Page 42 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"We did it," she corrected, her hand finding mine.

I helped her to her feet, supporting her weight against my side. "We need to move. That explosion will bring patrols."

Claire nodded, taking a shaky step. "I'm okay. Just... drained."

"I know." I could feel her exhaustion through our bond, mirroring my own. Channeling that much energy had left us both deeply depleted.

We retreated into the ruins, finding shelter in a small chamber partially protected from the elements. Claire sank down against a wall, her breathing still labored. I checked the perimeter, ensuring we weren't followed, before joining her.

"That was reckless," I said, but there was no heat in my words.

"It worked, didn't it?" A small smile crossed her face.

"This time." I examined her arms, where her markings had receded to their normal patterns but looked raw, inflamed. "Your markings are stressed."

"So are your lifelines." She reached out, tracing a finger along one of the golden lines on my forearm. The touch sent a shiver through my body.

"They'll recover." I caught her hand, holding it gently. "What you did with the conduit—creating that feedback loop—that was impressive."

"I didn't know if it would work." Claire leaned her head back against the wall. "I just... followed what the energy was telling me."

"Your connection to the Nexus is stronger than you realize." I released her hand reluctantly. "But also more dangerous. You pushed yourself too far."

"I had to." Her eyes met mine, fierce despite her exhaustion. "Those younglings don't have time for half measures."

I couldn't argue with that. The vision she'd shared of Hammond's experiments had haunted me as well—younglings connected to machines, their pain feeding the energy disruptions spreading across the land.

"We've bought them time," I said. "Hammond will need to repair that conduit before he can continue at full capacity."

"How much time?"

"A day. Maybe two." I gazed out at the darkening landscape. "Enough for us to reach the compound and find a way in."

Claire nodded, determination replacing the fatigue in her expression. "Then we should rest while we can."

"I'll take first watch." I moved to the entrance of our shelter, positioning myself where I could observe the approach while remaining hidden. My tail rested in a relaxed curve behind me, though my senses remained sharp.

Claire settled against the wall, her eyes already closing. I felt her consciousness fading as exhaustion claimed her through our bond.

I studied her in the dim light—the human woman who had stormed into my life with her reckless courage and unshakable determination. The woman who, against all odds and my better judgment, had become essential to me.

CLAIRE

The sabotage worked. I felt it—a sudden shift in the energy flow, like a river changing course. The corrupted power streaming toward Hammond's facility faltered, stuttered, then diminished. Through my connection to the Nexus, I sensed the children's psychic distress ease, their silent screams quieting.

Victory tasted sweet for exactly three seconds.

Then the backlash hit.

My body convulsed as the corrupted energy I'd channeled rebounded through my system. My markings flared white-hot, then ice-cold, pulsing in chaotic, painful patterns across my skin. The world tilted sideways.

"Claire!" Nirako's voice sounded distant, underwater.

I tried to focus on him, but my vision fractured. My legs gave out.

"I'm okay," I lied, even as darkness crept in. My stomach heaved. "Just... need a minute."

The ground rushed up, but strong arms caught me before impact. Nirako's face swam into view, eyes intense with concern. A thin cut slashed across his cheekbone, silver blood beading along it.

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