aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire) by Cynthia Clement Read Free Book Online Page B

to keep your traditions, but why do you live without
running water and electricity?” Niail looked over his shoulder. “Would it not
be quicker to have some conveniences?”
    “Mom
doesn’t want us to have the internet or video games.” Peta rested her chin on
the table. “She thinks it will corrupt us.”
    “That’s
not true.” Kimi’s voice was indignant. “You get the computer at school, and I
know you play games when you visit your friends.”
    Niail
frowned. “Why would these games hurt them?”
    He
had learned his techniques through hand to hand demonstrations and multi-media
interactions. All his military strategies and manoeuvers had been burned into
his memory during video sessions when he was barely Wil’s age.
    “I
don’t want them focusing on violence. The Blackfeet believe all living
creatures are sacred.”
    “So
these games go against your traditions.” Niail took a seat at the table. “Are
all games violent?”
    “No.”
Peta shook her head. “My friend and I bowl on her game console.”
    “You
play with dishes?”
    Wil
giggled. “It’s a game with a ball and pins.”
    “Your
language is confusing.”
    “Not
for me.” Wil pushed back from the table. “Peta and I are going back to our
fort. Niail, come and help us. We could use someone who is strong to lift
stuff.”
    “I
will join you later.”
    Niail
watched the two children run out of the house with a sense of wonder. They were
carefree and happy. He had never been either of these things. He would like to
spend time with them, but he knew his first priority was getting in touch with
Partlan.
    “How
did you learn English?” Kimi’s voice made him turn back to her. “Is it very
different from your language?”
    “We
do not have words that have two meanings.” Niail grinned. “It makes things
easier to understand.”
    “So
you didn’t know English when you crashed?”
    “No.
At that time we were connected with our translating devices. The language was
sent directly to our brain. Now of course we would not be able to do that.”
    “That’s
because you removed your implants.” Kimi nodded. “So they were more than
tracking devices.”
    “They
were also enhancers.” Niail leaned back in his chair. “Most things have more
than one use. What is good for one may be bad for another.”
    “Not
being tracked is more important.” Kimi sighed. “Living without the conveniences
of the rest of the world means I have total privacy. Except for my cellphone,
there is no way for us to be found through electronic devices. Someone has to
physically locate us.”
    “You
worry about people knowing where you are?” Niail frowned. “Is this a problem in
your country?”
    “Not
for me.” Kimi leaned toward Niail. “Jake thinks I’m crazy, but he’s not the
best person to listen to. He’s always in trouble.”
    “He
does not accept easily.”
     “That’s
an understatement.” Kimi laughed. “Right now he’s on suspension from the
Bureau. He’s supposed to stay away from investigations, but I bet he’s
following someone that will get him in trouble again.”
    “He
has a strong sense of what is just.”
    “Yes.”
Kimi sighed. “I just wish he could see that it’s okay to be Blackfeet.”
    “He
must find his own path.”
    Niail
touched Kimi’s hand that rested on the table. A jolt of pleasure traveled up
his arm and lodged in his lower gut. This woman affected him. He saw an
answering response in her eyes. She was aware of him also.
    With
his brain muddled, he could only rely on his body’s reactions. Ardal had told
them that as his bonding grew stronger with his mate, he had known her thoughts
and feelings. Niail couldn’t mind connect, but he knew what he felt.
    Desire
coursed through his veins.
    She
was as aware of him, as he was of her. Her fingers fluttered under his hand and
his body hardened. Never had that happened before. He inhaled and relished the
sensation.
    He
wanted more.
    Hesitation
and fear lurked in