Cloud Riders(84)

Major and Minor were there waiting as they landed and were jumping around, excited. They barked out to Kayden what she had done with the Dwarf nova star. They had watched it all and were so impressed with Cassie’s power that they hadn’t noticed Kayden had a soldier in trouble. Up until then, Kayden was unaware another was sent. The look of gratitude made Cassie’s effort worthwhile and overwhelmed her. Major and Minor jumped around Starburst until she was lifted from the horse and then both slobbered all over her face, licking her and rolling on the ground playing. They were gentle but she was not expecting they would be goofy like real dogs when they got excited. One minute she was being growled, licked and woofed at; the next, she was in Kayden’s arms.

‘Enough … sit!’ he commanded and they both stopped, grinning, all goofy and happy-like with their tongues hanging out. They made her giggle but the happiness they shared with her was short-lived when Conor moaned again. Kayden put Cassie down, told the dogs to behave and went back to his patient.

Jason and Ethan had laid Conor down on the ground so Kayden could get a good look at him, inspecting him for broken bones and internal damage. His shoulder and arm had taken the brunt of the hit, leaving a nasty gash on his shoulder and a broken arm. He had three broken ribs and already the bruise on his chest was swollen, black and nasty-looking. Kayden then checked Conor’s horse. The armour had prevented lacerations; however, it didn’t stop the horse from receiving massive internal injuries.

Kayden took off his belt, giving it to Conor. ‘Bite down on the leather, man, this is going to hurt. That arm will start to heal before we get home if I don’t reset it.’

Jason and Ethan held Conor down as Kayden readjusted his bone so it joined again. Conor screamed and cursed Woody before passing out. Cassie must have looked white as a ghost because the doggies called for Kayden and he grabbed her as she started to fall.

‘His pain went right through me,’ she shuddered in shock.

‘We’re all linked now, sweetheart,’ he said soothingly. ‘We all felt it. The thing is, the Cloud Riders’ power enables us to heal very quickly. If I leave it until we get home, it will set crooked and I will only have to break it all over again. It is far better to do it now. You okay for me to go back to him? Do you still have your wits about you?’

Now it was clear in her mind how it all worked, she could deal with the pain and weirdness a bit better. ‘Yep, I have this, trust me.’ She glanced down as he started to stitch up Conor shoulder. Even though she had her eyes scanning the heavens and not watching, she felt every thread he pulled through him. She shuddered at how this connection with the team had a good side but also the worst side possible.

Jeez! Toughen up, princess. It’s not as if it’s actually happening to you!

The two dogs came and stood each side as if comforting her. A sound above made them all look up. The dogs barked. Quickly picking Cassie up and putting her back on Starburst before she had even thought of it, Kayden was yelling at them to hurry. It was nearly on them. The dogs were barking frantically. She closed her eyes and was summoning up a visual and opening her eyes to slam her power at the target when all of a sudden it stopped dead. She had all the power and needed to release it, so instead she threw the energy force up into space where it wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Kayden was surprised at Cassie’s reaction not to blast the mongrel out of the sky for what he’d done to one of his team members. Still, it was her call, as he hadn’t had time to think straight either while attending to his wounded soldier. The star was so close now they could see Arietis wipe his forehead and grin cheekily as he realised how close he’d come to being blasted. Art saluted Cassie and then left, travelling at a massive speed in the other direction. ‘He’s given up and just came to let us know.’ She sighed and slid back off Starburst. ‘Christ, what a night. I just about killed him.’ She flopped down next to Kayden who put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly before going back to stitching up Conor.

Cassie sat quietly beside him, exhausted, chewing over their situation. That last effort had not only frightened the bejesus out of her but had also drained the last of her energy. Conor groaned and she instinctively ran her hand through his hair, trying to ease his pain while putting into perspective, what they had just all gone through. This is so serious! The true effects of the situation now weighed heavily on her mind. Not having a fifth member was a real issue and for the first time she finally understood Kayden’s anger with Woody.

As she continued to contemplate what she could do to give Conor, Kayden and Woody more time, a crazy idea came to her. They had to get Conor home and she’d run out of power, meaning they were vulnerable against a further attack. If Aldebaran sent out another weapon, it could mean all their lives.