Tracking (Return of the Nine) Read Online Free PDF Page A

amusement. “Again. Thank you for that observation.”
    He looked like he wanted to say something else, but a cluster of Fury members approached them and something extraordinary happened the moment one of them looked at her. Derion got bigger.
    He didn’t just shift his arms and legs, he went from six and a half feet tall to nearly eight feet with a corresponding increase in width as he snarled at the men looking her over.
    Two of the men responded in kind, and while she stood there, there was a clash of fists and skin in the hall as they fought. There were claws, teeth flashed and bodies thudded to the ground. Ianka stayed out of the way, smart enough to know males in rut when she saw them. The other two males of the Fury stepped back and watched from the other side of the fight.
    Security rushed to the scene and waited while the men sorted themselves out. One of the officers gestured for her to ease out of the potential damage area, but she shook her head. Instinct told her that if she moved, Derion would switch his focus and that might not be a good thing.
    He sent one of his opponents skidding across the floor and the other one shifted and knelt at his feet, head down. It was a very formal pose, and Derion paused, stood straight and then cuffed the other male lightly on the side of the head.
    They both shrank back to normal size and Ianka blinked. Their clothing had remained intact the entire time. The tailors of the Fury knew their stuff.
    Security moved in and spoke to all concerned. Ianka was surprised to be questioned.
    “How long have you been in a relationship with Attack Master Derion?”
    She blinked. “We are not in a relationship. We haven’t had any physical contact whatsoever. All I know is those guys started looking me over and then poof, Derion got taller.”
    “Did you touch him at all?” The officer had wings that flicked in agitation.
    “No. I was warned against it. Is he in trouble?” She looked around to find him.
    Derion was calm and he was speaking quietly with another officer.
    “Yes and no. He will be taken to medical and a check will be made on his blood to see if he has triggered any mating reactions. If he was just being protective of you, he will be released immediately. If there was another reason, he will be treated.”
    “Okay. Good. As long as he is released before we are due to leave. I don’t want anything to interfere with launch.”
    The officer’s eyes widened. “Oh, you are that Gaian.”
    She could feel her forehead wrinkling. “What do you mean?”
    “All of our councillors have asked for participation in the action you are heading up. There are more volunteers than spaces on the ships, though if this fight gets out, that number might double.”
    She asked the officer, “Why are you all so eager to fight?”
    “We come from active and aggressive races. This is the first opportunity to go into action and we are all eager for the chance.”
    The officers across the hall were trying to get Derion to accompany them, but he was shaking his head.
    “I was charged with watching out for her, and I will see her safely to her quarters before I go to medical.” He crossed his arms over his chest and had an immovable stance.
    The officers looked at each other but the one speaking to her raised his hand. “I will go with them and escort Master Derion to medical.”
    Derion looked at him and nodded. “Acceptable, shall we go?”
    Ianka nodded. “Lead on.”
    The men gathered in the hall parted, and Derion and Ianka walked at a leisurely pace through the halls with the officer that had spoken to her. She could feel his gaze on them and there was approval at her back. It was nearly palpable.
    At her quarters, she thanked Derion for his escort and smiled wistfully. “I guess that I will have to find somewhere else to exercise.”
    He chuckled. “Why? The Fury fight often. With the gym closed, it just made it harder to find a place to let it out. If I had run into them an hour