Page 12 of Warrior's Purpose

“Ashtoret de Origa.”

The foreign rumbled words didn’t translate. The last part sounded more like a rolling series of growls that she’d never be able to recreate.

“I don’t think I can say that. Mind if I call you Ash?”

“That is fine, Peanut.”

She looked at Ash sideways. He can say Ash-whatever, I’m sure he can say Abby. She shook her head.

“So, what happened with my dad and your friend?” she hesitantly asked.

“Your warriors have them.”

She nodded grimly, already knowing the answer. This is insane. A bipolar dream where hope and horror play tug of war. She glanced over at the alien in her car, the one who looked like a demon. He was very real, even had a name. But he wasn’t the frightening part. If the aliens meant her harm, they could’ve hurt her already. And seeing Providence’s note helped assuage much of that fear. No, it was her own government that scared her. Dad and the other guy are probably being hauled to some clandestine facility. Oh, God. She started trembling.

“I need to get to my cruiser.” Ash looked at the tablet strapped to his thick wrist. “We are heading the wrong direction.”

His comment snapped her back to the moment. Just focus on getting this big guy to his goal.

“It’s going to be difficult going the other way. I’m sure the Spec-ops are looking for this car now.” She frowned. The Feds probably called it in already, and every cop in Cocoa Beach would be looking for them. With the broken back window, they’d stand out like a sore thumb. “We need to ditch the car.”

“Is the vehicle malfunctioning? Can’t you just bring it to a halt? Why do you need to pilot it into a ditch?” Ash’s thick dark brow furrowed in concern as he braced himself against the dash.

Despite the crazy circumstance, she burst out in laughter at Ash’s misinterpretation. He looked at her funny, his obsidian eyes going wide.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll just pull over,” she giggled.

Ash’s concerned expression shifted into a smile. The corners of his mouth tipped up, showing off the tips of his fangs, and she grew instantly quiet. The smile was compelling and frightening at the same time. His powerful build, dark features and fangs projected a sense of danger that made her shiver. But there was also something easygoing about Ash’s demeanor. Despite being alien, he wasn’t bad looking. In fact, Ash was rather sexy, looking a bit like Alexander Skarsgård. It wasn’t really surprising her sister cozied up to one of the demi-gods.

“You are laughing at me because you weren’t serious, were you?” He chuckled with a deep rumble, making her smile again.

“No. It’s just a saying. Where should I park?”

“Near the river.”

Abby returned her attention to the road, keeping an anxious eye out for patrol cars or military vehicles. Every blacked-out SUV made her nervous as she headed for a side street near the Banana River.

“I think this is as close as I can get.” The longer they stayed in the car, the riskier it was.

“This is fine.”

She stopped at the end of a cul-de-sac and cracked the door to get out. Her eyes widened in horror as the dome light lit up Ash.

“You’re hurt!” There was a large red stain on the thigh of his cargo pants. “You were shot.”

“It is nothing. The projectiles merely grazed me.”

“Projectiles? You were shot more than once?” She gaped at him.

“It’s not a concern at the moment.”

Ash studied the door then grabbed the handle and opened it. It took him a moment to maneuver his oversized body out of the car. She blinked in shock then quickly yanked off her belt and got out.

“Are you sure? Cause that looks bad.” She waved at his leg.

“I’ve suffered worse. A Cadi warrior heals quickly.” He shrugged, like being shot was nothing.

Okay. I guess if he’s not worried about it. She turned her attention back to the car. It felt strange just leaving it. Dad will understand.What next? What next? She needed to get as far away from here as possible. If they hauled her dad in for questioning, they’d do the same with her. But what then? Fuck! I am so out of my league with this shit.

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