Page 72 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Lans lifted both shoulders. “The females will tell us in their own time. We have bigger matters to attend to.”

The room instantly sobered.

“We had a chat with Chozo over the comms,” Korben said softly, his hands clasped together.

“Chozo did not travel here?”

“We thought it safer to leave him with Rune,” Zar explained. “Since the brunt of the Ungazi seem to be focused on this side of the planet. Rune and Ga Eun will keep him and Leel safe until we can come back for them.”

Lans nodded. “What did he say about the Ungazi?”

“He confirms that the Ungazi ship is the ship that tried to kidnap him.”

Pin pushed off the wall. “They killed many Plutonians in the Heronas annihilations. Na’Vak and the other elders among them.”

Lans stared at his feet. Na’Vak had been around for countless sun rotations. Though he did not always agree with the elder’s philosophies, he had been from an era when his father was alive.

Now the elders were dead.

“Then who will lead?” Clavas asked.

“You,” the Healer croaked, striding into the room. He’d pulled his hair back into a braid and his shrewd purple eyes bore through each of them in turn.

Korben gawked. “Us?”

“Why not you?” Lans frowned. “Every warrior in every tribas respects you.”

“I am the Healer. That is my function. I have no time nor any desire to do anything else.”

Lans’s eyes followed him. “The others will fight.”

“Yes.” The Healer nodded easily.

Zar shook his head. “I have no desire to fight anyone over a position I did not ask for.”

“Neh. You didn’t ask for it, Zar.” The Healer fixed him with a pointed look. “And yet you have been chosen.”

Korben straightened and approached the Healer. “Should we be discussing leaders right now? The Ungaziwillfollow us here. If they throw those powerful explosives into the sacred lake, they will destroy what feeds your power.” Korben pointed at the Healer. “We need to summon everyone and fight them.”

“Neh.” The Healer shook his head.

“Neh?” Lans barked.

“It will be a fruitless battle. They are stronger than us.” His gaze landed on Lans. “We have many who are just healing.”

Lans lifted his chin. “I feel fine.”

“Feelings are not always an indicator of the truth. Your body is no longer sending pain signals, but if you push yourself too far too soon, you will face pain much worse than what you started with.”

“It is a sacrifice I will make for my tribas,” Lans said.

“And your mate?” The Healer arched an eyebrow.

Lans’s chin inched down.

“Mate?” Korben whispered.

Four pairs of violet eyes pinned him in place.