Stormrider Read Online Free PDF Page A

dead. Such a detail could be important to his own survival. Instead, he decided to wonder why she had come to his aid, being alive after all and what she was doing with those beasts—yes, a flick of his eye clarified matters, assuring him they were all still near. Worse, they appeared to be in a defensive stance, fanned out around the woman where she hitched herself up on one elbow, still half buried in bed furs, gazing steadily past him at someone or something behind him. She appeared little pleased with what she saw. The wolves, spread out stiff-limbed around her, allowed teeth to show.
    A threat? A danger? It occurred to him that it might be a good idea to see if he would be able to move in case there was danger approaching. In case she needed help. Raptor made it a point always to pay his debts one way or another, sooner or later, and the one he owed her was great. He twitched a couple of muscles, found that everything right down to his bones ached, itched and burned, watched the glacial expression on Tanith’s face, then decided he did not care to know the answer right now. When it came, if it came (whatever it was) would be time enough to find out if he could rise to the occasion. He would hate to jump the gun now. Besides, adrenaline could add a boost at the right moment. Better it should be a surprise. He continued to watch her.  
    Tanith displayed neither aggression nor passivity. She simply returned the gaze of the strapping, dark-haired male at the edge of the trees knowing Strongheart directed the defense.
    In response to the silver wolf’s directives, One Eye and Littlefoot moved slightly to either side, heads lowered and bristling. Legs braced, teeth gleaming, they stood firm and gave warning. Low, menacing growls passed from one to another.  
    She sensed their movements more than saw them, in tune with the pack, feeling their tension. Tanith vibrated to the commands crackling in silence as Strongheart directed, implanted strategy for defense, and if necessary, for an attack. Their camp would not be an easy one to threaten. The man of The People would find no easy slave or wife for capture here.
    But he was probably just looking, observing her. Tanith knew they took endless delight in discussing her oddities among themselves. Still, if she was not ever-vigilant she would be vulnerable. She wished she hadn’t been so stupid as to leave her weapons up in the cave. She continued to meet the young man’s gaze on an equal level until he turned and melted into the trees with one last awed glance at Strongheart, One Eye and Littlefoot.
    Immediately the wolves relaxed. So did Tanith. At least she relaxed with the wolves, more of a body language than true ease. No, she was still decidedly uneasy with this stranger laying so near, staring, and waiting. He was no threat to her, at least not in the sense of having to protect herself against some sort of attack. He was too weak, but there was something . . .  
    She narrowed her green eyes, disliking being put in the position to speak first. It felt, unreasonably, like a defensive posture. They would have to find a way to establish the rules between them early.
    Raptor watched her rise slightly and saw the immediate lines of tension fade from her face, quite a beautiful face, much like the pictures he had seen before coming. He again unveiled his disarming smile, easier now, smoother.
    Tanith was not charmed; she was irritated.
    “You are not of The People. What are you doing here?” Bluntness was her favorite opening technique She briskly looked him over.
    “Broad question,” Raptor returned. “Here where? Here with you?Here on this planet? Or here, at a specific place on this planet where you obviously don’t believe I should be?”
    Strongheart moved in close to peer into the intruder’s face. The wolf’s gaze was steady, appraising. He has a facile tongue, perhaps he is a clever man.
    “He is pond slime.” Tanith gave her knee-jerk response out