Hearts of Ishira (Hearts of Ishira Saga) Read Online Free
Author: Bethany Aan
wouldn’t reach them in time. She prayed for strength, just one last burst to help her until the riders arrived and could take over.
And just like that, the gentle, strong presence was in her head again, lending her knowledge and power. Almost as though someone else was guiding her arms, Ri sensed the animals before she knew they were attacking, and was able to knock most of them out of the air with little movement and great efficiency. Her body moved and reacted like a warrior’s with well choreographed motions, as though she’d been trained to do so all her life. She bellowed again and took up a bent stance with the stick now in both hands, bo-staff style.
The wolf-like beings were joined by the smaller things with huge jaws and rows and rows of teeth as insects tried darting in to sting, bite, and take chunks of flesh out of the girls who were otherwise occupied. Those who were unconscious and couldn’t defend themselves were fair game unless the conscious protected them.
Arianna’s heart surged and she gave out a shout of welcome and relief, sending out a heartfelt thanks to the mind that she’d been touching. As the men reached the scene, some leapt from their mounts to engage the predators. Swords flew, swiping with amazing efficiency at the enemies. The girls who were still standing either scattered at the sight of the huge aliens or circled closer to the wounded, hoping to protect them from both the predators and the warriors who were unknowns.
The cavalry may have arrived, but Arianna was the only one who knew for certain that they meant the girls no harm, were indeed bent on saving every last soul they could. The fervent protectiveness the men felt toward these strange women was startling, but the result was that Ri knew that the battle was won. The good guys were here, in charge, and kicking ass.
Which meant that very shortly, her mind was going to release its hold on her body and she was going to be in very bad shape. She always fell apart once someone else was there to handle a crisis and she was no longer needed. This time was going to suck. Hard.
She relaxed though, sensing that he was very near, coming for her, trying to single her out of the crowd of bodies and swinging branches.
Eyes wide, heart thundering, she searched with her eyes and her mind, found him, and stilled. He was swinging his sword as though it had become an extension of his arm, his muscles bunching and shifting beneath smooth skin as he swept through the tangle of bodies, blood, and mud, fighting his way closer to her. Two men fought at his back, one in front, cutting their way through the melee and protecting him. Ri felt his frustration as he lowered his sword and looked around the clearing, eyes narrowed on every girl until he found her.
The warmth that flowed into her being was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. For a single, shining moment, their eyes locked, and she felt as though he delved straight into her very soul. She did the same thing, needing to know that she could trust him, and in that split-second, she knew that this man would give his life for her. The emotions rocked her to the core, nearly bringing her to her knees. Tears filled her eyes, tears of wonder and something she couldn’t name… something vibrant and incredible and life-changing. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his eyes crinkling at the edges as his whole face reflected what she was feeling.
But then the blood-thirsty brunette from before raised up behind the man, a sharp branch swinging toward his back.
“Behind you!” Ri cried out, warning the man with voice and mind. He was able, just barely, to whirl and knock away the brunette, who fell into a heap near her friends. The horror in his heart, the look of disbelief on his face, let Arianna know that he never would have intentionally hurt the young woman, if he hadn’t been defending himself. His eyes locked with hers once more and he continued fighting his way
And just like that, the gentle, strong presence was in her head again, lending her knowledge and power. Almost as though someone else was guiding her arms, Ri sensed the animals before she knew they were attacking, and was able to knock most of them out of the air with little movement and great efficiency. Her body moved and reacted like a warrior’s with well choreographed motions, as though she’d been trained to do so all her life. She bellowed again and took up a bent stance with the stick now in both hands, bo-staff style.
The wolf-like beings were joined by the smaller things with huge jaws and rows and rows of teeth as insects tried darting in to sting, bite, and take chunks of flesh out of the girls who were otherwise occupied. Those who were unconscious and couldn’t defend themselves were fair game unless the conscious protected them.
Arianna’s heart surged and she gave out a shout of welcome and relief, sending out a heartfelt thanks to the mind that she’d been touching. As the men reached the scene, some leapt from their mounts to engage the predators. Swords flew, swiping with amazing efficiency at the enemies. The girls who were still standing either scattered at the sight of the huge aliens or circled closer to the wounded, hoping to protect them from both the predators and the warriors who were unknowns.
The cavalry may have arrived, but Arianna was the only one who knew for certain that they meant the girls no harm, were indeed bent on saving every last soul they could. The fervent protectiveness the men felt toward these strange women was startling, but the result was that Ri knew that the battle was won. The good guys were here, in charge, and kicking ass.
Which meant that very shortly, her mind was going to release its hold on her body and she was going to be in very bad shape. She always fell apart once someone else was there to handle a crisis and she was no longer needed. This time was going to suck. Hard.
She relaxed though, sensing that he was very near, coming for her, trying to single her out of the crowd of bodies and swinging branches.
Eyes wide, heart thundering, she searched with her eyes and her mind, found him, and stilled. He was swinging his sword as though it had become an extension of his arm, his muscles bunching and shifting beneath smooth skin as he swept through the tangle of bodies, blood, and mud, fighting his way closer to her. Two men fought at his back, one in front, cutting their way through the melee and protecting him. Ri felt his frustration as he lowered his sword and looked around the clearing, eyes narrowed on every girl until he found her.
The warmth that flowed into her being was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. For a single, shining moment, their eyes locked, and she felt as though he delved straight into her very soul. She did the same thing, needing to know that she could trust him, and in that split-second, she knew that this man would give his life for her. The emotions rocked her to the core, nearly bringing her to her knees. Tears filled her eyes, tears of wonder and something she couldn’t name… something vibrant and incredible and life-changing. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, his eyes crinkling at the edges as his whole face reflected what she was feeling.
But then the blood-thirsty brunette from before raised up behind the man, a sharp branch swinging toward his back.
“Behind you!” Ri cried out, warning the man with voice and mind. He was able, just barely, to whirl and knock away the brunette, who fell into a heap near her friends. The horror in his heart, the look of disbelief on his face, let Arianna know that he never would have intentionally hurt the young woman, if he hadn’t been defending himself. His eyes locked with hers once more and he continued fighting his way
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