Hunter's Heart

Daria took it from him, mouth falling open. “You’re trusting me with this?”

“I’m not worried about your abilities. Just point and shoot if you have to, but watch the recoil.”

She studied it dubiously. “All right. I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all either of us can do,” he said quietly. “Ready?”

“We’re keeping to the plan? This would be the perfect time to turn back and get the evidence we need,” she said eagerly. “August would never expect it.”

Grabbing his pack, Ryon stood for a moment, thinking of the pros and cons. With the majority of August’s men out searching for them, she was right. He just didn’t want to admit it. After a long moment, he let out a sigh. “You make a really good point.”

Her eyes widened and she stepped into him, placing her palms on his chest. “You mean that?”

“Yeah. I do.” At last, he forced himself to swallow his pride and jealousy. It was a bit rough going down. “Ben is important to you, so he is to me, too. I want to help him and anyone else out there who’s been hurt by those experiments.”

She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. He had to force his mind from taking her then and there, no matter how badly he wanted to do it. Reluctantly he let her go and they got ready.

Daria changed back into her dark fatigues for the day’s hike, tucking the gun into the waistband. Then she took two protein bars from her pack and handed one to Ryon.

“Here. Quick energy before we go.”

“Thanks. Until now, I can’t remember when I’ve ever looked forward to eating compressed sawdust.” He unwrapped the bar and consumed half of the nasty thing in one bite. “I’m so hungry, I’d give my firstborn for a plate of bacon and eggs.”

“Think about something else. How’s the arm?”

Ryon glanced at the scratch. “A little sore, that’s all. I’d nearly forgotten it.”

She stuffed the rest of the bar into her mouth, then peered at his arm. “Looking good. No sign of infection.”

“Thanks, Doc.” His lips turned up. “You are a woman of many talents, my mate.”

“You have no idea,” she teased, hefting her pack.

“Oh, I think I do.”

As they headed back, making a wide berth to avoid any of the goons that might’ve been behind them, he reached out to Nick.

Change of plans, boss. Most of August’s men passed us, so we’re going back to take one more crack at getting that evidence.

All right, but be careful. There’s been a development.

Ryon tensed. What’s going on?

The creature isn’t here in the Shoshone anymore. We don’t think he’s anywhere around, in fact.

He let that sink in, and his blood chilled. You think he’s coming here?

I’d say it’s highly possible.

How fast can he possibly get here on foot?

Pretty damned fast if he was given any Tracing abilities during the experiments. The park rangers here have reported three more kills that are less than a day old—and each kill is more than twelve miles apart. No way could he have covered that wide an area on foot in one night.

Shit! But why would he come here?

I’m guessing he’s going after August, or you and Daria. Perhaps he senses that Daria is gone. Keep your eyes open.

Very funny, boss. He’s fucking invisible!

Not totally, Nick reminded him. Watch for irregular patterns around you, like a clear kaleidoscope effect. You can spot him.

Thanks for the pep talk.

Hang in there. Shoot us the information the second you break into his files. If there’s a cure present, we’ll give it to the lab and have them get right to work on it. Then, when we get the word from you, we’ll go wheels up and head out to retrieve you both.

Thanks, Nick.

Talk soon.

“Daria, hold up.” She stopped, looking at him questioningly. “Bad news—Ben is on the move.”

“In his beast form?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Unfortunately, that’s likely the case. Nick thinks he might be headed this way, maybe coming after us or your uncle.”

Her face paled. “Now we’ve got to get that cure. We’re running out of time and we’ve got nothing effective to fight him with.”

He nodded. “Seems you were right all along and I’ve been a fool.”

“Give yourself a break. We were being pursued and shot at. You were protecting me.”

“Thanks, sweetheart. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

As they started off again, a shadow passed over his soul. This was a suicide mission.

And even Nick wasn’t saying whether Ryon would make it home alive.

Twelve

For hours, Daria trudged along behind Ryon, staring at his perfect backside. How wonderful was her mate for seeing this through? She craved justice against August for what he’d done to Ben, and she’d have it. Ben had been a fine man, a good friend. As lovers, however, she and Ben were all wrong for each other and the parting had been painful.

But she’d done her share of grieving, and had come out the other side. After a long, desolate stretch, Ryon had awakened the longing to be touched, held. Wrapped in Ryon’s arms, she finally knew what it meant to find the other half of her soul.

“Check this out.”

Ryon halted in his tracks, staring ahead. The trail had led them to a small pond about a quarter of the size of a football field. The thick foliage surrounding the banks made it seem much smaller, more secluded. Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, causing lovely dappled patterns across the greenery and glassy surface. Huge old trees stood sentry at the perimeter of the bank, their dark roots extending into the water like bony fingers. Several azure butterflies floated on the air, some drinking from large flowers.

“Oh, wow! It’s gorgeous!” Daria tugged on his arm, as excited as a child. “I’m so hot and grimy, could we cool off? Please?”

“I don’t know.” He scowled, taking in the area. “Let me try something first. Give me a bit of your jerky.”

“What for?” Curious, she wasted no time setting down her pack and fetching the beef, especially if it meant a bath. She opened the bag, tore off a piece, and handed it to him.

“Watch.”

Ryon tossed the dried meat into the center of the pond. Nothing happened at first, but gradually, tiny ripples broke at the surface of the water, like a pot beginning to boil. The action, however, never became frenzied. The fish nibbled at the treat until nothing remained, then disappeared. All was calm again. Nothing else moved.

“You were testing the pond for dangerous critters,” she remarked. “I’m impressed. I probably wouldn’t have thought to toss out bait.”

“Just a precaution. We’re close to the estate again, and getting eaten by something mutated that August helped create would ruin my day. It appears safe enough, but I’ll go first. Pull up a tree root and try not to get into any trouble.” He gave a lopsided grin. “And no peeking.”

“Huh. Don’t flatter yourself.”