Page 43 of Naga Warlord's Mate

“We can’t outrun them forever,” Priscilla whispered, her fingers tightening around the stolen communicator in her pocket. Not enough evidence. Not enough time.

Andear’s gold eyes blazed in the darkness. “Then we make them regret following.” His massive frame coiled with deadly intent, but Priscilla grabbed his arm.

“No. Too many. We need—”

A blast hit the container above them, showering them with sparks. Mila yelped as one caught her sleeve.

“Move!” Andear’s tail wrapped around Priscilla’s waist, practically lifting her as they sprinted toward the tree line. The pursuing soldiers were closing in, their weapons charging with that distinctive crystalline whine that made Priscilla’s skin crawl.

They reached the edge of the encampment, where the maintained grounds gave way to wild undergrowth. Priscilla’sboots slipped on loose rocks as they scrambled down an embankment. Behind them, the soldiers’ shouts grew closer.

“There!” Mila pointed to a narrow ravine ahead, barely visible in the moonlight.

A blast struck the ground between them, sending Priscilla stumbling. Andear’s grip on her wrist tightened painfully as he kept her upright. She could feel his growl of frustration through the mate bond and knew he wanted to turn and fight.

They reached the ravine’s edge just as another volley of shots lit up the night. Priscilla’s heart stopped as Mila’s hand slipped from her grasp.

“No!”

Chapter 23

Andear

Theyreachedtheravine’sedge, the drop-off steep and treacherous in the darkness. Mila’s startled cry pierced the night as she lost her footing, her body pitching forward over the edge. Priscilla’s grip on her sister slipped.

“No!” Priscilla’s scream tore through him.

Andear’s reflexes took over. He lunged forward, his tail anchoring them as he caught Mila’s arm before she could fall. The motion left them exposed and vulnerable as the whine of charging plasma weapons filled the air.

A bolt of blue energy crackled past them, close enough that Andear felt the heat against his scales. Without hesitation, he yanked both women behind him, his body forming a living shield as he faced their pursuers. His upper lip curled back, exposing his fangs as a deep, primal snarl rumbled from his chest.

“Stay behind me,” he growled, his tail creating a protective barrier around them both. Through the mate bond, he felt Priscilla’s defiance warring with her fear. Her fingers dug into his arm.

The approaching footsteps told him they had seconds before the Xirath soldiers would be upon them. He could smell their alien stench on the wind and hear the low hum of their weapons charging.

His muscles coiled, ready for the fight that was coming. They were trapped between the enemy and the ravine, but he would die before he let them take his mate or her sister.

“If I tell you to run,” he said, his voice tight with controlled fury, “you run. Both of you. Do you understand?”

“I won’t leave you,” Priscilla whispered fiercely.

Andear’s jaw clenched as shadows moved at the edge of his vision. His tail wrapped protectively around both women as he assessed their situation.

Xirath soldiers emerged from the shadows, their metallic armor gleaming under the twin moons. He counted twelve of them, armed with plasma rifles and vibro-blades. The mate bond pulsated with Priscilla’s determination, making his blood sing with the promise of battle.

The Xirath commander stepped forward. “Surrender the humans, Warlord, and we might let you live.”

Andear’s muscles coiled with barely contained rage. These creatures dared to threaten what was his. His fangs extended fully as he smiled, cold and deadly. “You mistake patience for weakness.”

Behind him, Priscilla’s dagger scraped against its sheath as she drew it. The sound sent a surge of pride through him. His mate was no cowering victim, even if he wished she would stay backbehind him. Through their bond, he felt her steady resolve, her refusal to be caged again by anyone.

“Well, if you’re going to fight, remember your training,” he murmured, just loudly enough for her to hear. His tail shifted, creating space for her to move while still keeping her protected.

The commander raised his weapon. “Last chance, warlord. The council cannot protect you from what comes next.”

Priscilla pressed against Andear’s back, her voice steel wrapped in silk. “We have to fight our way out.”

A feral grin spread across Andear’s face, his eyes gleaming with savage anticipation. Finally—a real battle, with real stakes. His muscles coiled, ready to strike. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

---