aHunter4Fire (aHunter4Hire Book 7)

by Cynthia A. Clement

  “You look human enough to me.” Jack’s voice was low with sarcasm.

  “True.” Niail tilted his head. “Will you promise not to interfere if I release you?”

  Jack clenched his jaw and then nodded.

  Niail cut the bindings that held her brother. Marissa hugged him. He gave her a quick squeeze and then pulled away. He rubbed his wrists and then picked up a rifle. Marissa held her breath for a second and waited to see what he would do. She had never known him to go back on his word and she was certain he wouldn’t now.

  Niail raised an eyebrow and then threw a magazine of ammunition at him. “In case you need it.”

  Jack pocketed the clip. “Why don’t I take Marissa out of here? It’s not safe.”

  “She is my responsibility.” Niail motioned Marissa to join him. “I will die before I let any harm come to her. A Hunter protects women and children always, but a brother’s mate must be guarded at all costs.”

  Marissa saw a muscle tighten in Jack’s jaw, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he walked over to some of the dead guards and started to rummage through their pockets. He pulled out papers and threw a number of their ammo belts over his shoulder.

  “None of these guys are regular military.” Jack walked back to them with the papers.

  “I told you that they weren’t connected with your government.”

  “They could be a secret operation.” Jack shrugged. “It’s been known to happen.”

  “They were working for themselves.” Niail’s voice was definite. “They thought that their lives would be saved when the Albireons destroyed the planet, but they were wrong. The Albireons never leave any survivors of a species that they are gene harvesting.”

  Jack glanced around the room. “Is that what they were doing here?”

  “No.” Thero snapped the laptop shut. “This was a munitions plant. Somehow they discovered an Ancient’s Staff hidden on this planet and used that to build the others.”

  “This is what those reports say?” Niail started to move the rest of the computers and electronic equipment into the center of the room.

  “Yes.” Thero placed the memory stick into his inner pocket. “They had five in total. We have found two. That means there are three others on the planet that could be a potential threat to all of humanity.”

  “Ardal has completed the Dulce mission. He did not encounter an Ancient’s Staff there. I will give him the exact number that are missing.” Niail continued to place the electronics in the center of the room. “Firbin is almost finished setting his charges. It is time for us to take cover.”

  Jack frowned. “How do you know that?”

  “Don’t ask.” Marissa pulled her brother along with her. When they reached the outdoors she followed Niail toward a rock outcrop. “They are very gifted and dedicated. It is better that we listen.”

  “This isn’t right, sis.” Jack lowered his voice. “When they aren’t looking, I’m hauling you out of here.”

  Marissa stopped moving. “I’m staying.”

  “You don’t know anything about these guys,” Jack hissed.

  “I know they have protected me.” Marissa crossed her arms. “Firbin is important to me. We are connected.”

  “You’re not buying that crazy line?”

  “It’s true.” Marissa jutted out her chin. “I don’t care if you believe it or not. I know deep within that I am connected to Firbin just as he is to me.”

  “That sounds like some nutty stuff out of a romance movie.” Jack’s voice was filled with disdain. “This is real life.”

  “Yes it is.” Marissa fought back the wave of sadness that filled her. “I’ve been kidnapped, and drugged by my boss, restrained by aliens, and rescued by Hunters who were in the middle of a battle. I’ve seen death and destruction all around and somehow I’ve walked away unscathed because of Firbin and his fellow warriors. Just when I thought I was safe, I found out that my boss arranged to have me framed for the murder of one of my fellow workers and when I went to my family for help, my brother made plans to turn me in.”

  “You know it wasn’t like that.” Jack’s voice was full of exasperation.

  “It was exactly like that.” Marissa straightened her shoulders. “You have to trust me. I’m your sister and I’ve never lied to you before.”

  Marissa held her breath as she waited for his reply. She didn’t want to have to choose between Firbin and Jack, but she would if necessary. Jack squinted his eyes and looked out over the horizon. She could almost see the wheels turning inside his head while he weighed his options.

  With a quick jerk of his head he turned back to her. “Alright. I’ll stop asking questions and go along. When this is done, I want answers.”

  Marissa grinned and grabbed him in a hug. “Agreed.”

  They followed Niail and Thero behind the outcropping. The sun was setting low in the sky and soon they would be in complete darkness. An uneasiness raced across Marissa, fleeting, yet enough to be worrisome.

  “Shouldn’t Firbin be out by now?”

  Niail was positioning himself at the side of the outcrop with his rifle. It was a few feet off the ground and he steadied his weapon in a groove in the rock. He pulled a scope out and attached it to the rifle. He then trained his weapon at the building.

  “Something’s wrong.” Marissa’s voice was a low whisper. She knew it deep inside.

  Firbin’s voice feathered through her mind. “I’ll be with you always.”

  “He’s in trouble.”

  “He’s met with some resistance.” Thero’s voice was matter of fact. “He will be out shortly.”

  “Resistance?” Marissa’s voice rose as anxiety settled into the pit of her stomach. “I thought the building was clear.”

  “We were mistaken.” Niail flexed his shoulder and looked through his scope. “Firbin will handle it.”

  “No.” Marissa’s voice was barely a squeak, but before she could move, Thero clasped her close to him.

  She struggled to escape, but he held firm. Every nerve in her body screamed to go to Firbin. It was as if she were already there beside him and could see the danger he was facing. Staying here was worse than facing the danger in the building.

  “He needs to focus.” Thero’s hold was gentle, yet firm. “Do not let him sense your fear.”

  “Can’t you help him?”

  “It would be crazy to go back inside now.” Jack’s voice penetrated her fear.

  She watched as Jack set up his rifle on the opposite side of where Niail was positioned. Thero continued to hold her in place. She couldn’t bear not knowing what was happening. She looked up at Thero.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Thero hesitated a second before he answered. “He’s decided to detonate the building.”

  “While he’s inside?” Marissa’s voice rose in horror.

  Thero nodded. “It is a sound strategy and will allow us to escape.”

  Marissa pulled at Thero’s hold. “I have to go to him.”

  “No.”

  A loud explosion ripped through the air. A blast of heated air blew out from the building and debris and fire rained down upon the ground. Thero pushed her against the rock and used his body as a shield until the debris had stopped falling.

  When he released her, the area where the building had been was now a charred and burning pile of twisted metal and boards. Her eyes scanned the area in vain. Firbin was nowhere in sight. She clasped her mouth and fought back a scream. She knew if she started to grieve, she’d never stop.

  She’d finally found a man worthy of her love and now he was dead.

  How could she bear to go on living?

  Then she heard Firbin’s voice in her mind.

  “We are one.”

  Chapter 22

  FIRBIN SET HIS last charge before contacting Niail. “Get to a safe distance.”

  “Understood.”

  Firbin pulled his rifle close and crouched low as he edged around the corner of the hallwa
y that opened to the elevator shafts. They had disengaged the system, but that had obviously been overridden. There was a group of ten disembarking from the elevator. He aimed and shot them all.

  He rushed to the elevators to set the last of his charges. When he had finished strapping the explosives to the lifts’ mechanisms above the ceiling tiles, he hit all of the floor buttons and sent them to the bottom.

  Time was not on his side.

  He had to get out of the building and set the detonation before the elevators reached the top again. He raced to the room where they’d found the plans and set up the timer. He gave himself sixty seconds to leave and get to safety. Just as he flicked the switch, the sound of approaching footsteps halted his escape.

  He aimed his rifle and started to shoot as men entered the area. One by one he shot them until he was out of ammunition. The men were dead, but the sound of more soldiers echoed down the hallway. He had the disruptor left, and only a few seconds before the building exploded.

  There was only two options now.

  Find a way to survive the explosion or die.

  He didn’t have time to find cover outside of the building.

  A quick scan of the room found a heavy freezer on the far wall. It would have to do. He rushed over, pulled the plug out of the socket, and pushed it onto the ground. He opened the door, kicked out the shelves, and climbed in. By his count, he had five seconds left on the timer. The door locked when he shut it.

  “He has to be here.” The words were muffled inside of the freezer.

  The only weapon he had left was the disruptor. That was for short range and he aimed it at the door. The first person to open it was going to be in for a surprise. He took a deep breath and sent out a wave of love and strength to Marissa. By Cygnus and Warrior, he hoped that he lived long enough to hold her in his arms again.

  If not, he would be with her always.

  Not even death could break the bond between them.

  Stomping boots sounded near. Firbin eased his breathing and prepared for the detonation. When it came, it was deafening in its intensity and size. The heavy metal of the freezer protected him from the heat of the blast, but he felt the concussive force of the explosion. The freezer shook and bounced end to end and then was sucked backwards as the energy of the blast receded.

  When the noise and motion stopped, Firbin tried to open the door. It wouldn’t budge. He pushed against it until he was exhausted. There was no movement. Either the door was locked or something was blocking his exit. There was only one recourse. He had to use the disruptor. It was close range and might kill him, but he was out of options.

  He put the weapon inside the small opening where the handle was and turned his face away.

  He pulled the trigger and waited.

  A surge of energy shook the exterior of his small prison and then he felt the brush of cool air. The door of the freezer was completely obliterated. There was rubble and debris on top of the chest, but he could see daylight. He pushed his way through the bits of wood, concrete, and steel that blocked his exit until he was able to stand.

  All around him was fire, smoke, and destruction.

  He grinned.

  This was exactly the result he’d been hoping for. A surge of pride and accomplishment at bringing the building down rushed through him. It was what he’d been bred and trained for. Now he needed to let the others know he was still alive.

  He reached out and touched Marissa with his mind. He sent her positive energy and strength. “We are one.”

  He pushed through the debris and walked into the open.

  Before he could take another step, he saw Marissa running toward him. She flung herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. He had never felt anything so perfect in his whole life. Not even the joy he felt at demolishing a building could compare.

  He lifted her high onto his chest and walked toward the others.

  “You took your time.” Niail’s voice was matter of fact. “Are there any survivors?”

  “Doubtful.” Firbin eased Marissa down to the ground. “I blasted the elevator shaft from below. That should stop anymore reinforcements coming up from the tunnels.”

  “Good.” Thero slung his rifle onto his shoulder. “We need to leave.”

  They left the devastation behind and started the hike across the barren terrain.

  “Where are we going?” Jack was the first to speak.

  “We’ll leave you in Indian Springs.” Niail pointed in the direction that they had to follow. “You can return to your unit without any problems.”

  “You don’t think they’ll ask some questions about this mess?” Jack jerked his head back toward the ruined complex.

  “It wasn’t official, so unless you mention it, they won’t know.”

  “They’ll track us.”

  “That’s why we’re keeping close to the rocks.” Niail motioned for Thero to take the lead. “It will make it more difficult.”

  “You guys didn’t think this escape plan out very well.”

  “We weren’t intending a rescue,” Firbin admitted. “It wasn’t until I sensed Marissa’s distress that I knew we had to alter our plans.”

  “It was a good thing.” Niail’s voice was gruff. “We found what we needed and were able to save a brother’s mate.”

  “Let me get this straight.” Jack stopped and pointed at Firbin. “You knew my sister was in trouble?”

  “We are connected.” Firbin nodded. “It is as it should be.”

  Jack shook his head and looked at Marissa. “Are you okay with this?”

  Marissa clasped Firbin’s hand. “Definitely.”

  Jack shrugged. “I’m letting you tell Mom and Dad, but I want to be there to see their reaction.”

  “Your parents will not approve?” Firbin hadn’t considered that Marissa’s family would object to him.

  “They’ll be surprised.” Marissa gave his hand a squeeze. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

  “I doubt they’ll like the idea of you living on the run.” Jack’s voice was harsh. “That’s what you’re committing yourself to by not going back and straightening this mess out with the authorities.”

  “How can you say that after everything we’ve been through?” Marissa shook her head.

  “My mate’s brother was disapproving at first,” Niail said. “I only had to save his life a couple of times before he gave his approval.”

  Firbin grinned. “We’ve saved Jack’s life once already.”

  “That leaves one more time.” Marissa’s voice held a hint of laughter.

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Has she told you about our other brothers?”

  “No.”

  “Three others to be exact.”

  “They’ll love you.” Marissa’s voice was defensive. “There’s no need to worry.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. Charles is a pilot in the Air Force and he’ll have a hard time believing this craziness about aliens and Hunters.”

  “Then don’t tell him,” Marissa said. “Just tell him that I’ve found a man I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

  “It’s your funeral.”

  “Why should there be a funeral?” Firbin stopped moving. “I cannot let this happen.”

  “It’s a saying.” Marissa’s voice was soothing. “He means that it might be difficult for my family to accept.”

  “These human sayings are confusing.” Firbin shook his head. “I do not believe I will ever understand.”

  Just then, there was the whirring sound of a helicopter.

  “Back against the rocks,” Niail ordered.

  Dusk had fallen, so the only way they could be spotted was with heat seeking devices. The rock outcroppings would help hide their signature. The chopper was still some distance away and they watched as it approached. It swung in one direction and then circled back to make a sweeping arc through the area they were hiding in.

  “Is this
Vadim’s chopper?” Firbin kept his voice low.

  “It is difficult to tell.” Niail hesitated a second and then continued. “I have reached him. He says that he sent a team out to recover us. He will have them signal if it is them.”

  A minute later there was the flashing of a strobe light in a short and then two long blasts.

  Thero returned the signal.

  The chopper circled in front of them and then landed at the edge of the outcropping that they were hiding in.

  “Who is this?” Jack’s voice was a quiet hiss.

  “Vadim Kedovich.” Firbin pushed away from the rock. “He helped us get here.”

  “The casino owner?” Jack’s voice held doubt. “How do you know you can trust him?”

  “He is a Hunter.” Firbin reached a hand out to Marissa. “He would never betray a brother warrior.”

  “Is anybody not a Hunter?” Jack’s voice was sarcastic. “Does that mean we’re going to Las Vegas?”

  “I think you should head back to your unit.” Niail started down the side of the rocky outcropping.

  “Do you want me to hike from here?”

  “We’ll have the chopper put you down outside of town. You’ll have to walk from there.”

  “As long as I don’t get seen with you guys,” Jack muttered. “I don’t think I’ll be able to explain this to my CO.”

  “We are trusting you not to speak of what has happened here.” Niail’s voice was serious.

  “You have my word.” Jack’s voice was gruff. “Nobody would believe me anyway.”

  There was silence until they reached the helicopter. The same pilot that had flown them earlier in the day was waiting for them. Once they were onboard, he took off. It was several minutes before they reached the outskirts of Indian Springs. The chopper landed in a straight stretch of unused roadway.

  Marissa clutched her brother in a hug before he jumped out of the craft.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Jack asked. “I still might be able to make it right with the authorities.”

  Marissa shook her head. “My place is with Firbin.”