Book 3 in the Huntress series.
It should have been a simple mission for Hunter Cambria Petersen: return former World Council Minister, Corona Cottington-Blake to Earth to face justice for the Nomadian Massacre. But on the icy planet Ragnarok, 'simple' turns 'complicated' as religious fanatics shoot the shuttle down.
Worse, convicted serial killer Excalibur Jones arrives to assist her on a separate mission and Cambria will learn just how 'bad' Jones can be as he tests her in mind, soul and body. Just how unbreakable is she when confronted with her worst nightmare?
Excerpt:
Excalibur Jones emptied his mind of thought as he bulldozed through the knee-high snowdrifts.
His heart pounded with effort, his lungs hurt from sucking in frigid air and his head throbbed with a deep ache, but he didn’t stop; couldn’t stop.
He wanted to put some distance between him and any Nomadians who might happen by, even as he admitted the impossibility of company arriving. The government declared the Northern Province off limits to anyone but scientists until declared safe from radiation.
He also did not want to think about whom he carried, rescued; or her words to him. Instead, he contented himself with memories.
The first time he’d seen Cambria Petersen, when she arrived on the male-only prison planet Tudor, he’d been shocked speechless. When he saw her and the ‘pillar escort, Haariss, walk down the path, everything around him disappeared. He’d watched as Haariss escorted her into a hut, and then absented himself until he could regather his thoughts.
She’d looked lost, tired and wary, her face red and puffy and she’d walked as if in pain.
He’d begun to wonder what could cause such discomfort when one of the ‘pillars informed him the female had tried to cook herself without the benefit of a death blow and asked if this the way of females?
He’d grinned, then laughed and shook his head. She had a ferocious case of sunburn, all over that lush body.
And he knew they were going to be friends.
It hadn’t quite worked out that way. Instead a love/hate relationship developed.
Cambria did not understand she was anyone’s meat until she proved herself more violent than the men. Being a generous soul, Excalibur set coped.
Cambria proved made of tough stuff indeed.
She killed and killed again for him, ridding the ‘pillar-built village of all his problems. And then she defended them all against the large, indigenous animals summoned by that bastard Moeller to trample the village.
His smile grew pained as he recalled she’d won over big Sam at the foundry and the quiet assassin, Chien. Even took on an unwanted apprentice in Vangana and taught him to fight.
