Page 45 of The Alien Warrior's Heart

Zar turned to Si-Moon next. Despite the storm behind them, a small smile lifted her lips. He scowled back at her. Of course. She was happy with him now that she had gotten her own way.

Zar swung her aboard the zapten, placing her in front of the Heronas. He did not want that brood’s arms around him when they took off.

The Heronas travelled with them because of Si-Moon, but his life was not safe.

Not while Zar was still breathing.

The only thing separating Chozo from death was his female and his desperation to keep her safe from the storm.

Zar lifted off quickly. Si-Moon’s slender hands clamped around him, holding on tightly. He gritted his teeth, wishing he could have put her in front of him. That way, he could embrace her properly. This was not only for his pleasure, but for her safety. If she was encircled in his arms, Zar could protect her more thoroughly from the sleet. In the position she held behind him, he had less control. If the rain chomped down on their backs, Simone would feel the burn.

And if she ever let him go…

He glanced down, noting how far they were from the ground. She would not survive that fall.

Neh. He would not think about such dark things.

Si-Moon was smart and observant. Because of her, he had escaped the Heronas dungeons. She would not let him go. He had to believe that so he could focus on outrunning the storm.

Zar leaned the zapten sideways, trying his best to keep Si-Moon as far away from the rain as possible. Fortunately, the wind blew in the opposite direction and so they were mostly spared from the droplets that would reach farther and faster in the breeze.

The dark clouds made it hard to see and Zar had to ride for a long while before he spotted a small rock formation that would be suitable for them to hunker beneath. It rested against the base of a mountain and he immediately pointed his zapten in that direction.

By the time he landed, the acid rain was upon them. The rain slammed against his back with a vengeance as he ran beside Si-Moon and sheltered her. Tears stung Zar’s eyes, rising from the pain that shuddered through his entire body.

The rain had never been so hot and acidic before. He gritted his teeth to keep from bawling out. Focus. He must stay alert and keep Si-Moon safe. Then, when this was all over, the Healer would see to his injuries.

Grunting from the sharp sting of the drops, he hovered over Si-Moon who clutched Chozo to her chest. Moving briskly, he nudged her deeper beneath the rock slab roof, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw that the cavern was empty.

Once Si-Moon was safely wedged in, Zar returned outside for his zapten. He quickly tapped his interface, trigging the transformation feature and dragged a much smaller version of Garbas behind him.

“Are you alright?” Zar asked Si-Moon.

“Zar…” Her voice trembled and she brushed her fingers over his back. He winced. Even Si-Moon’s gentle touch seared his flesh and made him feel like he was being flogged with a hooked whip.

The world around him tilted and Zar stumbled to the side.

“Zar!” Si-Moon screamed.

He tried to hold his hand out to her, but there was suddenly two Si-Moons standing in front of him. Zar shook his head as his eyes slid to half-mast. Neh. Now there were four Si-Moons.

His body shuddered as it landed against the wall. Darkness crept into his vision and gravity pushed down on his shoulders, so he stumbled again.

Zar felt Si-Moon wrap her arms around him and the agony increased ten-fold. He struggled to stay awake. Leaving her alone with the Heronas brood was not an option. If he was knocked out, anything could happen to her. He would not be able to protect her.

“Neh…” He groaned as his vision came out of focus. “Si-Moon…”

“Zar!”

He snapped his fingers around hers, holding on as tightly as he could.

Thunder boomed once more.

Si-Moon shrieked in fright. It was the last thing Zar heard before his world flickered and turned completely black.

Seventeen

Simone

---