Page 93 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

Helix’s metal gears whirred as she moved away from Emma after seeing that she would not receive any more attention. The machine returned to her friends who were resting near the other end of the room.

“You’re not happy about him being chosen as an elder?” Emma asked. Focusing on someone else’s misery would help her ignore her own. It wasn’t as good as Lans’s mouth sucking the life out of hers, but it would do for now.

Simone frowned. “I’m happy for him, but not if it means that he has to lie to the very people he’s trying to lead. How do you gain someone’s trust with a huge secret like that? You heard the Healer. These evil aliens are only killing out the Plutonians because of us. You’d think that information is worth sharing.”

“They’re only trying to protect us.” Sara came to Korben’s defense. “They don’t want us to get hurt.”

“So why don’t we show them that we’re not afraid?” Emma blurted.

Everyone turned and stared at her again.

She lifted her chin, latching onto a bit of courage that was starting to rise inside her. Nodding to the zaptens, she spoke firmly. “Why don’t we show everyone?”

Sara’s lips inched up.

Simone nodded.

Kia threw her hand forward. “I’m in.”

“So am I.” Simone joined the huddle.

“Sara?” Emma asked.

Sara threw her hand on top of the pile. “What the heck?”

Emma turned to stare at Helix. “Let’s do this.”

Twenty-Seven

Lans

As Clavas hurried awaywith Eema and the other females, Lans let his spine dagger sharpen until it shot through his skin. Turning, he caught Eema’s eyes for a moment before she was whisked away.

Guilt.

It pressed upon him.

Tainted his mind.

Thickened every shadow.

What was his mate hiding from him?

Footsteps grew louder.

The thump of boots.

The clank of zaptens.

There was no time to linger on the mystery of his mate.

Lans broke off his spine dagger with a snap and got into position.

Pin frowned at him. “Do you really think it will come to that?”

“I hope it doesn’t.” Lans gave his comrade a dark look. “But I will protect what I must.”

“As will I,” Zar scowled.