Page 38 of The General’s Captive (The Rift #1)

“And that there is probably the smartest thing you have ever said,” he replied before facing back to the road and telling me, “Come on, we still have hours of walking ahead of us. And despite there being little chance of another attack, seeing as I am with you, your human eyesight is still shit.”

I huffed, “Jeez, thanks, just say it as it is, why don’t you.”

“I’m sorry, did you happen to develop the abilities to see in the dark in the last twenty-four hours?” he argued.

“I’m not justifying that with an answer,” I said, folding my arms over my chest.

“You just did, and the answer is no, so get your panties out of a twist, as they say, and get moving those little legs of yours,” he ordered, making me scowl before scanning the length of him to make my point.

“Why, what you gonna do, tip toe like a ballerina so I can keep up?”

He smirked and offered, “Or I could toss you over my shoulder.”

“And turn me into a shish kebab, no thanks, Mr. spikey pads,” I said, nodding to his shoulders.

His lips twitched, as if he was trying not to laugh, which managed to alleviate some of the tension.

“Seriously, what do you even eat to get that big?”

“Troublesome little human females who ask too many questions,” he remarked, making me laugh before we started walking once more.

Before long, we fell into a comfortable silence. And I had to say, although this certainly complicated things, it was the safest I had felt in the last three years.

Because here I was with a Class one bodyguard who could kill as easily as breathing. Someone who was completely unaffected by walking in the dark. That raw power radiated off him, although it wasn’t enough to keep the chill off me.

I wished I had brought a jacket with me and wore more layers than this long black T-shirt and my khaki combat pants. But I thought I would be in a car with a heater, not walking along a highway at night.

I didn’t know how well my hip was going to hold up, because I seriously needed some meds. I was starting to really limp now. So much so, that after about an hour of walking, Aster growled down at me and stated firmly,

“That’s it, I’m carrying you”

“It’s okay, that’s not ness… hey!” This ended in a shout as he swept me up into his big arms.

“No arguments. You are slow, and you are cold. Both problems I can solve,” he affirmed and I had to admit, he was right. The guy was like a walking furnace. I couldn’t help but sigh in relief as his heated skin penetrated through my meagre layers of cotton.

“Why were you limping?” he asked after a few moments of silence.

“I hurt my hip when that Gryphon attacked the base… it just needs rest, which I haven’t exactly had much chance at,” I told him, making him nod his head.

“And your healer?”

“Jenkins? I haven’t had a chance to get it seen to.”

Again, he seemed to be asking these questions for a reason, but I had no idea why that was. Which was when a plan started to form.

“When we get closer to the city, can we find a vet?”

“Why, is there something you need to tell me, do you turn into a dog and try and bite the mailman?”

I gave him a dry look, knowing with his eyesight he wouldn’t miss it because I felt him look down at me.

“Says the Shifter Minotaur,” I shot back, and he protested in his deep voice.

“I am not a Shifter.”

“Then how did you turn into a human form?” I asked, desperate to know.

“I am a rare breed, the last of my kind. A berserker Minotaur, which gives me the ability to transform into what you see now,” he replied.

“You mean you don’t usually look like this?”

“That depends on if I choose to,” he answered cryptically, his face hard to read in the dark.

“I’m sorry, isn’t that what a Shifter is?” I pointed out, and again he grumbled his response.

“Gods, you don’t quit, do you…? No, I am not a shifter. It’s not that simple.”

I frowned, snapping, “Then why not simplify it for the clueless human?”

“Rage is the trigger for this form,” he finally offered begrudgingly.

“But you’re not angry right now… are you?” I asked cautiously, making him tease,

“Getting there.” After which, he thankfully elaborated. “I can remain in this form for as long as I choose after the rage hits.”

Well, that was interesting because it made it sound as if this wasn’t how he usually looked.

“And your other form?” I asked, prompting for more and making him sigh before answering me.

“Once calm, I can bring myself back to how you are used to seeing me. As for now, I choose to remain like this for two reasons. One is that it is safer because I can fight easier in this form.” Oh, didn’t I know it.

Jesus, the guy was a powerhouse of strength and made ripping that wing off look like a kid playing with a bug.

“And the second?”

“My legs are longer so I can cover more ground faster.”

“Um, nice for some,” I complained without malice, making him scoff.

“It is, and helpful when my companion has such little legs or is lame.”

I rolled my eyes and he laughed, the action making me shake in his hold, the rumbling of his bare chest vibrating against me. Which soon brought me back to the only possible way of evading such a big brute.

“So, about this veterinarian?”

“Why a veterinarian?” he asked curiously.

“Because they have more chance at having medicine that hasn’t been ransacked by looters,” I informed him, and seeing as this was true, he merely nodded, taking my reason as a solid one. When in actual fact, I had an ulterior motive.

A plan forming.