She would die this night.
Her heart cried for what might have been, for all the dreams that would never come true. Most of all she mourned the loss of love. She would never feel a man’s loving embrace again. Her last moments would be filled with violence and anger. She fought back a sob of regret. She wouldn’t let that happen. Even if she never escaped, she could control what she would see in those last minutes of life. She would focus on love.
She would focus on Ardal.
She’d let his love and strength surround her.
The car came to an abrupt stop sending her flying off into the rear of the front seats. She groaned as her back hit the bump on the car floor. If she were lucky she’d live long enough to see the bruises.
David peered over the headrest. “We’re almost there.”
A blast of warm air let her know that the door had been opened. David twisted her back onto the seat before pulling her sleeve up on her arm. He held a needle in his other hand. A sharp burning sensation seared her bicep.
“That should keep you quiet until I’m ready.”
“What are you going to do?” Fiona couldn’t keep the fear from her voice.
“I tried to love you, but you refused.” David pulled her sleeve down. “Now you’ll die like all the rest.”
“I don’t understand.” Fiona swallowed back her horror.
“It’s quite simple.” David pushed the needle protector up. “I thought you might be different, but you’re not. I’ll kill you like the others, slowly and painfully until you beg for my love.”
He slammed the door and within seconds, the car was moving again. She felt the dragging action of the drug he’d given her start to take effect. Her eyelids felt heavy and she fought to keep them open. She wanted to remember Ardal’s face as long as possible.
His beloved face was clear in her mind’s eye.
Now when it was too late, she realized how much she loved him. He was truly the only man she would ever love. It was fitting that he would be the last man in her thoughts. She wouldn’t let David win. She would block his evil and focus on Ardal. Her last thoughts would be of him. At least he would know how she really felt as she sent her message to him.
“I love you,” she repeated until the words blurred and her mind clouded.
Ardal was the last word on her lips as the world darkened and her thoughts ceased.
Chapter 20
Darkness encompassed the vehicle and his heart. For the first time in his life, Ardal felt detached from his men. He was a Hunter of the clan Rioge, the last leader of his breed and yet he could only think of Fiona. The pain of leaving her gnawed at his gut. He knew his men came first, but he should never have let them convince him to do something that felt so wrong.
Despite what Darrogh had implied, he knew she was not a distraction. She was his anchor. She grounded him. He might not have needed that in the past, but since bonding he realized that it was necessary to have a constant connection with her. He cursed himself for not realizing this earlier, but it was all so new.
No Hunter had pair bonded before.
There was no rule or code to follow.
He was floundering in a strange land with no guidance. He suddenly understood much clearer what the stranded Hunters had endured. It was worse for them because they hadn’t finished their training. They had been children.
Ardal sighed and looked out the window. No matter how he felt, he had to put it behind him and get his men to safety. They had dispersed and were trying to find new lives. Catal had made arrangements for his group to have papers and identities. With these in place, they could travel to the far reaches of this planet.
A wave of nausea hit Ardal with a piercing ache that twisted his gut. He grimaced and clutched his side. Never had he felt anguish like this, not in the worse battle, not when tortured, nor when punished as a boy. Never.
He gripped the door handle until his knuckles were white. The nausea lessened, but the agony grew. He took several deep breaths and forced the sensation away. Years of training had made him adept at ignoring discomfort. Every Hunter had the ability.
The torment grew more intense. There was only one explanation. This was not his pain.
Fiona was in agonizing distress.
His bonding meant that he felt what she did, but the intensity of it could only mean one thing. She was in peril. Worse, she was probably close to dying.
“We must return.”
Catal glanced round from the front. “We’re leaving the city. We need to put distance between us.”
“Fiona is in danger. I have to find her.”
Firbin moved the vehicle into the right lane and took the next exit.
“You can’t just turn around. The military are looking for us.”
“Ardal is leader. I obey my leader.”
Catal exhaled a heavy sigh. “This is nuts. What don’t you understand about the danger we’re in?”
“We are always in danger.” Niail spoke from beside Ardal. “A Hunter obeys.”
Catal turned and looked at him for a few seconds. “You’re serious.”
Niail gave him a steady gaze. “Ardal has always led us true.”
Catal shook his head. “I hope that you still feel the same when we’re captured.”
“I do not put my men in unnecessary danger. I will return on my own. You may continue the journey without me.” Ardal kept his voice low.
“No.” Niail shook his head. “We follow where you lead.”
“This is to protect my pair bond.”
Firbin stopped at a red light and signaled a right turn. “I made a vow to Fiona also. A Hunter does not betray his word.”
“You would never let us face danger on our own.” Niail added.
Catal rubbed his face with his hands. “It’s three against one. Short of jumping out of this car, I have no choice but to go along with you.”
“You are young, but you learn quickly.” Niail’s voice was dry.
“I’m older than you.” Catal’s voice reverberated in the closed vehicle.
“Only in years.” Niail’s voice held a hint of humour. “Your life as a Hunter begins today.”
It took them fifteen minutes to reach Fiona’s sister’s house. They pulled into the driveway and Ardal jumped out of the vehicle. The others followed and together they went to the front door. It was open by several inches. Ardal steadied his breathing and calmed his adrenaline surge as he prepared for battle.
They entered the house with soft steps, Ardal motioning his men to spread out and search. The ground floor was cleared before they started up the stairs. That was when he saw Karen on the upper landing. She was sprawled out as if dead and he feared the worse. He knelt beside her as his men began their search of the upper floor.
He shook Karen’s shoulder and was greeted by a groan. She was alive. When the others returned, she was struggling to sit up on her elbows. His men moved away from her, forming a circle as they stood looking down, hands behind their backs, and legs spread.
Ardal was the first to speak. “Is Fiona here?”
Niail shook his head. “The house is empty except for a small furry animal I found in a closet. There was a struggle in one of the bedrooms.”
Ardal sucked in his anger and frustration. Fiona needed him to be clear minded if she were going to survive. He turned to Karen. “What happened?”
She grimaced and sat up. “The bastard took her. I should have believed her when she told me that he was abusive, but he’s a doctor, for God’s sake.”
“How long?”
“Maybe ten minutes ago.” Karen held her head in her hands. “I tried to stop him, but he knocked me out. Wait until I get my hands on him. He’ll regret the day he messed with a Nevins.”
“You would hurt him?” Niail’s surprised voice broke the silence that had followed Karen’s words.
“Damn right.” Karen stood with a grunt. “Give me a knife and I’ll see he never reproduces again.”
Ard
al smiled. Fiona’s sister had spirit. “We need to find him first.”
“I probably have an address for him somewhere. If not, the internet will help.”
“Where is your computer?” Catal stepped forward. “I’m an expert in finding people.”
“Is that so?” Karen shrugged and started down the stairs. “I have one in the kitchen.”
While Karen searched through a drawer in her desk, Catal attacked the laptop. After getting the spelling of David’s name correct, he started hitting the keys furiously. Within seconds he had his home address, the hospital that he worked at, and his office. Karen had no success with her address book. Instead she moved beside Catal and watched as his fingers spewed out information.
“That’s amazing.” She leaned closer to the screen. “Isn’t that a secure site?”
Catal grunted. “Nothing is protected.”
“I can see that.” Karen’s voice was dry as she moved away. She looked at Ardal. “What are you going to do?”
“Find Fiona.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Not possible.” Ardal knew the operation might involve force and he didn’t want to be responsible for another female. Keeping Fiona safe would be a hard enough task.
“She’s my sister.” Karen’s voice rose. “It’s my fault I opened the door to him.”
Ardal shook his head. “She is my pair bond. I am responsible, not you. I will keep her safe.”
Karen frowned. “Your what?”
He should have kept his mouth shut. Now Karen was bound to ask questions he could not answer. “We are connected. Fiona knows that I will come for her.”
Karen raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. “How?”
Catal interrupted before he was forced to explain. “He has a small rental unit in a warehouse complex. It’s in the industrial district.”
“Is that normal?” Ardal turned to look at the computer.
Catal shook his head. “He has a separate storage near his office. The only reason to have such a unit would be if he were starting a new enterprise. I see no evidence of that from his online activities.”
The world might be different, but the behaviour was the same. The patterns of a coward did not change. He had been a Hunter for too many years, and on too many diverse planets not to recognize the signs of a private lair. Deviants always needed a secret place to hide their activities.
“How far.”
“Less than half an hour.”
“Weapons?”
“We have a stash near here.”
Ardal nodded. “Good.”
He motioned to Firbin, who left to start the van. Catal had brought up a map on the computer. Ardal glanced at it to get his bearings before Catal closed the laptop, unplugged it, and hitched it under his arm.
“I’m going with you guys. No one takes my computer without me.” Karen grabbed a set of keys from her countertop and then followed Catal out the kitchen door.
“Stay.” Ardal blocked Karen’s exit from the house. “You are hurt.”
“She’s family.”
“We do not take women on our missions.” Niail’s voice was firm.
“Never?” Karen’s voice was doubtful.
Ardal shook his head. “My men do not need to worry about your safety. You will endanger the job.”
“I’ve a right to be there.”
“We will let you know when Fiona is safe.” Ardal took the computer from Catal and handed it back to Karen.
“What if you’re too late?” Karen’s words ended with a sob.
“She is still alive.” Ardal motioned Niail and Catal to leave. “My men are trained and experienced with situations like this. You must trust.”
Karen nodded. “Should I call the police?”
“Wait until we contact you.” Ardal turned to leave. He knew Karen doubted him, but he had to get to Fiona. He didn’t have the time to reassure her.
The men climbed into the van. When the doors were shut, Firbin punched in the address on the direction system and started driving. He had them at the weapons depot in a matter of minutes.
Firbin’s eyes widened when he saw the stash of weapons. “You are well prepared.”
“It’s how we’ve survived.” Catal started handing assault rifles to Niail, who stashed them in the back of the van.
“I am thankful that you have these.” Ardal grabbed a small handgun and pushed it into the back of his pants. “It will make the operation easier.”
He could kill David with his bare hands, but he wasn’t taking any chances with Fiona’s life. He would go in with as much force as possible and worry about the clean up later.
The neighborhood of David’s rental unit had few streetlights. Even fewer had lights still working. In daylight it would have looked rundown and grimy. The inky black of night did nothing to improve it. They parked a block away.
Ardal got out of the van and stood still for a few seconds. He sniffed the air. It was humid and rank with the odor of uncollected garbage. He blocked the night sounds as he narrowed his focus on the building that housed David’s rental space.
The area was deserted.
Ardal noted the position of the security cameras on the building. They were easy enough to deal with. David’s unit was number 27. It was located right in the middle. Their first obstacle would be the locked gates and the security guard. A lack of traffic in the area meant that driving up to the gate was not an option.
It was a standard stealth operation. Ardal assessed his route and prepared for battle. Catal threw out black face coverings and they chose weapons.
Ardal pulled his face mask down.
His men waited for his commands.
Few directions were needed for such a basic manoeuvre. Catal was new though, and Ardal motioned for him to stay near. Niail took a position out of camera range and then shot out the offending units one by one. It took a couple of seconds before the security guard reacted. He moved out of his booth by the gate. By that time Firbin had scaled the fence.
The man was unconscious with one blow.
Firbin dragged him back into his cubicle and then opened the gates. They ran through quickly, securing their position before moving on to the sentry house. The guard was now lying on his side, his hands bound in front of him and his mouth gagged. Once he was conscious, he would be able to free himself easily.
Time was limited.
They moved to number 27.
The men stood on either side of the door and Ardal shot the handle off. He kicked the door in and rushed the building. His men followed close behind, taking spots against the wall. They were in a small reception room.
Boxes were stacked against the exterior and down the center of the room. They formed a hallway of sorts, with two doors at the end. There was a desk against the far end and what looked like a computer on it.
The room was empty.
Fiona was not there.
Chapter 21
Had they come to the wrong place?
Ardal reached out for Fiona with his mind. She was near. He could feel her heartbeat, but no words reached him. He pushed back his fear and moved into the room. He paused after each step using all the stealth his training provided. His men followed close behind.
Silence was the only thing that greeted them.
Ardal motioned for Niail to move to the first door. He gripped the handle and when Ardal nodded he pulled it open. It led to a small storage closet. Niail swept his weapon around the inside and then shook his head before closing the door.
He moved to the next door. Ardal took a deep breath and calmed his heart rate. His men signalled their readiness and then he nodded. The door was flung open and they entered before they could take another breath.
The site that met Ardal sent a shiver of dread up his spine. Never in his twenty years of fighting had he ever been so sickened. Fiona was here, but she was not moving. She lay tied to a table in the center of the room.
Cases and tabletops
were filled with metal instruments and tools of different shapes. Chains, ropes, and pulleys hung from the ceiling, dangling in the breeze caused by an electric fan. There was only one light glaring bright above Fiona. All else was shrouded in shadows.
The odor of death permeated everything.
A man about Ardal’s height stood amidst this macabre scene. He was wearing a plastic coat that was spattered with blood. Ardal swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. After he had killed the bastard he would have time enough to be sick. Fiona’s heart still beat. There was hope.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I think the question should be what are we?” Ardal’s voice was a low growl.
“Semantics.” The doctor wasted no time in moving to Fiona. He pulled a syringe from the workspace beside her and aimed it at her arm. “Leave now and there will be no questions asked. Stay and you can watch her die.”
“That is not happening.” Ardal nodded to Niail. One shot and the needle shattered. “Let her go.”
David’s eyes narrowed. He pulled Fiona down beside him. Using the table as a shield he cut her ties and then dragged her in front of him until he found the protection of a wheeled red metal chest. He pushed the container in front of him as he moved toward the open door. Ardal kept his eyes on his quarry while Catal and Niail moved into position on either side of David.
“Let her go.” Ardal took a step toward the cart that David was crouched behind. “This is between us men.”
“Four against one?” David snickered. “You must think I’m a fool.”
“Only one Hunter is needed to defeat a coward.”
David pushed the cart toward the door. He used the cover of the metal to help his escape. “I have no intention of being caught.”
“We will not touch you.” Ardal did not add that the man would be dead before they reached him. It was a given. No Hunter would handle an aberration like the doctor. His dead carcass would be left for scavengers to tear apart.
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