Page 105 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

She resisted him when he tried to push her behind their protective circle. To his surprise, Sah-ah also stepped forward. Ki-ah and Si-Moon followed suit.

His chest heaved.

They were not wearing their exoskeletons.

One rogue bullet and…

“What do you think the Ungazi will do with the humans?” The Healer spoke firmly. “Where do you think they will end up if they are turned over? If we deliver them to the Ungazi, we will be just like them.” He shook his head. “Is that the legacy you want to leave?”

Silence met his statement.

“Is it?” The Healer insisted.

Throaty bellows met his ears. “Neh!”

“We are one with the humans and we must fight together as one.”

Tanek hung his head.

The warriors training their guns on the females dropped them too.

“Tanek.”

“Yes, Healer!”

“When did the Ungazi expect the human delivery?”

“When the moon rises, Healer!” Tanek croaked.

The Healer nodded. “At that time, we will gather, but we are not going to give them what they want. Instead, we are going to deliver a crushing defeat.”

A roar erupted from the crowd.

“Go. Prepare yourselves. When night falls, we will be ready.”

Lans kept his guard up, but the room soon emptied as warriors filed out. Some slapped his shoulder in apology. Others did not look his way, guiltily avoiding his eyes.

Tanek’s lips were in a firm line, but he did not linger either.

He left with the others.

Soon, the cavern cleared out until it was only them, the humans and the Healer.

As soon as they were gone, Lans spun and wrapped his arms around Eema. She fell into him, accepting his embrace.

Lans rubbed her hair away from her face and soaked in her scent.

Eema.

His Eema.

Almost losing her had only reinforced how much she meant to him.

How much he would ache if he lost her.

How much he would sacrifice to protect her.

Shifting her back a little, Lans stared into her beguiling eyes and whispered, “We have something we need to discuss.”

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