aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

Firbin stopped the van with a screech of the brakes. “I recognize that trucker. His name is George. We met him when I was traveling with Ardal after we crashed on this planet. We were being pursued by a biker gang called the FD Warriors.”

  “Will he help?”

  “He helped us with the bikers.” Firbin opened his door. “I am certain he will again.”

  Firbin jumped out of the van. Partlan and Breanon followed. They were gone several minutes, which seemed more like hours. Selena stayed where she was, letting Catal’s calm flow through her.

  “We will have the boys soon.”

  “I know.” Selena looked up into Catal’s eyes. “Tarrin is still alive. I know it.”

  “I haven’t been able to contact him.” Catal’s voice was pained. “He may not be able to connect, but we will find him.”

  “I trust you.” Selena stretched up and kissed him. “I know now that you have never failed me.”

  Catal’s gazed at her with an intensity that burned through to her soul. “I would die before I let any harm come to you or Tarrin.”

  The opening of the front door broke the spell. The others jumped into the vehicle.

  “The truck went north. It had the words Diamond Freezer Haulage on its side.” Firbin shifted the van into gear and was back on the highway within seconds. “It only left about fifteen minutes ago. I should have no trouble catching it.”

  Selena heaved a sigh.

  Soon she would have Tarrin in her arms.

  The van swayed and bounced as Firbin sped down the highway. Catal kept her close. She could feel the pounding of his heart against her ear. It was steady and sure. Almost an hour passed before Catal shifted in the seat. The van was slowing down.

  “There it is.” Firbin put the brakes on.

  He swung the vehicle into a rest area and pulled up beside a semi with the words Diamond Freezer Haulage. The area was dark. The only illumination was from the truck’s headlights. Selena eased away from Catal, who was checking the magazine of his pistol. All the men were arming themselves for a battle. A shiver went through her. What if one of the boys was shot by mistake.

  “We wouldn’t do that.” Catal’s low voice brushed past her ear. “We will secure them first.”

  “Promise?”

  “Always.” Catal pulled her close and let his lips brush against hers.

  “I just want our son back alive.”

  “As do I.” Catal squeezed her tight before releasing her and moving toward the van’s rear door. “You stay here with Firbin.”

  He opened the door and jumped down with the rest of the men. She rubbed her arms with her hands to keep the chill of fear at bay. She felt useless, but it was safer for her to stay here. Catal and the others didn’t need her interference. Heaving a sigh, she leaned her head against the metal side of the van and waited. Soon Tarrin would be in her arms.

  She was filled with contentment until the loud retort of a gun ripped through the air and her heart.

  Chapter 16

  Darkness surrounded and protected Catal.

  The scent of diesel, from the running truck, filled his nostrils as he eased his way around the rear of the transport and moved to the cab. A man was visible within the circle of the semi’s headlights. His back was toward him and he was walking in the direction of the restrooms. There was only one other vehicle in the parking lot and it was leaving. It would be easier to ambush the truck driver before he got to the building.

  Partlan motioned for him to follow their quarry.

  Catal gripped his gun.

  Edging away from the side of the transport, he eased his breathing. All of his focus was on the driver. His son was somewhere inside the truck, but he had to be certain. His concentration and determination increased with each step he took. He needed information from the driver. That man held the key to his son’s freedom and he intended to get it.

  The man he followed was short and wide. He walked with a limp and his body looked as if it were permanently bent at the shoulders. The running engine of the truck masked Catal’s footsteps. He slipped up beside the driver and nodded. The man’s eyes widened in surprise. Before he could react, Catal grabbed him around the neck and covered his mouth with his hand. He dragged him off the paved path and into the bushes behind the building.

  Ranon and Malac joined them.

  “Where are they?” Catal’s voice was a growl as he eased his hand away from the man’s mouth.

  “Look man, I don’t carry money with me.” The driver’s voice shook.

  “We want the boys.” Catal pushed his captive against the side of the building and shoved his gun under his jaw. “We know you made arrangements to pick them up in Castaic. Are they in your cab, or the trailer?”

  “I didn’t pick up anything in Castaic.” The man’s hand shook as he lifted his keys. “You can check the truck out, but all I’m carrying is frozen food.”

  Catal took the keys and threw them at Ranon.

  Soon the boys would be free.

  He pushed back a sense of elation. He still had to deal with the driver. He turned to Malac and signalled him to hold the man while he went to follow Ranon. He wanted to be present when his son was found. Ranon moved to exchange places with Catal.

  Catal’s arms were away from the man for a mere second, but it was enough for the driver to free one hand. In less time than it took for a heartbeat, he had reached behind his back and pulled a gun. His finger was on the trigger just as Catal grabbed his arm and pushed it up.

  The shot echoed through the night.

  Catal squeezed the man’s hand and banged it against the wooden side of the building until he dropped the pistol. Ranon picked it up and shoved it into his waistband.

  “An innocent man wouldn’t have tried to kill us.” Catal strengthened his grip on the man’s throat. “You must know we have no choice but to kill you for what you’ve done to the boys.”

  “I’ve told you there are no boys.” The driver’s voice was a hoarse squeak. “I don’t have a clue as to what you’re talking about.”

  “The two boys that were abducted in Los Angeles a week ago. They were seen going into your truck.” Catal tightened his hands. “Kidnapping is bad enough, but lying shows you’ve no honor at all. Do you have any idea what was intended for the boys?”

  The driver shook his head. His fear was a palatable entity. The man had done harm to children. He could not be left alive. He would only continue along the same path and many more innocent children would be hurt. There was only one option left to a Hunter.

  The man must die.

  Catal inhaled and lifted the man by his neck. He eyes didn’t waver from the terror in the other’s gaze. At least he would make his end swift and painless, which was more consideration than had been given to the boys.

  “Wait.” Partlan’s voice rang out.

  Catal eased the man to the ground. He continued to hold him by the neck, but there was no pressure in his grip. “What have you found?”

  Partlan halted beside him. “The boys are not in the truck.”

  Catal’s heart stopped for second. He turned back to the driver. “What did you do with them?”

  “I told you, I don’t have anything but frozen food onboard.”

  “You were seen leaving Castaic. We also know the boys were being held hostage on a Diamond Freezer truck.” Partlan’s tone was harsh.

  “Do you know how big the company is?” The man’s eyes shifted between him and Partlan. “There is more than one Diamond Freezer truck. As a matter of fact, I followed another Diamond truck out of Castaic.”

  “Where is that truck now?” Catal forced his voice to remain steady.

  The man shrugged. “He turned off toward Bakersfield.”

  “Did you know him?”

  “Only to look at. We drive for the same company, but our routes are different. I go up along the coast and he takes the interior.”

  “What do you know about his sideline of transporting children?” Catal raised an ey
ebrow.

  “It’s the first time I’ve heard anything about it.” The man’s voice cracked. “Hey, I’ve got three kids of my own. I would never keep quiet about something like that.”

  Catal eased his hand away from the man’s neck. There was no doubting the sincerity in the man’s voice. Frustration and anger battled inside of him. He took a deep breath and steadied his heartbeat. To have been so close to finding the boys and then to be disappointed was almost more than he could stand.

  “What am I going to tell Selena?” Catal pushed back his anguish.

  “The truth.” Partlan’s voice was firm. “We do not give up.”

  Catal nodded and took a step back from the driver. “Our information was wrong. I apologize for frightening you.”

  The man rubbed his neck. “No worries, man. I’m sorry I tried to shoot you, but you guys scared me. Are you sure that it was a Diamond truck the kids were put on? It just doesn’t seem possible.”

  “Our information is correct.” Partlan spoke in a quiet voice. “We have no intention of hurting the innocent. All we want is to find the boys before harm is done to them.”

  “I understand.” The driver moved away from the wall. “I wish I could help more.”

  “You’ve told us what you know.” Catal sighed. “We will find the other truck.”

  The driver gave him a look of unease. “Can I go now?”

  “Yes.” Catal moved so the man could walk away.

  Catal crossed his arms and watched as the guy walk back to his truck. No one could have guessed that two identical trucks would be leaving Castaic at the same time. Worse, they were both going in the same direction. It was a hard blow.

  The sooner they were back on the road chasing the second truck, the better. The man had a huge start on them, and they would have to make up for lost time. They also had to consider where he was going to drop the boys off. Finding them now was going to be difficult.

  When he reached the van, Selena was already outside. Her eyes were wide and her hands were clutched together at her heart. Catal gathered her close. All he could do was send her love and hope. Within seconds, he felt her body relax against him. Only then did he ease away and look at her.

  “The boys aren’t here.”

  “What was the gun shot I heard? Was anyone hurt?”

  Catal shook his head. “The driver was trying to protect himself. I forced his hand into the air.”

  Selena’s lowered lip trembled. “Now what?”

  “We know there was a second truck. It turned off toward Bakersfield.”

  “That was miles ago.”

  “True.” Catal touched his forehead to hers. “We will find the boys.”

  Selena looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. “I’m frightened.”

  “I won’t give up until Tarrin is back with you.”

  “But will it be soon enough?” Selena’s voice broke. “The damage that could happen to them is more than physical. They’re just young boys. How do they recover from this?”

  “Tarrin is strong. He is a Hunter.”

  “But I’ve raised him, not you.”

  Catal grinned. “You’re the toughest woman I know. You are my pair bond, which means you understand the ways of a Hunter, even if you don’t realize it.”

  “You’re trying to make me feel better. I appreciate that. The only thing that will help is to have my son in my arms and know he is safe.”

  Catal’s chest tightened. Tarrin was lucky to have known a mother’s love. It was much more than he’d ever had as a child. He pulled Selena close. To have her love was more than he deserved. He was blessed. Selena trusted him to find Tarrin and he wasn’t going to disappoint her. He wouldn’t stop until his son was found. It was a vow and a promise that went deeper than his obedience to the Sacred Code.

  “You’ve said that you can sense Tarrin. Is that still possible?”

  Selena moved back from his chest. “Yes, but it’s getting weaker.”

  “I can’t contact him, no matter what I try.” Catal held Selena at arm’s length and looked down at her. “I need you to do something for me.”

  “Anything.”

  “Does Tarrin know I am his father?”

  “Not exactly.” Selena glanced away for a second. “I’ve only told him his father was a soldier.”

  “Would he trust me, even though I am a stranger?”

  Selena bit her lip. “I never told him anything negative about you, if that’s what you’re asking. Even though I felt betrayed, I couldn’t let him believe that the part of him that came from his father was less than perfect.”

  Catal closed his eyes briefly. Selena had honor. “Could you try and send him a message that his father is trying to contact him?”

  “I can’t speak to him telepathically.”

  “But he can sense you?”

  “I believe so.” Selena rubbed her arms. “Do you think that if he is expecting you then you’ll be able to communicate?”

  “It’s possible.” Catal put an arm around her shoulder and led her back to the van. “Up to now he has only known you. He doesn’t understand about communicating through mind connection. If you ease his fears about what to expect, he might be more open to me.”

  The other men were already in the van. Catal helped Selena in and seated her across from him in the rear. She seemed to sag against the metal side of the van, but within a few seconds, she straightened up. She closed her eyes. He knew Selena was sending their son positive energy and hope.

  He turned to Partlan. “Selena is going to try and connect with Tarrin. Perhaps he will be more open to our communications afterwards.”

  “It will help. I know it was a long time ago for you, but remember your first connection when you were little more than a babe.” Partlan shut the door and held onto the back of the driver’s seat. “Tarrin will feel the same way as you did.”

  “It was a shock, I recall that much.”

  “And you were surrounded by your brothers and clan members.” Partlan sat beside him. “Firbin is going to take us back to the turnoff. He is a fast driver, but we have lost a lot of time.”

  Catal nodded. “After Selena is finished, I will try and make contact with Tarrin again. Any information he can send us will help.”

  For the next ten minutes, they drove in silence. Firbin pushed the van to its limits as they retraced the miles. They were on the lookout for a cross road to take them to Bakersfield. If they were lucky, the truck wouldn’t have reached Bakersfield. Their best chance of spotting the vehicle was in an isolated area, where it would stand out.

  Catal had his eyes glued to the outside, scanning every bit of highway and side road they passed when Selena touched his hand. A jolt of heat seared him. He looked at her face and noticed a lessening of the tension.

  “Have you connected with him?”

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  “He is alive. That is good.”

  “I’ve sent him thoughts about you. I don’t know if he understands my message, but I sent it to him.”

  “He will sense that you are near.” Catal took her hand and squeezed it. “Let me try now.”

  She nodded and moved back into her seat. “I pray you’ll be able to connect with him.”

  Catal crossed his arms and leaned back. The other warriors in the van were busy checking their weapons. They understood, like Partlan, how difficult the first connection could be. They were giving him privacy, so he could concentrate. Catal took a deep breath and focused.

  He’d been about three when he’d first heard the voices of his fellow Hunters. It had meant the end of his childhood and the beginning of his training as a warrior. The most disconcerting thing was that it had been so unexpected and painful for the first couple of connections. After that, it had become second nature, but he could still remember the fear and doubt the first time he’d heard his mentor speak to him with thoughts.

  It was a secret that only Hunters shared. Not even their teachers, who were Kalad
in, knew of the mind connection. Their telepathic ability was probably the result of centuries of genetic modifications and manipulation. Some of their legends said that when time began they had been able to connect to others through their mind, but the ability had been lost. Necessity and survival had forced their breed to remember how to speak to each other without words.

  Catal didn’t care why he could connect, he just knew that it had saved his life many times. It also made them unique. No matter how strongly the Kaladin held control over their lives and actions, there was still a part of them that was private and secret. No one outside their brotherhood knew about it except their mates, and until they had come to Earth, they hadn’t had mates.

  Tarrin might feel a connection with his mother, but he wouldn’t understand the voice that would be pushing to be heard inside his mind. And that was exactly what Catal had to do. He had to force Tarrin to hear him and respond. It was the difference between life and death.

  He sent out wave after wave of mind connection. His words were simple. “Tarrin it is Catal, your father. I am here to help you.”

  He sent the same message time and again. Along with words, he sent love and hope. He knew from his first connection that it sometimes took days for the voices to be heard. He fervently prayed that wouldn’t be the case. They didn’t have the luxury of time.

  The van had turned off toward Bakersfield when Catal felt a glimmer of a response. It was hesitant and a faint whisper in his mind, but he knew it was Tarrin.

  “Are you real?”

  “Yes.” Catal let his mind connect fully. “You mother sent for me. My brothers and I have come to rescue you and Gates.”

  Catal knew that the more specific he was with names, the more real it would seem to Tarrin. The first mind connect was always met with doubt and concern, even for a young child. Tarrin was older than most for his first connection, so the doubts would be greater.

  “How can you help us?” This time Tarrin’s voice was stronger.

  “I am a warrior. I’ve been trained since I was younger than you to deal with the situation you are in, but I need your cooperation.”

  “What can I do?”