Free aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement

“You must’ve joined up when you turned eighteen. I’m not sure
guarding people will be easier.”
    “It
is not much different from soldiering.” Ardal started walking toward the
helicopter. The man fell in step with him.
    “Is
she going to be all right?” He jerked his head toward the house.
    Ardal
clenched his jaw. “She is no longer safe here.”
    “I’m
sorry about that, but you know how it is. Orders are orders.”
    Ardal
stopped a few feet away from the helicopter. “Yes, I know.”
    He
stood back and watched the men board the machine. He remained standing tall
until the vehicle lifted off the ground. The machine flew toward the back
field, staying a few feet from the ground. These men were very thorough.
    Ardal
crossed his arms and waited until the machine had swung back across the field
and then headed past him. He turned and made certain that it left Fiona’s
property before walking to the barn.
    Firbin
and Jehon were there ahead of him. “Any problems?”
    Jehon
shook his head. “I managed to look inside the machine. It would have been easy
to fly. It was quite rudimentary.”
    “What
weapons do they have?”
    “Primitive.
They have guns that shoot bullets and missiles. No lasers, no interrupters, no
disintegrators.”
    Ardal’s
eyes narrowed. “What about their searching capabilities?”
    “They
have thermal equipment and they can see at night.”
    Ardal
nodded. “The men are scattered. That should not raise any suspicions. What
about the Captain?”
    “Still
sleeping,” Firbin voice was full of disgust. “I cannot believe that he must
live.”
    “It
is so ordered.”
    “True.”
Firbin glanced toward the house. “She should be safe to stay here now.”
    “She
comes with us.” Ardal almost winced at the harshness of his own voice. “She has
more to fear than the search parties.”
    Jehon
cleared his throat. “Will we not be in more danger if she accompanies us?”
    “Perhaps,
but I promised to protect her. A Hunter does not betray his word.”
    Ardal
looked toward the house and sighed. He did not need to justify his actions to
his men, but it would be best if they understood. He would not tell them that
she had already found a place in his heart. They would never understand that
their leader could forget his training and breeding to such a degree.
    “She
is hiding from a man who abuses her.” Ardal’s voice shook with the horror of
his words. “We have made it unsafe for her. He may be able to track her to this
place now.”
    Jehon
frowned. “Men do not honor women here?”
    Ardal
shook his head. “It seems not. They do not live by the same code as we do.”
    “So
women do not rule on this planet?” Firbin moved closer. “What kind of a place
have we crashed on?”
    “One
that requires us to protect Fiona.” Ardal’s voice was
firm. “I will not forget that I am a Hunter. I have vowed to follow the Sacred
Code, no matter what the rules are on this planet.”
    “As
we all have.” Jehon’s voice was firm. “None of us would dishonor our beliefs.
We will protect Fiona also.”
    Ardal
looked at Firbin who nodded his agreement. “Then we must disappear from this
place. The soldiers will keep returning to this area until they find what they
are seeking.”
    They
walked to the house. Jehon and Firbin veered off to the truck while Ardal went
to get Fiona. She had already packed, so there should be no problem leaving
right away. He opened the door and she almost fell out in her rush to meet him.
    Ardal
took the bag from her hand. “The men are waiting in the truck.”
    “I
can’t go.”
     

Chapter 8
    “We
leave now.” Ardal’s voice was low, but the cold look in his eyes sent shivers
down Fiona’s spine. The man could be menacing when he wanted to be.
    Fiona
shook her head and straightened her shoulders. “I’ve had a message from the
group that is protecting me. They’ve told me not to leave.”
    “What
message?”
    “It
was on my voicemail.”
    “You
mail