Page 81 of Made For The Alien Warrior

“Well, keep him quiet until then. The Healer is trying to save Tiegan’s life.” She scowled at the prisoner. “And if one thing goes wrong with my mate, I’m going to hunt you down and finish what I started.”

He cowered.

She turned on her heels and marched away.

Thirty-One

Tiegan

“Take a breath,”the Healer said. “I am only extracting the energy from Daz’sshotaro. It will not hurt until it passes through his flesh into yours. I will warn you before that happens.”

Tiegan nodded, his face impenetrable and his eyes glued to the ceiling.

Sim-pony had already left, but he could feel her anger and disgust burning in his neural connector. He longed to be at full strength so he could ask her what caused such a feeling.

“Ah,” Daz hissed.

Tiegan turned his head, but he could only see the tip of Daz’s ears and his long, dark hair. The other warrior had broad shoulders and many brutal scars over his body. Tiegan wanted to get another glimpse of his chest to confirm if the patterns were, indeed, the same.

“Daz?” The Healer asked. “Hold still.”

“I will.”

Tiegan’s jaw clenched. Who was this warrior that would endure such pain for him? It could not be for mere goodwill.

He knew that each Plutonian life was precious. After the Red Death and all the females perished, any hopes of reproducing a new generation had been dashed. Plutonians spared each other’s lives because losing one life would cost them dearly.

But Daz’s sacrifice felt… personal.

Why did I not know I had a next of kin?

He wondered if it was a distant cousin. Perhaps an uncle?

“Hold steady,” the Healer murmured. “But let me know if the pain is unbearable.”

“Stop fussing,” Daz responded.

Tiegan blinked rapidly. No one had ever snapped at the Healer like that before. At least, not with so much ease.

The Healer laughed. “Stubborn as always.”

“I do not need your coddling.”

“I warned you that it would hurt.”

A moment of silence passed.

“Alright,” the Healer said with a hint of relief, “I will now place theshotaroinside you, Tiegan.”

He released a breath and watched the ceiling intently. He felt an intense warmth, almost as if he had been caught in an acid storm.

A flicker of pain started in his torso and expanded, growing until it encapsulated his hands and feet. Tiegan grimaced, his eyes falling shut. He tried to hide his discomfort, but it hurt too much.

“He is in agony.” There was worry in Daz’s tone.

Tiegan took note of it, doubly confused. “I can take it.”

“You sound more alike than ever,” the Healer mused.