Page 11 of Taken By the Alien Kraken King

I hesitated. “I would.”

“Go,” she urged. “It’s where you belong.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“It’s your duty.”

“I have a duty to you.”

“And to your people. Bourne, go. If you don’t, you’ll never forgive yourself. Because you know what will happen.”

“Because war is coming,” I said, eyes glowing. “And…”

“And what? What aren’t you telling me?”

“You must decide which world you belong to.”

“I know. I will, soon. I’m not going to argue with you. But I want you to be the leader you think your people need.”

My mate understood duty. She would grow into a great queen, given time.

“How did they find it?”

“That’s what they do. Seek and destroy.”

“Did my arrival have anything to do with their increased activity?” Kendall’s brow furrowed.

“No.”

“Is that a lie?” she probed.

“It is what I believe.”

“Are you going?”

“No. I must protect you.”

Kendall slipped her hand in mine. “Let’s get your trident, and we’ll go together. It’s your battle too.”

My mate. My brave mate. “You’ll need this.” I brought her over to a cabinet behind the projection screen and retrieved a semi-circular device. In my hand, it pulsed with soft light. “This ismore than a translator. Only members of the royal families have them.” I adjusted it behind her ear.

“What else does it do?” she asked.

“I will trust you with the biggest secret my realm keeps from the others. Some of the Trench creatures have… abilities.”

“Abilities?”

“They can invade weaker creatures’ thoughts. This will protect your mind from manipulation. It acts as a shield.”

“Well shit. I didn’t expect that. Mind controlling aliens. Fantastic. Didn’t have that on my bingo card for this year.”

“I understood your words, but they make no sense.”

Kendall chuckled. “It’s fine. Let’s get your armor and trident. When we get there, tell me where to stay. I promise, I’ll listen.”

I donned my armor in record speed, pausing to place my childhood chest piece over Kendall. She looked ridiculous in my armor, but it would protect her.

We took a transportation pod to the rim. While I knew my body could withstand the travel there, the potential for fighting and returning, Kendall was an unknown entity. She was too new to our world. If she tired and fell behind, she would be at the mercy of the creatures. And that was unacceptable.

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