At the end of the day, no Hauk was worth her life or her daughter's well-being. She would complete this mission, get her daughter free of League custody, and then she'd find some way to join Kalea, and raise her daughter so that no one would ever be able to harm her baby the way they'd harmed Sumi.
No lies. No feeling lost and alone. Adrift.
Kalea was all she had in this universe, and she wouldn't fail her child.
Not again.
CHAPTER 6
S
umi came awake with a start. She'd been trying to stay up and listen for Hauk and the others. But her pain had proven too much, and she'd dozed at some point in the night.
Now that pain was back, and it'd brought friends to join in and sing a symphony of agony through her entire being. Every inch of her body throbbed in protest. But unfortunately, her bladder took no pity on her. And it couldn't care less how much she hurt. It wanted attention, and it wasn't taking no for an answer.
Stupid, crappy, inconsiderate body.
Grinding her teeth, she forced herself to her feet. She whimpered as the urge to sit back down overwhelmed her. I've got to go...
It really was not a choice. Not unless she wanted to embarrass herself.
She made her way slowly to the flap, and brushed it aside to find it early morning outside. But that wasn't what held her attention.
With his back to her tent, Hauk stood near a small fire, holding a towel to his face. Stripped to the waist, he was absolute male perfection. Every bit of him... and she could see quite a percentage of that lush, rippling body. Never in her life had she seen so many highly defined muscles on one person. Muscles that were covered by a wealth of scarred caramel-colored flesh.
She frowned as she realized just how many scars marred his body. From his left shoulder down across his back were vicious burn scars. Those would be bad enough, but over them were a large number of claw marks, as if he'd been held down by a wild animal and brutally mauled. Numerous times. For a human, those scars would be bad.
For an Andarion, they were shameful. Their species valued beauty and strength above all things. Any kind of physical imperfection, except scars sustained in honorable battle, or tattoos designating military service or family lineage, could result in their being abandoned by their family and sterilized.
Even killed.
Was that why Hauk had never married? He was long past the age when most Andarions took mates. But with those scars, no female of his species would consider him desirable or handsome.
Nor would an Andarion female's family give permission for a joining of bloodlines to someone who would be considered deformed on their world.
Lowering the towel, Hauk turned as if he sensed her presence. As he moved, she saw even more scars on his chest and arms. Some from knives and blasters, and others she could only guess at. But the one that really stood out appeared to be a diagonal claw mark over his left biceps and shoulder and down across his pectorals. From the depth and pattern, it looked as if it'd been done intentionally.
Maybe as a punishment?
The moment their gazes met, she saw clearly the shame he felt at having been caught undressed like this. He immediately dropped the towel and retrieved his leather shirt so that he could cover himself.
Completely mesmerized, she watched as he fastened the front and wound the intricate straps and buckles down his arms, leaving parts of his skin exposed while covering enough to give him protection without inhibiting his movements or holding body heat. In fact, the leather cloth was a strange mesh-like texture that gave as much protection as battle armor while venting the wearer so as not to overheat them while fighting.
Andarions certainly knew how to battle and design clothes for it.
In an almost bashful manner, Hauk stepped over his damp shaving implements to approach her. "I didn't know you were conscious."
She gestured toward the small copse of bushes. "I... um... you know." As she started for them, she stumbled slightly and winced.
Suddenly, Hauk was by her side to help her.
"I can do it."
He snorted at her bravado. "You've lost a lot of blood, and while I'm not a human medic, I'm pretty sure it takes more than a day for those kinds of injuries to heal." He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bushes, where he deposited her. "The kids are off, probably trying to kill each other, but in theory they're supposed to be hunting breakfast. So you can take your time and not worry they'll return soon. Experience has shown me that the whole concept of hurry has eluded them." He indicated the camp over his shoulder. "I'll get you some supplies and when you're finished, if you want, I can help you wash."
Again, she was mystified by him. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"You're injured."
"But you think I tried to kill you. I can see it in your eyes that you still don't trust me."
Hauk shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't take it personally. I trust no one. Not even me." He gave her a charming, lopsided grin that was completely at odds with his massive size and intense stare. "Besides, you haven't killed me yet."
Cocking her head, she scowled at him. "That makes no sense. In any universe or capacity."
He laughed deep in his throat. "To a human, probably not. In my culture, we tend to let overt attempted murder slide."
And still it made no sense to her. "Andarions are supposed to be vicious warriors. I thought you killed over any insult."
"Insults, yes, but we're not Partinie, humans, or Phrixians. There's no honor in attacking women or children, or anyone who's weaker. That isn't our way. Trying to kill me would be thought of as a challenge to my species - meaning you consider me a worthy opponent. So it's not an insult. It's actually a high compliment."
As he walked away, she suddenly remembered Fain telling her something very similar when she'd been a child. "Andarions intimidate. We verbally and physically test everyone we meet. And we live to fight. But never against lesser opponents. There's no glory in winning a fight when you know the other person is unequal to your challenge. Victory is only sweet when it's properly earned. And that is when you're either equally matched or your opponent has an advantage over you."
For such a violent culture, there was also a strange beauty to their philosophy.
Hauk returned with a small pack that he left with her before he gave her privacy.
Once she was through, true to his words, he carried her back to the tent. He placed her on the ground beside the small bucket he'd been using to shave with when she'd first seen him. "The water's fresh and warm."
"Is this what you used to bathe?"
He shook his head. "There's a river nearby, but the current is rather strong. You don't need to be in it until you're better." He reached for the bandage over her stomach.
Sumi flinched instinctively, causing him to pull back. "Sorry," she said quickly. "It's not you." That wasn't entirely true. It was a lot him, but for some reason she couldn't even begin to fathom, she didn't want to hurt his feelings.
"I'm just checking your wound and the dressing. Don't worry, I kept your honor while you were unconscious. The only part of you I've seen is what was exposed by the torn clothing during your fight and the assassin's tattoo on your shoulder. I've looked no further."
She gave him a stern, teasing glare. "What? You really didn't cop a feel?"
"No." His expression lightened as if he realized she wasn't entirely serious. "But I was tempted."
She bit her lip at his uncharacteristic admission. "I tempted you?"
His cheeks mottled with color as he looked away.
"Oh my God, Hauk, are you blushing?"
He scoffed. "Andarions don't blush."
"Oh, okay," she said sarcastically. "I guess Andarions just have spontaneous cheek colorations that resemble human blushes."
He snorted. "No, we don't."
Yeah, right. He was definitely embarrassed over his admission. "Good to know."
Without a word, he carefully laid her down so th
at he could open her bandage and examine her wound. Sumi did her best not to think about the fact that no man had touched her this intimately in years. And never had one done so who was this handsome or this gentle. No wonder her sister had fallen so hard for Fain.
Andarions were exceptional beings.
In spite of Hauk's immense size and innate ferocity, his touch was feather light and tender. Almost loving. The kind of caring touch she'd spent her entire life craving.
The kind that had always eluded her.
Before she realized what she was doing, she reached out to touch the hollow of his cheek. Freshly shaven, it was every bit as smooth and soft as it appeared. Until she reached his prickly, well-trimmed goatee and mustache that framed his handsome lips to perfection.
He locked gazes with her. His eyes were so strange compared to the human eyes she was used to. But even so, they were every bit as sexy as the rest of him. And for some reason she couldn't even begin to fathom, the intelligence and compassion in those eyes made her blood race. She was so attracted to him that it was more frightening than he was.
I am losing it.
She was here to frame him, not screw him.
Damn, the legends were true. There was something innately alluring about Andarions. Almost like they put off some kind of ferocious do-me pheromone.
"Sorry." She withdrew her hand.
Hauk couldn't speak as a strange fire simmered in his body. He had no reason to trust her. She was human, and with the exception of the handful of humans he called family, he hated all things human. Never had one of their females ever held even a passing curiosity for him.
And yet...
He wanted to kiss this one so badly that he could already taste her lips. Her scent filled his senses, and the softness of her skin made his mouth water.
Think of Dariana.
Exquisitely beautiful and completely Andarion, she was to be his wife. He was pledged to her and had been since Keris's death. No matter how tempting this woman was, he couldn't dishonor his vows to his brother's widow. He must take care of Dariana first.
Even if she hated him and begrudged him every breath he took.
Hauk forced himself to examine Sumi's wound then cover it before he looked over the smaller cuts on her leg and arm. "They seem to be healing without infection."
"Thank you."
He inclined his head to her. As he started to withdraw, she caught his hand. That small contact sent a strange wave through him. One he'd never experienced before.
"Why does Thia call you Hauk, while your nephew uses Dancer?"
He released her hand. A smile twitched at the edges of his lips. "Thia likes me more."
Sumi frowned at his unexpected answer that made no sense whatsoever. "I don't understand."
The humor faded from his gaze. He took a deep breath before he explained. "Since Darice's last name is also Hauk, he uses my given name. As do all members of my immediate family."
"But you don't like it?"
He gave her a droll stare. "If you were named Dancer, would you?"
She smiled. "I guess not. But it strangely suits you."
He stiffened at something she'd intended as a compliment. "Now, mu tara, you insult me."
Did he just insult her in turn? "Mu tara?"
"My lady." And with that he left her alone.
"I didn't mean it as an insult," she called after him. But he didn't respond or come back.
Grimacing, she pushed herself up and reached for the water and cloth he'd left behind. She washed as best she could, but it wasn't easy.
She'd just finished when Thia entered the tent with a small bowl of fruit. The young woman sat down beside her and placed the bowl on the ground between them.
Thia screwed her face up at the bowl's contents. "I know it's not much. Darice spilled what he had and that's all that's left. Uncle Hauk and Darice are now foraging for more and better. But he wanted me to bring this to you to tide you over until their return."
"Thank you." Her gaze dropped to the blaster strapped to Thia's hips. "Is there trouble?"
"Not yet."
"Meaning?"
Thia rose to her feet and stepped back to eye her warily. "I'm thinking you must be an assassin who was sent after my uncle."
She froze at the girl's assumption. "Why do you think that?"
"Because of the way Uncle Hauk's been acting since he brought you here. While he's always cautious, he's even more so now. Instead of sleeping last night, he walked the perimeter, heavily armed."
That was impressive, especially given how alert he was without sleep.
Sumi dropped her gaze to Thia's weapon, and wondered how proficient she was at its use. "Yet he let the two of you hunt this morning. Alone."
"And insisted I be armed and extra vigilant while we did so." Thia glared angrily at Sumi. "Just so you know. You hurt him and I will kill you. Without mercy or hesitation."
There was a sincere ferocity in her tone that belied the girl's years and innocent appearance.
Sumi remembered what Hauk had told her about Thia's mother. "Were you there when your mother died?"
Thia stiffened. "How do you know about my mother?"
"Your uncle told me."
Her eyes shimmered from unshed tears. "No. I wasn't there. Had I been, I would have killed my stepfather myself."
Sumi felt for the poor girl and the fate of her mother that had almost been Sumi's. No one should have such a tragedy in their life, and definitely not when they were so young. "I'm sorry, Thia. I lost my mother when I was young, too. I know how hard it is to grow up without one."
"Then I'm sorry for you as well. How did your mother die?"
Sumi looked down at the fruit as her own tears choked her. "She didn't. She ran off with a boyfriend and left us behind with my father."
"Us?"
"Me and my sister."
Thia glanced away as she digested that. "Is that what made you become an assassin?"
Was every member of their family so astute? It was actually unnerving. "No one said I was an assassin."
"Then why were you in the middle of a desert, alone, with a sniper rifle?"
Damn. Was it training or genetics that made the whole family so paranoid? "Sabbatical?"
She gave her an unamused glare. "Is that really your answer?"
Sumi sighed as she picked through the fruit. "No. You're right. I am a trained assassin. But I'm not here to kill your uncle." Which was actually the truth. She was here to get evidence for Kyr to do it, instead.
Thia jerked her chin toward the bandage on Sumi's stomach. "How did you get hurt?"
"Target fixation." She met Thia's bloodthirsty gaze levelly. "I was so worried about the fire I saw from your camp, I missed the tourah that came up on me and tried to make me its lunch." Again, that was the truth. She'd been trying to get bearings on Hauk before she made her presence known.
"So what are your intentions now?" Thia still eyed her suspiciously.
"Trying not to die."
That did not placate the young woman at all. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do. And I promise, I'm just passing through." Which was also the truth. She had no intention of staying here, with these beings, a moment longer than she had to.
Thia drew her blaster and angled it at Sumi. "I want the truth and I want it now. I mean it."
Faster than Sumi could blink, Hauk entered the tent and grabbed Thia's hand.
He wrenched the weapon free. "What are you doing?"
Thia threw herself against him then started sobbing uncontrollably.
Holding her to his chest, he glanced helplessly at Sumi. "What did you say to her?"
Before she could answer, Thia pulled back and cupped his face in her hands. "Don't you leave me, Uncle Hauk. Don't you dare!"
"I'm not leaving you, baby," he said gently as he rocked her against him. "Your father would kill me in a most painful way."
"No. I mean don't die on me. You can't! You hear me?"
His jaw slackened. Then he pinned a murderous glare on Sumi. "What did you say to her?"
"Nothing. I swear."
Suddenly, a younger version of Hauk stuck his head into the tent to check on what was happening. Instead of Andarion warrior's braids, he wore his black hair pulled back into a ponytail. But other than that and his size, he looked enough like Hauk to be his clone. It was adorable.
Until he spoke.
"Ah gah," Darice groaned. "Human emotional females. What has her stirred up now? Is she ragging?"
That succeeded in drying Thia's tears as she lunged at him.
Hauk held her fast against his chest. "Don't. He has to live, too."
"Oh please, Uncle. It's a moral imperative that I kill him!"