aHunter4Ever

by Cynthia Clement

  She didn’t believe that they were aliens. She refused to give credence to such a ludicrous story, but whatever agency they worked for, she didn’t trust them. She stood and was about to head off in the direction that Partlan had taken, when he returned.

  “I have found a way to escape.” Partlan pointed down the corridor. “We must hurry.”

  “Will they be able to follow us?” Grace jogged beside him.

  “There is only one camera and I have already redirected it. We will not be seen. Once we are in place, they will not be able to follow us.”

  “What did you find?” Grace stumbled.

  “The door is up ahead.” Partlan offered her a hand. “You will be able to rest soon.”

  True to his word, there was an exit a hundred feet down the corridor. Partlan motioned her to stop while he opened the door a crack. He surveyed the area and then reached for her arm. The door opened into another hallway. There was an incline that leveled off at the top.

  “Stay close to the wall. We will duck under the camera and make our way up the ramp.”

  Grace glanced in the direction that Partlan wanted her to go and nodded. Dodging surveillance was their best option. She followed close behind, stopping when he did, and moving when he motioned her. They made it up the ramp area and into a loading zone. He kept them close to the wall.

  “We will leave the hospital on one of the vehicles picking up from here.”

  “Don’t you mean deliveries?”

  “They do not drop off here.” Partlan pointed to a row of long boxes against the wall. The boxes were black and rested on a type of wheeled cart. “There are no cameras.”

  They edged over to where three cases were lined up together.

  A shiver raced up Grace’s spine as a premonition of Partlan’s plan took hold in her brain.

  “What’s in there?” She fought to control the tremor in her voice. She was a federal agent, a woman in charge, not someone who was ruled by their fears. She shut her eyes for a brief second while Partlan lifted the lid and then she looked down.

  The body of an elderly man wrapped in a sheet stared back at her.

  “We can get into the containers and wait.” He was matter of fact.

  “You want me to hide in a coffin with a dead body?” Her voice vibrated with terror.

  Memories of a dark, airless prison rushed at her. Her heart raced. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she inhaled a shaky breath as she fought for control. She’d pushed the horrible experiences from her mind and vowed never to be that helpless again. It didn’t matter that her life was in jeopardy or that she was an adult. Some things never left you.

  “I can’t do it.”

  Chapter 7

  Terror shone from her eyes.

  Partlan sensed she was paralyzed by it.

  He couldn’t let the fear overwhelm her, so he opened the container next to them and carried the body of the old man to it. That left the box in front of them empty. He motioned for her to get in. A shudder went through Agent Kelly’s body. Partlan did not want to cause her discomfort, but they had men pursuing them and time was running out.

  “Is there no other way?” Her voice shook.

  “I looked outside and there is no vehicle that we can hide in. This is our best chance to escape this place unseen.”

  Partlan took her arm and coaxed her toward the container. He needed to find a way to convince her to push past her fear. The threat of the Albireons was more serious than being captured by the FBI. He could escape from law enforcement, but he was not sure what power the Albireons had on this planet.

  “Once we are free, I will go wherever you want me to.” His words were a promise.

  “You won’t break your word?” Agent Kelly lifted one trembling leg into the box.

  “A Hunter’s word is a vow.”

  “And you never break your oath, right? Because other men do.” Her hand gripped the edge of the coffin.

  “I am not like other men.”

  “I swore I would never rely on another man.” She bit her lower lip and then took a deep breath. “Don’t make me regret trusting you.”

  She climbed into the container and then looked back up at him. “I’m afraid of the dark.” Her voice was a low plea.

  Partlan’s chest tightened at her entreaty. Her fear was real and he couldn’t ignore it. If all she needed from him was reassurance, then he would give her what she wanted. He pulled her gun out of his waistband and placed it in her hands. He hid the broom he carried in the other box and then checked that everything was in place before he climbed in.

  “You will not be alone.” His voice was soft with reassurance. “If you get overwhelmed and need to leave, I can get us out of here.”

  He closed the lid and then twisted his large body so he lay beside her. She pushed over to the side and he gathered her closer to him. She was shivering uncontrollably. He rubbed a hand over her back and moved his leg so she could rest on top of him. He sent her calm and soothing energy. Her heart beat and breathing slowed and after a few minutes her shivers stopped.

  “How long do we have to be here?”

  “As long as it takes. Remember, you are not trapped. Relax.”

  “How can it not affect you?” Her whisper was filled with reproach.

  “I have been trained since I was a baby to deal with fear and pain.”

  “Nobody trains a baby.”

  “When I started to walk, that is when the training began.”

  Partlan’s voice was devoid of emotion. His life and training were not something he reflected on. He accepted that his breeding meant that he was destined to fight and die. He did not question the method or the means. He did what was necessary to survive and at this moment, he needed to keep Agent Kelly safe.

  The Albireons might have come for him, but they would not rest until they had captured both of them. He understood how their minds worked. Agent Kelly had refused to hand him over. She had stood in their way and they would never forget that. They sought complete control, even if they disguised it as assistance. Once Agent Kelly had questioned their authority, her fate had been sealed. She might not know it, but she was in the same danger he was, perhaps worse.

  A Hunter was of use to Albireons.

  A human was dispensable.

  His arm tightened about her. He had to protect her, no matter what the cost. She was his pair bond. If he had any doubts, just holding her near, dispelled them. He was complete and at peace. There would be no greater joy than being able to be by her side for the rest of his life.

  He had seen the look of adoration in the eyes of Ardal, his leader, when he looked at Fiona, his mate. Niail and Catal both gazed on their mates in the same way. Now he understood. It was more than just the physical reaction of having her near. It was a complete connection on every level.

  Her essence surrounded and embraced him.

  He desired to know everything about her.

  “Your fear is easing.” Partlan kept his voice low.

  “Yes.” Agent Kelly cleared her throat. “My brother locked me in the closet when I was a young girl. He was supposed to babysit me and he left me there during the day when my mother was working.”

  “So now you avoid small spaces.”

  “And the dark.” She heaved a sigh. “I spent hours in the dark and you would have thought I’d be able to conquer the fear, but it only made it more intense. So much for being in charge of my life.”

  “Why do you need to be in control?”

  “I’m a federal agent. Fear will hinder me.”

  “Perhaps, but I am here now. I will make certain that nothing happens to you.”

  “Men never stay.” He had to strain his ears to hear her words. “That’s why I need to take care of myself. When we are away from these guys, I’m taking you into headquarters.”

  “A Hunter’s bond is never broken.” Partlan’s voice cracked. “I will do anything to protect you.”

  “Men leave as soon as they have
what they want.” Agent Kelly shifted her body. “I have the scars to prove it.”

  “They hurt you?” Partlan’s chest tightened. “Where?”

  “My scars are psychological, not physical.” She cleared her throat. “My brother locked me in cupboards. My father left when I was seven and even though I begged him to take me, he refused.”

  Her voice faltered and for several minutes there was silence.

  “In school, I fell in love with a football player. We made love and he promised me forever. Instead, the guy broadcast it to his teammates and they harassed me all through high school. I had to live with my shame until I was old enough to move away to college.”

  “They had no honor.” His outrage filled the small space. “On my planet, they would have been killed for such actions.”

  “They were boys.” Her tone was dismissive. “You would think I’d learn after all of those failures, but I still believed in true love and happily ever after. I even went so far as to get engaged.”

  “You were mated?”

  “Almost. He ran out the day of the wedding and left me with all of the bills.”

  “So you do not believe a man can be honorable.”

  “I haven’t met one who is.” Her voice was derisive. “I’m a survivor and it made me tough. That’s why I joined the FBI. I have a career and that’s all I need. I take care of myself.”

  “I will never fail you.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Agent Kelly’s tone warned that it was impossible to change her mind. Partlan sensed the pain and degradation she had suffered at the hands of men and he wanted to take that from her. That was why he had been chosen to be pair bonded with her. She needed a man who lived with honor and understood commitment.

  “I do have one question.” Partlan’s tone was tentative. “I have not known you for long, but would it be disrespectful to ask you what your name is? I cannot continue to call you Agent Kelly.”

  She chuckled beside him. It was a low rumble that set her body moving. “It’s Grace. I don’t want any jokes about that, though.”

  “What is funny about Grace? It is a beautiful name.”

  “Grace Kelly.” Her tone was wry. “My father picked the name and I’m certain he did it for a joke.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “The actress who married a Prince?”

  Partlan shook his head. “I am new here.”

  She moved up on her elbow. In the darkened space, she was no more than a shadow above him. “You honestly don’t know?”

  “No.”

  She moved back down on her side. “That’s good.” She snuggled close to him and within a few minutes her steady breathing let him know that she had fallen asleep.

  Grace.

  He repeated her name in his head. He like the way it sounded and how it fit with her looks and personality. She was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. Her light blonde hair and deep blue eyes were unknown on Cygnus. She was a creature of grace and beauty.

  She understood how to command.

  She was a true warrior.

  His heart swelled with pride as he thought of how lucky he was to have found her. She was a worthy pair bond. There was only one problem. She did not have all the facts about the Albireons. They were not to be trusted. The fact that they were able to move freely among the people on Earth suggested that they had been here for a while. They were a species that the Kaladin had worked hard to exterminate from their territories. Centuries of fighting had finally achieved peace, and the disappearance of the Albireons. His people did not care where they had gone. They were just grateful to have harmony in their outer territories.

  As a Hunter, that meant most of his time was spent in keeping peace nearer to home. Once he had joined Ardal’s unit, he had been stationed on Cygnus itself. As the elite team of Hunters that protected the high council, he had no longer been sent across the territories to control outbreaks. His experiences with Albireons had happened on his first campaigns, but he remembered them.

  They did not fight with honor.

  They used deception and lies.

  If they were on Earth, then this planet was at risk of being taken over by one of the most ruthless races in the universe. The resources of the world would be stripped. That was always the first step in their planned annihilation of a planet. Usually, the Albireons were able to convince a select few to agree to this strategy, with the understanding that there was a profit to be made. Then, when it was least expected, the indigenous species would be wiped out.

  Albireons profited by gene harvesting.

  When they had finished collecting genes from a species, they no longer needed them. Genetic recombination and gene splicing ensured that they could create new species that could be sold as slaves or workers to other planets. This is how the Albireons thrived. This is what made them a universal scourge. The Kaladin’s had outlawed the selling of genomes, but since the civil revolution on his home planet of Cygnus, the Holman had made overtures to the Albireons.

  It was only a matter of time before they were allowed back into Partlan’s home galaxy.

  He had to alert the other Hunters.

  He sent out a mind connection to Ardal. “I have left the hospital. Do not let any of the brothers near. Albireons are searching for me.”

  Ardal answered. “I’ll alert the team I sent to rescue you. Find your way back to the nearest safe house. You must not be captured.”

  “Understood.”

  It was better if the Albireons only knew about one Hunter being on the planet. He could not risk any of the others being found. He shifted in the small box and stretched his shoulders. Grace wanted to take him to the FBI headquarters because she thought that was safest. He would obey her, because he had promised. Afterwards, he would arrange for their safe conduct to the nearest Hunter team.

  If she refused to listen to his advice, then he would have to convince her to come with him. As horrible as it was to think of disobeying a woman, he could not leave her to die at the hands of the Albireons. He would rather die himself than allow anything to happen to her.

  Just then a loud bang sounded outside their container.

  A door had slammed against the wall.

  Grace jumped in his arms. “Someone is outside.”

  “It is best if we remain quiet.” Partlan’s voice was a low whisper.

  Footsteps sounded near them.

  The low murmur of voices came next.

  Partlan eased his breathing and heartbeat. If the container was opened, he wanted to be prepared. He took Grace’s gun and cocked and aimed it in readiness. He slid his other arm away from Grace and prepared himself to attack. He positioned his left leg so that it could propel his body upwards if necessary.

  The footsteps stopped beside them.

  Grace exhaled a soft breath that brushed across his cheek. His muscles tensed. There was a sharp jarring against the outside of the container. Partlan could feel the side of the box indent against him. It was a hand.

  “Are these the ones slated to be moved to the Memories Funeral Home?” A stranger’s voice boomed out.

  “Best check them first.”

  Chapter 8

  A shuffle of feet approached them.

  Something pushed down on the lid.

  Partlan aimed the gun so that he would be ready to shoot once the lid was opened. Grace’s body tensed beside his and her fingers tightening on his shirt. Her breathing slowed and he knew she was readying herself for a battle also. Both of them were focused on preventing their capture.

  “Looks like the right label.” The voice was above them. “No need to look inside.”

  “Good. I hate dead bodies.”

  “You’re in the wrong line of business then.”

  “It pays the bills.” The depression on the top of the box disappeared. “Let’s move them.”

  Partlan exhaled the breath he’d been holding. Grace released his shirt and sagged back against his side. There was a jo
lting of the box and then it was being rolled along the floor. The clanging of squeaky metal wheels against the tile was in stark contrast to the muted breathing inside the casket. They were jostled over a ramp and then pushed against a barrier with such force they rocked back and forth before settling upright.

  “We are in a vehicle.” Partlan kept his voice low.

  “On our way to the funeral home.” Her words were tinted with sarcasm. “This is not how I wanted to go to a mortuary.”

  “Is there a good way to go there?” Partlan’s tone was dry.

  Grace choked back a laugh. “I think that’s the first humorous thing I’ve heard you say.”

  “There has been little reason for levity.”

  “And you think on our way to a cemetery in a box reserved for the dead, is the right time?”

  “It has made you forget our predicament.”

  “I suppose.” Grace sighed. “I wish I had another phone.”

  “It is too easy to track us.”

  “What’s the plan once we’ve been dropped off?”

  “My orders are to find the nearest team.” Partlan kept his tone neutral. “I have warned away any reinforcements because of the Albireons.”

  “Is your team close to the FBI headquarters?”

  “No.”

  “Then it’s a no-go. You said that you would follow me to headquarters. I think the FBI is the safest way to protect you. After that, we can see what happens. What I need to know is if you’ve considered what we do when this vehicle stops?”

  Partlan fought back his objection. Every instinct in him knew that going to the Federal Headquarters was wrong. It was dangerous. They already knew that he had been detained by the FBI and they would be certain to watch the building. He had given his word, and he would not disappoint her. As long as there was no immediate threat at her office, then he would lead her there.