Page 36 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Zar stepped forward, rage building in his voice. “You called us here to interrogate us?”

“Zar,” Korben hissed.

The furious warrior stepped back, but his gaze was sharp.

Lans understood Zar’s frustration. What were these elders yammering on about? They had bigger challenges to overcome.

From the corner of his eye, Lans saw Pin checking his interface. They had set a timer that began the moment the females left. Tension coiled around Lans’s neck when he saw the frightened look on Pin’s face.

The females should be out by now.

He could feel it.

“Tell us why we are here, Na’vak. Maybe we could put your mind at ease.” Korben nodded at the council of elders. “What exactly would you like to know?”

Na’vak strutted in front of them, hands clasped behind his back. “The Heronas requested a female in exchange for Clavas’s life.”

“Yes,” Pin said.

“Did you search for them?”

Lans nodded.

Na’vak’s eyes shot to him and stayed there. “And did you find them?”

Lans pinned his lips shut. It was not yet time for the rest of the tribas to learn of the females.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Na’vak swooped in. “Did you?”

Lans hardened his eyes and stared straight ahead.

Twelve

Emma

“Sara!”Emma screamed, her metal hands clawing at the collar. “Sara, there’s something…” She grunted, straining to pluck it off with the exoskeleton’s fingers. The material was fused on and refused to budge.

Sara rushed to her side. “What is that?”

“It looks like that thing the Heronas used on Zar when they held him captive.” Simone gasped. “It’s a shock collar.”

“Awhat?” Emma panicked.

“It’s beeping.” Kia pointed to the red light. “Do you think it’s a locator?”

Sara glanced around nervously. “It’s a trap. They probably put preventative measures in place after I rescued the guys last time.”

“So this collar…” Kia winced.

Sara nodded gravely. “The Heronas probably know we’re here.”

“We need to get it off!” Emma shrieked. Panic crowded her mind, cutting off her breath. She clawed desperately at her throat. If the Heronas got their hands on them…

It would be her fault.

“You can’t do anything right, Emma.”She heard her mother’s voice in her ear. “You’re a complete waste of space.”