Devoured Innocence by Michelle Marquis

Author:Michelle Marquis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Torrid Books
Published: 2016-02-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Desmond felt more relaxed than he had in months. Scarlet and his son were safe and now he could concentrate on the mission at hand—find the girls. This type of existence carried him back to the time before he met his wife. He loved his wife and son but there was a reason it had taken him so long to settle down. To him there was no shame in admitting he preferred traveling with Kharon, even more than he did with Gypsy.

Since he and the commander were both experienced soldiers, routines were quickly established. Within the first few hours they worked out who would take the first watch, alternating sleep, camp set-up, scouting and hunting. If the time allotted to hunt proved unsuccessful, then the other would pitch in and they would hunt together. No arguments, no complaints, no drama. The organic ease of their journey made him feel normal for the first time in over a year. This was why he loved the military. Everything had a purpose and everyone had a job to do. It was uncomplicated.

Luckily he and Kharon could read each other fluently which greatly enhanced their chance at survival. In contrast to Scarlet, Kharon didn’t ask him every half hour to rate his pain or if he needed a break. The commander didn’t care and Desmond was grateful.

So when Kharon woke him early to break camp and ride, Desmond didn’t question. He simply packed their gear while Kharon buried the burned remnants of their fire, then scattered some dead plant debris over the campsite. It wouldn’t fool a seasoned hunter, but it would trick an inexperienced moron. They didn’t need anyone accidentally complicating their mission. All of the morning’s activities were done in silence. Not being a big talker, it suited him just fine.

They rode for hours until the twin suns were high. It was only when they stopped to water their hyperia by a stream that Kharon finally spoke. Touching his index finger against his temple, his face became dark and somber.

“Gypsy and I, we have a way to communicate,” he began. “The Primal Fever has knitted us together in an odd way. I don’t completely understand it, but sometimes we can feel and interpret each other’s thoughts.”

As he and Kharon dismounted, Desmond tried to imagine what it would be like to read Scarlet’s thoughts. He concluded it would give him a constant headache. There was too much swirling around in that enormous brain of hers. If there were a list of things he didn’t want, knowing her every thought would definitely be on it.

“Do you like having that kind of connection to her?”

Kharon stared at the stream trickling past them. His face had taken on the strain of worry Desmond knew well.

“Sometimes, sometimes not. We do have a choice as to whether or not we will let the other in. That helps. The thing is, even if she doesn’t let me in, I at least know that she’s alive.”

Kharon loosened the saddle and his hyperia nuzzled him in gratitude.

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