aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire) (29 page)

“My
grandfather said that the Star People asked the best warriors to join them.”
Kimi’s
voice was low. “Perhaps the
Kaladin
are the Star People of my grandfather’s legends.”

“It
is very possible.”
Ardal
shifted in his chair so that
he was facing
Kimi
. “Since crashing on Earth, we have
learned that many of our myths are true. There is no reason that the same is
not true for your people’s legends.”

“Grandfather’s
teachings are very ancient.”
Kimi
looked over at
Niail
. “If the Star People did take humans, they did it
eons ago.”

“Hunters
have existed since time began according to the
Kaladin
.”
Niail
frowned. “This might also be the reason Earth
was the planet we were heading toward.”

“And
why we were sent here for training.” Catal crossed his arms.

He
pushed away his anger. For years he had blamed the humans for what they had
done to him. To find out that he was one of them would take some getting used
to. He needed time to understand and come to terms with what had happened to
him. Right now, all he wanted was to make certain that his son did not suffer
as he had.

“Earth
is more our home than we realized.”
Ardal’s
voice was
calm. “We must not forget our training or the Sacred Codes. We are still
Hunters.”

“We
have traveled much of the universe.”
Niail
spoke in a
quiet voice. “Our experience and breeding means we will stand apart.”

“But
we belong here.” Catal frowned. “This is probably why we have found mates here
also.”

Ardal
nodded. “This is true. I am only surprised that the others who crashed here
with you, did not find mates. Perhaps your implants were still working.”

“Something
must have happened to mine.” Catal rubbed the scar on his arm where his implant
had been removed. “I had never been attracted to a human before I met Selena.”

“Tell
us about that.”
Ardal
leaned back in his chair. “When
we first met, you did not believe in the legend of mates.”

“I
was afraid to admit it.” Catal looked down at Selena and stroked a finger down
her cheek. “I hadn’t trusted that it was a pair bonding. Instead, I believed
that I had betrayed my brothers by being with a human woman.”

“Understandable
considering what happened to you on earth.”
Ardal
sighed. “This may be hard for those of you who were stranded here as children
to deal with. For too many years,
Lorcan
and the rest
of the clan
Saidir
have seen humans as the enemy.”

“It
will take time.” Catal sighed. “They will have a better understanding of the
work they do to bring justice to others.”

“Instead
of hiring out as mercenaries.”

Selena
shuddered. “Even when I thought that Catal had betrayed me, I still worried
that he might be dead somewhere because of the work he did.”

“That
still might happen.”
Catal’s
voice was serious. “We
are honor bound to help, whether it is a dangerous situation or not.”

“I
understand, but a part of me believes that as long as you are fighting for justice,
you will be protected.”

“Let’s
hope.”
Kimi’s
voice was low.

“I
protect my men as much as possible.”
Ardal’s
voice
was firm. “The crash and the Holman took too many of our brother’s lives. I
cannot lose another man.”

“That’s
enough sad talk.” Fiona stood up. “I think it’s time we celebrate.
Niail
is better, Catal has found his mate and son, and
we’re going to have a baby.”

“Do
you know what it is yet?”
Kimi
pushed away from the
table.

Fiona
shook her head. “I want to be surprised.”

“I
will warn you that you may need help with the delivery.” Selena stood. “
Tarrin
was too large for me to have naturally.”

Fiona
bit her lip. “I’ve already considered that and have made plans to be near a
hospital close to my due date.”

“When
will that be?” Selena walked away from him and joined
Kimi
and Fiona.

The
women went into the living room, but their excited voices could be heard in the
kitchen. Their pair bonding with a Hunter made them fugitives, but none of that
seemed to concern them. Catal wasn’t sure if Selena realized how difficult life
in hiding would be. He would make certain that she was safe.

He
vowed to protect her with his life.

He
turned to
Ardal
.

He
was frowning.

“You
will learn that women love discussing babies.” Catal grinned.

“I
have not seen this before.”
Ardal
shook his head.

“Fiona
has only been with you.”
Niail’s
voice was dry. “
Kimi
is frequently talking with her friend Ann for hours at
a time.”

“Has
being a father been difficult?”
Catal’s
voice was
serious.

“They
have been very tolerant of my mistakes.”
Niail
shook
his head. “There is so much we do not know about children. For the first time
in my life I feel uncertain.”

“I
understand.” Catal leaned against the counter. “I never fear for myself, but
now I worry about Selena and
Tarrin
.”

“It
makes the life of a warrior more difficult.”
Ardal
heaved a sigh.

“It
makes it worthwhile, though.” Catal remembered the passion and love he’d shared
with Selena.
Tarrin
was a miracle that their bonding
had made possible.

“True.”
Ardal
pushed back from the table. “I would not wish
it any other way.”

“Nor
would I.”
Niail
stood up and followed
Ardal
.

Catal
walked into the living room.
Ardal
and
Niail
had pulled their mates close, but the woman were
still talking to each other. A surge of contentment flooded him at the sight of
Selena relaxed and happy.

There
was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. To have her back in his life was more than
he had ever dreamed possible. All those years of pain and loneliness were over.
No more would he have to wonder if she’d been real, if the love they’d shared
had ever happened. They were bonded.

Selena
was his mate.

She
would be near always.

Selena
looked at him and smiled. The world righted itself in that moment. All the pain
of his childhood was healed. He was home now.

When
I studied biology in the early eighties, the decoding of DNA, deoxyribonucleic
acid, the genetic building block of living organisms on earth, had progressed
enough that my professors were discussing the possibility of mapping the
complete human genome one day. At the time, I remember thinking that would take
forever to accomplish. I was wrong.

By
2003 the sequencing of the human genome was completed. This means that we are
able to identify specific genes and their functions. Some areas of DNA do not
produce proteins, so are considered non-coding sequences. Initially, it was
thought that these areas had no function, but time and research has shown that
these sequences enhance or regulate other genes.

Today
we can use DNA not only to find criminals, but also to trace our ancestors.
Knowing the sequencing of our genes allows us to understand how to change those
genes. The possibilities for genetic manipulation and engineering are endless.
Already there are discussions of allowing human trials of an In Vitro
Fertilization technique that would combine the DNA of three people to ensure
that disease causing mutations will not be passed on to children.

As
I look ahead to the future I can envision a world where genetic engineering
will wipe out diseases such as diabetes, mitochondrial disease, or hemophilia.
At the same time there are ethical and moral considerations that society will
have to deal with. Questions about whose DNA will be used for recombinant
engineering, and whether people will be discriminated against because their
genes could potentially cause diseases like cancer, need to be answered.

Science
is already at the cutting edge of what used to be called fiction.

Cynthia
Clement began writing stories in her teens, but it wasn’t until her forties
that she became serious about writing. She lives in Canada with her husband of
thirty years, her teenaged son, and two dachshunds. She has an eclectic range
of interests including paranormal phenomena, ghost hunting, quilting, reading,
gardening, and great conversation.

Her
first book, The Seduction of Sarah, was a finalist in the HOLT Medallion Best
First Book Category. Her novels, whether historical, paranormal, or science
fiction, all focus on love, honor, and suspense. To find out more information
about her writing and books or to sign up for her newsletter please visit her
website
www.cynthiaclement.com

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