Jennica stuttered, then finally pointed at the bundle of herbs on the ground. “I needed a few,” she finally said meekly.
Saba rolled her eyes. “Get them and go.”
Jennica quickly did as instructed, but Saba didn’t let her get away.
“You can tell me all about it later, Aunt Jennica.”
Jennica’s eyes widened. She darted around the corner of the hut. Ryder finally stood up, smiling.
“She’s keeping secrets, is she?” He ushered Saba back into the hut. He grabbed a long stick and stirred the fire while Saba filled her kettle. Gods, he’d give his right arm for a cup of java. The tea the village drank was dark, rich, and fragrant, but it just wasn’t coffee.
“She’ll confess to me. I’ve known there was someone she’s been interested in.” She handed him the kettle then placed her hands on his shoulders. “I didn’t plan on getting up this early.”
Ryder didn’t know if that was an invitation or not, but he’d take it as one. He rose and led her back to the bed. They settled in the middle, wrapping arms and legs around each other in a comfortable jumble. The revelations of yesterday, and the passions of the night, made him pause.
Saba didn’t love him. He’d given her the opening to tell him and she’d let it go. It stung a bit.
He’d never considered a woman’s feelings all that much. Of course, he’d made it a practice to only be involved with older, more mature women who understood their time together was more about companionship and an available sex partner than undying love and commitment. His angel was a completely different thing. He loved her and knew it for love.
It wasn’t gratitude for saving his life, although he was grateful. It wasn’t fear he’d be stranded alone on this strange world. He’d been stranded before and had some pretty good survival skills. Nor was it that she’d taken him into her bed. No, this was something new that encompassed everything he was and everything he’d ever hoped to be. He’d never wanted to be a hero—until now.
Being her hero was all that mattered. She nuzzled his neck and sighed contentedly. He wondered if she realized she made that sound. Oh yes, she loved him, too. She just had to realize it for herself. Stubborn female.
As much as he wanted to spend another day in bed with her, making love, napping, and making love again, he had to talk with Tyree. Jennica was up and running about the village, which meant so were others. The sounds from the village yard were increasing. Ryder opened his mouth to suggest the inevitable, that they get up and have their tea, but a discreet knock on the door stopped him. He kissed her quickly then reached for his pants.
He opened the door to a glowering Tyree.
“The errol is one day away. We have plans to make.”
“Top of the morning to you, Headman Tyree. Come on in and break bread with us.” Ryder made a sweeping bow. Tyree was obviously not amused.
“This is serious.”
“Of course it’s. So is my empty stomach.” Ryder turned his back on Tyree and walked back to the fire, expecting to feel the headman’s hands grab him at any moment. Nothing happened. Tyree followed him and took the other chair.
Saba had slipped into a flowing robe, and she busied herself preparing them a small repast. The water steamed in the kettle. He offered Tyree tea. The man kept glancing at Saba with curious eyes.
“Tyree, where is the errol? What’s the terrain between where it’s, and here?” Ryder passed a small trencher of bread, cheese, and fruit to Tyree. A small piece of roasted meat was with the cheese.
“My thanks, Saba, for the meat. I’ve hunters out already this morning, to the east. A wild pig was spotted.”
She brightened and smiled at him. “I can taste the stew already.” She met Ryder’s deliberate gaze and quickly got back on subject. “But let’s talk about the errol.”
Tyree took a bite of his bread before speaking. “The errol is following the old logging trail. It’s likely to shelter in the caves on the other side of the blue mountain tonight. We can be there and kill it when it emerges in the morning.”
“Tell me about these caves.” Ryder sipped his tea.
“There are six caves on the other side. One of them is occupied by a family of sutars. They smell so bad even the creature won’t go in there. Three other caves are wet inside. The other two are comfortable shelters—warm and dry. It will use one of those.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“It always has when it’s come in this direction. Always.”
Ryder accepted the headman’s words. It made perfect tactical sense for the men of the Ralmaho to track the errol’s every move and learn its habits. “Why didn’t you seal it up in one of the caves?”
Tyree looked disgusted. “We did, outsider. We did. It dug its way out.”
“Where else might it go?”
“Nowhere else. It’s never deviated. Not once in seven seasons of Wae.”
“It knows I’m here.” Ryder was sure of it. And if it were Xenturan, it knew a spaceship had fallen. Faithe had surely made a big fireball as she came down. The creature would have needed to find out if that ship were salvageable. It was what he would do if he were in the errol’s position. Tyree wasn’t convinced.
“You can’t be sure of that.”
Ryder wasn’t going to argue. Tyree would never believe the creature to be highly intelligent. Why start trouble?
“No, I can’t be sure. It just makes sense that it saw my ship coming into the atmosphere. It should be curious.” He leaned forward. “I need to know, headman, if there’s a place where we can trap him.”
“Trap it? Why?”
“I want a good look at it, that’s why.”
“Look at it after you kill it.”
It was confession time again. Of a sort. “My weapon, if I get a clean shot, won’t leave anything for me to look at.”
Saba and Tyree gawked at him. He looked from one to the other, and back again. “You can both close your mouths now.”
Saba looked truly shocked, but Tyree was quickly putting together the tactical possibilities of such a weapon. In that moment Ryder knew he’d been correct not to tell them the weapon would only work for him.
“There is a place we may be able to corner it. I don’t think it’s wise and I won’t allow my men to take undue risks.”
“I understand that, Tyree. I don’t want them taking undue risks either.” Ryder finished off a slice of bread. “But I need a look at it. I need a clean shot. If I don’t hit it clean, I won’t get a second chance.”
“Wounding it should be enough if it bleeds out.”
“My weapon fires a particle beam. There won’t be any blood left.” Ryder shook his head again. They didn’t fully understand what he meant, but it didn’t matter.
“You two look like twins with your mouths open like that.” He reached out and tapped Saba’s chin. He poked the fire again.
“Listen, Tyree. If I only graze the errol, the blood vessels will be cauterized and he’ll have a scar. Big fucking deal. But what will be a big deal is it will hurt like hell and piss him off to no end. That’s something we can’t afford.”
Tyree nodded. “You’re right. We don’t need it angrier. We need it dead.”
“How many men do you have?”
“For this, only a handful are experienced enough.” He looked at Saba’s downcast face. “It used to be different, before the errol killed.”
“No more will die, Tyree. One way or the other, it ends tomorrow. Will you try to do as I ask?”
Tyree stared at him. The moment stretched on and on until Ryder was ready to accept the headman’s refusal. Then Tyree nodded.
“What do you want us to do?”
* * * *
Saba listened to the men talk and wondered if they realized how alike they were. Both were proud, and very stubborn. If they would just stop trying to be the one on top, and work together, they could lead the Ramalho to great things.
She picked up Tyree’s empty plate and put anot
her chunk of meat on it. He constantly shorted himself on rations, saying he’d eaten in the forest, and she knew it wasn’t always true. His hand closed over hers when she handed it back to him. Startled, her gaze met his, so full of concern for her.
Did he wonder if Ryder had forced her to intimacy? Cold fear snaked up her spine. If he did suspect rape, it was possible Ryder would never return from the woods. She cast about in her mind, frantically trying to think of something to say or do that would tell Tyree bedding Ryder was her choice, and hers alone. She smiled at Tyree, pulling her hand away and laying it on Ryder’s shoulder. To her great surprise Ryder took it and lifted it to his lips.
She stared at his head, bowed over her hand. His lips were warm and soft as his thumb caressed her knuckles in a gentle sweep. His head lifted and his gaze met hers and she was suddenly drowning in the blueness of his eyes as the room spun around them. There was only him.
Tyree cleared his throat. She jerked back to awareness. Ryder was giving her a rueful, lop-sided smile.
“You two can make honey-eyes at each other later,” Tyree said gruffly. “Fix us more tea, Saba. Planning such as this is thirsty work.”
She leaned over and brushed a kiss on Ryder’s lips in front Tyree. Let him have no doubt and no reason to harm Ryder on her behalf. Her knees were shaky with relief as she dutifully replenished their mugs. She shivered with it when she risked a glance at Tyree. He saw, and nodded.
If Ryder saw the silent messages passed back and forth between her and Tyree, he didn’t show it. It made her curious as to the minds of men, but into that she shouldn’t delve, else she give too much away. She and Tyree had worked together for a long time. She hoped the three of them could find a way to work for the benefit of the Ramalho.
“I think we should go, now, and get into position.” Ryder sounded grim. “We’ll want to disguise our scent. Saba, do you have anything that can help with that?”
The men leaving now was not something Saba wanted to see happen, but Tyree was nodding in agreement.
“I have some old pig grease, and a hide that didn’t cure properly. The hide can be cut and each man can carry a piece.” She shook her head. “If I rub it with the grease, it will smell truly foul.”
Tyree and Ryder were both grinning. Only a man would look forward to such an odor. She started her own planning.
“I’ll call for the women to prepare packs for you.” She looked at Ryder. He may not appreciate being given this task but it needed to be done. “Ryder, you can prepare the hide.”
“I’ll gladly do that. There’s no point in you smelling bad, too, is there?”
Tyree downed the last of his tea and stood. “I’m leaving. I can’t stand to watch the pair of you together any longer.” He looked at Ryder. “We’ll leave after the midday meal. That will give everyone time to…” he shook his head, “whatever.” He opened the door then turned back.
“Saba, try to see he’s able to walk with us.”
Ryder leaned back in his chair and laughed wickedly, clearly appreciating Tyree’s humor. She didn’t think it was so funny. Actually, she wasn’t sure what Tyree had meant. They had serious work to do and the men were dragging their feet.
She retrieved her trousers and tunic. Before she could pull them on Ryder was behind her.
“Don’t get dressed. Not yet. Get back in bed.”
“There is work to do!” She made a grab at her shirt as he tossed it over a chair.
“It can wait an hour. There are things I need to say to you.”
Her chest started to ache. Ryder wasn’t coming back. He would go with the hunters and once his mission was completed, he would continue onward to seek a way to go home and she’d never see him again.
He was suddenly in front of her, pulling her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I’m not going to take any chances with this creature. I like living too much, angel.”
“I’m glad to know that,” she murmured against his chest.
“We may be gone until late tomorrow night.” He massaged the back of her neck. “I don’t know the terrain or the distance. I’ve no way to judge how long it will take to get there. And there’s no guarantee the errol will follow the same path it’s taken before, no matter what Tyree says.”
“The men have watched it almost constantly. Runners come and go all the time.”
His hands were on her shoulders, squeezing, applying a wonderful pressure to her knotted muscles. “Ah. That explains a few things. Do you think it’s unaware of being observed?”
“No. I think it knows. Tyree doesn’t agree. He thinks the creature unintelligent.” She was ready to dissolve into a puddle at his feet.
“But you’ve seen its eyes, Saba. You know.” He released her. “Come to bed for a little while. Then we’ll do what we need to do.”
Was it all that simple for him? He stood in the shadow between the sunlight streaming in the window and the bright glare from the open door. She couldn’t see his face, his eyes. Her suspicions couldn’t remain silent any longer. Would he tell her the truth? Did he know for sure?
“You know what it is, don’t you? You know where it came from.”
Ryder stood so still, there in that shadow, that she wondered if he drew breath. The seconds stretched, building to a larger moment there would be no return from.
“I think it’s a Xenturan. I’ll know for sure when I see it.” He reached out and took her hand and started moving them toward the bed. She didn’t resist.
He slipped out of his pants and sat on the edge of bed. His hands roved across her hips, her ribs and finally cupped her breasts.
“I won’t drop my guard on it, angel. I swear.” He pulled her down on the bed and wrapped his arms around her, cradling her. His words brought back the memories she’d tried so hard to erase.
“I’ve seen what they can do, too, angel. And I wish to God you never had.”
Chapter 20
Ryder closed his eyes and let the stillness of the room soak into his skin. The village yard had quieted, a sure sign Tyree had passed along the message to say goodbyes and then prepare. He wondered if they truly knew the stakes.
The creature had sent clear signs it would not hesitate to kill. If this attempt to resolve the situation failed, it was possible the errol would be angry enough to destroy the village. Ryder had no doubt it was capable of such destruction.
He pulled Saba closer into the circle of his arms. If he killed the creature, he’d come back to her changed in ways he wasn’t sure he could explain to her. He felt the fracture lines in his soul at the thought of killing outright. Even killing to save his own life, or the life of another, would leave his conscience cloudy.
Better his conscience than another’s, though. Tyree and Saba had told him, with all honesty, the Ramalho did not commit murder. He believed them and he knew he would manage where another may not. Even Tyree didn’t need the weight of such a deed on his soul. Tyree led these people and had enough to carry.
And if things went very, very wrong, well, Saba was young enough to find another man. It wouldn’t be Tyree. They would all come back whole, or not at all. If he missed, Tyree and those few hand-chosen by him would battle to the death to end it now. He was sure she sensed that, too. She knew them better than he did and he could sense it. He kissed her forehead.
“Saba, I don’t want you to worry. I’ll be back.”
“I know. But I will worry. Are you sure you’re strong enough? You could instruct Tyree on how to use your weapon. He’s quite skilled at hitting his target.”
He didn’t doubt that for a moment. He was sure Tyree was an accomplished hunter when it came to providing meat for the tables.
He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers and laid it over his heart. “I’m crushed. You don’t think I can do this.”
She jumped. “No! I didn’t mean that! It’s just that you were so ill. I will worry you are not fully recovered.”
He chuckled
softly. “I’m as good as I’ll get, angel. Besides, according to the headman, it’s got to be now. Ready or not, we go.”
“This is not a stroll through the forest, Ryder. Do not take it so lightly.”
“I’m not.” He rolled on his side to face her. His back still ached but he would never admit that to her.
“Please, Ryder. Just give your weapon to Tyree. You need not put yourself at risk.”
He would not admit, even to her, that his weapon was useless in Tyree’s hands. If he had access to Faithe’s computer banks, he might be able to adjust the weapon for Tyree, but that option didn’t exist. On his own, he didn’t know where to begin. If he tried to muddle his way through it, he could render the Eliminator totally inoperable.
“No. There isn’t time to teach him how to use it. I won’t miss. I swear.”
“There is time. Do not be stubborn. Tyree learns quickly. Simply take him aside and show him what to do.”
He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. Her mouth was set in a narrow, stubborn line. Her eyes, the doorway to her soul, were angry.
“It’s pointless to fight about this. I will not turn my weapon over to anyone. Careless handling could bring disaster. You must believe me on this.”
“I believe you do not know this place. You do not know the forest.” She struggled to break free of his hold, but he refused to let her go.
“And you are correct. But I don’t need to know the forest. Tyree and his men will get me to where I need to go.” His temper flared. “Now be still.”
She intensified her efforts to get away from him. “Why won’t you be reasonable? Let them go without you.”
“No.” His grip on her slipped as her knee grazed his thigh, too close for comfort. He knew she didn’t intend it, but he reacted instinctively to cover his groin. She seized the opportunity and sprang from the bed. He closed his eyes and forced down his anger with her refusal to bow to the inevitable.
Gods, he was tired. She was right to be concerned about him not being fully recovered, but he didn’t want to worry her with the knowledge of the persistent ache up and down his spine. He was certainly far better than the quivering mass of jelly that had crash-landed on the planet.
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