Page 85 of The Alien Warrior's Mate

“You are my fonden,”he’d said.“My back up plan.”

That scared the crap out of her.

If something went wrong, Korben would be depending onherto come and save him. Like freakingSuperwoman.Suddenly, all her bravado about wanting to fight by his side was called into question, and Sara realized she was more terrified of that responsibility than ever.

Metal groaned as Enthara twisted her head back around to survey the area. Korben had switched Enthara to ‘defense mode’ before he left. The zapten stood like a soldier in front of the house, her large, metal bulk blocking the door as she waited for her master to come home.

Korben had to come home. He would rescue Clavas and bring back the Healer. There was no other option.

Lilliana stared nervously at the mechanical beast. “How exactly do you plan to ride him if things go south with Korben? There are literally no controls on that thing.”

“I can control him with my mind.”

Lilliana went pale. “You’re kidding.”

“No.”

“Is that why they drilled our heads and put that…” Lilliana grappled the air with her tan hands.

“Neural connector?”

“Right. Is that why they hooked us up to that? So they could control us like they control their flying metal dinosaurs?”

“No. The neural connectors can only translate the Plutonian language.” She hesitated and then admitted, “It also strengthens the mate connection.”

“So what?” Emma asked, leaning forward.

“So… I can feel what Korben’s feeling.”

Emma shuddered. “If that’s not some messed up—”

“I think it’s kind of romantic,” Lilliana sighed. “Messed up, but romantic.”

“I have a question.” Emma nodded to Enthara. “Does she bark?”

Both girls turned and watched her.

Emma tucked a long lock of her brown hair behind her ear. “Because Lans’s didn’t. It was just… always staring at me like it couldn’t figure me out.”

“The zapten and its master are connected. So that probably means Lans can’t figure you out.”

“Hm.”

“Forget the hulk of steel.” Lilliana massaged the bridge of her nose. Her thick brows arched in agitation. “I’m just trying to make sense of all this. I had so many questions to ask those guys, but as soon as we could understand them, they flew away on their din—zaptens.”

“They’re on mission,” Sara said, continuing to pace.

“I have questions about that too.”

Sara flicked her hands in ago-aheadgesture.

“Korben’s brother got kidnapped by evil aliens. I can understand that since we all have experience being abducted.”

Emma snorted.

“But the whole Healer thing? I mean, are you kidding? Is there really one alien guy who can heal a bunch of aliens just by touch? How does that even work?”

“His powers aren’t innately inside him. They’re from the sacred lake,” Sara said. “He’s the oldest Plutonian and the purest vessel so he can channel the energy from the lake into healing powers. But since he’s in the Heronas hands, he doesn’t have access to the lake and without it, he could die. If he dies, the entire Plutonian species could die.”

---