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

back. She was curled up, her arms covering her breasts, but he could tell she’d been in immense pain before she’d succumbed to the darkness. And no wonder, with her leg broken as it was. Bruising along her right side suggested broken ribs. What an amazing little thing, to have stood on one leg and battled the ravenous nyaks with only a stick as a weapon.
    Remembering the way she’d moved, how her body had shifted to adjust to her injuries, Hunter had to wonder at the warrior training she had obviously received. She had to have extensive training to be able to combat the agony and energy loss enough to defend herself and her friends in her condition. As though she heard his thoughts, a soft whimper escaped her throat. Her eyes fluttered a few times before she sank back into unconsciousness.
    Worry furrowed his brow as he rested his big hand lightly on her small shoulder, sending as much healing warmth and energy as he could into her cold, battered form. Her body accepted the offering as though it knew it needed the help. He blinked at that, startled by the strength of the draw upon his deep energy reserves. Intrigued even more than before, he searched through the churning throng, seeking his brother’s familiar form.
    “Jace!” he called out. The lead medic held up a bloody hand in acknowledgment before giving orders to the warriors kneeling in teams around the injured and unconscious.
    Hunter watched in satisfaction as compact tubes were brought out. Activated, the tubes separated, allowing the medics to pull them apart, revealing the thin film that would support injured bodies. The stretchers were carefully slipped beneath the women. The solution between filmy fabric layers allowed the surface of the stretcher to conform to whatever position the girls were in already or supported their bodies as the medics determined limbs that needed to be elevated for travel. With all the trauma, some of the women needed to be completely immobilized before they were transported. Portions of the stretcher’s surface were pulled out into straps then positioned to hold the women in place for their journey back to the colony. Hunter nodded in satisfaction at the efficiency of his men.
    Jace strode to Hunter’s side, scowling.
    “Report,” Hunter ordered.
    “I’ve got to get the injured back to the med center immediately,” Jace said, shaking his head. “Some of them are critical. Others could have infections already. The sooner we cleanse their systems, the better chance they have of fighting off any indigenous pathogens.”
    Hunter nodded at the terse tone. Normally, no one would speak to him in that tone, but now that the main threat to the women had been taken care of, Jace was temporarily in charge. Hunter was there to ensure the doctor’s orders were followed.
    “Do what you have to, but scan this one first,” Hunter growled.
    Jace didn’t blink or question the command. He simply knelt beside the small woman and went to work on her. A brief hover over her body with his med-scanner brought a frown to his face. He looked to Hunter for assistance and within moments she was gently arranged on a stretcher, her broken leg elevated by the stretcher’s inflation system. Jace pressed a vitals strip to her neck, took a moment to read the results then shrugged at Hunter and got to his feet.
    “She’s not dying anytime soon, Commander, as far as I can tell. I’m not positive what ‘normal’ readings are for their species,” Jace said to ease Hunter’s scowl. “But that leg needs to be braced before we move her. And she needs to move as little as possible until I can do a more thorough scan back at home. There are others-”
    “Go. But come back to her as soon as you can,” Hunter muttered. He threw his brother a meaningful glance. “I think she’s their Reader.”
    Jace’s eyes widened in awe and respect as he nodded his understanding. He shook out a trauma blanket and placed it over her naked body. But then he