Chapter Eleven

Tanner

She was warm, safe, happy. Happy? That drifting emotion woke her. Tanner kept her eyes closed while she examined her thoughts. Warmth was a given. She was in the tunnel oasis, protected from any wet or cold weather., and she was plastered to Binja's side. She'd noticed her silver man's body temperature was several degrees hotter than hers. It was like sleeping with a heating pad. She loved it.

Safe? Well, safer. After Binja rocked her world, he caught several fish and cooked them over the fire. She ate until she was full. They talked more about his abilities. About his acute hearing, and the sort of sixth sense he had when danger was near.

Plus, he told her that he'd telepathically alerted his brothers about finding his mate. Several of them would wait for Binja and Tanny at the market. They were bringing a hover to take them to the ship, where she could talk to Catalina. Man, she loved that name. Catalina.

Tanner felt safe—because she wasn't alone anymore. No matter what happened from here on out, BinjaOB would be at her side. And so would his brothers and their mates.

Without meeting anyone else, Tanner already loved every single one of them. After all, they saved her sister. Later that night, she'd talk to Catalina and find out what had happened to Candace. Since trying to guess what happened to Candy wouldn't be productive, she focused instead on what came next.

It was time to get up.

Before she could move, she felt Binja tense. Something had to be wrong. Carefully, slowly, Tanny inched her fingers toward the knife she slept with. Before their nap, she tucked it under the shirt she used as a pillow. When her fingers touched the hilt, she opened her eyes and burst out laughing.

Immediately, she released the knife.

Binja was lying on his back, body tense, poised to fend off the attack of the large pimat that was sitting on his chest. The animal stared down at him, fangs in full view, claws unsheathed. Her man hissed at Tanny, "Don't move. Pimats can be dangerous." Never taking his eyes off the animal.

Tanny laughed again. "Not this one. Hello, Mama C. Did you bring your babies to see me?" She reached up and scratched the now purring feline behind the ears. Then sat up and looked around. She giggled. "You did. Come on sweeties, come cuddle." Opening her arms and making a soft clicking noise brought the five kittens to her. The small balls of brightly striped fur climbed over Tanner to get to Binja. The five settled beside their mother, copying her vulture impersonation. Tanny couldn't stop laughing at the look on his face.

Binja was exasperated. "Tanny, do you not realize that these animals are carnivores? You can find a variety of the pimat on many planets. They vary in size from just a few pounds to weighing more than I do. The larger ones hunt, kill, and eat humanoids."

She giggled again and picked up one of the kittens, snuggling it close to her face. "I know. We have cats of all sizes on Earth, too. The ones this size are house cats and pets. I wouldn't mess with the bigger ones. Mama C led me to the tunnels. I fed her fish from the lake for the first few weeks after her babies were born. I did it so she wouldn't need to leave them alone in the oasis in order to go outside and hunt. She won't hurt you. Not on purpose."

Binja rolled his eyes at her and sat up, piling the cats in his lap. Luckily, the robe they'd used as a blanket protected him from their claws. Tentatively, he reached out and stroked his hand down the mother cat's back. Mama C rewarded him with a loud purr. He glanced around the small cavern. "I imagine this little family has eaten most of the small creatures that were available. They'll soon need to leave the protection of this oasis."

Tanny frowned. "You're right." Then she grinned. "Let's take them with us. I bet they'd love living on a spaceship. They can be gifts for your brothers' mates. Trust me, Binja. They will love the cats. Please, can we take them with us?"

He frowned. "We need to deal with the local who is hiding in the trees. Won't the pimats run away when we get to the end of the tunnel?"

She shook her head. "No. I'll put the babies in my backpack. Mama C won't go far while we've got them. Trust me. We'll be okay." Leaning over, Tanny kissed him. Shamelessly taking advantage of their new relationship. She knew this man would do anything for her.

Within moments, she loaded her pack with the five kittens and dressed in her pants and shirt. The robe was at the bottom of her pack, used as a bed for the pimats.

Binja sighed. "What will you wear when we need to enter the market? You can't go in uncovered. One of the Andaran's spies could see you."

"Don't worry. I've got two striped robes hidden at the end of the tunnel." Before she could head out, Binja pulled her into his arms.

Hugging her tight, he said, "You amaze me. I'm impressed by how well you've taken care of yourself all these months and prepared for any need you might have. Did you know that only Viant nobles wear the multi-colored robes? No one may approach a robed noble, or question anything they do."

Melting into his powerful arms, Tanner realized his words meant a lot to her. "I hid in the market's chaos for a few days after I escaped. Slowly acquiring the items I needed to survive and watching the way everyone interacted. I noticed that no one ever started a conversation with someone wearing a striped robe. I didn't understand why, but it made an impression. Once I got one, I used it often. Then, the last time I went into the market, I picked up two more. Leaving them at the tunnel entrance in case I found Candy. I planned to bring her back here to heal." She squeezed him again and stepped back.

"It was a good plan." Binja picked up her backpack and eyed Mama C. "You've got the weapons. I'll carry the pimats." He started down the tunnel, using his ability to see in the dark to set a fast pace.

Tanny used her glow tube to light the way. Following her man and her cat, smiling. And yes… happy.

Standing just inside the tunnel entrance, Tanner watched the spot where Binja stood. The last tiny bit of sunlight didn't affect his camouflage. She couldn't see him, but she knew where he'd been. While they walked through the tunnel, he explained he needed shadows to hide in. The darker the better. Strong sunlight made it hard to hide unless there were trees or buildings around to provide shade.

Much to Mama C's delight, Binja was using Eita as his spy. The cat had watched the little bird lift from silver flesh and fly into the night. But stayed right by the bag holding her children.

"He is still there. In the same tree. The goggles he's wearing are different. Bigger I think." Binja muttered. "Stay back a bit. We don't want him to see you or realize there is a tunnel here. He moves his head pretty regularly. Scanning."

Tanner sighed. "I bet the goggles are some form of night vision."

"You stay here. I'll get closer and read his intent. There is no way to get to the market from here without him seeing us. I don't want him to see you without knowing what we face."

She knew Binja wouldn't be seen. He could run the entire way and stay camouflaged. Even if Tanny wore the noble robe, she knew the man would follow them. "Can we get to the market before he can catch us?"

Feeling Binja beside her, she turned as he released his hold on the light and dark shadows marking his skin. "No. He'd catch us before we reached it."

She sighed. "I wish I had binoculars so I could see him. I followed the Andaran all day, every day. I saw dozens of his men and got to know their personalities very well. I might know who it is."

Binja frowned. Reaching out, he lifted her right hand and turned it over. He stroked his thumb over the center of her palm. "You have Eita's symbol on your palm. You might be able to use the bird's eyes to see."

"How would that work?" she wondered. Not at all sure it was something she could do.

"We can do it right here. I don't want you outside where he might see you. Come, we'll both sit on the ground, you in front of me. Between my legs. Like this." He arranged her back to his front. Binja bent his knees and propped his arms on them. Now his body surrounded her. "Lean back, rest on me. Close your eyes and let your mind drift. Eita is part of you, as the tiny creature is part of me… Let the bird make the connection."

Tanner relaxed into the warmth of Binja's body. She closed her eyes, and stilled her mind as she did when meditating. Taking deep, even breaths, she waited.

It didn't take long. Tanny could see a tree in front of her. She knew the sun had set, and it was dark out. Yet the tree trunk and leaves had a soft, green glow. Eita was sitting in a nearby tree. It was a smaller tree. The bird hid in the branches without moving and shifted its eyes a little to the left.

Tanner gasped. "I see him. He's in shadow. The goggles are big, so I can't see his face. He's big. Bulky. That cuts the options down. Most of the Andaran's men weren't muscular. I think he hired for brains more than brawn." She was mumbling to herself, watching carefully. Hoping the man would do something that would reveal his identity. There…

The man in the tree brought his hand up to push back the hair that flipped in front of his goggles.

"I know who he is." She said softly and continued to watch. "Mean, vicious snake of a man that likes to terrorize and torture little boys." She opened her eyes and turned around to face Binja. "Will the laser from the rifle reach that tree?" Tanner had to watch this man several times over the last few months. He wasn't the worst of the Andaran's men, but he was close. She wanted the chance to take him out.

Frowning, Binja nodded slowly. "The tree is within range and there isn't anything blocking the distance. You want to attempt this?"

Tanner eagerly nodded. "Yes. I'll use the dark green robe now that the sun has gone down. It should keep me hidden long enough to see if a shot is possible." She picked up the backpack and carefully pulled the robe out from under the cats.

Binja lifted the laser rifle from its spot, leaning just inside the tunnel entrance where Tanner had set it earlier. Inspecting it for a moment, he handed it to her. "It is fully charged. When using a laser, one of the most lethal options is the neck. If you can make that shot, it is almost always fatal."

She appreciated he didn't question her. Didn't ask if she thought she could do it, or if it was a good idea for her to use the laser when she didn't kill her last target. He simply ensured she had the information she needed. Settling the robe around her, she walked into the night.

The tree was closer than she realized. Which was a good thing. She could see the blob of a man sitting about thirty feet off the ground. He was hunched over, his neck hidden in his jacket. "Binja. Can you guide Eita? Have your silver bird fly just out of his reach. Let him see Eita enough to know the bird isn't a native species."

Binja smiled. "Oh, I think I can do that."

Tanner put her eye to the scope and waited. She caught the flash of silver, then saw the man startle and tilt his head up. That was all she needed. Neck exposed. Shot taken.

Seconds later, the man who liked to hurt little boys tumbled out of the tree and hit several branches on the way to the ground.

Binja hugged her from behind. "Perfect shot. Good job, Tanny. Let's go find my brothers."

Tanny exchanged her green robe for the multi-colored one. Binja assured her that the brothers had any weapon she could wish for on their ship, so they hid the laser rifle at the entrance to the tunnel. She needed her hands to carry Mama C and make sure the cat didn't run off when they got to the market. The rifle would make holding the large feline difficult.

Binja carried the backpack and kittens.

Before they reached the market, three men who looked exactly like her mate joined them. Except two of them had saved their heads recently and their coloring was different. One of them was dark green. He was Captain BaOBy, married to Catalina. Because Tanny wanted to speak to his mate, she was sure he'd come to analyze the threat.

The second man was light blue, his name was ReBOrB. She couldn't remember if Binja mentioned him. But the third man was JayBOrB. Binja said he helped rescue her sister. He was deep purple and seemed shocked when Tanny hugged him and whispered, "Thank you."

All the men looked at Binja for an explanation. Using the brothers' mental connection, her mate told them a little about Candy. Their demeanor changed immediately. Captain BaOBy smiled and welcomed Tanner to the family. Jay and Reb echoed the sentiments.

Tanny murmured, "Definitely crayon colors." Then she climbed into the waiting hover, relishing the laughter of all four brothers.