aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire)

by Clement, Cynthia

“Is that safe?”

  “They will be looking for three men and a woman. You will be recognized. ” Ardal cleared his throat. “Also, you are a distraction.”

  “You mean because I can’t make up my mind.”

  Ardal looked at Jehon and then back to her. “You are a woman and that makes it difficult for us to focus.”

  “You said you weren’t affected by that kind of stuff.”

  “Our implants are deactivated.” Jehon spoke in a tight voice. He held a knife that he was heating in the fire. “We are as normal men now.”

  “And that bothers you?”

  “It is not something we have dealt with in the past.” Ardal nodded to Jehon. “We need to focus on fitting into this world.”

  So there it was. Fiona heaved a sigh and blew the hair from her face. “Drop me off at the nearest town. I’ll get a bus.”

  “No.” Ardal held his left arm out to Jehon. “You and I will travel together.”

  Fiona frowned as she watched Jehon bring the heated knife to Ardal’s skin. “What the heck are you doing?”

  “Removing the implant.” Jehon felt Ardal’s forearm with a finger and then plunged the knife in.

  Ardal’s jaw tightened but no sound escaped him. Was the man made of stone? Just as the thought raced through her mind, he looked at her. She saw the fire and pain in his eyes and gasped. He knew what she was thinking. His gaze was fixed on her so that she was the only one who could see his suffering.

  She bit her lip and forced back the nausea. His distress was hers. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. How could he stand the burning, searing probe of the knife? Just when she was going to shout for Jehon to stop, he pulled the knife out. A small metal object came away with the blade. Ardal released the breath he’d been holding.

  “Are you insane?” Fiona’s voice shook with shock. “A doctor should have taken that out.”

  “There is no time.” Ardal pressed his hand against the wound. “We cannot risk the implant being activated.”

  Fiona scrambled to his side. She ripped a strip off her shirt and pressed it against the wound. “Someone get my bag.”

  Firbin ran back to the cave and returned a minute later. He threw the bag over to her and she rummaged in it until she found a small first aid kit. She found the antibacterial lotion and a bandage. “It needs a stitch.”

  “It will heal.”

  She shook her head and went to cleaning and closing the wound as best she could. “Are you all going to do this?”

  “Yes.”

  “At least I’ll be prepared.”

  She looked into Ardal’s dark eyes. She saw understanding and gratitude there. A surge of warmth flowed through her and centered in her heart. This man affected her in a way that she had never experienced before. She exhaled a shaky breath and forced her gaze away.

  When Jehon went to use the knife on Firbin, she intervened. Despite their skill, her medical training gave her an edge. She found the implant and with deft assurance sliced and removed it with half the damage Jehon had inflicted on Ardal. She did Jehon next. When both of the men were bandaged she put the knife back in the fire along with the implants.

  “Are you safe now?”

  “The Holman will not be able to track us.” Ardal pulled on his hoodie. “If they learn that the ship crashed, they might search for survivors. It is best they think us dead.”

  “What about the others?” Fiona pulled the knife from the fire and brushed the charcoal on her jeans. “Won’t they be at risk, too?”

  “They know to remove the implants.” Ardal picked up the small baggie that had held the first aid kit. He filled it up with water and splashed it on the fire.

  Fiona opened her mouth to ask how when she was caught by Ardal’s glance. It was intense and warning. She shrugged. It was no big secret. These guys had a hidden communication system like mobile phones. She frowned. That didn’t make sense though. Phones required a cellular system to work off. Perhaps they’d tapped into one of the cell towers.

  “It’s not safe to use phones.” Fiona blurted the words before thinking. Ardal raised an eyebrow. “I just don’t want you guys caught. It’s my fault that all of this is happening.”

  “You did not cause us to crash.” It was Firbin who spoke in a low voice. “You have only tried to help.”

  “If I hadn’t insisted that we stop to eat, you’d be in Toronto right now.”

  “It is done.” Ardal’s voice was firm. “We must leave.”

  Just like that, the military leader was back. Fiona stood and watched the wheels of command take over. Any second now and she’d have expected the men to salute. He had an easy way of directing, though. Before long they had broken camp and were standing by the stolen car. Firbin seemed to hesitate when it came to separating.

  “It is for the best.” Ardal opened the SUV door. “You need to recover. Your skills are needed.”

  “I would risk it.”

  “I will not.” Ardal pushed the younger man into the vehicle. “That is why I am in command.”

  Firbin sighed. “Hunters true and right.”

  “By Cygnus and Warrior we will meet again.”

  No further words were spoken. The vehicle drove down the rough path to the highway. Within seconds it was out of sight. Silence surrounded them. Fiona rubbed her arms, trying to suppress the sense of isolation and loneliness that she felt.

  “I will not leave.” Ardal’s voice was quiet and sincere. “We need to move.”

  They had already cleaned the cave area and hidden the evidence of their campfire. Ardal carried a pack fashioned out of their blankets, which held most of their supplies. Fiona slung her backpack over her shoulder.

  As they left the area, Ardal took branches and covered their tracks. They avoided the soft ground and walked along the stony shoreline for at least two miles before cutting inland toward the highway. By the time they reached the road’s edge, it was well past noon.

  Fiona was exhausted and her feet hurt. At this rate, they’d be in Toronto next year. She groaned when Ardal moved back into the treeline. It made sense to stay hidden, but the land was harder to navigate and the branches had already cut her arms to pieces. She wasn’t even counting the number of mosquito and blackfly bites she had.

  Ardal stopped without warning. “You are tired. We will rest here.”

  Fiona tried to deny it, but her mouth refused to work. She sat down with a thud and pulled out her water bottle. “How long do we have to do this?”

  Ardal shrugged. “Until we are safe.”

  “How will you know?” She didn’t hide her sarcasm. “You’re not exactly familiar with how things work here.”

  “Staying hidden and on the move is the same no matter what planet you are on.” Ardal sat beside her. “Instinct and training will keep us alive.”

  “Have you done this for long?”

  “Since I could walk.” Ardal wet a small piece of cloth and held it to her neck. “This will cool you down. We will camp soon.”

  “Isn’t it a bit early?”

  Ardal looked up at the sun. “I want to travel at night.”

  Great. Fiona sighed. “You can see in the dark.”

  Ardal smiled. “This planet has given my senses an edge, but I do not have night vision. There are no clouds so this evening should be as bright as last night.”

  Fiona looked up. He was right about the clear sky. Still, night was cold and the animals were out then. A shiver of dread ran up her back. What if they came across a pack of wolves?

  “What are wolves?”

  Fiona’s head swung back to Ardal. “How did you do that?”

  “I did nothing.” Ardal’s eyes glanced away from her.

  Suddenly it was clear. These men had abilities that she could only guess at. She’d made the mistake of underestimating them. They looked human so she’d thought of them as being the same as her. That was obviously not the case.

  “You can hear our thoughts.” Fiona jumped up waving her hands
about her head. “No wonder you don’t need a phone. You have built in antennae just like the old movies of little green men from Mars.”

  Chapter 13

  Ardal considered not answering, but that was cowardly. He was a well-decorated warrior; an elite Hunter. He had no need to hide or pretend. His word was respected. Why then did he have a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach?

  Her voice reverberated in his head. He was experiencing every emotion she felt. Fear, anger, curiosity, and uncertainty all surged through Fiona. He did not understand some of her words, but the meaning was clear. She thought he had a mechanical instrument that allowed him to hear thoughts.

  “You are wrong.” Ardal kept his voice quiet. She was already overexcited. Calm and direct honesty was what she needed right now. “I am only beginning to understand your thoughts. I started sensing your emotions when I first saw you.”

  “Do you do this everywhere you go?”

  “No.” Ardal took her arm and eased her back down. “Since arriving on your planet we have been experiencing many strange things.”

  “How do I know that you’re telling me the truth?”

  “A Hunter does not lie.”

  “That’s part of your Sacred Code I suppose?” Fiona crossed her arms. “I knew you were keeping things from me.”

  “I have not told you any falsehoods.” Ardal leaned close. “My secrets will be yours.”

  This was not strictly true. He was forbidden from telling all. Even a commander such as himself could not reveal that he was able to communicate with his men by mind connection. No one other than a Hunter knew that.

  “How did you know that I was thinking about wolves?”

  “It is part of the bonding.” Ardal kept his voice devoid of emotion.

  Fiona’s eyes widened and she put up her hand defensively. “I don’t want any man hearing my thoughts.”

  “Then you can close them to me.” A sharp pain twisted in his chest at the thought of her denying him this most intimate of communication. Even if they never took the step that would make them mates, legend said that bonded pairs kept their channel of connection open.

  “You’re sure that I can do that?”

  “Positive.” Ardal cleared his throat. “You should know that it would make it impossible for me to know when you were in danger, though.”

  Fiona tilted her head. “Is that why you can connect to me? You’re worried about my safety?”

  “Yes. In our culture we have legends of two people connecting in such a way. We call it bonding. Up until we landed on your planet, I thought that it was a myth.”

  “So you’ve never experienced this before.”

  Ardal shook his head. “No.”

  “Do the others know what I think and feel?” Fiona’s hands flitted restlessly on her lap.

  Ardal shook his head. “It is only between the pair bond.”

  “I suppose it gives us an advantage. If I was in trouble then you’d know it.” Fiona hands twisted together. “Still, I don’t like it. I should have traveled alone.”

  “You helped us at great danger to yourself. You are my responsibility and I will protect you.”

  “I appreciate you trying.” Fiona raised her hand to his cheek and stroked down the stubble of his beard. Her fingers lingered at the corner of his mouth and she shook her head. He sensed that she was going to argue.

  He turned and kissed her fingers. A piercing bolt of desire raced through his body knocking the air from his lungs. Never had he experienced such a thing. Only Fiona’s sharply inhaled breath told him that she felt it too.

  “This is insane,” she whispered. “What was that?”

  “Our bond is strengthening.” Ardal’s voice was hoarse.

  Her touch had a power that he had never felt before. It was stronger than any natural force or weapon. Fiona’s tongue flicked over her lower lip and for the first time in his life he wondered how a woman would taste. Not just any woman, though. Fiona was the only one he wanted.

  He pulled her close and with his free hand brushed her hair from her face. By Cygnus, she was beautiful. He glanced down at her lips and was lost. Lowering his head, he captured her mouth. Thoughts scattered as sensation took over. His tongue glided over her lips. He licked and nibbled until she sighed and opened for him.

  He thrust into the warm, moist haven she offered. His body hardened and control was forgotten as he delved deeper, skimming his tongue against hers, soothing and sliding until bliss spread over him. A surge of longing and need shot through him and concentrated in his groin.

  Her scent filled his nostrils and the pounding of her heart was music to his ears. His hands roamed her back, but her shirt blocked a total bonding. With shaking fingers he pulled the cotton fabric from her jeans and then buried his hand beneath it. He connected with the silky smoothness of her skin and his body sizzled with intense yearning.

  Never had he felt such pleasure. It was overwhelming. Fiona seemed to be experiencing the same because her body moved against him with frantic impatience. Desire, hunger, concern, and reverence all battled inside of him. Fiona was his pair bond. She deserved better than a hurried mating. He had to end this now.

  A groan of conscious escaped him and he pulled away. He had to do what was best for Fiona. She needed time; time to trust him and time to commit to him. She looked up at him, her eyes glazed with passion. His breathing was too rapid to speak. He rested his forehead against hers and tried to recover. His body shook, his groin ached, and his brain refused to focus, but he had his answer.

  Fiona tasted of heaven.

  “Wow.” Fiona moved away.

  “I should not have touched you.”

  “It took me by surprise.” Fiona tucked her shirt back into her jeans.”

  “I believe it’s rare to have such a powerful connection.”

  “Good thing.” Fiona shook her head. “I’m not sure a person could handle that much intensity for long.”

  Ardal stood. He was acting like a raw recruit. He had allowed his attraction to Fiona override his judgement. His only excuse was a lack of experience with bonding. In the future, he would guard against temptation.

  “We need to move. Once you are safe, then the need to connect will not be so strong.”

  “That’s probably it.” Fiona seemed glad to accept his explanation. She jumped up and waited for him to lead the way.

  “You have not explained wolves.”

  “They’re animals, sort of like dogs. They hunt in packs and some people think that they will attack for no reason.”

  “Picture one in your head.”

  She looked at him blankly for a second and then nodded her head. She didn’t disappoint. Within seconds an image of an animal with long fur and brilliant eyes appeared in his mind. Soon there were others and they all moved together.

  “This creature will not be a problem.” Ardal started to walk. “I have seen similar beasts on other planets. Usually only hunger will bring them close.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Fiona muttered as she fell into step behind him.

  He kept to the woods, skirting close to the edge so that the highway was in site. He didn’t want to deviate too far from civilization. His goal was to commandeer a vehicle and finish the journey. He knew Fiona was unused to this much walking. Soon, she would be unable to move.

  Another mile later, they were rewarded by the appearance of a small gas station. It had a restaurant attached and Fiona looked at it with longing.

  “We might get help there.” Her voice was eager.

  “They will know we walked.” Ardal frowned. There did not seem to be any means of leaving the place either. Only one car stood in front of the building. “It will be noticed if we borrow that one.”

  “We’ll tell them that ours broke down.” Fiona was almost hopping with excitement. “They might know how we can get another, or if a bus stops nearby.”

  “What is a bus?”

  “A long vehicle that drives people to places fo
r money.” Fiona started to walk out of the woods. “They’re not the most comfortable, but it’s better than walking. I doubt the police will look for us in one.”

  Ardal could not deny her enthusiasm. Staying hidden was the safest route, but Fiona could not walk much further. It was against his training to risk being seen, but he needed to consider Fiona. If there was a problem, he would deal with it.

  He nodded. “Stay close to me,” he cautioned before starting across the highway.

  A bell jingled when they entered the restaurant. Ardal looked around the nearly deserted place. There were only four other people in the room. One was behind a counter and the other three were seated together at a table in the corner. He noticed the same sign as the other restaurant which had indicated a washroom. At least Fiona would not have to use a bush this time.

  “Sit where ever you want folks.” The man behind the counter pointed to the empty tables. “You’re lucky to beat the rush hour.”

  The other people started to laugh. He walked to a table near the far end. He sat with his back against the wall. Fiona started to follow him but changed her mind when she saw the washroom sign. He hid his smile. It was a simple thing, yet he knew that she was pleased.

  Ardal’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the three diners who were men, watching Fiona walk away. Their eyes followed her every move and he could sense that it made her uncomfortable. He clenched his hands. It was wrong that she felt threatened by these strangers.

  The man from the counter came over with glasses of water and menus. “You folks traveling far?”

  Ardal nodded and reached for the menu. “Our vehicle broke down a few miles back.”

  “That explains the little lady’s forlorn look.” The man shook his head. “The sooner she rests, the better it’ll be for you.”

  The men from the other table started laughing. Ardal frowned. He glanced at them. They grinned back and nodded. One of them raised a glass in his direction.

  “No sense in angering them unnecessarily.”

  “Speak for yourself.” A second man poked the first. “A bit of spark and fury makes for a more interesting life.”

  The first man started laughing. “That’s why you’re on your third wife, Ralph.”