Page 46 of Healer
Hopefully Hakkar.
Please, God, let him be alright.
“Did you kill him?” A voice asked from the din, a cadence of grunts and clicks that my translator turned into familiar words.
My gaze snapped in the speaker's direction, my stomach churning with fear and disgust as the creature emerged from the shadows. The alien stood at least seven feet tall and gaunt, a sickly gray color that seemed to blend into the darkness. Hakkar called them Ulkommanian, and the one standing before me wore a bright yellow cloak which contrasted sharply against the pale skin. In one hand, it held a walking staff. The other hand hung free, and I couldn’t shake the memory of that same hand reaching for my leg, eager to amputate it without a second thought.
The Ulkommanian came to a stop in the center of the room as two more aliens moved to his side. These males wore sleek navy and teal uniforms, proffering an air of authority and elegance. Their alabaster skin was smooth, almost ethereal, giving them an otherworldly beauty. Both had vibrant green eyes, ranging from emerald to forest hues, and thick white lashes that fluttered like delicate wings. But the horns truly caught my attention—shimmering pearlescent protrusions peekingthrough luscious thick white hair. If I wasn’t so pissed, I might have found them handsome.
I suspected these guys were the same species as those who attacked Vienda and Talamus home. Unfortunately, what remained of those guys hadn’t been enough to allow more than just a cursory resemblance to pale skin and white hair. Aljani, I think Hakkar called them.
The taller of the two smiled broadly, adjusting a long sword hanging at his hip. My stomach clenched, a moan gurgling in my throat as I anticipated his words to convey the worst news imaginable. I’d never felt this afraid... not even when my future with ALS seemed unescapable.
“No, we grabbed her stealthily,” he said with cocky pride, then added, “Picking a fight with a Vaktaire isn’t a smart move.”
A wave of relief caused me to slump against the cell bars. Hakkar was alive... and unharmed. He would have noticed me missing by now and be searching for me—a thought that sent shivers of anticipation down my spine and made my heart race with a curious audacity.
“That’s because he would have kicked your asses!” I yelled at them. Vaktaire hearing was much better than that of humans. I’d seen the proof several times during our jaunt through the jungle. From what I observed of the building that held us, it appeared as haphazardly built as the others... and hopefully not soundproof.
“You better let me out of here,” I yelled, sliding to the edge of the cage and rattling the bars.
“Silence, female.” The ugly gray alien hissed.
“Kiss my ass,” I shot back, adopting a sly smile. “Hakkar is going to kill you for this... all of you.”
The smaller of the pearl-horned aliens shifted uncomfortably.
“What?” The taller Aljani glared at his cohort.
“Is she...?” His bright green eyes traveled over me nervously. “Could she be his mate?”
“Who cares?” The Ulkommanian snorted, moving closer to the cage. His black eyes regarded me unemotionally... clinically assessing without the faintest hint of feeling. I hoped Hakkar killed him first.
“I’ve seen a Vaktaire defending his mate during my service rotation on the Korfu moon.” The shorter Aljani shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t want to deal with that... ever again.”
Bingo!
“Yes, I’m his mate,” I yelled, seizing the opportunity. “It’s why he rescued me in the first place, you stupid fuckers. And he’s going to kill you when he finds me.”
“We should not linger here.” The smaller man said, his bright green eyes darting about. “The Vaktaire will search for her.”
The Ulkommanian bowed up, poking out what he must have considered an imposing chest—it wasn’t—toward the Aljani while waving his staff.
“I’ve told you....”
A loud ruckus silenced him, giving all three aliens a start.
“Ha!” I yelled. “I told you he’d find me. Prepare to die!” I cringed a little, knowing I sounded like Inigo Montoya from the Princess Bride, but as long as it proved true.
The two Aljani unsheathed their swords, instinctively settling into a balanced fighting stance. But before either could make a move, Hakkar burst into the room.
God, he was glorious!
With powerful muscles rippling beneath his taut skin and a fierce determination in his eyes, he made a formidable sight. He radiated an aura of unbridled power from his chiseled jawline to his broad shoulders and down to his hardened fists, oozing with intensity and ferocity. And yet, despite the rawstrength emanating from him, his form held a certain grace and elegance, making him all the more mesmerizing to behold.
Blades met blades as the Aljani attacked. Hakkar moved like Baryshnikov, spinning through the battle with such deadly grace it made me slightly dizzy. Amidst the chaos and violence, our gazes locked for a split second and the golden eyes that held such fury a second before softened as they met mine. Blades clashed again, and he turned his attention back to battle, his expression shifting into murderous fury. The strength and grace displayed by Hakkar were both beautiful and terrifying to behold—and incredibly arousing.
The tantalizing idea that Aljani’s suggestion might hold truth crept into my mind, causing a tickling surge of hope and longing. Could Hakkar see me as his mate? Granted we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. But it wasn’t just sex. There had been more than just primal lust from the moment he rescued me. The mere thought made my heart race with excitement and hope. I’d fallen so hard for Hakkar that the viciousness he displayed to avenge me seemed an expression of affection. I’d been a physician all my life, completely opposed to senseless violence, yet I didn’t balk watching Hakkar slice the arm from one of the Aljani. My mate fought to protect me.
