Page 46 of Hunted By the Dragon Alien

Takkian nodded. Fair enough. He charged toward the third agent, who’d turned his focus on the commotion unfolding with the two other Zaruxians. The agent didn’t see Takkian coming until it was too late. He closed the distance in seconds, ducking low to avoid the swing of a stun baton. He shoved his shoulderinto the agent’s midsection, sending him sprawling onto the ground. But the agent grabbed hold of Takkian’s leather armor and pulled him off balance.

A prick of pain on his neck made Takkian hiss and shake himself free. He placed a hand on his neck as he saw a small device in the agent’s hand. His legs suddenly felt weak. “Fek,” he cursed. His blade fell from his loose grip. He’d been injected with something.

The agent scrambled to his feet as Takkian fell to his knees, his vision blurry. The agent raised his blaster. “Renegade Zaruxian is neutra—”

The agent didn’t finish, as his words were cut off by a sharp sizzle that sliced through the chaos. The scent of seared metal filled the air. Takkian watched the agent fall to the floor. The device that had tracked him clattered on the smooth, hard surface. He looked up. Standing over the downed agent with calm intensity was Sevas.

Her crimson eyes flared as she brought her heel down on the tracking device, shattering it. A faint wisp of vapor curled from the muzzle of her blaster as she lowered it. It wasn’t the one he’d given Bruil. He did not know where she’d gotten it. Her makeshift outfit—tight black pants and that ridiculous, ill-fitting shirt she’d fashioned into something functional—didn’t lessen the sheer authority she exuded in that moment.

Takkian blinked, his lips pulling into a wolfish grin despite the weakness in his limbs. “Sevas?”

She didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze stayed fixed on the unconscious agent sprawled at her feet. Then she looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Thought you could handle this on your own?” she asked, her tone even but laced with a sharp edge.

“A warrior’s got his pride,” Takkian said in a slightly slurred voice. “Butfek, you’re magnificent.”

Sevas smirked and crouched at his side. “That’s right. And even warriors need backup sometimes.”

He let out a low chuckle. “I thought I told you to stay away.”

“Sorry. Obedience isn’t one of my many skills,” Sevas quipped. “Besides, I couldn’t let you have all the fun.”

Before Takkian could respond, the red-scaled Zaruxian appeared beside them. He gave Sevas an approving nod as he reached down and helped Takkian to his feet. “That was the last Axis agent. Let’s get you two back to the ship.”

Takkian’s limbs were weak, but the drug he’d been given hadn’t incapacitated him completely. He gripped the other male’s arm, but stood upright by sheer force of will. “And out of here. This place will soon be swarmed by Axis agents.”

“True.” The purple-scaled Zaruxian approached and took his other arm. He was the same height as Takkian, but bore only a few scars. “You’re Takkian, aren’t you?”

Takkian’s claws flexed instinctively. “Yes, and you’ve met Sevas,” he said. “My mate. Who are you?”

The purple-scaled Zaruxian shoved a pair of fist-fighting beings out of the way. “I am Ellion. And this is Cyprian.” He nodded toward the red-scaled Zaruxian, who gave Takkian a casual grin as if theyweren’tall walking through the middle of a battlefield littered with unconscious Axis agents and other beings.

“You’re both Zaruxians,” Takkian said, though the statement was more for himself than for them. It felt surreal, seeing them here when he’d thought He and Bruil were the only ones for so long.

“Glad to see you’ve got eyes, brother,” said Cyprian. “Makes this whole reunion a lot easier.”

Takkian bristled at the term. “Brother?”

Ellion’s gaze softened just slightly, though his towering presence remained imposing. “Counting you and your friend, Bruil, there are only four of us left, Takkian.”

“That we know of,” Cyprian added.

Ellion’s head snapped toward the sounds of distant shouting. The noise of disorganized footsteps echoed through the docking bay. “Can you walk faster?” he asked. “Or has the nerve agent not burned off yet?”

Takkian winced and clenched his fists. There was a little more strength in them. “It’s easing. I’ll be fine.”

Cyprian gave him a quick nod. “Stick close. This place is a maze, but we navigated it well enough.”

Without another word, Ellion tucked back his wings and led them toward the docking platform. His movements were precise, deliberate, and full of purpose, even as the sounds of chaos roared louder behind them.

Takkian grabbed Sevas’ hand. “Stay close.”

“Always,” she replied, squeezing his hand. She held the blaster in one hand with ease. He was well matched with his warrior mate.

Takkian grunted as he forced movement into his weakened legs. He wanted answers too, but right now, survival came first. The sounds of marching grew louder, the distinct clang of boots on metal echoing through the bay. Axis reinforcements were on their way.

TWENTY-TWO

Sevas

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