aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire) (22 page)

“So
you used us as you wanted? You hunted us as if we were no better than animals.”

“Yes.”
Catal sighed. “Now I realize that it was my own people who deserve my disdain.
They’re the ones who left us out here to die and ordered all Hunters dead.”

Fiona
nodded. “You’re still in shock. You need time to figure out what you believe.”

“Time
is something we have a lot of on this planet.”

Firbin
frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“We
age slower here.”

Fiona
smiled. “Good thing Ardal is older than me.” She stood and wrapped her hair in
a scarf. “Let’s go and eat. I’m starved.”

There
was a restaurant attached to the hotel and even though the meal was nothing
spectacular, Fiona was thankful for the food. It had been hours since they’d
eaten and she was finding it hard to think on an empty stomach. And thinking
was something she needed to do.

By
the time they got back to the room the three of them were on easier terms.
Firbin was already comfortable with Fiona, but it took Catal to the end of the
meal to realize that she held no ill-will toward him. She felt sympathy for the
man, especially when she remembered Ardal’s words about being stranded without
any connection with his own kind.

Fiona
flopped down on the bed. She was exhausted. Travel and fear had taken their
toll. All she wanted was a shower and bed.

“Do
you guys mind if I commandeer the bathroom first?”

Firbin’s
eyes widened. “There is no need to ask. It is as you wish.”

Catal
laughed. “You have a lot to learn about humans. They are a selfish lot.”

“I
disagree.” Fiona groaned as she pushed away from the bed. “I asked first. I
didn’t lock myself in there for a couple of hours.”

“True.”
Catal shook his head. “You are a constant surprise.”

“That’s
because you’ve never taken the time to understand the people of this planet.”
Fiona walked toward Catal who was standing near the window. “There are good,
decent humans.”

Then
there was a knock at the door. Panic flooded Fiona.

They
were found.

She
froze.

Firbin
moved to the door. His hands were clenched and all expression had left his
eyes. He was all Hunter, readying himself for the attack. Catal moved to the
opposite side of the room and had pulled out a gun.

She
had to do something before violence ripped through the room. She went to the
door and spoke without opening it. “Who is it?”

“I
was just in the restaurant.” The voice was male and hesitant. “You left your
bag on the chair.”

Fiona
released the breath she’d been holding and sagged against the door. She looked
at Firbin and nodded her head, before opening the door. There was a young man
in his mid-twenties standing there with her backpack in his hands. All her
emergency information, money, and supplies were in that bag. The man was a
lifesaver.

“Thank
you,” she said as she reached for the bag. “I’d be lost without this.”

“I
know you or your brothers would have noticed it eventually, but I didn’t think
it was wise to leave it to chance. I tried to catch you before you got to your
room, but I wasn’t fast enough.”

Fiona
opened the door wider, but still blocked the entrance. He looked pleasant
enough, with blonde hair and blue eyes, but she wasn’t about to trust anyone.
Honest or not, the more people who saw them, the greater the risk they’d be
identified.

“I
appreciate it.” Fiona tilted her head as she looked at him. “How did you know
they were brothers?”

“You’re
kidding. The same skin tone, dark hair and eyes were a dead giveaway.” He
shrugged. “Besides they look alike. I just assumed you’re related.”

Fiona
laughed. “Well, I never thought I looked like those two. Thanks for bringing me
the bag.”

When
the door was closed and the danger passed Fiona turned back to the two Hunters.
She frowned and studied them closer. They did look like brothers. There were
some differences, but the similarities were striking. They looked a cross
between Native American and Irish. Maybe they’d blend in just fine.

“He
was honest.” Fiona pushed away from the door.
“And very
observant.”

“We
are brothers.” Firbin moved back to the chair.

“That’s
what Ardal said.” Fiona shrugged. It wasn’t a big deal, especially if they all
came from a test tube. They were bound to have similar genes. “I’m going for a
shower.”

***

Two
days later there was still no word from the other Hunters. Fiona was starting
to go stir crazy. She wasn’t allowed out of the room. Catal and Firbin took
turns bringing food back. They thought her looks too distinctive and they couldn’t
risk her being recognized. There was only so much television a person could
watch and not go crazy.

Firbin
found the whole thing fascinating. He’d never seen shows that were strictly for
entertainment. Hunters focused on training and skills development.
Entertainment was for the rulers of their planet.

She
was about ready to pull her hair out when Firbin suddenly stood and turned the
television off. Catal glanced toward the door and straightened his shoulders.
There was a knock and Firbin opened it.

Five
Hunters walked into the room.

None
of them was Ardal.

She
only recognized Darrogh. The other men glanced at her and then looked away.
Fiona’s enthusiasm started to shrivel as she felt their disapproval. She sat
and waited. She hid her smile as the others greeted Firbin. He was the youngest
of their unit and they slapped him on the back in greeting.

“You
have been lazy.” Darrogh’s voice boomed in the room. “Sitting around and doing
nothing. Your leg should be healed by now.”

“Fiona
has cared for it.” Firbin glanced at her with a grin. “She is a tough
taskmaster.”

“Ah.”
Darrogh raised an eyebrow. “She is a woman. They have no place with Hunters.”

Firbin’s
eyes widened. He glanced at the other men who stood immobile. “You are
mistaken. She has been a great help to us. Have you forgotten she rescued us
from the crash?”

“She
was of assistance, but now she is a hindrance.”

“What’s
that supposed to mean?” Fiona frowned.

“You
will need to leave.” Darrogh crossed his arms over his chest. “Your presence
puts the men in danger.”

Anger
seared through Fiona. She’d been foolish to trust these guys. All their talk of
protection and honor were just words in the end. She fought back her tears. She
wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing that she was upset.

“So
you’d like me to take off?” Fiona stood and grabbed her bag, shoving stuff into
it as fast as her hands would move. “I wish you luck with your life here on
earth.”

“There
is no reason for you to rush.” Darrogh’s voice was firm. “We will find you a
means of transportation first.”

“Really?”
Fiona shook her head and went into the washroom, gathering her toiletries
before returning to the room. “You seem very sure of your decision.”

“I
am second in command.”

Fiona
pulled her phonebook from the side pocket of her pack. She thumbed through the
pages until she found the number she wanted. “So that means that your judgment
is always right?”

She
picked up the phone and started to dial, but before she could finish, Darrogh
had taken the receiver from her and slammed it down.

“You
will not contact anyone.”

“You
don’t control me.”

Fiona
had had enough of this arrogant brute. She needed to make a phone call and he
wasn’t going to stop her. She’d vowed she’d never let a man walk all over her
again and she’d meant it. He might frighten the others, but not her. She
brought her knee up and slammed him with all her strength. Darrogh’s eyes
widened and he bent over in pain.

Ardal
walked into the room at that moment.

Fiona’s
heart started to beat frantically. Her eyes devoured him. She longed to run to
him, but she doubted the others would approve. Ardal looked at her and then at
Darrogh.

“What
has happened?”

“I
was trying to make a phone call and this brute stopped me. I don’t care how
much danger you’re in, I won’t be thrown onto the streets without calling for
help.”

Ardal
stopped her with his hand. “Sit.” Then he looked at Firbin. “Explain.”

“Darrogh
told Fiona that she was a hindrance and must leave.” Firbin’s voice was
hesitant. “She tried to make a call and he stopped her. That is when she kneed
him.”

Ardal
smiled at Fiona and then looked back at the other men. All of them had averted
their eyes from Darrogh and were waiting for his decision. He looked at his
second in command and sighed.

“I
did not order Fiona away.”

“It
is not proper.” Darrogh’s voice was hoarse, and he winced as he stood upright.
“We will of course get her transportation.”

“I
vowed to protect her; as did Firbin.” Ardal’s voice was quiet. Fiona shivered
as the silence in the room grew.

“My
order was not based on emotion.” Darrogh’s voice held contempt.

“You
would dishonor a woman and ignore a Hunter’s vow?”

“I
protect the men. This planet’s effect on us is not to be trusted.”

Ardal
moved so fast that at first Fiona didn’t believe it had happened. One second
Darrogh was standing and the next he was slumped against the wall. Blood flowed
from his lip and his legs were sprawled out in front of him. The other men
looked away except Catal who seemed fascinated by the argument.

“It
is not your place to judge the decisions of your leader. You are unworthy of
command.” Ardal’s words were clipped. “No matter where a Hunter lives, honor
must never be forgotten. If you cannot respect this, then you are relieved of
your command.”

Fiona
expected Darrogh to argue, but the man seemed content, even relieved with
Ardal’s actions. He nodded and smiled.

She
wrapped her arms around her middle to stop her shaking. Did a Hunter always
question his commander’s orders or was it only because they were in a strange
land. It was as if they needed to respect the brute strength of their leader in
order to follow.

Ardal
walked over to Darrogh and held out his hand. Darrogh took the offered hand and
levered himself up. For a second there was a silent communication between the
men and then Ardal was leading Darrogh over to her.

“You
have already met Fiona.” Ardal helped her to her feet. “We are bonded. She has
not interfered with my judgement or my leadership. I am still Ardal, the last
of the clan Rioge, leader of the remaining Hunters. You will obey my command.”

“Yes.”
Darrogh glanced at Fiona. “I am uncertain of this planet.”

“Do
you trust me?”

“You
are a leader of great strength and honor. I fear this place has affected you.”

“Perhaps,
but that does not alter my command.”

“Understood.”
Darrogh rubbed his chin. “I allowed fear to cloud my judgement.”

“Earth
has shown us that many of our legends may be real.” Ardal glanced at his men.
“I think we should accept that other things could be possible.”

The
tension in the room seemed to ease as the two men talked. A moment of upheaval
had been replaced with understanding and dialogue. It was fascinating how these
men worked together. Their rules and duty were woven into a fabric that allowed
them to move as one.

“Now
give the correct order.”

Darrogh
turned to Fiona and gave her a slight bow of his head. “We need to move away
from here. Ardal fears it will not be safe for you to come with us. Is there
someplace or someone you can go to that is trustworthy?”

Fiona
looked at Ardal, but his face gave nothing away. Disappointment threatened to
drown her, but she forced it back. If Ardal wanted her to leave, then she
would. The last thing she wanted was to endanger him or his men. She had
delayed their escape too long. It was time that she stood on her own two feet.

It
was better this way.

It
was a clean break before anything had begun.

Who
was she kidding? It felt as if part of her was being ripped away. A future
between them was impossible. They were on the run and he was from another
planet.

“I’ll
call my sister. She lives in the city.”

“Are
you safe there?” Ardal’s voice was clipped.

“I
don’t think David knows where she lives.” Fiona shrugged. “Besides, I’ve been
in hiding for almost a year. Maybe he’s decided to stalk someone else.”

“What
about the Women’s Underground Network?”