Forged by War (Jack Forge, Fleet Marine Book 9) Read online

  We're getting close, Kyra announced. I can smell the fear on him and the scent is growing. He knows we're almost upon him.

  Finally, Raven hissed, taking a deep breath and putting on an extra burst of speed from her genetically enhanced body. She wasn't as fast as Kyra, but she was still faster than the average human. The only thing her target had over her, and why he maintained such a lead for so long, was the fact that he knew the terrain better than she did.

  A few more minutes and she could see him up ahead. Green blood was leaking down the back of his light blue clothing where he was missing a large portion of a gray-feathered wing. His legs certainly weren't affected, however, as they moved with impressive strength. He broke through the tree line and into a clearing.

  He was losing speed, though. Raven could now see the hitch in his gait as it rapidly grew lopsided.

  Kyra screamed and Raven chanced a sidelong glance, realizing that the ledge had run out and she was going to have to come to the ground now. Looking forward again, Raven saw her hunt look back to the sound of the scream as well.

  In that moment, he slowed down just a little too much. A tawny-furred mass burst out of the trees in an athletic flying leap, landing on his back. He squawked in pain, and they both went tumbling to the ground. He battered at the big cat with his one working wing and rolled back, dislodging Kyra before she could get a decent grip.

  He was pulling himself to his feet but couldn't get upright before he saw Raven standing in front of him with her gun trained on his head.

  Anger and fear warred in his piercing blue eyes as he stared up at her. He seemed to be considering if he could jump ahead of her gun and take her down, but Kyra was already back on her feet and padding her way to Raven's side. Maybe he would've done it anyway, but the sight of her licking smears of green blood from her incisors seemed to weaken what will he had left to make another run for it.

  "The security force of Talonos II has a bounty on your head," Raven announced with a smirk. "They didn't like you getting away from them like that. Now, stand up and put your hands behind your back. Don't make me shoot off your other wing."

  He hesitated for a moment, but then the last of the fight left him and his whole bird-like body sagged as he got to his feet and put his hands behind his back. Kyra stared at him while Raven moved around to fasten on the restraints. This included one around his chest to bind his wings to his back so he couldn't use them in any way.

  "All right, back to the ship," she said. Silvanus, we are returning with our captive.

  Congratulations, Raven. Another successful hunt.

  We always bring our target home, Kyra boasted.

  Raven just appreciated that the cat remembered to say "we" instead of "I."

  I do feel I must warn you, Raven, Silvanus said a moment later, sounding reluctant. There is someone waiting for you at the ship.

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