“And those laws include not hurting woman or children.” Grace shook her head. “That’s almost impossible to enforce.”
“Once we look into an injustice, it will not happen again.” Ardal looked over at Partlan. “Men who kidnap children should not be left alive. If a woman had not asked for their lives to be spared, they would be dead.”
“I understand, but that is why we have laws.”
“Was not one of those men a judge? If the people who enforce your laws are corrupt, then people have no choice but to ask us to get justice for them.”
Grace rubbed her forehead. As much as she agreed with what Ardal was saying, she had sworn to protect the law. She didn’t know if she could give that up just because she had found love. It was a difficult decision, but one that she would have to make. A thought suddenly occurred to her.
“Are we still in danger because of those agents at the facility?”
Partlan looked over at Ardal, before he spoke. “They will hunt us down until we have been killed.” He was matter of fact. “We cannot let them find us.”
Grace’s stomach dropped. “That includes me.”
“What happened at the facility?” Another man sat beside Ardal. His voice was a growl. “How did they find you, Partlan?”
“This is Darrogh.” Ardal pointed to the newcomer. “He is the second in command of the unit.”
“Why were you taken captive? Did the woman cause it?” Darrogh fired his questions like bullets.
“You will have to forgive Darrogh.” Ardal cleared his throat. “He has not found his pair bond and has no understanding of the depth of the bond between mates.”
“A warrior has no use for a mate.” Darrogh crossed his arms over his chest.
“No one can fully appreciate it until they have a mate.” Partlan’s voice was low. “I was not blind to the connection between mates. Darrogh refuses to understand.”
“To answer your question Darrogh, I was not the reason that Partlan was taken to Australia.” Grace used her most official FBI voice. “Partlan was visited by two strange men in the hospital and I happened to be there with him at the time.”
“Albireons.” When Partlan said the word there was silence from the other men.
“Are you certain?” Ardal frowned. “We eliminated them in the Cygnus system. The Kaladin would not do business with them because of their deceitfulness.”
“There is no doubt.” Partlan gathered her hand in his and a wave of calm ebbed through her. “Grace was taken away to one of their labs.”
“They injected a chip into me.” Grace held out her right forearm. The bandage had long since disappeared, but the small incision where Eogan had removed the chip was still there. “It’s been removed. That is the only way we were able to escape. Otherwise, they would have tracked us.”
“How did they gain such power on Earth?” Ardal’s voice held disbelief.
“They had full rein at the facility. Eogan was very clear about that.” Partlan moved closer to Grace.
“Who is Eogan?” Darrogh’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“He helped us.” Grace spoke before Partlan could explain. She didn’t want anyone to be angry with the Hunter who had risked his life so that they could be free. He deserved all of their gratitude.
“Eogan is a fellow warrior who arranged our escape.” Silence followed Partlan’s words. “He is clan Rioge and has been stranded on Earth as long as Lorcan and the others.”
“Impossible.” Lorcan shook his head. “He’s dead.”
“The humans kept him captive and altered his implants.” A hush fell over the plane at Partlan’s words.
“Why didn’t he contact us?” Lorcan’s eyes widened.
“That is not possible in the facility. Eogan thinks there is something that blocks frequencies and is interfering with our mind connection.”
“What about when he was away from the base?” Lorcan frowned. “We would have come for him.”
“He was not allowed to leave for many years, and by then, he had been informed that all Hunters had been killed.”
“So, he made no effort to escape.” Ardal nodded. “I am amazed that there is another of my clan still alive.”
Lorcan sank into a seat across the aisle. “He was captured with Catal, but we thought he was dead.”
“Horrible things were done to Catal.” Partlan’s voice was solemn. “They were done to Eogan also.”
“Isolation from his brothers would have been bad enough.” Ardal’s jaw tightened. “What else have they done to him?”
“He is used as a killing machine for them.” Partlan’s gaze held Ardal’s “I believe he was sent in to kill the people at Selena’s compound in Colombia.”
“Why has he not escaped?”
“He has implants that are active.” Partlan rubbed his forearm. “The humans have figured out a way to control him.”
“The Albireons have probably helped.” Ardal’s tone was scornful. “We must rescue him.”
“He says not to try.” Grace’s voice was soft. “He will come out when it is time, and then he will contact you. He fears that all of the Hunters would be killed trying to rescue him.”
Ardal nodded. “He is clan Rioge, so he must have considered all options. We will wait for him to contact us.”
“That is what he wants.” Partlan brushed a finger over Grace’s hand. “He doesn’t want an immediate attack on the facility either. He thinks they will suspect him of helping with our escape.”
“That makes no sense.” Darrogh’s tone was derogatory. “The Albireons know that Hunters never rest until they have accomplished their mission. Kidnapping one of our own, is enough reason for us to retaliate.”
“Think about Eogan.” Ardal was the voice of reason. “He has been a captive since he was a child. They probably have no reason to suspect that he would turn on them.”
“Eogan had never considered disobeying until he sensed that I was near.” Partlan pursed his lips. “He felt that he was the only Hunter on this planet and with no hope of returning to Cygnus, why would he escape?”
“True.” Ardal nodded. “Also, from what Catal told us, he and Eogan were ordered to be captured. They were used as bait so the others could go free.”
“Eogan had been told that all the others who had landed on the planet had been killed. The humans might not know about the mind connection, but they certain did not want Eogan looking for survivors.”
Grace sighed. “It is a horrible thing to think that humans would do such a thing.”
“We are human too.” Silence followed Ardal’s words.
“That will take some time to digest.” Partlan was solemn. “This world has felt so strange, but now I know the truth. This is where we belong.”
“Especially since you have found your mate.” Ardal spoke with approval. “There is no way to describe how wonderful that is.”
“I have seen how it changed you and the others.” Partlan’s voice was respectful. “It made me yearn for something I did not understand, until I found Grace. Now everything makes sense, including why we were transported to Earth for execution.”
“And why we were sent to train here as children,” Lorcan added. “For years, I despised the humans for what they did to my fellow Hunters.”
“The humans had help.” Grace’s voice faltered as she remembered the horrors that she had seen in the facility.
“The Albireons.” Lorcan nodded. “Now that we know they are behind this, we will be better prepared.”
“They hold a lot of power on this planet.” Partlan’s tone was cautious. “Eogan says that the group that works with them in secrecy, controls most of the world’s assets. They have more power than individual nations.”
“We must proceed with care. There will be no movement against this group until we have all the information on them.”
“Or until they attack us.” Darrogh’s voice was harsh. “I do not think we should wait for them to come to us. The sooner we
plan what to do, the better.”
“Perhaps.” Ardal’s voice was calm. “I will take your advice into consideration. Right now, we need to give Partlan and his mate some rest. They have been through a harrowing experience, and I suspect Partlan has not slept.”
“You’re right.” Grace smiled up at Partlan. “He refused to sleep and kept watch the whole time.”
“We have several hours before out next stop.” Ardal stood. “We will leave you alone.”
“Where are we landing?” Grace reached for a blanket that Darrogh held out to her.
“It is a secret location that we have used in the past.” Lorcan crossed his arms.
“Will I be able to contact my colleagues in the FBI and let them know I am safe?” She opened the blanket.
“I will permit only one call from the airport where we refuel.” Ardal’s voice was firm. “After that, if you chose to come with us, then contact with the outside world is forbidden.”
Chapter 22
Their plane was circling the area where they were going to land. It was little more than a long strip of flat ground in the middle of miles and miles of forest. They had refuelled on the west coast and Grace had been allowed one phone call.
Now, they were in an isolated location at the edge of what was known as the Ring of Fire in Canada. No one frequented this area except mining firms. Lorcan had set up a company as cover. He had mineral rights for huge sections of land, and had bought everything that had been available. They would be safe and inconspicuous here.
It was a long way from Los Angeles.
She sighed and then rubbed her eyes before stretching her arms over her head. “It looks pretty secluded. How soon before we’re on the ground?”
“A few minutes.” Partlan’s voice was hesitant. “We need to talk about you staying with me.”
Grace’s heart stuttered to a stop. “You don’t want me.”
Partlan shook his head. “I need you always. I do not wish you to be forced into a decision. This is a difficult life we lead.”
“The life I had before is gone.” The tight band around her chest shortened. “There are few choices left to me.”
Partlan nodded. “You believe you have to remain with me.”
“That’s not what I said.” Grace straightened away from the window. “I love you. If being with you means giving up the FBI, then so be it.”
“You are certain this is what you want?”
Grace tilted her head. “Are you having second thoughts?
“Never.”
Partlan leaned down and kissed her. The world spun away and all of her doubts and concerns vanished. This was where she belonged. Whatever the future held for her, it was better than what she had left behind. She’d gladly sacrifice a career in law enforcement to be held and loved by Partlan always.
The plane landed without incident and they parked it inside a hangar hidden by trees. This was a private airstrip that Lorcan had created years ago. No one could search it, or see what was here from the air. It provided security and secrecy. Grace admired the forethought that had gone into the operation.
There were two green camouflage painted SUV’s waiting for them inside the hangar. Ardal was the first to disembark. As soon as the hatch opened, a woman jumped out of one of the vehicles and rushed into his arms. Ardal picked her up and kissed her. They walked hand and hand to the first vehicle.
“Who is she?”
“That is Fiona, Ardal’s mate.” Partlan stood and waited for Grace to go in front of him.
“How many Hunters have found mates?”
“Four, including me.”
“That’s not very many.”
“We have only been here for ten months.” Partlan spoke close to her ear. A shiver of awareness danced across her neck.
She grinned and looked back at him. “I would have expected big boys like you to have taken the females by storm.”
“It does not work that way for us.” Partlan frowned. “There is a reason one’s mate is chosen. Some may call it destiny. I believe the mate that is our perfect match, is the one we find.”
“Well, I would hardly call myself a great catch for a warrior type.” Grace’s tone was derisive.
“You are wonderful.” Partlan’s voice rose in awe. “You are a true warrior. There is no one I would rather have by my side.”
Grace almost missed her step. She had always considered herself too tall and gawky for most men. To hear that Partlan considered her perfect was a surprise, especially when she watched the petite redhead that was their leader’s mate. Even her ex-fiancé had told her that she wasn’t what most men wanted.
“So what happens now?” Grace cleared her throat. “Is this like witness protection and we have to hide for the rest of our lives?”
“I have work to do. I cannot hide.” Partlan took her elbow and led her to the second vehicle. “We will discuss it more at the cabin.”
Grace shrugged. “As you wish.”
She’d already spoken to Bakker and he’d informed her that the bureau thought she was dead. That left little chance of her resuming her career in the FBI, assuming she wanted to go back there. She’d changed since meeting Partlan and the kidnapping. She wasn’t willing to accept the status quo’s perception of what was happening in the world. There was much more going on behind the scenes.
“I can’t go back to the FBI. Where does that leave me?” Grace’s words were out before she’d thought about Partlan’s reaction.
Partlan held the door of the car open and waited until she was seated before getting in beside her. “You can help with our work.”
“How?” Grace clasped her hands together on her lap. “I’m not strong like you and the other Hunters. I don’t have the ability to mind connect either.”
“You know law enforcement on this planet.” Partlan took her hand and squeezed. “I would like you to stay and be my mate, but if you do not want this, I am sure we can set you up with a new life; a life that you could be happy with.”
Grace’s heart constricted. “I will only be happy, if I am with you.”
Partlan stared at her for a second, his eyes unwavering in their look of adoration. Grace fought back her own tears of joy as she let him gather her into his arms. His kiss was a vow. His lips tender until the heat of their need took over. The world disappeared and it wasn’t until another Hunter cleared his throat that she realized they’d been joined by a stranger.
“We have arrived at the cabin.” He seemed to be younger than the other Hunters that she had met on the plane.
Partlan grinned. “Meet Firbin.”
Firbin turned around from the driver’s seat and held out his hand. “I am glad to see that Partlan has found his mate. He’s one of the best warriors in our unit.”
“Thank you.” Grace’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I forgot others were in the vehicle.”
“No problem.” Firbin opened his door and jumped out. “I understand the pair bond is an intense thing.”
Grace looked at Partlan, but he only shrugged. She slid over the seat to the door and exited the vehicle. They were in a densely wooded area with what looked like a large log cabin hidden under the trees. Partlan led her to the cabin door.
The cabin was huge. There was a central area, with chairs and couches scattered about. A large fire pit, in the middle, made it look more like a ski lodge than a hideaway. From the main area, three hallways extended. One led to an open kitchen and a large dining room. The other two were dark hallways, and Grace assumed that they led to the sleeping quarters.
“How many live here?” she whispered as she turned to Partlan.
“As many as necessary.” Ardal’s voice boomed from the main lounging area. “Come and meet my wife. She has been waiting anxiously to see you, ever since Partlan communicated that he had found his pair bond.”
Partlan pressed a hand to her back and urged her forward. Standing beside Ardal, was the woman she had seen on the airstrip. At close range, she cou
ld see how beautiful Fiona was, with flowing red hair and lively emerald eyes. When she reached them, Fiona hugged her.
“I’m Fiona.” She stood back and smiled. “It must be so confusing for you right now, but I promise everything will get better.”
“Fiona rescued us when we crash landed on this planet,” Partlan explained. “We owe her much.”
“She also trained to be a medical doctor, so she can look after you.” Ardal’s voice held pride.
Grace touched her throat. “Ranon fixed it.”
“He is clan Leigh. They are gifted in healing.” Partlan motioned for her to sit on the chair beside him.”
“How did you get it?” Fiona sat across from Grace.
“I had a knife held to my throat and when I threw him, he cut me.”
Fiona’s eyes widened. “You did this on your own.”
Grace shrugged. “I’m trained in martial arts and self-defence.”
“I was not quick enough to prevent the injury.” Partlan’s voice was full of regret.
“You were too busy killing the other men who were shooting at us.” Grace rolled her eyes. “You had enough to do. I was able to handle the situation.”
“I understand what you mean Partlan. Your mate is indeed a warrior at heart.” Ardal sat forward. “If you choose to stay with us, we can use your skills to help others.”
“What exactly do you do?”
“We right the wrongs that others have suffered.” Ardal’s voice was serious. “They contact us through the internet and tell us what has happened. If there has been dishonor, or the Sacred Code is broken, then we will get them justice.”
“That is how I contacted them.” Another woman’s voice sounded from one of the hallways. Grace looked up and recognized Selena Duarte. She had been the nanny to the Walters’ son Gates. Selena’s son, Tarrin, had been kidnapped with Gates and sold to child traffickers. All of her FBI intelligence had led her to believe that Selena was somehow involved in the kidnaping.
“I owe you an apology about the kidnapping.” Grace stood. “I’m glad to see you’re alive and well. I didn’t want to believe that you might be involved in hurting the children, but it was my job to pursue all angles.”
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