Page 104 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Blood drippedfrom a tiny cut in the Healer’s neck.

It slid against the edge of his spine dagger.

Dripped down his wrist.

Plopped to the dark rock at his feet.

No one moved.

Or breathed.

“If they die, I die,” the Healer said.

His voice was quiet, but the air was so deathly still that it carried to the ends of the cavern.

Tanek’s eyes widened. “Healer.”

Warriors rushed to the base of the rock.

The Healer pressed deeper.

They froze as the blood dripped.

“Do not test me,” he growled.

“Put the knife away,” Tanek shouted. “Put it down!”

“Listen to me. These humans are not curses. They are not harbingers of destruction.” The Healer glanced at the girls. “They are the descendants of humans and Plutonians from many, many sun cycles past.”

Shocked gasps rippled through the army. As the warriors who restrained him let go, Lans burst to his feet and headed straight for the females. He grabbed Eema and Sah-ah. Korben and the rest pulled Si-Moon and Ki-ah, forming a protective circle around them.

Relief spilled through his chest, mirrored by Eema’s own joy that snapped through his neural connector. But Lans did not look at her. Despite the fact that no one was stopping them yet, he had no intentions of letting down his guard.

“Can you prove it?” Tanek yelled.

The Healer scowled. “These humans are showing enhanced capabilities. They have paired with the zaptens.”

“They what?”

“The zaptens?”

“It is true.” Adere spoke up. “We saw them wearing the exoskeletons.”

The army mumbled amongst themselves.

“Beyond that,” the Healer shouted, “I have reason to believe that the offspring of these females and these Plutonians,” he nodded at their tiny tribas, “may have new DNA.” He paused. “And the ability of self-healing.”

Tanek’s eyes widened.

“Don’t you see?” The Healer finally dropped his knife. “They are the future of our species. We secure our future if we protect these humans.” He nodded to them. “And we must protect each other.” His eyes sharpened on Lans. “The Ungazi are coming. We cannot fight them without each other. We cannot make it if not together.”

“They tried to murder our mates,” Lans growled, glaring at Tanek. “We will never forget this.”

Tanek’s eyes shifted to the ground.

Eema slipped her hand into his. “The Healer’s right. The only way we’re all going to survive is if we unite.”

His brow furrowed. “Eema.”