Read Lost in Barbarian Space for Free Online Page B

her, and breathed in the fresh Markarian air. She’d slept like crap, but she wasn’t going to let that interfere with their trip today. She could hear the archeologists arguing about the day’s plans.
    She looked over at Derek. “You’ve got a strong signal?”
    The younger man looked down at the Sync communicator attached to his wrist. “Yes, Agent Brandall. Loud and clear.”
    “Good.” She looked around the empty courtyard. “Now we just have to wait for our escort.” Honor wasn’t sure how she felt about waiting for a certain barbarian warrior. The damn man and his hard body and bone-melting kisses had starred in all her dreams.
    She heard the clatter of hooves on stone, followed by a snort. She spun.
    From around a corner, several large beasts appeared.
    “Holy stars,” Derek breathed.
    Honor heard gasps from the archeologists and other security agents.
    At first glance, they looked like horses—just bigger and more muscular, with black, leather-like skin, horns, and a wicked row of spikes down the back of their necks.
    “We can’t be traveling on those,” one of the archeologists said in a panicked voice.
    “No way,” a security officer said.
    Colm appeared from the other side of the lead beast. He smiled at Honor. “Are you and your team ready, Agent Brandall?”
    The way he drawled her name set her on edge. “Of course, Warrior Mal Kor.”
    When the beast he was holding snorted, she saw flames shoot out of its nostrils. Each member of her team collectively gasped.
    “They are well-trained,” Colm added.
    Steadying herself, Honor stepped forward and reached out to pat the neck of the closest beast. She’d always liked animals.
    Its skin was tough, but she felt an intense warmth radiating off it. When the fearsome-looking beast nuzzled against her, surprise jolted through her.
    She glanced up and saw that Colm looked impressed.
    “It is time to mount up.” Colm looked at her team. “Anyone who is uncomfortable with riding the hargon beasts, let me know. I will have a warrior ride with you.”
    There were a few grumbles and mumbled comments, but everyone decided they could handle the hargons.
    “We have gear we need to take with us,” one of the archeologists, Dr. Brown, called out, pointing at two large boxes.
    Colm nodded at the woman. “I will take care of it.”
    Honor watched Derek struggle to get his foot in the stirrup and then climb onto the massive beast. It wasn’t elegant. She considered how to get on without looking like an idiot.
    Suddenly, large hands clamped on her waist and she was lifted up.
    Honor quickly swung her leg over the hargon and glanced down at Colm. “I could’ve managed.”
    “I have no doubt. My helping you does not detract from that.”
    Colm climbed on his beast in a smooth, athletic move. The boxes were strung in some sort of netting, hanging off the sides of his beast. He looked back, his hands twisting in the reins. “Speak firmly but calmly to your beasts. Gentle nudges with your heel to move them forward. If you kick too hard, they’ll run. Fast.”
    Honor did as he directed and when her beast moved forward, she smiled.
    As they moved out of the gates of the estate and into the fields, she slowly got the hang of the beast. She patted it on its neck and spoke quietly to it.
    They rode past well-ordered fields divided by low stone walls. Honor saw many workers busy in the fields. Some of them were singing and laughing amongst themselves. It seemed to her that life on Markaria, for all its lack of high technology, was pretty darn idyllic.
    What would it be like to get up every day and enjoy glorious sunshine, eat fresh food, and train with half-dressed warriors all day?
    Except you wouldn’t train with them, Honor. Women aren’t warriors on Markaria, remember?
    A beast moved up beside her. She didn’t need to glance over to see that it was Colm.
    “You handle the beast well,” he said.
    His praise shouldn’t please her so much. She patted her