Free Damned and Defiant by Kathy Kulig

death sentence.” Natesa turned toward the desert and started walking away. “Tell Valdon I went out to hunt.”
    Before Dante had a chance to question or argue, she shifted to the wolf again and darted across the open desert.
    Dante turned back to the cabin. Valdon wasn’t on the porch and the front door was wide open. Fuck!
    Inside, Dante marched straight to Haley’s room. Valdon had pulled back the blanket and was leaning over her naked body. Not touching her, but about to draw more chi from her.
    “Valdon, out,” Dante said in a low but harsh tone.
    “This Kithra has plenty of lifeforce to spare. I remember this one, a Sha Warrior. I didn’t think she survived.”
    Dante raised his hand to stop him. To get in a fight with Valdon, would be like fighting a cinder block. “No. She’s done for the night.” If it came down to a fight, Dante would lose. “She’s my Kithra, my responsibility.”
    “You worry what happens to a Kithra?” Valdon said, mockingly.
    “The demoness gets upset when we kill one. And a mortal’s death causes all kinds of problems on Earth. We don’t want to reveal ourselves. Besides, killing humans isn’t necessary.”
    Gently but with enough force to make his point, Dante placed an arm across Valdon’s chest and pushed him back. Fortunately, Valdon didn’t resist. “This Kithra is off-limits,” Dante cautioned. “She’s helping me with my horses. To harm her will delay my return and anger the demoness and you don’t want to anger her now.”
    Valdon took another step back as he looked down at Haley while she slept peacefully. “No, the demoness has too many concerns.”
    “Aren’t you supposed to be Natesa’s guardian since she’s a new Drone?” Dante asked as he led Valdon out of Haley’s room.
    “She’s been trained, but yes, I’m her guardian.”
    “Well she’s rogue now. In wolf form. She just tried attacking my horses and then took off into the desert.”
    “Did she?” Valdon smiled as if he wasn’t surprised.
    Dante narrowed his eyes. “You knew Haley was here.”
    Valdon didn’t agree or disagree.
    “Stay away from her. You have crystals to collect. I suggest you do that. Tarik doesn’t need Sha Warriors.” Dante walked Valdon through his house and opened the front door. “Find your new Drone and stay off my ranch.”

Chapter Six
     
    The next morning, Dante woke to find the sun streaming in his window. He never slept past sunrise. Dragging himself out of bed, he dressed, stepped into his cowboy boots then stopped to listen. Silence. The house was way too quiet.
    Son of a bitch. Had Valdon or Natesa returned and somehow put him in a trance? How else would he explain his exhaustion? He rushed out into the hall and saw Haley’s bedroom door open. Inside, her bed was made and her duffle lay on the floor.
    He took a breath. It didn’t make sense. If Valdon had taken her, he doubted he would’ve waited for her to make up the bed. The aroma of coffee, bacon and eggs hit him. Out in the kitchen, Haley wasn’t there either, but a note was propped against the coffee pot.
     
    Breakfast warm in the oven. Outside getting to know D.A. and Siren.
     
    As an immortal, Dante didn’t need food to survive but he could eat for the pleasure of it. He dug into the scrambled eggs and crisp bacon, then poured a cup of black coffee and went outside on the porch.
    In the corral, Haley had managed to saddle up D.A. and was riding him around the rail while Siren stood stiffly in the center, watching. Hot dang. She did it. He smiled so wide, he couldn’t even drink his coffee.
    He put down the mug on the railing and whistled to get her attention. When she looked over and smiled, his heart about stopped. The woman was beautiful, dressed casually, her windblown blonde hair tangled around her face. He waved and picked up the mug, holding it in both hands as he took a swig of the black brew. He had to admit, she wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever known. She’d been on