Runner's Moon: Yarrolam Read Online Free

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                “Just do it, Cherron. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I’ll be back momentarily.”
                He strode away, believing she would stay behind, but she couldn’t. With her worry for Aaron’s safety no longer an issue, she worried for his. When he disappeared around the corner, she slipped off her shoes so he wouldn’t hear her, and followed him barefoot.
               
    * * *
     
    Yarrolam’s curiosity was piqued. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Who would want to speak to him, using a tactic one normally saw in a spy movie? It was ludicrous. Normally, he would have no compunctions about facing whoever it may be, but a new element had entered the equation, raising the stakes.
    He had to protect Cherron. Having discovered her, having realized she existed for him, meant his focus had shifted. It was no longer a matter of keeping himself from being detected. Now he had to keep her safe. Whether or not this little clandestine meeting involved her or not, he couldn’t take the chance of putting her in harm’s way. More than that, he had to watch out for himself, so he could always be there for her if she ever needed him.
    There wasn’t one man standing by his car. There were three, but the other two were out of sight. It didn’t matter. His alien senses could detect their presence where they were using two other vehicles as cover. If this was to be an ambush, despite their numbers, they wouldn’t win.
    He didn’t recognize the man, who came straight to business once he was within earshot.
    “Mr. Vost.”
    “And you are?”
    “Doesn’t matter. I need you to give Aaron Shulcrist a message.”
    “Why don’t you tell him yourself?”
    The man’s attention suddenly diverted. At the same instant, the wind carried her lilac fragrance to him. Yarrolam inwardly groaned. He had assumed she would obey him, and his mind had been too preoccupied for him to detect her. He mentally debated rather or not to turn away from the man, but to do so would put more weight on her being there. If he ignored her, maybe the guy would think she was someone curious to see what was going on. Maybe.
    He should have known better.
    The man made a gesture with his head. Yarrolam whirled around as one of the men grabbed her by the arms and jerked them behind her. Cherron gave a little cry. He turned back to the guy standing by his car.
    “Let her go. Give me the message, and then get the hell away from here.”
    The burly man chuckled. “I have a better idea. I’ll give you the message, and we’ll leave.” He waved a finger at Cherron. “But we’re taking her with us.”
    “Not wise,” Yarrolam told him in a dark voice, trying to hide the tightening in his gut.
    “You don’t have a choice. Tell Shulcrist his first payment of thirty-five thousand is due tomorrow at noon. He knows where to make the drop.”
    Yarrolam felt his body go on the defensive. His outer skin on his hands slid away, and he extended his talons. He kept them close to his body to prevent them from being seen. He could keep the rest of himself in human form to prevent detection. The single street lamp illuminating this area of the parking lot would also help cover his actions. The only unknown factor was the number and types of weapons these men were carrying.
    “Apparently you have a hearing problem. Why tell me? Why not tell him yourself?” he demanded again. He double-checked the man holding Cherron. Adversary number three had finally emerged from his hiding place and moved over to stand beside them. The man held a gun by his side and pointed at the pavement. Yarrolam turned to their leader, who wasn’t holding a pistol, although he could smell the weapon on him. He judged the two distances.
    “We tried to,” the man replied. “He’s gone into hiding. Since he has no next of kin, you two are the next best thing.” This time he made a circular motion in Cherron’s direction. “If we suspect