Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(115)

“Nice to meet you,” Riley said, as she followed the hairy man outside, once Metcor gave the all clear in the alleyway.

Riley was watching all the Toufik file out of the warehouse, when Fire tapped her shoulder and pointed to his back.

“Got it. Hop on. Sorry you have to run with me. I’ve lost a little weight, but I still don’t envy you,” Riley joked.

Fire smiled and shook his head at her self-deprecating comment, as he knelt and helped her onto his back. Riley nearly lost her grip and fell off, when a shrill whistle sounded nearby. Riley’s head swung toward Sundara.

“Sorry. I was calling all the Toufik together.” Sundara cast her a sheepish smile.

The Toufik took off without warning. Riley gripped Fire’s neck tighter, as he swiftly moved between the buildings. Other Toufik started spilling into the walk from every direction. Once Fire hit the edge of the compound, he picked up speed.

“Giselle wasn’t kidding.” Riley smiled as the wind whipped in her face. The Toufik could run fast.

The Toufik fanned out, melting into the cane fields that still stood unharvested. Fire covered the distance at a break neck pace, and soon emerged at the edge of the jungle. Riley watched Toufik dart across the road that separated the field from the forest. They were practically a blur.

Riley was stunned when they entered the jungle. She knew other Toufik were nearby, but she didn’t see a single one, or even hear rustling foliage to indicate their presence. They were stealthy hunters. She was starting to understand the admiration Giselle expressed.

When they reached a river, Fire ambled up a vine hanging from a nearby tree.

“Oh Jesus.” Riley would’ve made the sign of the cross if she had a free hand.

Riley took a deep breath as Fire swung on the vine, then leapt into the air. He gripped her clasped hands, while catching the next vine one-handed.

“Holy shit,” Riley panted.

This was a crazier ride than any roller coaster she’d been on. Riley sighed when Fire finally reached the opposite bank. He swiftly descended and began running again toward the peak. They ran for several minutes then Fire stopped and sniffed the air, before continuing.

“You found them, didn’t you?”

Riley zipped her lips shut when he nodded, so she didn’t foolishly betray their position.

Fire slowed his stride after another minute. Rather than set her down, he climbed a nearby tree, then pointed. Riley peered through the canopy. There was a clearing up ahead, with a small vessel and three Jurou Biljana. Riley watched in awe as the hairy Toufik started to creep out of the jungle on the far side of the reptile’s small cruiser. She smiled wide. The reptiles would never see them coming.

Good.



Cyprian de Praefectus

“Can someone explain to me how we ended up hiding in a warehouse with our mates on the opposite side of the courtyard?” Madhava snarled as he wore a path in the warehouse floor.

“They’re safer without us. Damn, I never thought I’d say those words,” Kagan grimaced.

Cyprian understood what his friends were suffering. Keeping far away from Riley while they were under attack went against every instinct he had. It felt cowardly, to let the females fend for themselves. But it was the best option, particularly once their disguises ceased to keep the orbs at bay.

Giselle relayed the warning that the orbs could also use sound and scent to recognize its targets, when she checked in with Kagan. The info undoubtedly came from Riley. Unfortunately, the reminder came a bit late. They’d witnessed the vile little sphere’s versatility as they aided the last of the regents.

Cyprian glanced over at Tytus. The warrior was seated on a sack of dulcis, pressing a tablecloth against his bloody thigh. Despite having his head covered, an orb targeted him as they made their retreat.

“Sorry my friend. I forgot all the nasty features those things possess. How is it?”

“It’s just a graze. I’ll heal,” Tytus replied. “I got word from Aculus. He’s with Stigand, several regents and their families. There’s some pretty bad casualties in their building.”

Cyprian looked around the warehouse at the handful of injured among them. The quiet sobbing from one female, as she and a few others tended to her mate, made him cringe. Not everyone had been as lucky as Tytus.

Cyprian glanced to where Feroze lay in a heap on the floor. He smiled as he recalled the sound of Kagan knocking the pathetic male out. When this was over, the traitor’s life was forfeit. Cyprian strode over to his Daimio.

“My promise to question that piece of shit still stands.”

They needed to know everything the male conspired with the Jurou Biljana. Cyprian still couldn’t abide by his family’s trade, but he found there were things he valued enough to face that side of himself.