aHunter4Rescue (aHunter4Hire) Read Free

would require a
hospital. Even with four years of medical school and one year interning, she
wasn’t equipped to handle more than basic first aid.
    She
pulled the parking brake on the truck. The lead man was already at her vehicle
and pulled the door open. Up close he was even more intimidating. Tall and broad
shouldered, his hair and face were covered with soot and ash. He looked to be
wearing a uniform, but half of his shirt was burned away. The other half did
nothing to cover the ripples of muscles and raw strength of the man.
    Fear
clawed at Fiona’s stomach.
    “Yarda.” His voice was hoarse and his face expressionless.
    Her
breath caught in her throat and her body began to shake. Physically, this man
could crush her. She’d spent the last year in hiding and now her worse
nightmare had fallen into her life. There would be no escaping. Fiona took a
deep breath and stilled her fear. She couldn’t assume every man meant to hurt
her.
    “Do
you speak English?” Her voice was a low whisper.
    “Versom.” The giant glared at her.
    Fiona
put up her hand, ignoring the tremors. “I don’t understand. What language are
you speaking?”
    The
man pulled a small phone-like gadget from his pocket. He punched a few buttons
and held it to her face. “Yarda.”
    “English.” Fiona enunciated in a clear voice. “I don’t understand your language.
    The
man looked down at his machine and then shouted at the other men coming toward
the truck. “Yarda som apta gurta.
    The
men clustered around the giant and nodded. Their deference made it obvious that
they considered him in control. They pushed buttons on a similar looking
device, their brows furrowed in concentration. All of them had cuts and wounds,
some even broken bones, but their focus was on the machine in their hand. Fiona
had never seen anyone completely ignore what must have been huge physical pain.
They needed immediate medical attention and her concerns forced her into
action.
    “We
need to get help for these men.” Fiona tried to push past the man still holding
her door. Her fear was replaced by concern for the wounded.
    “We
take care of our own.” The words were spoken with a faint accent, but the giant
had definitely spoken English.
    “Why
didn’t you speak English before?” Fiona didn’t hide her exasperation. “They
need hospitals and ambulances. Let me pass.”
    The
man looked at her for a few seconds before giving her a slight bow of his head.
“It is dangerous. I cannot guarantee your protection.”
    “Join
the club.” Fiona sarcastic tone elicited a raised eyebrow from the giant.
    Let
him wonder. No one had been able to protect her. That’s why she was hiding in
this remote area. She existed at the edge of life and society. That was better
than the alternative, though.
    “It
is my sworn duty to protect.” The giant’s voice was emotionless. “I do not
understand what you mean by club.”
    Fiona
frowned. Was he making fun of her? “You’re not sworn to do anything for me. I
can take care of myself. I have medical training and can help. Let me go.”
    He
let go of the door so quickly that Fiona almost fell out of the truck. His hand
steadied her and she did her best to ignore the jolt of electricity that seemed
to leap between them. He was a man. No man could be trusted.
    “Pardon,
my lady.” The man stepped aside to let her pass.
    “My
name is Fiona.” Her words came out in a breathy whisper. The man was a
throwback to a different century. No one was that formal anymore. “Where did
you come from?”
    “You
wish me to call you by your name?”
    “Of
course. What is your name?”
    “I
am Ardal.” Again the man gave a slight bow of his head. “My men are at your
service.”
    “I
don’t think they can serve anyone in their condition.” Fiona turned to the men
gathered around her vehicle. “I can start taking some back to my house and from
there we’ll call an ambulance.”
    “Jehon,
start loading the men onto this vehicle and