak, but the colonel tightened his fingers around her neck. “One word out of you, missy, and you’ll be shark bait. I don’t care what the brass say they want. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
He loosened his grip, and she took a shaky breath. She didn’t know what these people wanted with her. She was an archaeologist, not a terrorist, yet she was being treated like a criminal. She was taken off the boat and hauled into the larger ship that had stopped them. It was equipped with guns mounted on its sides and top.
They’d sent the heavy artillery for her.
She’d never been a threat to anyone.
She didn’t have a clue as to what she could have possibly done to make these people so angry. She’d have to wait to get an explanation. They threw her into the hole beside Eogan. He was sprawled out on his stomach in the corner.
He’d risked his life to be with her. No man had ever noticed her enough to help her. Gratitude and the warm glow of love burst inside of her. She’d probably regret giving her heart away so quickly, yet there was no denying that she was falling in love with Eogan. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man.
He was protective, honorable, sincere, and most of all, he’d proven that he wanted to be with her. There were no recriminations or judgements from Eogan. Instead, he’d risked his life again to be with her. She’d been a fool to get herself into this situation, and she didn’t even know what she was involved in.
She rushed to his side and checked the back of his head, before untying his hands.
He groaned.
“Can you hear me?” She tried to turn him over so she could see his face. He was like a lead weight. “How much do you weigh?”
“Enough.” Eogan moaned and turned onto his back. He brought a hand up to his head and winced. “I should not have angered him, but there was no other way to stay with you. There were too many weapons aimed at the boat for me to risk attacking them. You might have been hurt.”
She sat back on the floor. “I don’t understand why they want me. It was you they were following.”
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