Page 38 of Alien Warlord's Fury

I nodded, wincing as another throb of pain pulsed behind my eyes. "We have to go. Now. Tonight."

"He's accelerating whatever he's planning."

Nirako didn't argue this time. He reached for his pack, pulling out a water skin. "Drink. Then we plan our approach."

I took a long swallow, the cool water soothing my raw throat but doing little to quell the frantic urgency pounding in my veins. "I know where they are now. I can feel them through the Nexus."

"Can you pinpoint the location?"

"Yes. East side, underground lab." I closed my eyes, focusing past the pain. "But security is heavy."

Nirako nodded, already processing. "We'll need a diversion. Something to draw guards away from that section."

"The power generators," I suggested immediately. "Disable them, disrupt security long enough for us to get in."

"And getting the children out?"

"One problem at a time." The memory of the vision spurred me. "First, we gettothem."

Nirako's expression was firm. "We need a viable extraction plan, Claire. Rushing in is how we fail."

"We don't have time!" I snapped, then took a deep breath, forcing the grounding techniques he'd taught me. He was right. Panic wouldn't help.

"Okay. You're right. I'm sorry."

His features softened slightly. "Don't apologize for caring. Channel it."

Our eyes met, the memory of our interrupted passion hanging between us. I looked away first, repacking my gear with shaking hands. "So, the plan?"

"Diversion at the power station," he confirmed. "While security responds, we enter through the east service tunnel I spotted during reconnaissance."

"And inside?"

"You guide us to the children. I handle resistance."

"Extraction?"

He hesitated. "Same way, if possible. If not..." He met my gaze. "We adapt."

I raised an eyebrow. "Adapt? Doesn't sound like your usual careful planning."

"Sometimes adaptation is necessary." His expression didn't change, but amusement flickered in his eyes. "Someone recently accused me of being too rigid."

Despite everything, I smiled back. "Let's hope she was wrong."

We finished gathering our supplies in silence. The tension remained, transformed but not diminished. Every accidental touch sent sparks through my markings, a reminder of what had almost happened—what might still happen if we survived.

As Nirako checked his weapons, I watched him. The golden light of his lifelines had dimmed to a steady glow, pulsing inrhythm with my own markings. The bond was stronger now, more defined.

I sensed his determination, his concern, and beneath it, a possessive protectiveness that should have annoyed me but didn't.

"Stop staring," he said without looking up.

"Wasn't staring."

"I feel your attention through the bond." He finally met my eyes. "We should discuss what happened."

"Nothing happened." I busied myself checking my knife. "Heat of the moment."

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