Challenging Saber

Chapter 3-1

Chapter Three

“Hunter, wake up,” Saber growled, bending down over Hunter’s inert body and shaking him early the next morning. He patted Hunter’s face before glancing over his shoulder at Dagger. “Anything?” he asked.

“They went out the back window,” Dagger replied, nodding to where Hunter was covered by a thin blanket. “How is he?”

“Out cold,” Saber muttered, glancing at the discarded injector. “You’d better get Carp. Hunter is going to be furious enough as it is. I don’t think waiting for him to wake up would be a good idea. It will just give those females more time to run.”

Twenty minutes later, a very pissed off Hunter sat at the same table where he had been hours ago. Saber couldn’t help the grin that curved his lips. It would appear his little human had struck once again. The smile quickly turned to a scowl when he realized where his thoughts had taken him.

She’s not mine, he thought in aggravation. Well, she is not mine yet, but she will be.

“Saber!” Hunter growled again, pulling him back to the present.

“What?” Saber frowned as he glared across the table at Hunter.

“I asked how Taylor was able to get her hands on a sedative injector.” Hunter asked with an accusing tone, glaring at him.

Saber shrugged and waved his hand at Carp. “How should I know? The medic and Carp would not allow me back into the examination room. Ask Carp, he is the healer, not me,” he snapped defensively. “I told you she was a little hellion. I was covered in food by the time I left her with you.”

Carp raised his hands in the air and shook his head. “I just checked her over like I was asked to do,” he retorted when Hunter turned his irritated gaze on him. “Saber insisted that the young human be examined. It was just as well that he did. Her body was showing an increase in white blood cells, indicating that she was fighting an infection. I suspect she would have been as sick as her siblings within a matter of days. Her body was also depleted of essential nutrients due to her extended period of malnourishment.”

Saber rose out of his chair and glared at Carp. “You didn’t tell me any of that! You said she was fine,” he growled.

“I said she would be fine,” Carp corrected. “After you notified me of what had happened to Hunter, I checked the medicine cabinet in the room where I examined Taylor. She cleaned it out. I need to return to the medical unit. All I can say is good luck. I have a feeling all three of you are going to need it!” Carp bowed his head in farewell before he walked out of the door.

Saber winced when Hunter ignored Carp’s departure and turned back to stare at him. He knew what Hunter was going to say. The problem was Saber didn’t have an answer.

“Which leads me back to how the shewta did she get all of that past you?” Hunter asked bluntly.

Saber raised an eyebrow. “How did she knock you out?” he retorted, deciding being on the offensive was the better of the two options since he couldn’t very well say he had been too busy trying not to make a bigger fool of himself in front of Taylor than he already had in the cafeteria.

“I don’t think the how or why matters now,” Dagger finally said, turning from where he was standing by the window looking out at the compound. “What matters is that we find them.”

Saber watched as Hunter bowed his head and drew in a deep breath before he rose out of the chair. He returned Hunter’s stare when he glanced back and forth between him and Dagger with a slightly confused expression on his face. Saber knew Hunter could hear the slightly possessive sound in his and Dagger’s voices when they talked about the other females.

Saber was reminded of when they were boys. They often knew what the other was thinking or feeling without having to be told. When they were boys, they had taken a blood oath that they would always be there for each other. Finding the women wasn’t just for Hunter, who had to find Jesse now that he had claimed her, it was for Dagger and Saber as well.

“Dagger’s right,” Saber agreed. “We need to find them. Hunter,” he paused, glancing at Dagger before drawing in a deep breath and returning his steady gaze to Hunter. “I believe these females are different. I… As of today, I pledge my honor as a warrior to protect them as if they were my own. The little one, Taylor, she is far too spirited for her own good. I believe you will need all the help you can get in keeping her safe.”

Dagger nodded his head. “I agree, though for a different reason,” he admitted, looking at Hunter. “I stake my claim here and now, my friend. The one called Jordan will one day be my Amate. I swear on my life that I will protect her… as soon as I find her again,” he added grimly.

“Shewta!” Hunter said, staring in shock at Dagger. “You are sure?”

Dagger flushed, but didn’t look away. “Yes,” he replied in a quiet voice.

Saber couldn’t quite meet Hunter’s gaze when Hunter turned back to stare at him. His eyes focused on the window where the girls had escaped. He moved from one foot to the other as the silence grew. Finally, in exasperation, he looked back at Hunter with a slightly tormented expression.

“She is young,” Hunter replied in a soft voice.

Saber could feel his own face heat. “I know,” he replied.

“It won’t be easy. Something tells me that she will push you to your limits,” Hunter continued.

“I said I know,” Saber growled before turning his gaze to Dagger’s amused face. “Her sister is young, too. You will have to wait as well,” he pointed out.

“Yes, but not quite as young as the other, and she doesn’t bite,” Dagger chuckled before he sobered and a frown creased his brow. “At least, I don’t think she does.”

“I think it will take all three of us to keep them safe,” Hunter replied with a grimace as he ran his hand over his neck, touching the spot where Taylor had injected him with the sedative.

“Then, I suggest we go find them,” Saber said, rubbing his hands together. “I have a little demon to strangle.”