Free aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement Page B

I knew I couldn’t take you to the hospital. You might not
have been safe there.”
    “Do
you think my grandfather will know what they mean?” Kimi’s voice held doubt.
    “Your
grandfather is a very wise man. There isn’t much he doesn’t know.” Bobby
pointed to Niail’s left arm. “How did you get those tattoos?”
    Niail
glanced at the markings. “I get these after every significant event in my life,
or battle.”
    “Battle?
Do you mean war?” Bobby sat up straight. “Are you a soldier?”
    “I
am a Hunter.”
    Bobby
stared at Niail for several seconds. “You don’t hunt animals, do you?”
    “No.”
    Kimi’s
mouth dropped open. “How can you accept that so quickly? I’m still trying to
make sense of the whole thing.”
    “It’s
part of the ancient lore. We may not have called them Hunters, but they were
warriors.” Bobby turned back to Kimi. “Didn’t you ever listen to your
grandfather’s stories?”
    “He
didn’t tell me all of them. He is old fashioned about young women and their
knowledge of traditional medicine.” Kimi’s voice took on a defensive tone.
“What do you know about them?”
    “I
know they live among the stars.”
    Niail
tensed. Had he said something when he was unconscious? There was no other way
for Bobby to know about Hunters.
    “You’re
not serious?” Kimi’s voice was a half laugh. “Grandfather never spoke about
Star People who were called Hunters.”
    “That’s
because they were from earth originally.”
    “What?”
Kimi looked at Niail and then back to Bobby. “I don’t understand.”
    “The
Star People took men from earth when they left.”
    “You
mean they abducted them?”
    “Yes.”
Bobby looked back at Niail. “It was so long ago I doubt there’s anyone in your
world who remembers.”
    Niail
shook his head. “We only know that we have existed since the beginning of time.
We’ve been bred and altered to be the best warriors possible.”
    Bobby
nodded. “Some of the native legends speak of only the greatest fighters and
leaders being asked to join the Star People when they left earth.”
    Kimi
frowned. “How long ago was this?”
    Bobby
shrugged. “These legends are from the time of creation. There’s no certain way
to know, but your grandfather probably has better answers than me.”
    “Then
we need to see him.” Niail pushed away from the table. “How soon can we get to
him?”
    Kimi
put up a restraining hand. “Wait a second. You can’t just leave now. He’s miles
away and you’re still recovering. By the time my grandfather returns home,
you’ll be well enough to talk to him.”
    “I
do not need rest.”
    “You’re
speaking to the woman who nursed you.” Kimi’s voice was dry. “Don’t forget I
helped you back to bed last night. Sit down.”
    Before
Niail could obey, there was the sound of slamming car doors outside. Pounding
footsteps followed. Adrenaline started to pump through his body and he braced
himself for battle. The door was kicked open, and six men with guns rushed into
the room.
     

Chapter 8
     
    Shock
and disbelief paralyzed Kimi. Before she could react, she was grabbed and
pushed behind Niail.
    He
was massive.
    Her
face was pressed into his back.
    When
she tried to look around him, his arm held her in place. That’s when the first
jolt of fear raced up her spine. Who were these men? Worse, why had they barged
into her house with guns?
    “What
do you want?” Bobby’s voice shook.
    “We’ve
come for him.” A deep voice boomed from the doorway. “Hand him over and
there’ll be no trouble.”
    Bobby
moved away from the table. “What’s he done?”
    “The
boss doesn’t like questions.” The same man answered in a threatening tone.
    Kimi
peaked around Niail’s back. The man aimed his rifle at Niail’s head. The rest
of the intruders chuckled. It was a low menacing laughter that chilled Kimi to
the bone.
    She
felt Niail’s body tense and then relax. “I will come, but first you need to
step