Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)

by Stephanie West

  “Sorry. I was calling all the Toufik together.” Sundara cast her a sheepish smile.

  The Toufik took off without warning. Riley gripped Fire’s neck tighter, as he swiftly moved between the buildings. Other Toufik started spilling into the walk from every direction. Once Fire hit the edge of the compound, he picked up speed.

  “Giselle wasn’t kidding.” Riley smiled as the wind whipped in her face. The Toufik could run fast.

  The Toufik fanned out, melting into the cane fields that still stood unharvested. Fire covered the distance at a break neck pace, and soon emerged at the edge of the jungle. Riley watched Toufik dart across the road that separated the field from the forest. They were practically a blur.

  Riley was stunned when they entered the jungle. She knew other Toufik were nearby, but she didn’t see a single one, or even hear rustling foliage to indicate their presence. They were stealthy hunters. She was starting to understand the admiration Giselle expressed.

  When they reached a river, Fire ambled up a vine hanging from a nearby tree.

  “Oh Jesus.” Riley would’ve made the sign of the cross if she had a free hand.

  Riley took a deep breath as Fire swung on the vine, then leapt into the air. He gripped her clasped hands, while catching the next vine one-handed.

  “Holy shit,” Riley panted.

  This was a crazier ride than any roller coaster she’d been on. Riley sighed when Fire finally reached the opposite bank. He swiftly descended and began running again toward the peak. They ran for several minutes then Fire stopped and sniffed the air, before continuing.

  “You found them, didn’t you?”

  Riley zipped her lips shut when he nodded, so she didn’t foolishly betray their position.

  Fire slowed his stride after another minute. Rather than set her down, he climbed a nearby tree, then pointed. Riley peered through the canopy. There was a clearing up ahead, with a small vessel and three Jurou Biljana. Riley watched in awe as the hairy Toufik started to creep out of the jungle on the far side of the reptile’s small cruiser. She smiled wide. The reptiles would never see them coming.

  Good.

  Cyprian de Praefectus

  “Can someone explain to me how we ended up hiding in a warehouse with our mates on the opposite side of the courtyard?” Madhava snarled as he wore a path in the warehouse floor.

  “They’re safer without us. Damn, I never thought I’d say those words,” Kagan grimaced.

  Cyprian understood what his friends were suffering. Keeping far away from Riley while they were under attack went against every instinct he had. It felt cowardly, to let the females fend for themselves. But it was the best option, particularly once their disguises ceased to keep the orbs at bay.

  Giselle relayed the warning that the orbs could also use sound and scent to recognize its targets, when she checked in with Kagan. The info undoubtedly came from Riley. Unfortunately, the reminder came a bit late. They’d witnessed the vile little sphere’s versatility as they aided the last of the regents.

  Cyprian glanced over at Tytus. The warrior was seated on a sack of dulcis, pressing a tablecloth against his bloody thigh. Despite having his head covered, an orb targeted him as they made their retreat.

  “Sorry my friend. I forgot all the nasty features those things possess. How is it?”

  “It’s just a graze. I’ll heal,” Tytus replied. “I got word from Aculus. He’s with Stigand, several regents and their families. There’s some pretty bad casualties in their building.”

  Cyprian looked around the warehouse at the handful of injured among them. The quiet sobbing from one female, as she and a few others tended to her mate, made him cringe. Not everyone had been as lucky as Tytus.

  Cyprian glanced to where Feroze lay in a heap on the floor. He smiled as he recalled the sound of Kagan knocking the pathetic male out. When this was over, the traitor’s life was forfeit. Cyprian strode over to his Daimio.

  “My promise to question that piece of shit still stands.”

  They needed to know everything the male conspired with the Jurou Biljana. Cyprian still couldn’t abide by his family’s trade, but he found there were things he valued enough to face that side of himself.

  “Thank you.” Kagan clapped him on the shoulder. “First, we have to figure out a way to stop this weapon.”

  Cyprian had been turning that problem around in his mind since this fiasco began. Unfortunately, locating and taking out the Jurou Biljana was a little difficult with those orbs pinning them in.

  Abruptly all the Toufik in the warehouse perked up. Cyprian heard a faint whistle outside. The hairy people started heading for the door in response to the call. Something was going on.

  Kagan glanced at a message on his handheld and chuckled.

  “What is it?” Cyprian asked.

  “Metcor is leading his clan on a lizard hunt.”

  A broad smile split Cyprian’s face.

  “Didn’t you say we needed a controller to stop those things?” Kagan asked.

  “Yes.”

  “There’s a controller. Your people need to bring it back here” Kagan said, after stopping one of the Toufik. “Between Cyprian and Tytus we should be able to shut it down.”

  The hairy, black male nodded before exiting with his clan. Cyprian glanced toward the door, then to the casualties inside the warehouse. It would take time for the Toufik to hunt down the Jurou Biljana and bring back the weapon. That was time the injured didn’t have. A reckless plan surfaced, but the general could see no way around it.

  Cyprian waited for his fellow warriors to become engrossed in their discussion about what to do next, then casually worked his way through the crowded warehouse, toward the door at the rear. Cyprian covered his head and slipped outside, before his friends noticed. If Kagan gave him a direct order to stop, the general would be honor bound to follow it. He was the only one who had hope of stopping that damn weapon. And he just might lead the orbs away, allowing the others to get help for the injured sooner.

  Cyprian didn’t bother to look for the spheres, he instead took off down the alley, weaving between the handful of one-story buildings. Cyprian darted in an erratic pattern, while tracking the Toufik. The trio of blasts behind him, assured Cyprian, his presence hadn’t gone unnoticed by the flying menaces. It encouraged him to pick up the pace.

  The general stopped as he sprinted between two buildings. The scent of Riley struck him hard. She had to be in one of the nearby warehouses. Cyprian then noticed the tail end of the Toufik search party, creeping into the cane field. It was hard to press on without looking in on Riley, but he knew it wouldn’t be a smart idea.

  Cyprian wasn’t a shabby tracker, but the Toufik were exceptional hunters. With so many of the hairy warriors working together, they’d locate the Jurou Biljana in no time. Although Cyprian didn’t want to lose sight of the Toufik, he also didn’t want to risk them being injured by the things hunting him, so he followed at a safe distance.

  Cyprian got a reprieve from the pursuing orbs, when he raced into the towering dulcis field. Cyprian stilled as one of the spheres darted overhead. They were roaming the sky, waiting for him to reemerge. He was careful not to rustle the cane too much as he sprinted between the rows.

  Cyprian came to a halt when he reached the edge of the cane field. The road that lay between him and the jungle offered no cover. He looked up, searching for his automated foes. Seeing they were still panning the cane field, Cyprian took a deep breath, and made a dash toward the shelter of the jungle. Dirt sprayed in every direction, spurring him across the road. As Cyprian hit the tree line, a searing pain struck his bicep. He pressed on, refusing to take time to examine the wound.

  The jungle offered less cover than the cane field, but the large trees shielded him, and slowed the orbs giving chase. Cyprian was grateful when he reached the river. He dove into the churning torrent just as the tree nearby exploded, sending bark splintering. The cold water felt good, cooling his heated skin as he desce
nded beneath the current. Cyprian let himself get tugged down river. It would hopefully slow the orbs hot on his tail.

  Riley

  Riley stared through the foliage watching the scaly reptiles. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but based on the way one stabbed a finger at the weapon’s console, while another pulled his gun, it was clear they were agitated.

  “The orbs must be equipped with cameras. Do you think they saw us coming?” Riley whispered to Fire.

  Fire pointed to the sky then shook his head.

  Riley watched with anticipation. The Jurou Biljana were so engrossed in their argument and watching the controller, they didn’t realize danger was already at their door. She smiled wide, relishing the sight of the Jurou Biljana’s surprise when over a dozen Toufik swarmed them. Countless more Toufik emerged from the forest, and descended on the reptiles. There were several flashes of return fire, but three Jurou Biljana were no match for so many Toufik. The hairy people really didn’t need the weapons they armed themselves with. Their sheer numbers had been more than efficient.

  Fire descended to the ground with Riley on his back, then led her into the clearing. She nodded to Sundara and Metcor when they joined them.

  “How are you doing?” Sundara asked as the hairy men escorted them.

  “I think I’d like to walk back.”

  Sundara laughed.

  Riley was relieved the Toufik had removed the dead reptiles. Based on the bloodstain in the grass, their death had been rather unpleasant. Riley approached the weapon console that reminded her of a laptop. The split screens showed the orbs darting around the jungle.

  I was right. Somehow those things followed us. It’s time to remember that damn phrase.

  Riley closed her eyes, and tried to remember what she found so amusing about the phrase that stopped the orbs. The foreign words hadn’t translated, but they almost sounded like something in English.

  It was something juvenile. Come on, what was it? Riley mentally repeated the cadence she could remember, hoping the associated words would roll off the tip of her tongue.

  Riley opened her eyes in frustration. She stared at the controller, wondering if she could somehow reprogram it instead. The console was a touch screen with an unrecognizable language scrolling in a column on the left. There weren’t any buttons she could press.

  “Maybe we should’ve brought June along,” she muttered.

  Something flashed on the screen capturing Riley’s attention. A swath of red, darted through the trees onscreen, barely avoiding a blast. She heard the same blast in the forest not far away. Riley’s breath caught in her throat when she recognized the Cadi evading the pursuing spheres.

  “Oh, Jesus. Cyprian, run!”

  Riley almost vomited when one of the blasts nearly took off his head. Her head spun right, as Cyprian broke into the clearing at a dead run. Cyprian came to an abrupt halt, his eyes widening when he saw Riley.

  “Little Manx?”

  An iridescent flicker over his shoulder caught Riley’s eye.

  “Duck.”

  The frantic word barely spilled from her lips before a flash burst from the center of the orb. Cyprian hit the ground and rolled, missing a direct strike. Metcor grabbed Sundara and took off for safety, while the other Toufik backed away from the swarming spheres.

  “What are you doing here, Little Manx?” the general yelled as he dodged another blast.

  “Bird watching. What the hell do you think I’m doing here? Can you remember the kill phrase?”

  Cyprian dipped under the reptile’s cruiser to avoid the orbs.

  “There’s a kill phrase?”

  “Yes. Don’t you remember? You can’t just blast the controller,” Riley hollered in agitation, as Cyprian emerged from beneath the belly of the craft.

  “I was a bit busy listening to Mave and Jyk plan an assassination, while your little tail squirmed on my lap. Not to mention the explosion and abduction that followed,” he snapped in agitation.

  Good point. The Verrater rambling on about the weapon wasn’t the most memorable thing that happened that afternoon. The blast that followed the demonstration had scrambled her brains too.

  “It was something funny. What was it? I’ve got the humor of a fourteen-year-old boy. What could it have possibly been. And why does Tony the Tiger from the Frosted Flakes’ box keep coming to mind?” Riley rambled as she frantically looked from Cyprian to the controller.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Hush. Let me think. Just keep from getting shot.”

  “Well hurry it up,” he yelled while avoiding a blast that ricocheted off the hull of the ship.

  “Not helping. They’re grrrreat,” Riley repeated the familiar slogan hoping to shake something loose in her head. “What’s great? Ca, co, they’re grrreat.” It was at the tip of her tongue. Riley’s eyes widened. “Oh, son of a bitch. I’ve got a major mental problem,” she mumbled as she suddenly recalled what the kill phrase sounded like. “Cocks are sure great!” Riley hollered at the console.

  “Seriously Riley?” Cyprian yelled, while attempting to open the cruiser door, only to be forced back under the ship again.

  “Don’t give me any shit. That’s what it sounded like.”

  “Well they’re still after me.”

  “I know!” Riley threw her hands into the air. “Cocks are sure great. Not the great part. Cocks... No not quite cocks.”

  Riley closed her eyes and summoned up the image of the Verrater speaking. She attempted to strip away everything but what he said.

  “Riley!”

  Riley’s eyes popped open and she stared at Cyprian as he played a game of cat and mouse, using the cruiser as cover. His arm was bleeding, and so was his thigh. He was drenched and not just from sweat. The general was avoiding the orbs, but just barely.

  “Cosck a sure,” the phrase burst from her lips.

  A whirring sound came at her from every direction. A second later Riley found herself knocked out of the way with Cyprian pinning her to the ground.

  “Keep your head hidden,” the general growled. “I don’t know what you did, but they’re all headed this way.”

  Riley was so certain she got it right.

  Riley stared at Cyprian, as his large body pressed against hers, waiting for the blast that would end them both. If she had to go, this was the way she wanted it to end. But no searing blast struck them. Cyprian turned his head and started to laugh.

  “What?”

  “They’re hovering in front of the controller. You did it, Little Manx”

  The way Cyprian’s chest rumbled when he spoke, tickled her breasts, making her sensitive nipples tighten into hard little points. The gnawing desire from Cyprian’s bite instantly flared to life. The feeling only intensified when he turned to face her again. A broad smile, dimple and all, stretched across his handsome face.

  Riley licked her dry lips. Cyprian suddenly got very serious and still. His coal black eyes followed her gesture.

  “No,” Riley cried as his mouth descended.

  She shoved at Cyprian’s chest. The general snarled but rolled off her. Riley jumped up brushing grass off her ruined dress. She took several steps back and just stared at Cyprian. He stared back at her, his jaw tense.

  Before either of them could say a word, there was a rumble at the edge of the clearing as a hovercraft emerged from the jungle. When it slowed Riley saw Aculus was at the helm. Riley was grateful for the reprieve.

  “I came to help. Your leader was concerned you were martyring yourself. I’m glad to see you got everything under control,” Aculus said as he descended the vehicle. “I didn’t realize you were here, Riley. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” Riley smiled, appreciating his concern.

  “I could use some help securing the weapons,” Cyprian gruffly interjected, pointing to the floating orbs.

  “Alright. Can you pilot the Jurou Biljana cruiser back to the estate?”

  Cyprian nodded. He strode t
oward Riley, as Aculus started packing up the killer spheres.

  “Don’t.” Riley attempted to halt the general.

  Riley looked around and saw Sundara. She started heading toward her friend, but Cyprian followed.

  “Dammit, Riley, you are mine. When we get back, you’re going to let me explain everything that happened on this blasted mission. And goddess help me, no other disasters will occur to interrupt us,” Cyprian rumbled in frustration.

  “Yours?” Riley shook her head, her eyes blurring as she glanced back at him.

  “Yes, mine.”

  Riley heard what he said. He did what he had to do. She wasn’t about to trap him in some fraudulent relationship because his damn duty drove him to bite her. What more was there to discuss?

  “I gotta get out of here. Sundara, do you think Fire can take me back, please?”

  “I can take you back on the rota Aculus brought,” Sundara said as she looked from Riley to Cyprian, concern twisting her face.

  “Son of a metcor. Riley!” Riley heard Cyprian snarl as she hopped up onto the hovercraft.

  She knew she was being a coward, as Sundara piloted the vehicle away, but she couldn’t face this new twist her life had taken. Running head long into danger was preferable.

  Chapter 18. Twice Bitten

  Cyprian de Praefectus

  Cyprian was greeted by Tytus and Kagan when he landed and descended from the Jurou Biljana cruiser.

  “I’m glad to see your head is still attached to your shoulders,” Kagan clapped Cyprian happily on the back.

  “Aculus has the weapon’s case.” Cyprian nodded to the bony warrior behind him. “Did Riley make it back safe?” Cyprian eagerly looked up the hill toward the villa.

  “Yes. The females are washing up after the debacle,” Tytus replied.

  Cyprian started up the hill, but Kagan stopped him.

  “Give her a minute. She looked upset.”

  Cyprian eyed his Daimio. Waiting to talk to Riley was what led to this disaster.

  “Help us salvage last meal. If she doesn’t come down, go find her,” Kagan suggested.