Page 53 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

TYRIX

The neon signs of Vega Port painted the rain-slicked streets below in shifting colors as I tracked the data thief’s movements from above. My boots found solid purchase on the weathered rooftops despite the wet conditions. Behind me, Nalina moved with fluid grace, her new abilities letting her match my longer strides.

The thief darted between shadow and light, weaving through the evening crowds. He clutched a small case to his chest - military-grade encryption codes that could compromise a dozen Alliance outposts if they reached the wrong hands.

“Three levels down, heading for the market district,” Nalina murmured. Her voice carried easily to my ears, barely disturbing the humid night air.

I changed course to parallel the thief’s path, pride warming my chest as she leapt a gap between buildings without hesitation. The claiming bite had given her more than just speed and strength - her movements held the natural grace of a born hunter now.

The thief veered suddenly, diving into the packed night market below. Vendors’ calls competed with the general din ofthe crowd as steam rose from food stalls and incense burned at makeshift shrines.

“He thinks he’s clever,” I said softly.

A slight smile curved Nalina’s lips. “Should we tell him where he screwed up?”

The thief’s scent trail blazed like a beacon through the market’s competing aromas - fear-sweat and expensive cologne creating an unmistakable signature. I tracked his movement while Nalina split off, taking a parallel route through the winding paths.

“Fresh dumplings!” a vendor called. “Still hot!”

“Quality textiles from New Earth!”

“Blessings and charms, guaranteed effective!”

The thief shouldered his way past a group of pilgrims, their white robes marking them as devotees of the Star Goddess. He glanced back, checking if we still pursued. His expression shifted from relief to alarm as he realized we weren’t behind him.

Because we were ahead.

He spun, darting through an ornate archway into the temple gardens. Smart move - the sacred grounds would be quieter, fewer witnesses. But he’d trapped himself.

Nalina emerged from the shadows of a prayer pavilion, herding him toward the courtyard where I waited. The thief’s boots splashed through shallow pools surrounding carved stone monuments, disturbing the perfect reflections of floating lanterns.

“End of the line,” I called softly.

He whirled, wild-eyed, case clutched to his chest. “Stay back! I have-”

Nalina’s kick caught him behind the knee. As he staggered, I moved in, wrapping one hand around his throat and lifting him clear of the ground.

“The case,” I said. “Now.”

His fingers twitched open, letting the precious cargo fall. Nalina caught it smoothly.

“Seals intact,” she confirmed, running expert fingers over the case’s security measures. “No tampering.”

I lowered the thief but maintained my grip. “Smart. That would have triggered the failsafes.”

“How...” he wheezed. “How did you track me through the crowd?”

“Next time, skip the K’lari Royal cologne,” Nalina suggested. “Bit distinctive.”

“Among other mistakes,” I added, efficiently binding his hands. My comm unit chimed - probably the client confirming the pickup point.

But when I checked the message, my breath caught. Davor needed backup tracking a weapons dealer armed with experimental tech. Under normal circumstances, I’d already be plotting the fastest route to his coordinates.

I caught a slight flicker of readiness from Nalina, so subtle I almost missed it. But underneath, the barest hint of weariness. We’d been pushing hard for weeks, barely pausing between missions.

The strength of even that faint emotional echo surprised me. Most claimed mates shared only the vaguest awareness of each other, yet I could sense Nalina’s state almost as clearly as my own. Perhaps the Consortium’s modifications had somehow prepared her nervous system, making our bond unusually strong. Not that I was complaining.

I glanced at our location coordinates, then smiled. We were less than a day’s travel from Lysaria Prime - a paradise world I’d visited years ago. The perfect place to rest and recharge.

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