[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]accept it.
His friends didn t look convinced.
I didn t say twould be easy, he added. I m not going to be able to just forget
her like that. I ll be fine. Truly. Some lass will come along and knock my boots off
and... And nothing. Who am I kidding? How can I just forget Tasi?
Simon looked gravely at him. You need to learn to live with it and get back to
enjoying life, Heddam.
Easier said than done.
Tis true. Simon placed the mug on the table. Can we help in any way?
Unless one of you can turn yourself into Tasi, nay.
And have you groping me? Shamon shuddered. Not in this lifetime, friend.
They laughed and by unspoken consent turned the conversation to other matters.
A half hour passed in pleasant companionship and Heddam started to relax.
Suddenly the loud chatter in the tavern died down and the traders looked up to
see the bounty hunter pack come through the door. They swept the room with a
hard-eyed gaze before going to the bar. While Abra and Ricna spoke to the
bartender, Vane crossed to the door and tacked a notice to the board.
The bartender shook his head and Abra spoke to the tavern whore who was
helping the bartender. She shook her head also. After a few more words, they left
the tavern.
98
I wonder who they re hunting? Aamun mused.
The same cold feeling was inside Heddam. He knew. He just knew. He didn t
know how, but he just knew.
Getting up, he walked through the crowd and looked at the board. The notice
that Vane had tacked up seemed to jump out at him.
It was a wanted poster with the stamp of the Aora High Emperor on it. A reward
poster for any information on the three missing Guardians. Their faces were on the
poster along with their names and descriptions, and underneath was the staggering
amount for each one. The contact code to the bounty hunter pack was printed
clearly at the bottom of the poster.
Reaching out, Heddam grabbed the poster and tore it down. Ignoring the startled
and curious faces of the settlers around him, he swung around and strode through
the door.
The bastards were hunting prey, all right, and their prey was the Guardians.
Tasi.
99
Four
Abra!
The hunters turned at the deep voice, and Abra s eyes narrowed. Trader.
Heddam stepped down off the veranda and approached them. He didn t miss the
wariness in the hunters, the way they fanned out to each side of Abra, ready for
trouble.
Ignoring them, he held up the poster. Why?
Bounty, Abra replied harshly.
The Guardians have nothing to do with the Intergalactic Peace Council.
Bounty hunters go everywhere. The hard gaze raked over him. Why the
interest? Do you know something?
If I did, I wouldn t share it with you. Fury pumped through Heddam. Just this
once, Abra, don t hunt these people.
Now the hunters looked at Heddam with suspicion.
What is it to you, trader?
A muscle jumped in Heddam s clenched jaw. Just don t.
Ricna raised one brow. You know them.
Heddam cut him a hard look. I don t know where they are, hunter.
But you know something.
100
Simon came up to stand silently beside Heddam. Heddam didn t have to look to
know that Shamon and Aamun were right behind him.
Tell me what you know, Abra said.
These people don t deserve what has happened to them.
Really?
Don t hunt them. The words were bitten out between Heddam s clenched
teeth.
The pack looked at him. Abra studied him closely before saying tightly, We
hunt criminals with a price on their heads. These Guardians are now considered
criminals by the Aoras. Unless you give me a good reason why I should not hunt
them, trader, we go ahead with it.
What good reason could he possibly give? Heddam ground his teeth in
frustration. Goddamn it, saying he d met Tasi and felt something for her wasn t
going to stop the hunters.
Stepping forward, he crushed the poster in one big fist and glared down at the
pack leader. Because I m telling you not to.
The threat in the air was tangible. Settlers backed away and a hush started to fall
across the busy street.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkajaszek.htw.pl
