Free Hunting Evander by Kim Knox

Chapter One
     
    The seconds counted down and I frowned. Already I ’ d wasted too much time.
    I stopped outside the bar and drew in a deep lungful of warm, filtered air. Running a hand through my hair, I glanced around me. The entrance to the bar had been set back beyond a bowl carved into the rock. Ice crusted the curves of the distant cavern roof. It clung to the cracks above the reach of the tech that brought warmth to the labyrinthine city below the miles of surface ice. The tunnels were empty at the late hour, the citizens of Lisala-7 finding pleasure in the outer-planet ’ s many dives. Only the whir of the air filters and the dulled throb of music cut the silence.
    The Festival of Chiaran held the underground city in its grip and any who ignored the festivities were shipped off planet. No questions, no pleas. The Lisalans took their festivals, and this one in particular, very seriously.
    I snorted. Of course, five days of licensed debauchery would be popular on any planet, but the Lisalans had made it compulsory.
    I ran my fingers over the time-graft on my left wrist, the dark numbers turning over. Only twenty minutes left. My time was almost at an end and if it passed, I would forfeit the hunt. My mouth thinned. No, that was not going to happen.
    I rolled my neck, the strap of leather tied at my nape creaking. I cursed. The skimpy halter-neck top barely covered my chest, exposed my arms and stomach. The shorts I wore were equally tight and revealing. I had to look the part. That was also compulsory. I stroked my fingers over the grip of the gun strapped to my thigh and felt better. Doran Evander—Van—lay on the other side of the pitted metal door. Find him and my hunt would be complete.
    I pushed at the heavy door. The hinges creaked and rock dust drifted on the slight stir of the air. Throbbing music, the heavy odor of drugs and sex, hit me like a wall. I winced. Naturally, Van was hiding out here. Hell, he could ’ ve at least picked somewhere clean .
    I stood to the side and the door thunked back into its frame. With my spine pressed against the smooth, cool rock wall, I let my eyes grow accustomed to the low light. The heavy beat of the music pounded through my blood and the heat of the interior pressed against my bared skin. Darkened shadows shifted, almost moving to the rhythms. Arms, legs, torsos…I couldn ’ t tell, and didn ’ t want to know. A bar counter stretched off to the left, its surface a soft, white glow. Bartenders served leisurely, as the clients who had made it to the counter didn ’ t seem overly interested in drinking.
    I pushed myself away from the safety of the wall and headed for the bar. If anyone had seen Van stash himself away, then it was likely to be one of the staff on duty.
    I insinuated myself between the bodies, planted my elbows on the counter and ignored the press of hot flesh against mine. The heavy beat dulled around the bar and I eased out a relieved breath. I could almost think again. The glow only illuminated those immediately in front of it. I glanced to my right and a caught a woman gripping the bar rail with whitened fists, panting, her body bared and only the movement of shadows behind her. Who and what drew out her increasing moans, I had no idea.
    I looked away to catch the attention of one of the staff and jerked forward as a hand curved across my ass, long, warm fingers teasing, dipping between my thighs to almost find my pussy. Another hand eased over my hip and a hard, male body pressed up against my spine. I didn ’ t look down, but the slow slide of fingers over my bare stomach, the push of them under my leather top to cup my breast had me breathing fast. My belly tightened and I tried not to push back against the man ’ s hand between my thighs. It had been too long since I ’ d had sex…and hell, the thought of losing myself in the anonymity of the festival was tempting. But I couldn ’ t. I had a mission to fulfill.
    A barman lifted an eyebrow,