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.She groaned as her back hit the bump on the car floor.If she were lucky she’d live long enough to see the bruises.David peered over the headrest.“We’re almost there.”A blast of warm air let her know that the door had been opened.David twisted her back onto the seat before pulling her sleeve up on her arm.He held a needle in his other hand.A sharp burning sensation seared her bicep.“That should keep you quiet until I’m ready.”“What are you going to do?” Fiona couldn’t keep the fear from her voice.“I tried to love you, but you refused.” David pulled her sleeve down.“Now you’ll die like all the rest.”“I don’t understand.” Fiona swallowed back her horror.“It’s quite simple.” David pushed the needle protector up.“I thought you might be different, but you’re not.I’ll kill you like the others, slowly and painfully until you beg for my love.”He slammed the door and within seconds, the car was moving again.She felt the dragging action of the drug he’d given her start to take effect.Her eyelids felt heavy and she fought to keep them open.She wanted to remember Ardal’s face as long as possible.His beloved face was clear in her mind’s eye.Now when it was too late, she realized how much she loved him.He was truly the only man she would ever love.It was fitting that he would be the last man in her thoughts.She wouldn’t let David win.She would block his evil and focus on Ardal.Her last thoughts would be of him.At least he would know how she really felt as she sent her message to him.“I love you,” she repeated until the words blurred and her mind clouded.Ardal was the last word on her lips as the world darkened and her thoughts ceased.Chapter 20Darkness encompassed the vehicle and his heart.For the first time in his life, Ardal felt detached from his men.He was a Hunter of the clan Rioge, the last leader of his breed and yet he could only think of Fiona.The pain of leaving her gnawed at his gut.He knew his men came first, but he should never have let them convince him to do something that felt so wrong.Despite what Darrogh had implied, he knew she was not a distraction.She was his anchor.She grounded him.He might not have needed that in the past, but since bonding he realized that it was necessary to have a constant connection with her.He cursed himself for not realizing this earlier, but it was all so new.No Hunter had pair bonded before.There was no rule or code to follow.He was floundering in a strange land with no guidance.He suddenly understood much clearer what the stranded Hunters had endured.It was worse for them because they hadn’t finished their training.They had been children.Ardal sighed and looked out the window.No matter how he felt, he had to put it behind him and get his men to safety.They had dispersed and were trying to find new lives.Catal had made arrangements for his group to have papers and identities.With these in place, they could travel to the far reaches of this planet.A wave of nausea hit Ardal with a piercing ache that twisted his gut.He grimaced and clutched his side.Never had he felt anguish like this, not in the worse battle, not when tortured, nor when punished as a boy.Never.He gripped the door handle until his knuckles were white.The nausea lessened, but the agony grew.He took several deep breaths and forced the sensation away.Years of training had made him adept at ignoring discomfort.Every Hunter had the ability.The torment grew more intense.There was only one explanation.This was not his pain.Fiona was in agonizing distress.His bonding meant that he felt what she did, but the intensity of it could only mean one thing.She was in peril.Worse, she was probably close to dying.“We must return.”Catal glanced round from the front.“We’re leaving the city.We need to put distance between us.”“Fiona is in danger.I have to find her.”Firbin moved the vehicle into the right lane and took the next exit.“You can’t just turn around.The military are looking for us.”“Ardal is leader.I obey my leader.”Catal exhaled a heavy sigh.“This is nuts.What don’t you understand about the danger we’re in?”“We are always in danger.” Niail spoke from beside Ardal.“A Hunter obeys.”Catal turned and looked at him for a few seconds.“You’re serious.”Niail gave him a steady gaze.“Ardal has always led us true.”Catal shook his head.“I hope that you still feel the same when we’re captured.”“I do not put my men in unnecessary danger.I will return on my own.You may continue the journey without me.” Ardal kept his voice low.“No.” Niail shook his head.“We follow where you lead.”“This is to protect my pair bond.”Firbin stopped at a red light and signaled a right turn.“I made a vow to Fiona also.A Hunter does not betray his word.”“You would never let us face danger on our own.” Niail added.Catal rubbed his face with his hands.“It’s three against one.Short of jumping out of this car, I have no choice but to go along with you.”“You are young, but you learn quickly.” Niail’s voice was dry.“I’m older than you.” Catal’s voice reverberated in the closed vehicle.“Only in years.” Niail’s voice held a hint of humour.“Your life as a Hunter begins today.”It took them fifteen minutes to reach Fiona’s sister’s house.They pulled into the driveway and Ardal jumped out of the vehicle.The others followed and together they went to the front door.It was open by several inches.Ardal steadied his breathing and calmed his adrenaline surge as he prepared for battle.They entered the house with soft steps, Ardal motioning his men to spread out and search.The ground floor was cleared before they started up the stairs.That was when he saw Karen on the upper landing.She was sprawled out as if dead and he feared the worse.He knelt beside her as his men began their search of the upper floor.He shook Karen’s shoulder and was greeted by a groan.She was alive.When the others returned, she was struggling to sit up on her elbows.His men moved away from her, forming a circle as they stood looking down, hands behind their backs, and legs spread.Ardal was the first to speak.“Is Fiona here?”Niail shook his head.“The house is empty except for a small furry animal I found in a closet.There was a struggle in one of the bedrooms.”Ardal sucked in his anger and frustration.Fiona needed him to be clear minded if she were going to survive.He turned to Karen.“What happened?”She grimaced and sat up.“The bastard took her.I should have believed her when she told me that he was abusive, but he’s a doctor, for God’s sake.”“How long?”“Maybe ten minutes ago.” Karen held her head in her hands.“I tried to stop him, but he knocked me out.Wait until I get my hands on him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]