The Dark Prince's Prize

Chapter 5-2

Adalard adjusted his bag and walked across the yard. He scanned the tracks left behind by the transport Samara was driving. He flexed his fingers and called on his powers within to mark the tracks.

He breathed deeply, thankful when the unusual fatigue didn’t reappear as it had on his transport. Whatever had caused the drain and the lingering effects must be confined to his vessel. Until he discovered what it was, he didn’t want to return to the Rayon I. If he was affected, then potentially everyone on board—at least every Curizan on board—could also be in danger.

The sound of the door closing alerted him that Mason was coming. The man had pulled on a thick, dark brown coat and gloves. He brushed snowflakes off a black hat that was almost identical to the one Samara wore before he placed it on his head.

“I’m not sure if you brought any clothing that looks less like a City Slicker Rock Star. If not, I can get your measurements and Ann Marie can pick up some clothes for you so you don’t stand out quite as much. We don’t get a lot of guys that look like you around here,” Mason said.

“You have no need to worry. I’m very good at blending in when necessary,” he responded in a dry tone.

Mason shot him a look of disbelief before shaking his head. Adalard fell into step when the man began walking. They crossed over to the barn where Samara had gone earlier. Mason pushed open one of the large sliding doors. Adalard frowned when he saw the man wince.

“Are you not well?” he asked.

Mason narrowed his eyes in annoyance. “I’m fine. An old injury that plays up when the weather changes,” he answered in a curt tone.

“Have you known Paul Grove for long?” Adalard asked.

“A while. Paul is a good man. He took on the responsibilities of this ranch, growing it from a few thousand acres to several hundred thousand. All while raising Trisha. His first wife died from a brain aneurysm. It was a shock to everyone. Paul trained me about fifteen years or so ago. I can tell you this—I wouldn’t be here today if not for what I learned from him,” Mason said, sliding into one of the boxy transports. “I’ll show you how to work one of these. I’m sure it’ll be like a toy compared to what you normally drive.”

He smiled at Mason. “I’m always up to trying new methods of transportation. Especially when they aren’t trying to eat me,” he confessed.

Mason paused and stared at him before shaking his head. “That sounds like a good tale to go with a glass of bourbon,” he chuckled.

Adalard nodded. He silently listened as Mason shared the history of the area. It didn’t take him long to understand how the transport worked. It was amazing in its simplicity, and he had to admit that the heated seat felt good. The snow from earlier had melted. Once he was alone, he would contact the Rayon I, warn the officers he had left in charge, and then see exactly how far he was from his transport and the best way to get there.

“Now Trisha…. That girl was amazing. Paul would train the guys and once they were full of themselves thinking they were invincible; he’d send Trisha in after them. Sometimes she’d toy with them. Other times she’d tag them with a kill shot before they made it a mile. Not a one of them ever saw her coming, either,” Mason said.

Adalard looked around the rugged terrain. Thick patches of trees opened onto wide, dry plains littered with boulders of varying sizes. It reminded him of different regions on Ceran-Pax, his home world.

“She is a remarkable huntress,” Adalard agreed.

The silence that followed his comment made him look at Mason. The hard expression on the other man’s face and the way he gripped the steering wheel told Adalard that the comment upset Mason. He should have realized that as protective as Mason was about women on the ranch, his feelings would extend to Trisha.

“I’m not sure I want to know the details of how you know how good Trisha is,” he warily stated.

Adalard chuckled. “Trust me when I say that she took care of the situation. She and her youngling are safe. Trelon Reykill is a deadly adversary, and the Ha’darra and d’Rojah families have offered additional protection. If the Great War between our people showed us one thing, it is that the bond between friends can be stronger than those of family,” he said.

“Amen to that,” Mason agreed before he nodded to the building ahead. “There’s the main house. You should be comfortable here. There is another UTV in the garage you can use. We keep Paul’s truck here, but since you don’t have a driver’s license, it might be best if you need anything in town to let me or Chad know and we can drive you. I’ll give Chad a call to let him know you’re here. Oh, before I forget, I’ve got a cellphone for you to use. I’ll show you how to work it before I leave. Signal here can be twitchy, especially if the weather is bad. There’s one of those fancy replicators in the kitchen for food. Trelon installed it the last time he was here. He said you aliens didn’t all eat the same thing. If you want to cook, let me know, and I’ll ask Ann Marie to pick up a few things for you from the grocery store. She banned me from going after I spent a month’s allowance on the processed s**t that isn’t good for me,” he confessed with a wry smile.

Adalard laughed but his focus was on the empty UTV that Samara had been driving. It was parked next to a beautifully crafted, long, wood-and-stone building a short distance away.

“I will be fine,” he replied in a distracted voice.

Mason’s sharp gaze followed his, and he shook his head. “I’ll tell you once more—stay away from Samara. She’s too young for you, and she has enough troubles with the men in her life. She doesn’t need to add an alien to the mix,” he warned.

Adalard’s eyes narrowed. “What men? Who is giving her trouble? Is she in danger?” he demanded.

“Only from you, I suspect. Let me show you the house. I’ve got things to do,” Mason replied, pulling the UTV to a stop by the front steps.