Hannah's Warrior: Cosmos' Gateway Book 2 (19 page)

Pulling the cover over the
window back, Hannah’s breath caught at the beauty of her
surroundings. There was thick forest as far as she could see with a
glimpse of mountains surrounding them. She looked down and realized
the ‘home’ she was in was actually about half way up one of the
huge trees. Other homes were built into the surrounding trees.
Hannah saw dozens of huge men, animals, and other movement on the
ground far below her.
Going down was
out,
she thought in dismay. Hannah glanced
up and noticed that further up the tree there was nothing but thick
branches protecting the home. She let her eyes follow the line of
several branches. If she went up, she could follow along them. Once
clear of the ‘village’ below, she could climb down. Hannah had no
idea which way the palace was but she figured it couldn’t be too
far. She might be able to determine where she was once night came.
She had spent several nights outside waiting for Borj to come back
to their living quarters. She could use the direction of the moons
rising and the stars to guide her.

Hannah tucked the knife into the waistband of
her pants and climbed up onto the window ledge. She drew in a deep
breath. Her arms and legs were still a bit shaky from whatever drug
they used. She would need to be careful she didn’t fall. It was a
hell of a long way down. Grasping the top of the window frame she
scooted along the edge until she could step onto a knot on the
tree. Reaching out, she dug her fingers into an indentation and
began climbing.

Hannah paused to rest at the top of the tree.
She pushed herself up after a couple of minutes and began moving
again once she was breathing evenly. She was walking fast along the
branch when she heard a yell. It looks like her luck was running
out. Either someone found Core or he was able to get free. She
didn’t pause to see what kind of excitement was going on far below
her. She was more interested in putting some distance between her
and everyone else.

She ducked down on a large
branch several trees away as two thin black-looking bikes skimmed
over the top of the trees. They reminded her of the types of
vehicles she saw in movies back home.
Not
that I’ve been to that many in the last couple of years,
Hannah thought in sarcastic amusement. She rose up
again as they passed her and continued on. She was almost to the
end of the branch when she felt someone behind her. Glancing over
her shoulder, Hannah’s eyes widened as the huge bastard and Core
moved along the branch at a rapid pace. Damn, she thought for sure
she could have gotten further. Hannah threw caution to the wind.
She started running as fast as she could along the branch. Her
heart was beating as adrenaline kicked in. The old fears began
swallowing her up as past and present collided. Hannah saw the
vines hanging down from a branch slightly lower than the branch she
was on. It was a good eight feet away and the possibility of her
not making it was high but she was too frightened to care. All she
thought about was the screams and looks in the women’s eyes after
they were brought back to the hut. Putting on a spurt of speed,
Hannah leaped off the end of the branch ignoring the loud curses of
disbelief that followed her.

Merrick was furious when he
returned to his home to find his cousin tied up and his aunt and
niece trapped in a closet. How the hell did one small female do so
much damage? First she knocks him out then defeats his cousin? It
took precious time to figure out where the female went. He could
not believe she could climb almost as good as his seasoned
warriors. Few could use the trees as well as his clan. It was only
the fact one of the skimmers sighted her that he and Core were able
to catch up with her by using some of the roping hidden in the
upper canopy. He thought for sure they had her trapped on this
branch. When she began running recklessly along it, he feared she
would slip and fall to her death. He never expected her to try to
escape by jumping to the vines.

Merrick looked at Core and
growled out. “Where in the
hockta
balmas
did they find these
females?”

Core grinned as he watched Hannah swing down
to a lower branch and jump down. “I do not know but I want
one!”

“
Well, we have to catch the one we
stole first. She is getting away!” Merrick grunted out as he
watched Hannah jump onto another branch before grabbing a vine and
sliding further down.

Merrick laughed under his breath. He decided
he wouldn’t mind having one either if they were this much fun. It
had been a long time since he felt the challenge of the chase. He
only wished it was with a female he could keep. He would have to
let Borj know he was one lucky son-of-a-bitch.

Chapter 14

Borj tightened the weapons around his chest
and adjusted the ones at his sides. He was dressed all in black to
help him blend in with the surrounding shadows. He looked over to
his father and brother who were climbing out of the short-range
shuttle behind him followed by Te’mar.

Te’mar looked grim as he approached. He
looked at Borj’s stony expression. It was not going to be easy
trying to him from killing Merrick, he thought with a heavy
sigh.

“
Borj, I still think you should let me
go in first. I can talk to Merrick. I can get him to release your
mate.” Te’mar said quietly.

Borj looked coldly at Te’mar. “If you do not
have the stomach for battle then leave.” Borj said.

Te’mar’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “This has
nothing to do with whether I have the stomach for battle. You know
I do. I have fought many times at your side. What I do not want is
to see senseless killing that can be avoided.” Te’mar responded
harshly.

“
He had no right to take my bond mate.
I warned him she was mine. I showed him the mating mark. He knew
what his decision would bring.” Borj growled out
furiously.

“
He is responsible for his clan. He
came to us looking for help and we gave him nothing but empty
promises. What was he supposed to do? I do not approve of him
taking your bond mate but think of the choices we left him.” Te’mar
snapped back.

Teriff watched the exchange through narrow
eyes. “As leader of the ‘Tag Krell Manok, I will make the final
decision. We will all go in. If they do not return your bond mate
then blood will be shed.” Teriff said in a voice that told there
would be no more discussion on the matter.

Borj’s jaw tightened but he did not respond.
If Hannah was harmed in any way, he did not care what his father
said. He would kill Merrick and as many others as he could before
he died. Borj turned away and began moving swiftly through the
forest. He opened his mind calling to Hannah but he still could
feel nothing but the dark abyss.

“
Borj.” Te’mar said coming up beside
him. “Merrick will protect her. I am sure he regretted taking her
in the first place.”

“
Why do you protect him?” Borj asked as
he moved through the thick undergrowth. “The real reason, not what
you have given others.” He asked turning suddenly to look at
Te’mar.

Te’mar had to stop or he would have run into
Borj. His lips tightened for a moment before he looked out over the
thick, lush forest surrounding them. He could hear the others
moving forward but was unconcerned. He knew if he could not calm
Borj before they reached the village there would be unnecessary
bloodshed. Torn between an old promise and the new one he made when
he joined the council, Te’mar looked back at Borj in
resignation.

“
He is my older brother.” Te’mar said
softly.

Borj jerked back a step. How was that
possible? He knew both of Te’mar’s parents. They were bond mates.
How could it be possible Merrick was Te’mar’s older brother and no
one knew?

Te’mar held up his hand. “Now is not the time
or place to tell you the details. I am not even sure I have the
right to. I can just ask that you believe that what I tell you is
truthful.” Te’mar said looking intently into Borj’s eyes.

Borj studied Te’mar for a moment before he
nodded his head. “As long as Hannah has not been harmed, I will
hold my blade.” Borj promised. “But, know this…if she has been
harmed at all, I do not care who he is. I will kill him.”

Te’mar nodded once before pushing past Borj
to continue to the village he called home long ago. Borj watched
him walk away with mixed feelings. He understood family and the
need to protect them but it was nothing compared to his need to
protect his bond mate. He had a better appreciation for the
gut-wrenching torment J’kar felt when Tink was taken from him. Borj
pushed his fear for his mate down. He had to believe she was
safe.

Hannah frowned as she watched the group of
warriors walk by staring at her curiously. She was pissed she
hadn’t made it more than a half mile before she was caught. She was
better than that, dammit. She twisted her hands together in front
of her working at the ties. At least she hadn’t made it easy on
them. The huge guy, Merrick, was sitting across from her scowling
at her as Nadu pressed a cold compress to his forehead. Core was
leaning back against a tree with a cold compress to his groin.
Hannah had a feeling he wasn’t going to want to spend time alone
with her any time soon.

Merrick growled at Hannah when he saw her
smiling. “You are dangerous, female. Does your bond mate know
this?”

Hannah turned her gaze to Merrick and smiled
innocently. “Yes. I knocked him out three times the first time we
met.” Hannah said sweetly.

Core groaned as he adjusted the cold
compress. “And he still claimed you?” Core asked huskily. He turned
to look at Merrick. “Do you think there are other females of her
species that are not so painful?”

Nadu chuckled. “Why don’t you ask her? You
have her tied up to keep you safe now.”

Hannah worked her wrists back and forth until
one of her hands slipped out of the ropes. Even after she hurt
them, they were afraid to tie her too tight for fear of hurting
her. Hannah rubbed the red marks from where she worked her wrists
back and forth. Pushing a long strand of hair behind her ear, she
grinned as both men moved back away from her when she stood up.

“
Actually, I am probably a little
better at defending myself than most girls. My mom and dad made
sure I could.” Hannah said as her thoughts drifted to the reason
why.

Nadu noticed the haunted look that came into
Hannah’s eyes and moved toward her. “Sit, child. No one will harm
you. As soon as the men have recovered I will make sure they return
you to your mate. Have you called to him?”

Hannah jerked. “Oh, shit! I was so pissed at
him I shut him out. I bet he is really upset with me right about
now.” Hannah said as a flush ran up her neck turning her face a
rosy red. “I forgot I could do that.” Hannah added with a
whisper.

Nadu laughed as she saw Hannah’s face. “Call
to him. Give him peace, child, or he will want to kill all of
us.”

Hannah nodded and closed her
eyes. Reaching out, she called to Borj.
“Borj, can you hear me?”

“I will be there soon. Have
you been harmed?”
Borj asked
urgently.

“Let’s just say I’m not the
one sitting with the cold compresses. Remember when we met?”
Hannah let Borj see Merrick and Core through her
eyes.

“Perhaps, it is them that
need be rescued."
Borj’s chuckle of relief
sounded in Hannah’s mind.
“I am almost
there.”

Hannah opened her eyes and grinned. “He’s
almost here. He says he’ll think about rescuing you guys.”

Nadu and Nadine burst out laughing as Merrick
and Core scowled. Merrick decided he liked the chasing part but the
catching left much to be desired. He gingerly touched the knot on
his head where she hit him with the tree branch. His gaze flickered
over to Core who was still looking a little pale. He would still
prefer the branch upside his head than a foot in his manhood. He
needed to remember if he ever came across another female of this
race to be very protective of that part of his anatomy. It seems to
be one of the first places they aim for when they attack.

Hannah watched a short time later as Borj,
followed by a large group of armed warriors, came into the village.
The few women and children in the village watched from the safety
of the homes high up in the tree. Nadu stayed near Hannah but she
sent Nadine, who protested loudly, back up to the safety of
Merrick's home.

Hannah's breath caught in her throat at how
sexy Borj looked. He was wearing tight leather pants tucked into
knee high black boots. His upper body was only covered by a black
vest leaving his arms uncovered. He had two swords strapped to his
back, several small weapons across his chest, and two guns of some
type on each hip. His face was carved in stone as he entered the
village. His eyes scanned the crowd of warriors until they came to
rest on her. Hannah pushed by Merrick and Core running to throw
herself at Borj.

Borj's eyes flared when he saw Hannah
standing next to an older female. He watched as her face changed
from nervous concern to outright joy at the sight of him. A moment
later she was wrapping herself around him. He had no other choice
but to clutch her to his hard body as she wrapped her long legs
around his waist and buried her face in his neck. His arms
tightened as he felt a tremble shake her delicate body.

"I'm sorry." Hannah whispered. "I promised to
never shut you out and I did. I'm so sorry."

Hannah leaned back and
looked into Borj's dark silver eyes. Without thinking, she pulled
his head down into a deep, passionate kiss. She needed to feel him.
Trust was a two-way street. If she expected to be able to trust
Borj then she had to show him he could trust her in return. Hannah
felt Borj as he opened to her. She felt his fear and frustration.
She also felt his sense of loss; the feelings of darkness and
emptiness choking him at not being able to connect with her. The
feelings frightened Hannah at first. She understood those feelings
all to well. Ever since she was fifteen she had felt the same
feelings. The only difference was she had learned to push them down
deep inside her. It was the only way she was able to survive. She
buried her feelings in her work, letting it show through her
photographs.