Hot Blooded by Donna Grant

find where she originally crossed the stream and run to the other side.
    *   *   *
    Laith didn’t watch Iona to see if she made it to the stream. He stepped away from the oak and took three long strides to the next tree where he grabbed the mercenary by the back of his collar and slammed him face-first into the bark.
    The merc crumpled to the ground as three others stepped out from their hiding spots. Laith didn’t waste time in toying with them. There was one missing, and he knew the arse had gone after Iona.
    The mercenaries didn’t use guns, as they didn’t have any. They had knives and Tasers, both of which they had at the ready.
    Laith smiled coldly at the three remaining men as they closed in on him. He contemplated using his power of paralyzing gas, but the need to punch something was too strong. It took all his patience to wait until they were close enough, and then with a quick shift of his weight, he knocked one out with a punch to his jaw, and kicked the other back into a tree, slamming his head against it.
    With only one left, Laith leaned to the side to avoid the Taser. Before the merc even knew what was happening, Laith was behind him, choking off his air.
    As much as Laith wanted to kill the guy, he didn’t. He waited until the merc was unconscious, and dropped him next to the others.
    Before the man hit the ground, Laith was running after Iona. While he raced toward her, he opened the mental link between all Dragon Kings and told the others what happened in quick order, as well as where the four unconscious mercenaries lay.
    Then Laith severed the link. He needed to focus on Iona, not be bogged down with questions he knew Con would have. Laith was faster than Iona. Even with losing the few precious moments fighting, he easily caught up with her.
    He didn’t rush to her. Instead, he held back, watching the mercenary trail her. Laith didn’t understand what the man wanted. There was ample opportunity for him to attack.
    It almost looked as if he were trying to catch Iona instead of kill her. Laith changed his position so that he would come up behind the merc. The rain kept the man from hearing Laith’s approach. Laith waited until Iona turned down the path that led to the cottage, and then sprang at the mercenary.
    The momentum took both him and the mercenary to the ground. They rolled while the man tried to stab Laith. They came to a sudden stop, putting the mercenary on top, but Laith got the upper hand and landed two quick punches to the man’s kidneys and another in his throat. With the merc wheezing, Laith took the opportunity and slammed his elbow into the side of the mercenary’s head. With a quick inhale, Laith released the paralyzing gas, watching it billow around the mercenary as he jerked before falling over.
    Laith shoved the man off him and got to his feet. He stared down at the man. “You came onto the wrong land. And you messed with the wrong woman. Doona worry. I’m no’ going to kill you. You’ll be detained by my friends, and we’ll keep you until you give us all the information we need.”
    Next, Laith leaned over the man, and punched him to knock him out. Not because the gas would wear off anytime soon, but because Laith needed to vent some of his anger.
    It took no time for Laith to catch up with Iona before she reached the cottage. She turned around swinging before he had a chance to say anything. Laith deflected her blows, impressed that she knew enough to defend herself. She gasped when she recognized him and lowered her arms. Her chin dropped to her chest as she stood shivering in the rain.
    She didn’t fling her arms around him or faint. She was frightened, but she held her own. A strong woman in a world filled with evil, danger, and death.
    â€œIt’s over,” he said above the thunder. “They willna be bothering you again.”
    She raised her coffee-colored eyes to him. “Are you sure