Page 6 of Naga Healer's Mate

The other hunter released her, and the third hunter stepped closer, both drawing their weapons.Nirrn’s scales bristled at their approach, glinting in the dim light.His long tail swept low, knocking one of the hunters off his feet.

“You’re actually defending this human trash?”the lead hunter wheezed through Nirrn’s grip.“What kind of Niri are you?”

Nirrn tightened his hold.“One who recognizes true goodness when he sees it.”

The third hunter lunged with a short blade.Nirrn released the leader and twisted away, but not fast enough.Steel scraped across his scales, drawing a thin line of blood along his broad shoulder.The burning pain only fueled his blind rage.

He caught movement from the corner of his eye.She was backing away, her expression a mix of shock and something else he couldn’t identify.The distraction cost him.The lead hunter had recovered his dagger and now all three advanced on him, spreading out to flank him in the narrow space of the underground clinic.

“Looks like we found ourselves two problems to solve tonight,” the lead hunter sneered, twirling his blade.“A traitor and an illegal healer.”

Nirrn’s tail lashed violently against the ground, his breath coming in heavy pants.He wasn’t trained for this.His muscles already burned from the unfamiliar exertion, and the three armed opponents were more than he could handle.But as he watched them circle closer, he knew with absolute certainty he would die before letting them harm her again.

The hunters moved as one, their blades glinting in the dim light.Nirrn coiled his tail deathly tight, preparing for what might be his last stand.

Chapter 4

Islae

Islaeslowlybackedupand pressed herself against the cold stone wall as the Jorvlen bounty hunters reached for their weapons and advanced toward the Niri healer.Her heart hammered against her ribs as she watched the orange-scaled Niri face off against the three hunters.His massive tail whipped across the floor of her clinic, scattering medical supplies, and creating a barrier between her and the attackers.

The second hunter lunged, his blade singing through the air.The Niri didn’t dodge like she expected.Instead, he caught the Jorvlen’s wrist and twisted with calculated precision.The crack of bone echoed through the cramped room, followed by a howl of pain and the clatter of the dropped weapon.

“Stay behind me,” the Niri healer commanded, his golden eyes never leaving the remaining threats.

The lead hunter tried to circle around, but the Niri’s powerful tail swept out in a controlled arc, knocking the Jorvlen’s feet out from under him.No wasted movement, no theatrical displays of strength—just efficient, measured strikes.

“You’re protecting a criminal,” the third hunter spat, brandishing his blade.“She’s been treating patients without proper authorization.”

The Niri’s muscles tensed, his scales gleaming in the dim light.“She’s healing the sick and injured.The only criminals here are you.”

His words sent an unexpected warmth through Islae’s chest.Minutes ago, she’d been ready to chase him out of her clinic, and now he fought for her with a fury that seemed to come from somewhere deep and primal.

The hunters attacked in unison.The Niri healer moved with lethal grace, his strikes exact and devastating.He wasn’t fighting with the brutal, crushing force she’d seen other Niri warriors use.This was different, almost surgical in its execution.Each movement flowed into the next, his healer’s knowledge of anatomy turned into a deadly advantage.

“Why?”Islae whispered to herself.“Why risk yourself for me?”

His tail lashed out again, pinning one hunter against the wall while he grappled with another.Blood trickled down his scaled shoulder where a blade had found its mark, but he didn’t seem to notice.His focus remained absolute, his massive form coiled and ready as the remaining hunter circled.Something about watching him fight was mesmerizing.This wasn’t the mindless rage of a warrior but the calculated defense of someone who understood exactly how much force to use and where to apply it.

Islae couldn’t tear her eyes away from her unlikely protector.Who was this Niri who fought with such controlled passion?And why did her safety mean so much to him?

The lead hunter’s laugh suddenly echoed through the underground clinic, sharp and mocking.“You’re just a pathetic healer.Not a true Niri warrior.”He twirled his blade in his hand as he stood back up and approached the Niri healer.

Islae’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the Niri healer’s reaction.The vibrant orange scales along his shoulders bristled, catching the faint light like burning embers.His towering form tensed, coiled power radiating from every inch of his muscled frame.The golden eyes that had been calculating and controlled now blazed with a fierce intensity that made her take an instinctive step further back.

“You dare mock the oath of healing?”His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper that sent chills down her spine.

The lead hunter opened his mouth for another taunt but never got the chance.The Niri’s massive tail whipped forward with devastating speed, wrapping around the hunter’s throat in one fluid motion.The blade clattered to the ground as the hunter’s hands flew to his neck, clawing desperately at the scaled coils crushing his windpipe.

Islae pressed herself harder against the wall, her heart thundering.The Niri’s scaled body rippled with controlled strength as he lifted the hunter off his feet.This wasn’t the methodical defense of before.This was raw power, barely contained.

“I know exactly how much pressure to apply to collapse your trachea,” the Niri healer said, his words precise and clinical.“How long it takes for oxygen deprivation to cause permanent brain damage.The exact point where your spine will snap.”He tightened his grip on the hunter’s neck slightly, making the hunter wheeze harder.“Leave this place now.Or I will demonstrate everything I’ve learned about the art of healing… but in reverse.”

The other two hunters backed away slowly.

“Mercy,” the lead hunter choked out.“We’re going.”The Niri healer released the leader.The Jorvlen dropped to his knees, gasping and clutching his throat.

They soon scrambled over each other in their haste to flee, nearly tripping up the crude stone steps that led to the street above.The sound of their retreat faded, leaving only the rapid beating of Islae’s heart and the soft rasp of the Niri healer’s scales against stone as he slowly uncurled his massive form.

---