aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  “He’s a pretty big name in the state. He’s constantly in the papers meeting with one politician or another. Just last week he dined at the Governor’s house.” Kimi’s voice was doubtful. “I can’t see him being involved with drugs.”

  Bobby frowned. “I’ve always had my doubts about him running an honest operation. Some of the guys that work for him have bad reputations. After last night, I asked around. My information says that the man is crooked.”

  “Are you certain?” Kimi bit her lower lip. “An accusation like that could destroy an honest man.”

  “No doubt about it.” Bobby leaned forward. “I saw a number of petty dealers outside his store today. Kowal was out there talking to them. It didn’t look to be a pleasant conversation.”

  “That doesn’t prove he’s trafficking drugs.” Kimi reasoned.

  Bobby shrugged. “It’s not likely that he was discussing furniture with those guys.”

  “No.” Niail’s voice was firm. “The man is involved.”

  Kimi sighed. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”

  “It was only luck that I was able to help you last night.” Bobby lowered his voice. “They had thrown you off the truck and were aiming their guns when a commotion further down the road caught their attention. They drove off with their tires spinning and left you.”

  “You risked much to save me.” Niail was grateful to Bobby. Only his fellow Hunters would have endangered themselves to save him. “I will not forget. If you ever need help I will be there.”

  Bobby grinned. “What can I say? My training as a healer kicked in. Once I saw those symbols on your arm, I knew I couldn’t take you to the hospital. You might not have been safe there.”

  “Do you think my grandfather will know what they mean?” Kimi’s voice held doubt.

  “Your grandfather is a very wise man. There isn’t much he doesn’t know.” Bobby pointed to Niail’s left arm. “How did you get those tattoos?”

  Niail glanced at the markings. “I get these after every significant event in my life, or battle.”

  “Battle? Do you mean war?” Bobby sat up straight. “Are you a soldier?”

  “I am a Hunter.”

  Bobby stared at Niail for several seconds. “You don’t hunt animals, do you?”

  “No.”

  Kimi’s mouth dropped open. “How can you accept that so quickly? I’m still trying to make sense of the whole thing.”

  “It’s part of the ancient lore. We may not have called them Hunters, but they were warriors.” Bobby turned back to Kimi. “Didn’t you ever listen to your grandfather’s stories?”

  “He didn’t tell me all of them. He is old fashioned about young women and their knowledge of traditional medicine.” Kimi’s voice took on a defensive tone. “What do you know about them?”

  “I know they live among the stars.”

  Niail tensed. Had he said something when he was unconscious? There was no other way for Bobby to know about Hunters.

  “You’re not serious?” Kimi’s voice was a half laugh. “Grandfather never spoke about Star People who were called Hunters.”

  “That’s because they were from earth originally.”

  “What?” Kimi looked at Niail and then back to Bobby. “I don’t understand.”

  “The Star People took men from earth when they left.”

  “You mean they abducted them?”

  “Yes.” Bobby looked back at Niail. “It was so long ago I doubt there’s anyone in your world who remembers.”

  Niail shook his head. “We only know that we have existed since the beginning of time. We’ve been bred and altered to be the best warriors possible.”

  Bobby nodded. “Some of the native legends speak of only the greatest fighters and leaders being asked to join the Star People when they left earth.”

  Kimi frowned. “How long ago was this?”

  Bobby shrugged. “These legends are from the time of creation. There’s no certain way to know, but your grandfather probably has better answers than me.”

  “Then we need to see him.” Niail pushed away from the table. “How soon can we get to him?”

  Kimi put up a restraining hand. “Wait a second. You can’t just leave now. He’s miles away and you’re still recovering. By the time my grandfather returns home, you’ll be well enough to talk to him.”

  “I do not need rest.”

  “You’re speaking to the woman who nursed you.” Kimi’s voice was dry. “Don’t forget I helped you back to bed last night. Sit down.”

  Before Niail could obey, there was the sound of slamming car doors outside. Pounding footsteps followed. Adrenaline started to pump through his body and he braced himself for battle. The door was kicked open, and six men with guns rushed into the room.

  Chapter 8

  Shock and disbelief paralyzed Kimi. Before she could react, she was grabbed and pushed behind Niail.

  He was massive.

  Her face was pressed into his back.

  When she tried to look around him, his arm held her in place. That’s when the first jolt of fear raced up her spine. Who were these men? Worse, why had they barged into her house with guns?

  “What do you want?” Bobby’s voice shook.

  “We’ve come for him.” A deep voice boomed from the doorway. “Hand him over and there’ll be no trouble.”

  Bobby moved away from the table. “What’s he done?”

  “The boss doesn’t like questions.” The same man answered in a threatening tone.

  Kimi peaked around Niail’s back. The man aimed his rifle at Niail’s head. The rest of the intruders chuckled. It was a low menacing laughter that chilled Kimi to the bone.

  She felt Niail’s body tense and then relax. “I will come, but first you need to step outside.”

  “We’re the ones giving the orders.”

  “There are women and children in the house.” Niail’s voice was low. “This is not the place for a discussion.”

  “Is that what you think we’re having?” The man snorted. “I’ll give you to the count of three to move. Then, I start shooting.”

  “Your words condemn you.” Niail’s voice was a growl that sent a shiver of dread through Kimi.

  Niail pushed the solid oak table over and shoved her behind it. Bobby jumped down beside her. Niail lunged at the lead man, and shoved him into the others. She watched with horror as Niail grabbed the man’s weapon and shoved it to one side.

  Niail pushed against the men, backing them up toward her side door. Before they were outside the lead man grimaced and threw his weight into Niail. It was useless. Niail flung the man’s weapon hand against the doorjamb. The gun dropped to the floor and Niail clasped his neck with a vice-like grip. Another intruder from behind aimed his gun at Niail, but Niail deflected it up.

  Kimi put her hands over her ears and ducked behind the table. A blast from a gun reverberated through the kitchen. There was a second shot, a loud scuffling noise, and what sounded like breaking bones. Loud screams and groans filled the air. Then there was silence.

  Fear knotted her stomach.

  Footsteps sounded on the floor.

  Her body shook as she ducked lower. Next they would come for her and Bobby. She was helpless. She prayed that the children would stay in their rooms.

  The table was pushed away.

  She was pulled up into strong arms.

  She stifled a scream just as Wil opened the bedroom door. She struggled to get loose, but she was held close. It took several seconds before she realized that the arms were trying to soothe her. Her breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to look at her captor.

  It was Niail.

  He was gazing at her. His eyes dark and emotionless, yet she sensed he was making certain she was unharmed. Her body sagged with relief. Niail and the children were safe.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Good.” Niail released her. “Wil go back to bed and shut the door. When it’s safe I’ll tell you to come out.”<
br />
  “I heard gunshots.” Wil’s voice sounded small to her ears. “Are you hurt?”

  “It takes more than a bullet to stop me.”

  At that moment Peta’s voice came from her bedroom. “Can I come out too?”

  “Stay there honey.”

  Kimi’s voice shook, but she was past trying to hide her fear. Six men had come into her house to hurt her and the children. It would take days, maybe a lifetime, before she would be able to forget the horror of it.

  Her lower lip trembled and she forced back a sob. She almost jumped as Niail’s finger touched her chin and raised her head so that she was looking into his eyes.

  “You are safe.” His voice was low and sincere. “I will always protect you.”

  Words failed her. She couldn’t answer, so instead she nodded and then sat on the last upright chair. Someday this would make sense. For now, she focused on trying to make her body stop shivering. The after effects of fear were wreaking havoc on her.

  Her eyes refused to leave Niail.

  The man’s gaze was mesmerizing. She was drawn to him and even though she hadn’t moved, she sensed his protective embrace. She felt him reaching out to her. It was as if he were silently sending her reassurance.

  “Thank you.” She took a deep cleansing breath. “I’ll be okay.”

  Niail nodded and then turned to Bobby. “We need to get rid of the bodies before the children come out.”

  Bobby nodded. He put the table back on its legs and picked up the napkins that had fallen to the floor. It was a mundane activity. Kimi sensed that Bobby was trying to calm his nerves. Niail stood as if nothing had happened. He was calm. He waited until Bobby had settled himself.

  “Let’s go.”

  The two men left the house, closing the door behind them. She glanced around the room looking for anything out of place. There was nothing. Other than the chairs on their side, there was no evidence of the struggle.

  Her brain was numb. It refused to believe what had happened here. Her house was isolated. To have men come on the reservation and threaten them was insane.

  Time crawled as she waited for the men to return. Her mind shied away from what they were doing. It was better if she didn’t think about the killing. Ten minutes later they walked into the house.

  Bobby went to the sink and scrubbed his hands. Kimi saw the slight tremor of his fingers as he held them under the water. She turned to Niail who was waiting at the door.

  “Was anyone alive?”

  Niail shook his head. He held three hand guns. He went to the antique sideboard that stood at the end of the dining area and pulled open a drawer. He stuffed the weapons in before turning back to her.

  “You need protection.”

  “That’s horrible.” Kimi’s mouth went dry. They would have to contact the authorities and report the deaths and the weapons.

  “They meant to kill us.” Niail’s voice held no emotion. “I had no choice.”

  “You do this often?”

  Niail nodded. “It is the work of a Hunter.”

  Kimi put her hand up to her mouth and fought back her nausea. How could he stand there and calmly admit that killing was a part of his life? She abhorred violence. She believed as her grandfather had taught her; the sacred force lived in all beings.

  “You have lived a sheltered life.” Niail moved toward her. “You do not know the life of a Hunter.”

  “How can I trust you with the children?” Her voice was a whisper.

  “It is forbidden to kill or harm a woman or child.” Niail squatted down in front of her and gathered her hands in his. “I have never broken the Sacred Code and I never will.”

  Kimi’s hands trembled in his. At the same time a jolt of awareness shot through her body. She had never had such a reaction from touching a man. She looked into his eyes and her breath caught in her throat. He had felt it too.

  “Is that a promise?”

  Niail squeezed her hands. His gaze never left her eyes. “I vow that I will die protecting you and the children.”

  His words and voice held a truth that she had never heard before. Her heart started to beat faster. She didn’t care who or where he had come from. No man on earth had ever given her such a promise.

  “I believe you. Thank you for protecting us.” She bent and kissed the top of his head. There was nothing sexual about it. It sealed his vow.

  “Now we must leave.”

  Niail stood and moved to the door. “Pack a small bag for the children and yourself. Bring some food if you have any, but we cannot stay here any longer.”

  He motioned to Bobby. “We need to drive their truck off the reservation. It cannot be found here.”

  “Gottcha.” Bobby joined Niail. “You follow in my truck.”

  Then they were gone.

  Kimi was alone in the kitchen.

  She took a deep breath and picked up the fallen chairs. When all was in order she went to the hall closet and pulled out a small athletic bag. Focusing on what she needed to pack kept the horror of what had just happened at bay.

  “Kids, you need to gather your things.” She moved to Wil’s room first. “We’re going away for a little while.”

  She shoved a clean set of clothes and an extra pair of underwear and socks into the bag. She did the same for all of them and then thought about Niail. He had pants, but his top was beyond repair. She looked through her spare closet and found an old coat of Sam’s and a sweatshirt. That would keep him warm for a bit.

  When she went back to the kitchen both Wil and Peta were sitting at the table. They had their school backpacks in front of them. Their faces were grave and somber. Her heart clenched. They were too young to deal with what had happened here this evening.

  “I’m sorry kids.” She plopped the bag on the table and gathered the children to her. “I should have listened to Uncle Jake and asked Niail to leave yesterday.”

  “He was hurt.” Peta looked up at her. “He needed help.”

  “Niail stopped the bad men.” Wil sat back in his chair. “Those men would have hurt us.”

  “He’s the reason those men came here.” Kimi tried to keep her voice calm, but Wil wasn’t wrong. Those men would have hurt them whether Niail was here or not. They would never have believed that they didn’t know where he was.

  “He’s a superhero.” Wil hugged his backpack. “Niail will take care of us now.”

  Kimi sighed. “I hope so. We’ll probably go to Uncle Jake’s and ask him for help.”

  “Uncle Jake won’t understand.” Peta went to the cupboard and pulled out some granola bars. “We need to take some goodies with us.”

  “You sit down. I’ll pack.” Kimi shushed her daughter away. “How do you know we need food?”

  “We’re not deaf Mom.” Peta sat with a sigh. “We heard everything. When the men broke into the house I hid under the bed.”

  “I watched at the door.” Wil’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Those men aimed a gun at Niail and he still pushed them out of the house.”

  “You didn’t see anything else I hope?” Kimi couldn’t keep the dismay from her voice.

  Wil shook his head. “Niail blocked everything and once they were outside it was too dark to see.”

  “Thank God.” Kimi hugged Wil close. “Niail didn’t want you children to be involved.”

  “He protected us.” Peta leaned her chin on the table. “I’m glad you helped him Mom.”

  “So am I.” Wil pushed away from Kimi. “He talks different from everyone else. I think he really is one of the Star People.”

  Just then there was the sound of a vehicle pulling into the driveway. She motioned the children into one of the bedrooms, shut the door and then leaned against the counter. She would know soon enough if it were friend or foe.

  Bobby opened the door.

  Kimi relaxed. “You can come out kids.”

  Niail entered.

  He had blood on the side of his tee-shirt.

  Her eyes widened. �
��You’re injured.”

  Chapter 9

  Dismay and alarm filled Kimi. Her heart sped up and for a second, fear froze her in place. Why hadn’t she seen he had been injured? Niail had rushed a group of men with weapons. She should have checked him. Instead, he had been concerned about how she was doing. She stumbled toward him.

  “It is a scratch.” He picked up a towel and wiped his side. His eyes searched the room as if looking for danger and then he turned to Kimi. “We left their vehicle at the side of the road.”

  “How long before it’s found?” Kimi took the bloody towel from him and ran it under cold water.

  “They’ll find it before morning.” Bobby put both hands on the back of one of the chairs. “I think you guys should hide up in the mountains.”

  “Are you crazy?” Kimi shook her head. “It’s June. The nights are still too cold.”

  “Maybe, but where else will you be safe.”

  “Will your brother, Jake, help?” Niail touched Wil’s shoulder as the boy ran up to him. “I can take you there. Or is there someplace else?”

  “What about you?” Kimi picked up the sweatshirt she had pulled from the closet and handed it to Niail. “Your head still isn’t right, plus you have all those other injuries”

  “I heal fast.” Niail picked up another towel and turned away from Kimi before pulling the clean shirt on. “My head injury is no reason to endanger you any further.”

  Peta put her backpack on. “Should we call Uncle Jake first?”

  “We can’t stop to make a call. Time is important.” Niail handed Wil his pack. “What about you, Bobby?”

  “I’m heading to the bush.” Bobby shrugged. “I don’t trust anyone now.”

  “I understand.” Kimi grabbed her bag. “Are you taking your vehicle?”

  “I’m leaving it on the road.” Bobby started out the door. “I’ve got emergency gear in the back. It’s not safe to go near my house.”

  “That is wise.” Niail steered the children out of the house.

  “We need a boost.” Kimi pulled out her keys. “The battery in my truck is dead.”

  “No problem. I’ll pull up in front of you.”

  Niail took the lead to Kimi’s truck. “How will you know when it is safe for you to return?”