Chapter Five
It was midafternoon by the time Synge arrived at hunter headquarters. The secure facility was located about a half-mile from the outskirts of Madradie, one of the largest cities on the planet. He usually showed more patience when dealing with Teah’s demands and hated that he’d lost his temper. Knowing that Ricka was safe and that he’d be returning to her soon was the only thing that alleviated some of his frustration.
Synge parked the transport in the lot on the north side of the white four-level structure. Heat and humidity greeted him as soon as he left the vehicle. More of the planet’s natural jungle scenery infringed on the far perimeter of an exceptionally huge landing area. He watched at least five small ships launch one right after the other. He wasn’t aware of any scheduled training exercises and wondered why a fleet of such a large size had been dispatched.
As he walked to the entrance, he reflected on the decisions he’d made during the drive. Molock would be suffering from similar urges to finish the rite and would eventually come for Ricka. Even though his aunt and uncle would argue, he would make arrangements for them to stay in the city until he was confident the danger to their lives had passed.
In the short amount of time they’d been together, he’d grown to care for the female. The thought of losing her to the warrior or being forced to return her to the colony troubled him. Synge had decided he would do whatever it took to prevent either of those things from happening .
Once inside the building housing the commander’s office, he spotted Dathan standing in the main passageway. “Dathan,” Synge called, then headed in his direction. His friend wore a light blue shirt and black pants, the uniform designated for training officers. As Synge got closer, he noticed a bruise along his friend’s jaw, the deep purple indicating a recent injury. Dathan was an excellent trainer and very adept at protecting himself. He couldn’t wait to find out how a trainee had managed to get the better of him.
Dathan clamped a hand on his shoulder. “My friend, it has been too long.”
“I agree,” Synge said. “Maybe after this mission, they will allow me to remain and help you with the recruits.”
“What?” Dathan said, raising a brow. “Are you finally ready to give up your solitary life of freedom and settle down as Teah has insisted?”
Ricka’s beautiful image flashed through his mind. Spending more time with her was not an unpleasant thought. “No. I am more concerned the recruits need someone better to teach them how fighting is really done.” The idea of working at command headquarters, keeping her in his home and in his bed, held an appeal Synge had never experienced before.
A small group of trainees, four males and one female, approached them. Synge stepped aside so they could pass. He was surprised to see a human woman in the group. Her tawny hair was drawn back in a long braid, and she wore the same tight-fitting blue shirt and black sweatpants as the men.
Synge didn’t miss the glare she shot Dathan. He observed his friend, noting his irritated expression and how his focus never left her until she turned down another hallway. “You are training females now? Is she perhaps the one who bruised your jaw? Do you want to talk about it?”
“There is nothing to talk about,” Dathan said through gritted teeth, then motioned for Synge to walk with him. “We can chat on our way to meet with the commander. I want to hear all about the human female you have chosen to claim.”
Synge instantly regretted teasing his friend. “What makes you think I plan to claim her?”
“I can think of no other reason you would invoke the rite, then refuse to hand her over to the colony,” Dathan said .
“What? How did you...” Synge hadn’t told his friend about the challenge.
Dathan chuckled. “Teah called. My ears are still ringing, and I have been asked to persuade you to come to your senses and return the female to Rivean.”
He silently cursed Teah for sharing her assumptions. “She is incorrect. I am only protecting Ricka until we find Molock.” Though Dathan was spineless when it came to his overbearing aunt, Synge refrained from punching him. “You should have ignored her.”
“That is a little hard to do when she is yelling,” Dathan said. “Besides, it is not my fault if I know better than to get on your aunt’s bad side. Do you remember when we were twelve and dragged the carcass of a bimmaton into the house?”
“Yes.” Synge grinned at the fond memory. “It dripped blood on the floor, and she nearly stripped the flesh from our backsides.”
“Well, I do not know about you, but my muscles still twitch when she raises her voice.” Dathan turned the corner down a long corridor, tipping his head at the two hunters they passed. “Ricka is an exotic name. From her picture, she appears to be a woman worth bedding. If you are only concerned about keeping her safe, perhaps she would be interested in spending time with me once the Klorthons have been located.”
“You will not go near her,” Synge growled, rethinking the urge to take a swing at his friend.
“So, Teah is right. You do have feelings for the female.”
Synge realized his friend had purposely taunted him. “What is the human phrase you like so well? Oh yes. You are an asshole and need to mind your own business.”
Dathan’s boisterous laugh ended when they walked into the waiting area outside Ryos’s office and found his receptionist waiting to show them into an ornately decorated room. The commander was sitting behind his desk and didn’t bother getting up or offering cordial greetings when they entered. “Take a seat.”
The man was all business, and his hard glare increased Synge’s mounting tension. “I understand you wish to secure the human female.”
“Yes,” Synge said after sitting in the chair next to Dathan.
“I am sure you have heard that the colony commander hates all nonhuman races. And with the shortage of women on Rivean, he is demanding she be returned immediately.” Ryos clasped his hands on his desk. “Synge, I am sure I do not need to remind you Tarron cannot afford an incident with the colonies. Many of the planets in this quadrant depend on the dryterron ore from the mines to supply their power. It is one of the reasons we have agreed to train their patrol members.”
“I am,” Synge said, ignoring the tightness in his chest. He was well aware of the agreement but also knew the colony didn’t care about Ricka’s safety and wouldn’t be able to stop the warriors from taking her, not like he could.
“Do you really think Molock will be stupid enough to come here after her?” Dathan asked, his way of showing Synge support should the commander order Ricka’s return.
He remembered the brave way she’d threatened the warrior with her knife. “She humiliated him when he tried to take her by force. So yes, I think he will come after her, though I have no idea how long it will take him.”
“I was able to convince the commander to give us one week before returning her to Rivean,” Ryos said, leaning back in his chair. “I would be lax in my job if I did not ensure you were reminded of the laws governing our claimings.”
Synge admired the older man’s uncanny ability to assess any situation and understood what Ryos was trying to tell him. He could temporarily submit a petition to claim Ricka. Even if they never completed the actual joining or bond for life, she would still be classified as a member of Tarron society, and the colony would have no authority to order her return.
“Yes, sir,” Synge said. “I appreciate your diligence.”
“I understand you also requested an update on the other human female abducted from the colony,” Ryos said.
“That is correct. She is Ricka’s close friend and was taken before I could stop the Klorthons.”
“Saving those women is paramount,” Ryos said, his voice deepening. “We cannot afford to let them be turned over to the slavers if that is Molock’s intent. Erak’s team was dispatched to find the Klorthons’ ship and report back with their location. According to his last update, he had locked in on their position.”
“Ricka will be pleased to learn her friend is going to be rescued soon,” Synge said, pushing out of his seat .
Ryos held up his hand. “I agree, though you might want to hold off on sharing the information.” Deep wrinkles creased his forehead. “We lost contact with Erak earlier and have been trying to reach him and his team. It might mean nothing, but I have sent other members to assist them.”
Hearing the disappointing news explained the ships Synge had seen launching earlier. The commander was not known for making unwise or hasty decisions. He expected trouble.
Synge followed Dathan from the office, contemplating the best way to tell Ricka they still hadn’t found Libby.