Page 93 of Warrior's Captive
“Don’t be in such a hurry to fight. Trust me, you’ll get your chance one day, and then you’ll wish you hadn’t had to defend yourself.”
So they’d drilled running and hiding.
Mayleen woke up, wailing, and Vivian knew she would sacrifice anyone, even her own brother-in-law, to keep her baby safe.
She ran, arms securing Mayleen against her chest, counting the seconds, activating her comm. “Banujani!”
Sixty seconds gone, the guard should respond in less than thirty. Please let Yolu live for thirty more seconds. It only took one to kill.
“Get to the dojo, Vivian,” Banujani’s voice said. “I’m on my way.” There was a grunt and a thud and the comm cut off.
The sounds chilled her, so reminiscent of the first attack. The enemy must have engaged Banujani to distract her while the second came to the studio.
Vivian burst through the back entrance of the dojo and ran through the short hall to the open training area in front. The owner, Kuifi, turned smoothly, no alarm on his face. His gaze sharpened as she stopped.
“Attack,” Vivian gasped. “One assailant in the studio with Yolu.” She rubbed the crying baby’s back, trying to soothe her.
Kuifi called three names, gestured, and they were out the front door at a dead run. A woman jogged crossed towards Vivian. “I’m Kuifi’s assistant, Morien,” she said calmly, large navy eyes kind. “Are you or the infant injured?”
Her hair was braided tightly to her scalp in looping designs, and for once someone didn’t top Vivian by a foot in height. Form fitting workout gear revealed a figure that balanced musculature and feminine curves.
“No,” Vivian said. She blinked rapidly. “I wanted to help. I just left him there.”
“You did the correct thing,” was the firm reply. “Aja’eki!What is the first method of defense?”
“Run!” the class roared.
“Would you like to feed your infant?” Morien asked. “We have a meditation room. With reinforced privacy doors. No one will get in there past us.”
The message was clear enough. Vivian nodded. “Oh, wait! Shira. Shira is out with her baby getting lunch for us.” Panic began to set in. If they came for Vivian, was Shira a target as well? Whywouldn’tshe be?
“Where is she?” Morien asked.
Vivian gave her the name of the restaurant even as she jabbed at her comm. “Shira?”
Her friend’s voice came through immediately. “Yeah, I’m on my way, girl. I’ve got three bags. Next time Yolu’s coming with.”
“Shira, we were attacked at the studio.”
“What? Oh,fuck.Is everyone okay?”
“May I?” Morien asked. “Shira, this is Morien at the dojo. I need you to get off the street. Enter the first crowded business you see and take a seat away from any windows. If you can find a storage closet and barricade yourself, even better. We’re sending someone to get you. Keep your comm on.”
“Got it,” Shira said, and there was only her fast, soft breathing and then the din of patrons in a business.
“I’m going to go get her,” Morien said. “This room is secure. Remain here until one of us comes to get you in person.”
The baby nursed for an hour at least before the door slid open, revealing her bondmate’s enraged face.
He lunged inside the room, aborting the movement only when she instinctively hunched over the baby, shielding her from her father.
Tai’ri’s hands curled into fists at his side, and he took a deep breath. “Viv, you’re well?”
She stood now that he was calm and wouldn’t accidentally hit the baby grabbing for them both, and slid an arm around his waist. His arms enveloped them, his head burying in her hair.
“Banujani and Morien briefed me on the way here,” he said in a hoarse tone.
“Tai’ri, is Yolu okay?”
