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When Riv grunted to comfort her, she shook her head. ‘I made peace with that fact many years ago. Just promise me you’ll make sure yours is not as well.’

‘I’ll return to you.’ Killen turned to Riv. ‘If it is OK with you, Father, please take us to the surface.’

Riv held up his hands in surrender. ‘Son, I can only believe in yourfokkin’ balls of steel, and I offer to escort you to Devansi as your wing-man.’

Riv’s dry humor had the desired effect.

Killen’s mouth twitched as the atmosphere on the bridge relaxed.

With a small smile, the massive half-Katánian turned and strode to the command elevator. His looming, lean, and powerful form gave off a potency that drew all eyes to him.

However, he didn’t seem to revel in the attention. Instead, he bowed his head in humility until he disappeared.

‘Like I said last night,’ Zane said, joining Riv and Élisa, ‘that young man’s power is off the charts, and I believe we’re about to be treated to a skirmish that will blow our minds.’

23

A Winged Victory For The Hunted

RIV

Glimmer descended, rumbling onto the moon-like plane of the salt lake below.

Much higher still, Phantasm maintained orbit, its cams and guns aimed at the unfolding scene below where blinding light and heat beat down on the expansive crystalline flats.

A fast-moving Hawk Raptor gunship ratcheted from the bay of the much larger Katánian capital ship at high speed, heading towards land.

It thundered past Glimmer at supersonic momentum.

‘He’s trying to rattle us,’ Riv murmured from his captain’s chair. ‘Killen, do what you need to.’

Looking away from the sight of Devansi growing more prominent in the viewport, his son nodded to his father and strode down to the hold.

Riv maneuvered his craft to hover a few hundred feet over the planet, touching a button to slide open the hold’s large doors.

Élisa took the stairs, following her son, grimacing as the hull slid shut, separating them.

‘Stay behind the inner door, my love,’ Riv cautioned from behind her as he tracked towards her.

His arms went around her, holding her close as they looked through the clear window as the outer doors parted, and Killen strode to the boundary of the rear airlock.

The young man turned with a small smile and dove into the air.

He twisted midair as his silver hair flared in a cloud above his head.

Chrome wings sprouted from his back and arms, unfurling and fanning out wide. His eyes blazed with silver flames, and his hands and feet transformed into burnished bronze.

His face was like the sun shining in full strength.

‘Go well, baby,’ Élisa whispered.

Riv rumbled in her hair. ‘Not a baby, love, but a grown, strong K?str?l warrior at his most magnificent.’

Élisa shook her head with vehemence. ‘He’ll always be my babe. You can’t take that away from me.’

‘I wouldn’t dare,’ Riv answered, giving her a sweet and lingering kiss as she trembled in his arms.

‘You want to witness what happens?’ he asked.