Lost Roar Read Free Page A

up. “A what?”
    “I track people who have skipped out on their bond. They promised to attend court and then they didn’t.”
    Nicia rifled through the television shows in her mind and found a movie with that subject matter. “Oh. Do you like it?”
    He wrinkled his nose. “Sometimes more than others.”
    “How hard do you have to train? Is there school involved?” She leaned forward, fascinated. Hunting people was something she was born to do.
    He smiled. “You have to know how to work computers to learn how to track the jumpers. Aside from that, you can just follow leads and use tracking techniques to find them. Being what I am, I have an advantage over human hunters.”
    “Could you teach me how to do it?”
    Braxton blinked. “You want to track humans? You are such a little thing.”
    She wanted to growl at him, really wanted it, but there was nothing in her throat. Aggression made her silent and far more dangerous. “I may be smaller than you, but my senses are keener.”
    She was also bigger and stronger, but she didn’t want to play that hand yet. “Tell me more about how you catch someone. I need an occupation in the human world.”
    She listened to the details about becoming a skip tracer while she ate her meal. He didn’t touch his pie as she ate and the scent teased her nostrils.
    Her mind made frantic notes on how to follow his instructions while she smiled and nodded, the smiles coming easier now that she was getting information in return.
    He finally asked, “If I can ask, what is that scar on your neck?”
    She lifted her head. “There is more than one. It is the mark my father made the night he tried to strangle me. He knocked me out with this pressure, and when I woke, I was chained to the front yard and designated the official guard animal. The collar remained in place, and I fought it every chance I got and injured myself. These scars are the result, as is my voice.”
    His astonishment was apparent. “Your parent tried to kill you? Where was your mother?”
    “He had already mauled her nearly to death. I kept him from killing her and fought him off while she ran for her life. I heard later that she died from her wounds, but at least her family was with her.”
    Braxton’s mouth was open in surprise. It was a funny look for a predator.
    She blinked at him. “I am guessing that is not the response you were looking for.”
    “Uh, no. I was not expecting that. You were…chained?”
    “I was. I am sorry if that upsets you.” She frowned and finished the last bite of her salad.
    He blinked rapidly. “No. I just don’t see you as the kind to give in to chains.”
    She smiled and was sure she showed some fang. “I didn’t, which is why I am here today. I didn’t give in to the chain. I waited.”
    Braxton cocked his head. “What was your education level?”
    “I was homeschooled through high school and have my diploma issued by the state. That was achieved when I was fourteen.”
    “Good. What have you thought you wanted to do?”
    She smiled. “That is the problem. My grandfather rescued me, and he and my grandmother have offered me time to heal and recover. I concentrated on healing my voice, but it still isn’t quite right.”
    His look said he knew what kind of damage a collar could do. “So, you are intrigued by the idea of becoming a skip tracer?”
    Nicia smiled, and it was not a friendly smile. “Hunting is something I know how to do.”
    Braxton started eating his pie, and she ordered a slice for herself. Over the next two hours, he gave her a complete breakdown of legalities, procedures and methods of dealing with the weapons that several of the targets would be carrying.
    She soaked it all in, finding herself interested in the details of the procedures involved. When he got into the equipment needed, she paid extra-close attention. Cuffs, zip ties and Tasers were his preferred accessories. His particular speciality was pulling in his targets without using guns. It