Page 94 of The Alien Warrior's Vow

The warrior’s agreement did not necessarily fill him with peace. Zar was known for his temper and he held that fury close to the chest, always willing to fan the flames when it suited his purposes.

Lans had always prided himself on being more objective.

But it seemed he had changed.

The Healer walked in front of them. His eyes brimmed with displeasure when he saw the spine dagger in Lans’s hands.

He did not bother to hide it.

His intentions were clear.

If the greater tribas went after the females, he would stop them.

It was that simple.

“Let me speak,” the Healer said. His voice was strong, but it held the hint of a plea. “Lans, Zar, Pin, Korben. Let me speak to them first.”

Korben dipped his chin. “We owe our everything to the tribas, but you know with whom our loyalties lie.”

“And Clavas and I will stand beside our terros,” Tiegan said quietly but firmly.

The Healer turned fully to them. “You would kill your own brethren? Your own blood?”

Lans’s heras twinged.

He did not want to.

No one did.

“If it is possible to spare us bloodshed, we will take that chance,” Korben said. “We will give as many opportunities to preserve peace as possible.”

“But we will not allow harm to come to our females.” Zar nodded.

Pin’s eyes narrowed to slits. “We will do what we must.”

“You will kill?” The Healer pressed.

Lans growled. “We will protect.”

The Healer shook his head. “That is not the question I asked.”

Footsteps grew louder.

Voices rose in a throaty roar.

The angry shouts sounded like a chant.

Dispel the humans. Dispel the humans!

Lans’s body tightened.

Every muscle coiled in preparation.

The Healer stood with his palms open and his body relaxed. Perhapshewas confident in his ability to negotiate with an angry mob of warriors, but Lans was not. His fingers adjusted on the dagger, gripping it tightly even as he pointed it down.

The swell of furious Plutonians turned the bend. Lans was momentarily caught off guard by the magnitude of the crowd. This was not just a few comrades of the elders’ sons. This was the entire Plutonian faction.

His jaw slackened.