Free Pradorian Mate by C. Baely, Kristie Dawn Page A

sealed. Did you see the dead look in their eyes when they followed the males? They probably already injected that serum into their bodies. I was there when they were lined up with the rest, and Archail gave his speech. He said the women were to be prepared for a ceremony and something about sacrifice. I’m not waiting around for that, and neither should you.”
    Orora winced once more as Sara started to half drag her away. Taking another look in the direction the other women had walked off in, she heaved a heavy sigh and joined Sara, matching her pace perfectly.
    * * *
    An hour had passed before Archail swam ashore and dressed himself again with the small cloth he always wore. His eyes scanned the lakeside for any sign of Sara, but he saw none. She was nowhere to be found. He let out a tired sigh as his mind went through the possibilities. Maybe she had run away again? Maybe she had just gone back to the cave. He decided to check the cave first, but on reaching it, she wasn’t there, nor could he smell or sense her nearby. Archail even checked all the rooms she could access before deciding to search outside, but he ran into Dar as he was leaving.
    “Orora is gone. I let her have some time alone at the lakeside, but when I returned to collect her, she was gone.”
    Archail frowned as he considered this. “Then I can only assume Sara is with her now.”
    Dar grimaced slightly, causing soft wrinkles to appear above his thin nose. He shook his head softly in disapproval, while his thick eyebrows creased thoughtfully.
    Archail cursed and pushed him aside. “They can’t have gone far. Let’s track their scent from the lake and see where it leads.”
    “If they are injured or die before the ceremony—” Dar began before Archail cut him off fiercely.
    “ I know the price that must be paid for what I’ve asked. It makes no difference either way! I agreed,” stated Archail sternly.
    Dar simply saluted his leader with a hand on his chest and joined him in tracking the girls.
    Dar and Archail were soon hot on their trail, moving rapidly through the forest with a speed and agility not unlike a cheetah’s. “What would you have us do when we reach them, my Vasil?”
    Archail’s stiff but lithe frame easily dodged trees, avoided roots and fallen branches, and passed over the ground so lightly he barely left any prints. His eyes squinted against the oncoming wind. “I first want to know why they ran away again.”
    His companion grinned. “Your mate is very spirited, a fine match for a Pradorian. Now if she can be made to stand still for more than a few moments…” Dar’s comment was met with a low growl from Archail, signaling for him to quit while he was ahead. Dar complied, but he maintained his wry grin.

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Huff after puff of air escaped from the women’s lungs as they ran. They ran until their insides burned and their legs wobbled unsteadily, like toddlers exhausted after trying their first steps. Orora raised a hand, looking as if she was ready to collapse. “I can’t keep this up any longer. Let’s rest here. We’re far enough away now that it’d take someone a while to catch up, assuming anyone is even looking yet.”
    Sara’s eyebrows rose, looking still as defiant as when they left the lake, when she turned to gaze at her friend. “We can’t stop now! If they’ve noticed we’re gone, they’ll have started looking for us, and you know they run much faster than we do. We have to hurry and find a place to hide before nightfall.”
    “But it’s barely midday. How are we going to keep this up all day? I can barely feel my legs now.” Orora sank to the ground.
    Sara moved to grab Orora’s arm. “We can’t stop now. Come on, let’s at least walk. There must be a hollow tree we can hide in around here.” Sara looked around while supporting her friend with one arm around her shoulders. After a moment, Sara pointed to a rock formation that looked fairly small from their location.