Hearts of Ishira (Hearts of Ishira Saga) Read Online Free Page A

toward her through the crowd, trying to protect her, in particular. One of his men crouched over the brunette, sword in hand, to defend her even as he defended his men from her, should she wake and want to fight them again.
    The five-second distraction cost Ri dearly. She cried out involuntarily as one of the wolf-like creatures careened into her broken leg. Her body lax no longer in warrior mode, she went down, the agony beyond anything she’d ever felt before. The pain was so great that she couldn’t make a sound, couldn’t catch her breath. Rolling to her side on the ground, it was all she could do to look up when the man came to stand over her. She wanted to keep fighting, to help her people, but the gray fog was coming for her. Desperate, she tried reaching for her inner power.
    Center. Open. Flow. Wait. One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand…
    She never made it to four. Ri passed out cold, her last thoughts an apology to the women and a deep appreciation to the alien stranger, a man who now stood above her, protecting her with his body and his sword.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    The fight was over in minutes.
    Once the warriors showed up with the experience of having dealt with each strange creature, the animals realized they were outclassed and scampered or lumbered back into the woods with whatever bounty they could snatch up as they went.
    Hunter, Commander of the Ishira Colony, called for the medics as his team leaders reported that the area was secure. His chest rose and fell heavily as he looked over the wide path, keen eyes taking in the carnage and assessing the needs of those he and his men had come to save. Bodies lay everywhere, too many of them. His heart ached at the loss of so many young beings.
    About twenty girls were still conscious, including the short blond that had been standing near the older woman with whom he’d connected mentally. He met the blonde’s gaze, trying to sense if she had any Reading abilities at all. She had a touch, but not enough to effectively communicate. Her intelligent eyes were locked with his, the need to make herself understood nearly overwhelming her. He couldn’t get more than a basic concept from her untrained mind, but he knew without his Reader abilities that she needed reassurance. He didn’t need psychic powers to understand that.
    He offered her a gentle smile and placed his hand over his heart, bowing slightly to show deference. At the gesture, she swallowed her fears, straightened her naked shoulders, and nodded once in return before moving to help some of the wounded nearby.
    Following her progress, Hunter saw that his brother Jace, chief medical officer of the colony, was already working on the most traumatically injured. Every other trained medic was already moving to help those that could be helped without a fight. The non-medics attempted to gather the rest of the women into one group near the injured. The indigenous creatures could return if they found a straggler away from protection. Hunter had already given orders that every living crash victim was to be corralled into one mass so they could all be treated quickly and efficiently.
    Speaking of the wounded… Hunter needed to get the woman at his feet back to consciousness so that she could help him communicate with her companions. The thunder storm above was intensifying. The lightning that had brought down their ship seemed to have passed, thank the gods, but according to the weather station updating in his ear, there was torrential rain moving into the area. More lightning and thunder would follow the deluge, along with gusts that would fell trees. He needed to get these women to the compound before downed trees and the spring downpour made the road all but impassable.
    Kneeling at her side, Hunter brushed strings of wet, muddy hair from her face. He winced at her pallor, the bruising and swelling on her face, the numerous cuts and abrasions on her arms, legs, and