Page 20 of Primal Vow

No matter how delicious Rhys might smell, or the emotion in those big green eyes.

There was nothing like the hunt.

The wilds of Vasz stretched out before them, a fierce and untamed world. The mountains in the distance were a deep, rich blue, capped with snow that never melted. The jungle around them was a thick, tangled mess of green, home to creatures that could tear a man in half with ease. The skies above were a brilliant, heart-stopping blue, with the occasional flash of lightning that promised a storm to come.

And there, right in the middle of it all, finally — they spotted a human.

They were up on a ridge when Taryn spotted the movement. The human was a tiny figure in the distance, walking along a game trail that wound through the thick greenery. He was moving quickly, slinking like a carrion eater.

Worrack, quicker than the others, let out a low, eager growl. "There!"

The rest of the team echoed his sentiment, their approval a low rumble in the back of Taryn's mind. They were all eager for the chase, for the test of their skills.

The human was so far away that he was little more than a speck, but the Borraq's senses were more than up to the task of watching him. Taryn could see the way the human's clothes fluttered in the wind as he moved… and the occasional flash of light on the gun at his side.

Even Rhys, with his inferior senses, could make him out. "That's Mal, the head miner. I can tell that walk from a mile away."

The team had spent the entire morning tracking their prey, and now their efforts were about to pay off. The thrill of it sent a hot, heady rush through Taryn's blood. He was going to catch a human.

But that was the problem. A human.

Taryn dragged his gaze away from their prey and looked at his team. "We need to take him alive," he said. "We need to know where the other humans are. It's no good killing just one, if the others to escape."

It was Krye who asked, "How?"

Taryn hid his grimace. Krye had a point.

The humans had proved that they were well-trained, and this one had a gun. If the Borraq ambushed the human, trying to take him by force, there was a chance that he would be able to end himself before they could stop him.

But if the Borraq stalked the human, waiting for him to lead them to the others, there was a chance that he could fall to one of the dangerous beasts that called the planet home. Taryn explained the problem to the young warriors. "You might be fast, but if the human steps on a snake… No speed will undo that."

A small cough came from behind them, and Taryn turned to see Rhys watching them with a curious tilt to his head. His green eyes flicked between the Borraq, and he seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking up. "I... might have an idea."

The warriors looked at Taryn, awaiting his response. He could dismiss the human's suggestion out of hand — what could a mere human know about hunting, especially on Vasz? — but something made him pause. There was a sharp edge in Rhys's gaze that gave Taryn pause. "Speak, then. Let's hear this idea of yours."

Rhys took a deep breath, squaring his narrow shoulders. "You could use me as bait."

A low rumble went through the warriors. Taryn held up a hand, silencing them. "Go on."

"If I act like I've escaped and I'm trying to meet up with everyone, Mal will let me get close," Rhys explained. "He has no reason to suspect me. He'll let his guard down. If I can get his gun away from him, you guys can come in."

Taryn had seen the way that the other humans had barely looked at Rhys during their escape. It was clear that they did not think of him as one of them. The plan could easily backfire if the Mal human didn't take the bait. And the danger of using Rhys in such a way...

Taryn's gaze sharpened as he studied the human. "You would be putting yourself at great risk," he said, his tone making it clear it was not a question. "We will be watching, but from a distance. We may not be able to protect you if he does not believe you."

Rhys met his stare steadily. "I know," he said. "But I don't want anyone getting hurt because of them."

"Very well," Taryn said, nodding once in acceptance of the plan. "We will do as you suggest."

As the warriors moved to take up their positions, Taryn watched Rhys prepare himself to move out. When he was ready, he met Taryn's eyes once more, and Taryn was struck by the determination he saw there.

It was the work of a moment to get into place. The Borraq spread out on the ridge above the valley, keeping hidden while the Mal human continued walking the path. A short while later, Taryn watched from his hidden vantage point as Rhys began to run along the path, catching up to the other human.

In theory, the plan was a good one — but theories often fell apart in the face of real battle. Would the human believe Rhys's act? Would he be willing to approach Rhys?

Or was this some deep trickery? Was Rhys intending to meet up with the other human, to warn him of the Borraq's presence and the trap that awaited him, before the two of them fled together?

Taryn's hand tightened on his blade.

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