aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement Page B

narrowed. “What is a conspiracy show?”
    “It’s
when people start seeing the bogey man around every corner. They think that the
government is lying to them, every news story is false, and little green men…”
Fiona’s voice trailed off.
    “What?”
    “…have
landed on earth.” Fiona looked at him with widened eyes.
“They were telling the truth.”
    “What
are green men?”
    “Aliens.” Fiona sank into a chair as if the life force had been drained from her. “People
from other planets,” she whispered.
    Ardal
fought the urge to reassure her. It was primitive in its intensity. He clenched
his hands into fists and turned away. He must fight this connection with Fiona.
It was unnatural for a Hunter to feel such things for a woman.
    “So
now you believe these things?” He forced the words through his clenched teeth.
    Fiona
sighed. “Obviously some of them are true.” She stood and went to the window and
craned her neck upwards. “It’s definitely a helicopter and it’s flying low.”
    “They
are searching.”
    Fiona
turned away from the window. “What do we do?”
    “We
stay put.” Ardal gave his orders to his men through mind connection. “ Ready
yourselves for battle. ”
    “We
can take the truck.” Fiona went to the kitchen and poured water into a kettle.
“At least we can make good time that way.”
    Ardal
frowned. Once his men were in populated areas they would find transportation to
get them to their destinations. Initially, he had planned the truck to remain
here, but things had changed. The Captain would be left alive and that meant
that he would have transportation when he escaped. No. The truck could not
stay.
    “We
will take the truck as you suggest. That way the Captain will have to walk into
the wilderness.” Ardal allowed himself a half smile.
    “You’d
like that.” Fiona shook her head and set the kettle on the stove. “You think
he’ll die.”
    “It
would be best.”
    Fiona
turned the burner on. “You have a devious mind.”
    “I
am a Hunter.”
    Suddenly
the house shook and the sound of propeller blades overhead made it too loud to
think. Fiona put her hands over her ears. Ardal went to the window and watched
the helicopter land on the field nearest the house.
    They
had visitors.
    He
motioned Jehon and Firbin into one of the back rooms and then shut the door.
They had already played this game once with the neighbors, so it should not be
too difficult. He touched Fiona’s arm and pulled her behind him. If these men
came in with weapons, then at least she would be safe.
    The
noise subsided to a low roar.
    “We
should go and meet them.” Fiona’s voice was a whisper. “Can they find
anything?”
    “No.”
    Ardal
moved to open the door, but Fiona yelled “Wait.”
    She
went to the stove and turned it off and then picked up her sack and threw it
into a closet. She gave the room one last look before nodding. “I don’t want to
give them a reason to search the house.”
    Ardal
sent a mental message to Jehon to do reconnaissance and then he focused all his
energies on dealing with the situation outside. Fiona must not be hurt no
matter the outcome. They would take out the men and the helicopter if need be.
    He
opened the door and grabbed Fiona’s hand. He kept her at his side as they
walked into the field. The long summer hay was being flattened by the rotating
blades of the helicopter and he hesitated to go much closer. The blades started
to slow down and the engine quietened just as the doors of the helicopter
opened. Four men with guns stepped out.
    “Crap.”
Fiona’s hand tightened around Ardal’s.
    “There
is no need to fear.” Ardal eased himself in front of her. “These men can be
handled.”
    “They
have guns.”
    “So
do I .” He took a step toward the men. “Can we help
you?”
    The
lead man ducked beneath the blades and walked toward them with his rifle
resting across his arms. “We’re looking for survivors from a plane crash.”
    Ardal
relaxed