“Breathe,” he demanded. “Don’t faint.”

She sucked in deep breathes and clutched his shirt.

“It is fine.” He lowered his chin to the top of her head, one arm hooked around her waist in almost a bear hug. “He would have killed you. You were brave and honorable, Lynn. He would have taken your life.”

She nodded, reminding herself that they were the two she’d tracked from Mr. Avery’s cabin. They’d killed her friend. He hadn’t had anything in his hands but a mug that he’d dropped when he’d been attacked. He hadn’t stood a chance against the Collis. They’d taken the life of a blind man.

“It is all well,” Coto crooned. “You helped me battle the enemy. They are not worthy of any guilt or remorse. Do not feel either of those things.”

“I’m fine.” She wasn’t certain that was true. She locked her legs until she felt as if she wouldn’t fall on her ass and eased her death grip on his shirt. “I’m not going to faint.”

He released her waist and stepped back. She lifted her chin to hold his gaze. He appeared worried about her. He offered her the shotgun. She stared at it but refused to take it. She managed to shake her head.

He bent and rested it on the ground. “I must take care of the bodies. We can’t have someone stumble across them. We’ll take them away when another ship comes to retrieve us.”

In other words, there would be no proof that she’d killed anyone. She wasn’t even sure if she could be arrested for shooting an alien. It would probably be deemed self-defense but she didn’t want to test it.

“Sit,” Coto urged. “Look away. I will deal with this. Rest. We still must find Vhon.”

She took his advice and walked over to a fallen tree and sat on the log, her back toward the stream. She cringed a few times when certain noises made her imagine the worst. She had no idea what Coto’s version of taking care of a body meant and didn’t want to know.

Coto used brush and large rocks to cover the bodies and stepped back, making certain they were well hidden next to a clump of trees. He withdrew one of the communicators he’d shoved inside a pocket of his pants and locked in the location to mark it for later so he would know where the bodies were. He also opened a channel, seeking his crew.

“Answer me,” he demanded.

Holion spoke. “I know you are angry but I did what was best.”

“Have you found Vhon?”

“No. You left me no choice but to take command in the search for Argis Vhon. The useless female has distracted you and made you inefficient.”

Coto bit back a snarl. Holion had always been driven by ambition and resentful of Coto’s close association with Hyvin Berrr. It didn’t surprise him that the male had taken the first opportunity to attempt to show him up. He cooled his temper. He and the male would have it out later, after Vhon was safe and they were on their way back to Zorn. It was gratifying to state the next words.

“That ‘useless female’, as you call her, tracked two Collis. Their remains are waiting for pickup when reinforcements arrive. We’ll send their bodies to their planet as a message to stay away from Earth in the future. Argis Vhon was not with them but Lynn believes she knows where he may be. Fix on my com and join us. On your trek, I strongly suggest you find your humility. I expect an apology and groveling.” He ended the transmission, returning the device to his pocket.

He cleaned his hands in the water and returned to Lynn. Her shoulders showed defeat and her features were paler than usual. He straddled the log she sat on and reached out, rubbing her back. “You did well, Lynn.”

She looked at him. There were no tears in her eyes. He was thankful for that. She wasn’t a warrior but she did have courage when needed. He thought back to his first kill. He’d had an army of men around him who had also had to defeat their enemies, and they’d rejoiced. But he’d been raised with the knowledge that taking a life meant survival. It would be best to distract her and keep her mind occupied.

“I need you to see if you can find Vhon for me.”

Her shoulders straightened and she stood. “Right. Let’s do this.”

He felt pride when she marched over to the discarded Earth weapon and picked it up. He got to his feet and prevented her from wading into the stream. He was already wet but that didn’t mean she had to be. Her body wasn’t as sturdy as his. He scooped her into his arms.

“I’ll carry you over the water.”

She didn’t protest, instead just hooked her arm around his neck and clutched the weapon with the other. “Thanks.”

“You get colder far easier than I do, and my uniform dries fast.”

She jerked her head. “That way. See that big hill? That’s where we want to go. There are going to be fences that separate the property but we can climb over them.”

Chapter Six

Lynn found tracks on the way up the hill and crouched. “One set of boots. They’re the same type that you wear. See the pattern?” She pointed. “I’m guessing this is your guy, and he’s heading toward the house.” She lifted her gaze to the hill, the old ranch house in view at the top. “He’d have seen it for miles. It means you were right. Jimmy’s place is that way. He must have somehow missed the dogs that found you.”

“We are here.”

Lynn twisted her head and stood, watching the other Zorn men step out of thick brush. Holion led them. He was the one who had called out.

Coto moved to stand between them and her. “Lynn has found Vhon’s tracks. He headed for high ground instead of the thicker vegetation.”

“How did you guys get separated anyway?” She was curious.

“Stop your questions, woman,” Holion snapped. “Earn your keep and find Argis Vhon.”

Coto snarled and lunged, punching him in the face. The blow knocked Holion on his ass. He landed with a grunt. Coto stood over him, looking ready to hit him again. “Never speak to her that way. My patience is at an end with you. Learn, or your remains will be stored on the transport home with the Collis.”

Lynn wasn’t surprised by their penchant for violence anymore. She was actually starting to appreciate the beauty of a well-placed fist, especially if it was smashed into Holion’s big mouth. The alien was an asshole.