Hanna and the Hitman - Honey Phillips Page 0,68

another warrior cut through the tentacle. It was like an obscene dance, the tentacles rising and the warriors ducking and weaving around them almost too fast to see. Another tentacle severed, and then all was silent as the creature disappeared back into the dark waters. She felt sick when she realized that this was where she had heard the noise from the river earlier. Apparently she hadn’t been enough to tempt the river monster.

By the time they reached Aidon’s house a short time later, her exhaustion had vanished in a rush of jittering nerves.

“Can you show us the way, or do we need to track them?” Tanor asked softly.

“Put me down. I can show you.”

To her great relief, she was able to retrace her steps even though the jungle looked strange and unfamiliar in the darkness. They reached the clearing where she had last seen Aidon just in time to see Chotgor roar and advance on Aidon, his knife in his hand. Without conscious thought, a dart was in her hand and she was throwing. She saw it hit Chotgor’s neck and saw him crumple, but she ignored him, flying past to throw herself into Aidon’s welcoming arms.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Aidon pulled Hanna more firmly against him, still shocked that she had made the dangerous trip along the river in order to bring help—for him. Despite his pride at her bravery, terror iced his veins at the many things that could have happened to her.

“You should have listened to me and hidden at the house,” he said firmly. “And you should not have brought her back with you,” he added, addressing his grandfather.

The old man snorted. “I would have had to tie her down to stop her.”

“I had to know you were all right,” she insisted. Her eyes were still wet with tears, but she didn’t back down.

He sighed and hugged her close. “You will make me old before my time, saachi.”

“Nonsense,” his grandfather snapped. “She is an excellent mate.”

“You approve of Hanna?”

“Why would I not?”

“She is an offworlder.” Like my mother.

“That does not concern me. As long as she cares for you—and is willing to commit her life to you—that is all that matters to me.”

Aidon stared at him. He had always thought that Tanor disapproved of his mother because she was an offworlder. Had the old man recognized all along that her restless spirit would not remain on Pardor?

“She is a fine female,” Ralard agreed as he came to join them.

The other villagers were disposing of the bodies by the simple expedient of throwing them in the river. He heard a slithering sound as an usan vine crept up on shore, looking for more food, but a watchful male sent it back again.

“It is good to see you, Aidon,” Ralard continued. “We have missed you.”

He stared at his childhood companion but saw nothing on his face except sincerity. Had Hanna been correct that it had been his own sensitivity rather than any actual disapproval of his inability to shift that had created a barrier between them? Something deep inside of him loosened, and he smiled at Ralard.

“I have been finding my way back here.”

“I hope you choose to stay. Both of you.”

Hanna looked up at him, her eyes hopeful.

“Is that what you want, saachi?”

“More than anything. I love it here—in spite of all the dangers.” She looked over at the river as another splash sounded. “Although I think people are far more dangerous.”

“No doubt you are right. We can certainly stay if that is what you wish.” But for the first time, he knew that his own desire to remain was every bit as strong as hers.

Naiz had been renewing his acquaintance with the villagers and assisting them in disposing of the bodies, but he rejoined Aidon and the others now. “I am anxious to return to my female. If you still wish to accompany me, could we leave at first light when it is safe to travel the river?”

“Hanna, I promised to return to the city with Naiz to make sure that his female is safe.” He hesitated, then looked at his grandfather. “Will you stay with her and look after her?”

The old man was too well trained to show more than the briefest flash of emotion, but Aidon saw first shock, then pleasure cross his face.

“I will,” Tanor said gruffly.

Gilten, another friend from Aidon’s childhood, came to join them. “Why are you all standing here so solemnly? We have a victory to celebrate. The fire burns high, and