The Huntress Read Online Free Page A

but he’d grabbed her anyway. Then he’d looked into those big green eyes and suffered temptation. Dark hair like silk between his fingers, face like an angel, smile like a devil, and a body that would drop men to their knees…who wouldn’t be tempted? Fifteen years of prison hadn’t killed that in him, at least.
    She was a hunter, though, and he’d remembered that before he did something stupid. But he still couldn’t believe she’d stalked him in the dark, her voice and the dangerous glide of her body a ruthless invitation. Awaking every primitive instinct in him. What was wrong with her? Maybe she knew who he was. But then, why the game?
    He shook his head and rubbed a hand over the stubble on his scalp. He understood her motives about as well as he did his own reactions to her—powerfully drawn to the one person on this rock he should be avoiding like a plague. And what kind of a dumb-ass move was pulling a blade on a hunter—twice?
    With another shake of his head he stepped into his quarters only to run into the kid, nearly knocking her over. Steadying her, he looked into her guilty face lit by the screen on the door. “Eavesdropping?” he asked, keeping his voice mild.
    She gestured in disgust at the screen. “No audio. I only saw what happened.”
    He stepped past her without further comment and keyed the bed to drop out of the wall. That left about a foot of space to maneuver around the room. He jerked his thumb at it, but Regan folded her arms, eyeing him with an expression he didn’t like.
    “She’s still not afraid of you.”
    Scowling, he sat against the wall next to the door. “Go to sleep, kid.”
     
    Chapter 3
     
    About forty-eight standard hours later, Regan tried to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible while she watched Terrik talk to a spacer. She didn’t think it was going too well, since the guy kept shaking his head. They were only ten paces away from her, but she still felt uneasy. Terrik now brought her with him when he went in search of transport, after someone had tried to break into their quarters.
    She felt depression slide over her again. If he didn’t have her dragging him down, he’d have been out of here by now. She wondered for the millionth time if she should just run away and let him get on with it. She was pretty sure he was only taking care of her for Katie, because she’d saved his life. Never mind that Regan followed him around like a lost puppy. But she didn’t have anywhere to go and she wanted to be with him. Was that so bad?
    “At least you’re wearing my cloak this time.”
    Regan jumped a foot to hear Mea behind her.
    “No, no, don’t turn around. I wouldn’t want him over here brandishing his knife again.”
    The dry humor in the woman’s tone surprised a laugh out of her, and she muffled it with a guilty hand.
    Then Mea’s voice turned serious. “I have some bad news. The port master became suspicious over your escape pod and ran a genetic trace of the contents. He found out who you two are and has called the authorities. They are sending another hunter for Terrik.”
    Regan slowly turned to look up at Mea, feeling as though she’d just been dipped in ice. The hunter was a shadow among shadows, leaning against the wall with the nonchalance of a cat on the prowl. She should have scared Regan witless, but the woman’s expression was gentle, eyes warm and concerned.
    “Y-you know who we are?”
    “Yes, baby, I’ve always known.” A little smile tipped her lips and she touched a quick finger to the end of Regan’s nose. “The other hunter will be here in another half a day at most. I need you to give Terrik a message. Tell him the offer is still open.”
    “What offer?”
    But Mea’s smile disappeared, eyes flying past her. Turning, Regan saw Terrik moving toward them, but when she looked around again, the hunter was gone.
    When he reached her, he asked, “What did she want?” in a level tone but didn’t stop moving.
    She