Page 29 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Korben stood beside his mate. A hand to her back, he spoke gravely. “Today, we rescue the Healer from the Heronas. We do this for our species.” His eyes lifted to the ceiling. “And for our planet.”

The silence deepened until it echoed.

Lans recalled the footage Chozo had shown of the Heronas camp where every being had been disintegrated by a more powerful source. An enemy with untold power had set their eyes on this planet. To evenbeginto stop it, they needed the Healer.

And they would get him back.

Korben lifted a hand. “Females, suit up.”

Lans watched restlessly as Eema set her meal on the table and marched behind the rest of the females. She wore a determined expression, her shoulders leaning back and her eyes staring straight ahead.

Unlike the couples, Lans could not sense Eema’s emotions through his neural transmitter. They were not mated and such a privilege was only afforded to those who had or were close to a coupling. But he could read her expression almost as well as he could read his holos.

This female was confident.

Cautious.

Prepared.

He had done his best to push her as hard as he could so she could face what was to come.

Flat fingers wrapped around Lans hand. Glancing down, he saw Chozo staring up at him through his mask.

“Lans.”

“What?”

“Here.” Chozo slipped a thin piece of string over his wrist.

Lans scrunched his nose. “It is…”

“I know. It is not that pretty.” Chozo’s lips tilted upward. “Ki-ah taught me, but I am afraid I am not very good at weaving strings as yet.” He blinked rapidly. “Si-Moon is my best friend, but… you are my friend too.”

He patted the brood’s head. “We will return, Chozo.”

“Please keep Eema and the others safe.”

“I will.” The promise hung heavy on his shoulders. “You keep Leel safe. Do not let her talk you to death.”

Chozo laughed softly. “I will.”

Giving the brood’s shoulder another squeeze, Lans turned away from him and strode out the door.

Ten

Emma

“This is where we leave you,”Korben said, gesturing to the Heronas city that loomed ahead. “We cannot walk any further.”

Lans held up a large hand, his eyes dark. “I can feel the dangerous energy from here.”

“Can you?” Emma asked.

He nodded. “It is like… flames.”

She glanced at the city. The force field was completely invisible to her eyes. It just looked like a normal alien city with spiraling towers and hovercrafts zipping in the air.

Look at how comfortable I’ve become with all this. Since when has an alien city been ‘normal’.Emma brushed away the thought. She needed to focus.

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