Forsaken Realms (Bounty Hunters United Book 1) by Katalina Leon Read Free Book Online Page B

skimmer ripped away, nearly taking the sealed passenger cab with it. The second engine sputtered under the added stress and whined a hideous metal-on-metal drone. The ship was pulled into a flat spin as it plummeted in free fall.
    “Holy fuck!” Gemmina grabbed an oxygen mask off the console and strapped it over her face before tossing one to Syan. “Put it on!”
    She pounded the emergency release on the seat with her fist, and he pushed the body cage away.
    “The second engine isn’t going to last. We’re going to have to ditch before the spin makes us black out. Have you jumped before?”
    Syan looked startled and shook his head.
    “Under your seat is a parachute and a survival pack. Grab them and follow me.”
    “You are trusting me?”
    “I’m not going to let you die in the crash. I’ll give you a chance. Hurry!”
    He grabbed the parachute and pack, and stared helplessly at them.
    “Like this.” She took the parachute from his hands and stood on tiptoe as she draped the straps around his shoulders and ran a thick strap between his legs. “Buckle them here.” In pantomime she tapped her fist against his abdomen, which was rock solid. When she glanced upward, she  saw for the first time how truly big Syan was. He towered over her, and she wasn’t petite by any means. “Dude, you’re huge. How much do you weigh?”
    “In Royal Kironian units or standard shells?”
    “It doesn’t matter. I’m not familiar with either. Let’s hope the chute can handle your weight. The packs are automatic. They measure your altitude and speed. Keep your fingers clear of the lines when they pop. All you have to do is cross your arms in front of your chest and jump.” She slipped the straps of her chute around her body and buckled it. “Come on.” With a quick twist she opened the hatch. The wind whipped wildly around the cabin and nearly sucked her out the door.
    The second thrust engine failed; For a second the only sound was the howl of the wind before the ship began to tumble end over end from the sky.
    Gemmina’s hands were wrenched away from the hatch. Like straw in a hurricane, she flew backward into the cabin and struck her head against the captain’s chair. Her last conscious thought was Damn, I’m not going to make it.

 

Chapter Three
     
     
    Gemmina woke with a groan. Everything hurt, and she was inexplicitly soaked to the skin. Her long black hair had unfurled from its braid, and the wet strands clung to her face. Her eyelids flickered open and immediately shut as blinding bright sunlight made her head pound. Her forehead ached as if a thunderstorm brewed inside her skull. There was also someone solid and warm locked against her.
    With effort she lifted her head, glanced over her shoulder and saw Syan. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell with each deep breath. Her first concern was that he was unconscious. He could have been injured or perhaps he simply collapsed in exhaustion. She couldn’t tell which.
    “You can let go now.” She tried to pry herself loose from his grip, but couldn’t. He was sound asleep, but held tight. For a moment she studied his face, the lush arc of his lips, the chevron of his heavy black brows. It was impossible to look at him and not notice he was an especially gorgeous man. She tapped his chest.
    “Wake up.” Her voice sounded hoarse.
    Syan opened his eyes and smiled at her, making tiny lines at the corners fan. “You’re alive.” He spoke the words aloud. His accent was exotic and voice rich.  “For a short while I wasn’t sure.”
    The silence collar had been removed. A red gash had opened on the side of his neck where the collar had been.
    “You tore the collar off? How?”
    “I don’t want to be treated like a captured animal. It took persistence but I snapped it off.”
    As proof of his tenacity he held out his hands displaying the raw grooves that the collar had gouged into his fingers.
    “I’ve never seen anyone do that. You are