Page 54 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

When she blinked, she was no longer inside the Healer’s secret cave.

She was standing in a cozy alien dwelling.

And, standing across from her, was Lans.

Seventeen

Lans

The door openedand Eema stormed toward him. Strangely, she was no longer wearing the beautiful blue tunic. Instead, she wore a shiny black suit that clung to her body. But more than her shift in outerwear, he saw confusion in her eyes. Had something happened?

Lans flew toward her. “Eema, where are the broods? Are you alright?”

“The what?” She gave him a strange look as if he spoke another language.

Unease pooled in his chest. “Our broods.”

“We don’t have any broods.” She scrunched her nose. Shook her head. Raised a slender hand and pressed it against her temple. “Wow. This is a trip.”

His father gave him a puzzled look.

Lans rounded the table and slowly approached Eema. “What is the matter?”

“What is all this?” Her eyes slid around the room. “Where are we?”

“Home,” Lans said, warmth wrapping around the word like a thick cloak.

Eema did not smile as he had expected her to. Instead, she frowned. “No, Lans. You aren’t home. You’re dying.”

“Dying?” His mind whirred.

Neh. That could not be.

He was alive.

He had woken up from a terrible dream and now he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

“Lans,” his mother’s tone was cautious, “of what does she speak?”

Eema approached him slowly. “You have to listen to me. You were hurt in the raid against the Heronas. The Healer was rescued and taken back to his sacred lakes where he started healing everyone that got injured.”

“Neh.” Lans held his head as a keening wail erupted inside him.

“You were taken to the lake and the Healer tried to help you, but he couldn’t wake you up.” She glanced at his mother and father. “You refused to wake up and I see why.” She licked her lips. “Lans, I get it. If I had an opportunity to change my circumstances and live in a dream world where everything I wanted was in front of me, I would be tempted too.”

“Stop it.”

“You can’t be fooled by this. Your home is out there.” Her voice cracked. “I’mout there.”

He stumbled back.

The table rumbled as his mass knocked into it.

Lans blindly reached out for something to hold on to.

His palm flattened on the table.

His fingers dug into the grooves.

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