Free Hearts of Ishira (Hearts of Ishira Saga) by Bethany Aan Page B

into the courtyard, wanting to see what was going on. She could sense them, all male, and the growing excitement and interest pressed against her mind, bringing back some of the pain. All around her there was movement and sound, but she could do no more than close her eyes again and allow things to happen without her participation. She felt so weak, so listless. When faced with an emergency, Ri was capable, decisive, and strong. But as soon as someone else showed up who could take over and do a better job, Arianna could fall apart, be pathetic. It was no different now.
    Her girls were safe within the walls of the compound. Hunter was organizing his men and the women were being taken either to the great hall or to the medical center. Ri was exhausted. But she had been strong when she needed to be. That was what mattered.
    Her head was about to split open. There were too many minds bombarding her, all of them open and broadcasting, all of them in states of heightened excitement, good or bad. It didn’t help that the majority of the girls were terrified, now that they had reached their destination. Their emotional ‘noise’ was almost too much for Arianna. She whimpered and burrowed her nose into Hunter’s chest, trying to block out the worst of it. He stopped suddenly, looking down at her, as he realized that her distress was from the mental state of those around her, and not just because of her head injury. He gave the girls a thoughtful look then nodded, as though coming to a decision. Moving past the main group, he walked his beast straight to a smaller building off to the side of the main compound.
    His stride was long, but not jarring, as he dismounted and carried her into what appeared to be a surprisingly advanced computer room or command center. He quickly sat her down in a stuffed chair, wrapped her in his cloak, and then rummaged around in a drawer for something. His eyes were bright with excitement as he held up a small electronic device and pressed it to her uninjured temple. There was a tiny little pinprick then she felt an odd sensation, as though something was entering her brain. She was very dizzy for a moment, but when her eyes once again focused, Hunter was watching her expectantly.
    “Can you understand me?” he asked, clasping her hands eagerly. She gasped and nodded in surprise. She could understand him! The nod sent pain shafting through her skull, momentarily blinding her and filling her with nausea and dizziness. He reached out to touch her face and draw some of the pain away from her then took a few moments to soothe and hold her steady until she was able to focus on him once more.
    “You are a Reader,” he said softly, in deference to her aching head.
    “What do you mean?” she asked in a whisper.
    “You know what others are thinking, feeling.”
    “Oh…” she hesitated. In her world, empaths and psychics were still anathema among the general population. She didn’t know if admitting to the talent would mean trouble or not, on this alien world. She and Hunter had been communicating that way, yes, but was he an anomaly? Hunter smiled and winked at her, sensing her hesitation at admitting her special talents.
    “No need to be concerned,” he said softly. “Readers are highly valued in our society, so there is no need to fear.”
    “As you are?” she asked quietly, then grimaced at the absurdity of the question.
    “Yes,” he nodded, as though her question wasn’t stupid at all. “All of our battalion and ship commanders are, as are all of our territorial and municipal leaders, counselors, and law enforcement. A Reader is always ranked as a Commander, no matter what career they have chosen.”
    She blinked at the unexpected stream of information. Her head was reeling with everything that had happened and she had a feeling that she didn’t have much stamina left. Her eyes locked with Hunter’s for a moment, lost in the bright green irises, tiny flecks of blue, and the dark ring