aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire) (13 page)

“Ardal
is the finest Hunter and leader of all. The Kaladin high council trusted him to
protect them. Few Hunters were given such honors.” Jehon’s voice was a low
whisper.

“So
he’s good?”

“The
truest.”
Firbin’s voice held a note of
reverence. “He is the only Hunter to fight the extinction orders. He brings
honor with everything he does.”

“You
guys live and breathe that stuff.” Fiona shook her head. “We don’t have that.”

“You
no longer have warriors?” Firbin sounded incredulous.

“We
have soldiers and they have their own code. Our society doesn’t live and
breathe honor, though.” Fiona shrugged.

Just
then Ardal pulled the door open. “Move the vehicle into the trees and cover
it.”

They
took the blankets, an axe, and the weapons from the truck. Fiona grabbed her
bag and they started into the wilderness. There was no moon. The stars shone
bright, but she had trouble walking on the uneven ground. She stumbled and
tripped a couple of times before Ardal gave her his arm for support.

They
walked for at least thirty minutes before the sound of water stopped them.
Ardal led them up the side of a rocky outcrop. They were on solid bedrock.

When
they reached a small overhang of rocks, they stopped. Ardal went in first and
then motioned them to follow.

“This
will keep us away from their equipment.”

Fiona’s
eyes widened. “You really did learn a lot from that helicopter.”

“It
was primitive.” Jehon’s voice was dry.

“Always
assume your enemy has better.” Ardal kicked stones so there was a smooth area.
“It would be best not to make a fire. Will you be able to stay warm tonight?”

“I’ll
be fine.”

Ardal
spread out one of the blankets and waited for her to lie on it before giving
her another for covering. “Firbin get rest. Jehon check the supplies.”

Ardal
went to the front of the overhang. “I will take the first watch.”

She
trusted him.

Exhilaration
made his heart pound with purpose. Fiona had given him full control to protect
her. Ardal looked out at the dark night and marveled at the sense of relief he
felt. His years of training and breeding could be used for a cause that he
wanted.

His
men would be safe on this planet also. The atmosphere was giving them an
advantage. They moved faster and their hits were harder. His vision was
sharper, his hearing more acute, and he could smell Fiona’s presence before he
could see her.

His
attraction to her was overwhelming.

The
hold she had on him was terrifying.

For
the first time in his life he wanted to touch a woman and feel her body shiver
against his. He took a sharp breath as he remembered the shock of awareness
that had passed between them when they touched. His heart had soared when she
had examined him for injuries and rested her head on his chest. No one had ever
cared if a Hunter were wounded or killed.

When
that biker had held her captive, a surge of anger and pain had gripped him. He had
wanted to lash out and destroy the man. He could not have borne it if harm had
come to her. He had felt her fear. Her thoughts, even though unclear, had been
in his mind. It was then that he had known the truth.

He
heard the sure footfall of Jehon approaching.
“Report.”

“There
is some foodstuff. We can hunt whatever else we need.”

“There
is plenty on this planet.” Ardal’s voice was indifferent. A Hunter could go
days without food.

“The
rules are different.” Jehon’s voice was cautious. “I am uncertain about this
place.”

“We
have no choice.” There was no gain by letting his men know his own concerns.
“This is our home now. A Hunter does not fail.”

“The
woman is illogical.” Jehon cleared his throat. “She does not know how to rule.”

Ardal
glanced at the man. “Her planet does not respect women. Fiona has proven
herself to be knowledgeable and brave.”

Jehon
nodded. “Our bodies are responding unusually also.”

“Explain.”

“At
first I thought it was our implants, but that is not the case.” Jehon cleared his
throat. “They have been deactivated.”

Ardal
looked at Jehon for a few seconds and then sighed. “You are certain.”

Jehon
nodded. “I have scanned mine and it is non-functioning.”

“When
were they shut down?”

“I
suspect since we were captured on Cygnus.” Jehon grimaced. “The Holman would
not have wanted us strong.”

“True.”
Ardal frowned. “Explain our increased abilities.”

“It
must be the planet’s atmosphere and gravity that is causing the improvements.”
Jehon waved his hand in the air. “Our bodies travel faster, and our weight
carries more strength.”

“That
is good. It will help us survive here.”

Ardal
looked up at the night sky. Stars glittered and sparkled in the cool air,
making the sky a veritable sea of lights. Somewhere was the home where he had
been born and trained, where he had fought and watched comrades die. All were
lost.

They
had a new world.

They
would live and thrive.

“The
others have reported similar changes.” Jehon spoke in a lower voice. “We have a
problem, though.”

“You
are full of good news this night.” Ardal’s voice was wry.

“We
are traveling with a female.” Jehon hesitated a second before continuing. “Our
normal biological urges are not under the implant’s control.”

“Is
it unbearable for you?” Ardal turned back to his comrade. His own awareness of
Fiona was making him doubt his vows as a warrior.

“She
is irrational and frustrating, yet at the same time you are happy to be near
her.” Jehon shook his head. “That has never happened before.”

“Are
you feeling anything else?”

“She
is very beautiful.” Jehon frowned. “This is the first time I have been aware of
a woman’s looks.”

“No
attraction?”

Jehon
shook his head. “No. It is difficult to concentrate because of her nonsensical conversation.
In the past, I would not have noticed. Do you think it will get worse?”

Ardal
clenched his jaw. He knew how much worse it could get. “We will learn to deal
with our awareness of women.”

“The
implants must be removed.” Jehon’s voice was decisive. “They could be used to
track us.”

Ardal
sighed and looked back up at the sky. “I will make the others aware of the
possible problems.”

“Everyone
is still safe?”

Ardal
nodded. “Darrogh and his team have found a vehicle and are traveling non-stop
to the destination. They are aware of our situation. If need be, they will
create a diversion.”

Just
then the sound of a low flying craft was heard. Both men moved back into the
rock overhang and waited. The vehicle was a helicopter and it moved over their
area in a quick circle before turning back in a wider search radius. There were
lights beaming down to the ground.

“They
search for us.” Ardal glanced back into the shelter.

“Their
equipment will not be able to locate us through the rock.” Jehon crossed his
arms. “Their technology is limited.”

“It
matters not; we left witnesses at that eating place. We must travel without
incident if we hope to blend in.”

“There
was no choice.”

“No.”
Ardal watched the light of the helicopter fade as its search pattern widened.
“Fiona needed defending. We will take better care in the future.”

“Is
it wise to continue traveling with her?” Jehon’s voice had lowered to a
whisper. “Perhaps it would be best for her to leave us.”

“We
have given our word.” Ardal wiped his hand over his face. “She needs our
protection.”

“Her
beauty is distinctive and memorable.”

“True.”
How honest could he be with his men? He owed it to them, yet he could not
abandon Fiona. Even if he forgot his vow and the Sacred Code, he could not
leave her.

Knowing
that the enhancers had been deactivated made his suspicions a certainty. He was
bound to Fiona. No other living Hunter had ever experienced this. It was
something no true warrior would have wanted.

“We
should go in separate directions.” Ardal straightened his shoulders and walked
to the edge of the rock overhang. The cooler air was a balm against the heat
that pulsed through him at the thought of Fiona. “Do you wish to join one of
the other teams?”

“We
can continue with the three of us.” Jehon followed him.

“Fiona
stays with me.” Ardal’s words were decisive.

“We
risk capture.”

“That
is why I will not command you and Firbin to stay. In the morning you leave in
the vehicle. Fiona and I will follow on foot.”

“She
will be safer on her own. Being with us is dangerous.” Jehon’s voice was
earnest. “You are the last leader; a warrior honored and feared by the Kaladin
and Holman alike. It is necessary for you to survive.”

“Your
words inspire me, but there are others who can lead if I do not survive.” Ardal
let a faint smile touch his lips. His decision to fight for their freedom had
been right. No matter what happened, he would be remembered for that.

“You
are wrong.” Jehon stepped closer. “You gave us the chance to live again.”

“And
that is as it should be.” He sighed. The truth was the only thing that would
convince Jehon. “I cannot leave Fiona.”

“I
do not understand.”

“There
is no comprehending.” He grasped Jehon’s shoulder. “I am already bonded to
her.”

Jehon
inhaled sharply. “Say it is not so.”

“It
is true.”

“I
thought bonding was a myth. It was told to us as children to keep us fearful of
living without the implants.”

“It
is real.” Ardal tightened his grip on Jehon. “It is not to be dreaded, either.”

“It
takes a leader from us.” Jehon’s voice was low with horror.

“I
have gone nowhere.” He leaned close to Jehon. “I am the same as before, but
there is a connection with Fiona. I feel her fears and understand her needs.
Soon her thoughts will be clear to me.”

Jehon
straightened. “I will stay. No matter the risk. You cannot face this alone.”

“I
can defend myself. I will make my decision for our travel in the morning.”
Ardal motioned back to the shelter.
“Sleep.
Your watch
will be here soon enough.”

Jehon
nodded and went inside. Ardal was left with the night and his thoughts. He
walked to the edge of the rock ledge. The helicopter had long since left. Jehon
had been right. They would be more noticeable traveling as a foursome. The best
decision would be to divide.

He
would travel with Fiona. There was no choice. He was connected to her.

Bonded.

He
heaved a sigh. Throughout his whole life, he had believed that bonding was a
myth. To lose control and be at the whim of fate was abhorrent to a Hunter. To
be enslaved and tied to another was a curse. A Hunter lived for duty and honor;
there was no room for a mate. Now he knew the truth.

Fiona
was his pair bond.

He
did not fear it, though. He was connected to her in an indescribable way.
Nothing had prepared him for it. His first sense of attraction had seemed a
reaction to the ordeal of the crash, but it was more than that. He had felt
Fiona’s horror and terror during the fight with the bikers. Her fears were a
reality to him. He had fought the urge to hold and soothe her.

If
legend were true, death could not sever the connection. He would only desire
the one he was bonded to. That would be his fate. There was no understanding of
why one was chosen over another. Some said it was a word, a glance, or a
gesture that sealed one’s destiny. For him it had been all those things, but the
shock of awareness that spread through his body when they touched had been the
real sign.

One
bonding.

One
mate.

The
Holman had claimed that bad genetic script and the mutations that had been used
to give them strength, persistence, competitiveness, and endurance had caused
the problem. The chromosomal alterations had amplified their focus and
intensity, but had narrowed and deepened their mating urges until they would
choose only one. Genetic engineering had made them invincible warriors, but
these same attributes reinforced their devotion and loyalty to their mate.

It
was considered dangerous and treasonous for a Hunter to have a mate. He might
choose her over his orders. The Kaladin would not tolerate this. Eons ago, it
was decided that Hunters would never mate and to ensure this, they all had
implants at birth to prevent it.