Page 18 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Sunlight blasted the treetops,fighting the thick foliage overhead to shine upon them. In his ear transmitter, he heard the steadiness of Eema’s breath as she clung to the shadows, taking up the rear behind her fellow comrades.

“Now,” Korben said.

Lans tapped his interface and pressed a button.

The rock of an explosion ripped the ground and sent the females skittering back.

Eema shrieked curses, all of which he could hear clearly. “Are they trying to kill us?”

If the circumstances were not so dire, he would have smiled.

Undeterred, the females regrouped. Fitted in the hulls of their exoskeletons, they looked more like machines than humans. Metallic hands pushed past the low-hanging vines as they sprinted on clawed feet.

He recognized Eema right away. The spikes on Helix stood out from the others, glimmering along her metallic armor like a pointed spear.

Korben clicked his timer. “That was not half bad.”

“Which means it wasn’t fully good,” Lans grumbled.

“You think they are not ready, Lans?” Zar asked, his dark eyes slamming into him.

“I worry we are putting a responsibility on their shoulders that does not belong to them.”

“Try telling Ki-ah that.” Pin shook his head and his long, plaited hair fell down his shoulders. “She insists that, as my mate, she should free the Healer.”

“Why?” Korben asked.

“Something about the Healer being our ‘medical insurance’.” Pin shrugged as if he had no clue what that was.

“Si-Moon shared a similar concern,” Zar grumbled, spitting to the side as if he wished he could change his mate’s mind.

Korben nodded. “The injuries on my back have not fully healed so Sah-ah is also concerned.”

“The females all seem to have a personal stake in this fight,” Tiegan said thoughtfully.

“Except Eema.” Clavas rubbed his chin. “Eema is no one’s mate and yet she seems very determined.”

Lans whirled around, surprised to hear Clavas speak of her. The fondness in his eyes unnerved him too. He had known Clavas for several sun cycles and he was always laser focused on missions. Known as the best strategist in their tribas, he very rarely got distracted.

Unease slithered through his venas. “Eema does not like to be left behind.”

“You speak as if you know her well,” Clavas said, his lips inching up.

“You speak as if you know her better.”

Clavas smiled fully.

Lans narrowed his eyes in response.

The clatter of the zapten’s feet thudded closer.

Lans looked away from Clavas to seek Eema out. She stood inside the zapten, breathing hard. Sweat dotted her pale skin—at least, what he could see of her skin through the armor.

Korben approached his mate. “My heras, you did well.”

“Of course.” Sah-ah stepped out of the exoskeleton. Gears whirred and creaked as it opened up like a flora in blossom. “We’re more than capable.”

Lans kept his eyes on Eema. “You were not watching your surroundings.”