Chapter 13

 

SHE FEARED HIM.

He could see it in her eyes and sense it in her thoughts.

He had been blessed to find a mate and he had made a mess of explaining it to her. Instead of her feeling closer to him, she wanted to distance herself. It was his fault. The last thing he had expected was to find a pair bond. He was the youngest Hunter on the team. There were more worthy and older Hunters who should have found their pair bond before him.

He straightened his shoulders and turned to the door.

No matter what had just happened between him and Marissa, he still had a task to complete. She needed to know that he would keep her safe. They would escape this place and she would recover from what had happened to her at Nellis. He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped in front of Marissa.

The situation was worse than they had expected.

The hotel’s security was better than most on this planet.

Niail had communicated to him that he and Thero were trapped inside Norcott’s villa. They had contained the threat from the security guards, but now the whole villa was under a lockdown. So far, no one had come to see them, but they were preparing for an onslaught. It was imperative that Firbin escape so that he could release them.

“What are you doing?” Her voice was filled with indignation. “I need to see who comes through that door.”

“No.” Firbin’s voice was cold with determination. “I will deal with whatever happens.”

“I can take care of myself,” Marissa hissed.

The door knob turned.

“You can do that after we have escaped.” Firbin’s eyes narrowed as his gaze kept trained on the door. “Right now, all that matters is your safety.”

A giant of a man walked in.

He was dark-haired and dressed in an expensive three-piece suit made of fine black wool. His shirt was white, his tie a light gray. He shut the door behind him and turned his deep black eyes to Firbin. For a second, there was complete silence as the men assessed each other.

Firbin didn’t know who he was.

He did know what he was.

He was a Hunter.

“I am Firbin.” Firbin used mind connect to be certain.

The man hesitated and winced.

The mind connect seemed difficult.

“Vadim Kedovich.”

“You arrived on this planet with Lorcan?”

Lorcan was the leader of the Hunters who had crash landed on Earth over thirty years ago. They had been boys of ten when it had happened and had learned to survive on Earth by hiring out as mercenaries and assassins. Since Ardal had taken command, all of those in Lorcan’s unit had finished their training and were now part of their unit.

“Yes. I was thrown from the ship on impact. I woke up confused and unable to communicate with the others.” He straightened his jacket.

“Did they not search?”

“It is possible they assumed I was dead. No one came looking for me.” Vadim put his hands in his pant pockets. “I was taken in by a couple who found me wandering on the road. They raised me as their child.”

Marissa hit his back. “Are you two just going to stare at each other?”

“This is Vadim.”

“When I heard about the damage caused to my security team in one of the private villas, I knew I was dealing with a special military team. I did not consider it would be Hunters.” Vadim spoke flawless English.

“So the others escaped.” Marissa exhaled.

“No. I have them under lockdown. They will not be released until I give the order. There was never any question about them leaving. I have the best security in the world. That is why the rich pay to stay here.”

Firbin took a small step away from Marissa. He still partially guarded her with his body. Vadim was a fellow brother, but he had been raised by humans. There was no way to know if he still lived by the Hunter code.

“So what happens now? Is Douglas still alive?” Marissa’s voice was filled with exasperation.

“He is locked in the villa with the others. It is best this conversation is not recorded.” Vadim pulled a small electronic device from his jacket and pushed a few numbers. “When I heard that we had also captured two more of the people involved with the attempted kidnapping of one of our guests, I had to see you with my own eyes.”

“You can’t hold us here.” Marissa’s voice was aggressive. “We have rights and besides, we don’t have Douglas, so we didn’t kidnap him.”

Vadim smiled. “She has spirit. She is almost like the women of Cygnus.”

Firbin felt the shock that ripped through Marissa.

He reached a hand out to her. “Vadim is a brother.”

“Of course he is.” Marissa rolled her eyes. “What’s he doing here?”

“I own this hotel and casino.” Vadim spread his arms out. “This is one of my secure rooms where we hold people that have made a disturbance or tried to rob us.”

“You have called the police?” Firbin’s voice was harsh.

“I would not turn in another until I was certain they were a criminal. I would never betray a brother.” Vadim leaned a shoulder against the wall. “I would like an explanation as to why you picked my hotel to destroy.”

“It was because of Douglas.” Marissa put her hands on her hips. “Believe it or not, he had me drugged and kidnapped along with an FBI informant yesterday. I woke up in a strange place, with creatures poking at me. The next thing I know, this guy is shooting and killing people.”

Firbin watched Marissa sag against the far wall. She was exhausted and the sooner he could get her to freedom, the better. He didn’t know if Vadim could be trusted, but he had no other choice. If his words failed, then he would have no recourse but to fight his way out of this place. He preferred not to battle a fellow Hunter.

“We have found Albireons on this planet.” Firbin’s voice was low. “They have been here for over seventy years and already have a group of humans directing their affairs on Earth.”

Vadim pursed his lips. “I suspected that something was not right on this planet. I just never considered it was the Albireons. I thought another group may have been in contact and was offering advanced technology.”

“They have given that too.” Firbin glanced at Marissa who was frowning. “We have been aware of them for almost a year and have been infiltrating their organization and records. Yesterday, we started coordinated attacks on their underground strongholds throughout the world.”

“Lorcan did not have a large enough unit of men, or the skill to coordinate such an attack.” Vadim’s voice held suspicion. “That can only mean that you have been sent by the High Council to attack this planet.”

Firbin shook his head. “The high council no longer holds command of Cygnus. There was a civil war and they lost. All Hunters were ordered executed as a result.”

Vadim’s eyes narrowed. “How many survived?”

“My unit was the only one to fight the extinction order. Our leader allowed us to fight so that we could die with honor. We were able to take control of the ship. We crashed on Earth.”

Vadim’s hands clenched into fists.

He pushed away from the wall and started to pace the small enclosure.

“When did this happen?”

“Almost two years ago.”

Firbin understood Vadim’s distress. He’d lived through the extinction orders and the crash and it was a miracle any Hunters had survived. There was no point in looking back. Warriors accepted their fate. After a few seconds, Vadim turned to Firbin.

“I have no skills to offer for the battle. My human parents did not approve of violence.” Vadim waved a hand around the room. “I do however have a gift for security and I’ve used that to my advantage.”

Firbin grinned. “Humans are funny like that.”

“Are you two seriously talking about humans as if we’re the strange ones?” Marissa shook her head and stood. “I can’t believe I’m actually starting to believe you.”

“I have told you Hunters do not lie.”

“You were not fighting with just Hunters.” Marissa pointed a finger at him. “There were humans with you.”

“What is she talking about?”

“Some humans have found out the truth about the Albireon plans and have banded together in a resistance force. They are fighting beside us as we set out to eradicate this planet of Albireons.”

“The H.R.F. is what they were calling themselves.” Marissa muttered. “They wanted to leave me to die.”

“No Hunter would let a woman die.” Vadim’s voice was firm. “That much of the code I remember and obey.”

“Now I know the two of you are related.” Marissa shook her head.

“Why Douglas Norcott?” Vadim asked.

“He is one of the leaders of the Shadow Government.” Firbin explained.

Vadim nodded. “So you need him to gain access?”

“It is worse than we suspected.” Firbin cleared his throat. “They have an Ancient’s Staff.”

Vadim was silent for a few seconds and then went to the door. “What do you need?”

“A way out of here would help.”

“I’ll have the helicopter fueled and ready.” Vadim motioned them out of the room. “Come. We will settle this.”

There were several security men standing guard outside the room. When Vadim came out, he motioned them aside. “These two will not cause any more damage. We need to take them to Norcott’s villa and resolve this disagreement.”

Firbin reached for Marissa

She hesitated a second and then took his hand.

The surge of joy that raced through him took his breath away. It was heaven to have her close, and despite her doubts, he knew that whatever happened in the future, they would be bonded. Always.

When they reached the villa there were four guards standing outside.

Vadim turned to him. “Let them know.”

Marissa opened her mouth and then closed it. Firbin sent her a wave of calm before he connected with Niail.

“I am outside and about to enter with Vadim.” Firbin waited for a second and then continued. “Vadim has agreed to help. I will explain once we are inside.”

“We have stepped down.”

Firbin nodded to Vadim. “They will let us enter.”

Vadim unlocked the door.

He pushed it open and went in first with his hands raised.

Firbin stayed in front of Marissa. He did not fully trust Vadim and protecting Marissa was his first priority. When they were inside, Vadim turned to his men who were waiting outside.

“The door stays unlocked.” His voice was low with authority. “Under no circumstance does anyone enter.”

He shut the door.

Firbin grinned at Niail. “I have found another brother.”

“I can see that.” Niail’s voice was wry. “Vadim?”

Vadim nodded. “I have been raised by humans since the crash thirty years ago when I was ten.”

Marissa gasped. “That’s impossible. You don’t look to be older than twenty-five.”

Vadim grimaced. “It has been one of the harder benefits of this planet to hide.”

“I take it the security is your doing?” Niail raised an eyebrow. “Very effective and well-trained.”

“Stop this chatter.” The loud voice of Norcott interrupted the conversation. “I pay you generously to take care of my person. Deal with these criminals and get them out of my house.”

Vadim cleared his throat. “I must apologize Mr. Norcott, but that won’t be possible.”

Norcott’s eyes bulged. “What the hell do you mean? Your hotel promises the world’s best security and privacy.”

“And I have delivered it.” Vadim walked over to his security detail that was now lying bound and gagged on the floor. “My guards were here and stopped the kidnapping.”

“Then get this mess cleared up.” Norcott waved his hand around the room. “It’s outrageous that they were even able to get inside here.”

“You let them in.” Vadim’s voice was smooth. “You forget I keep meticulous records. I have your voice recordings from this morning.”

Norcott’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”

“Only reminding you.” Vadim sighed. “I find it impossible to comply with your request, though. You have violated the terms of agreement.”

“You don’t have any idea who you’re messing with.” Gone was all civility from Norcott’s voice. “I can make and break you with the snap of my finger. My money guarantees it.”

“I’m certain you believe that.” Vadim smoothed a hand down his jacket. “Strictly speaking, I exceed you in the money category.”

Norcott’s mouth dropped open. “That’s impossible.”

“Unlike you, I make money, not spend it.” Vadim turned to Niail. “I understand that my guest is harboring knowledge of a potentially deadly weapon, and is involved in the kidnapping of a federal police officer.”

Niail crossed his arms. “He is.”

“Those are grounds for eviction.” Vadim turned back to Norcott. “You have been served notice.”

Norcott took a few steps back. “This will not go unpunished.”

“The question is who is to be punished.” Vadim turned to Niail. “Could you release my men?”

Niail nodded. “They fought valiantly.”

“I appreciate that you did not kill them.”

“We have learned to minimize human deaths wherever possible.” Firbin moved toward Niail when Marissa screamed.

She was pointing at Norcott. “He has a weapon.”