Page 86

“I’m rather surprised Payim didn’t balk about you going into the tunnel. Cadi Warriors can be overprotective of their mates,” Thorac chuckled.

“I can answer that,” Faktil chimed in. “It’s because she’s shrouded in armor.”

“Probably true,” she laughed at his response. If left up to Payim he’d have her wear the shell all the time.

Her gaze drifted to Payim, still talking with Scala. She smiled as she wandered closer to the pair, glad he’d been reunited with his friend.

“If we do this, we need to do it soon. The reptile cruiser has already been gone for over a day,” Payim commented to Scala.

“True.” Scala nodded.

“What are you two up to?” Her head tipped to one side as she studied the serious pair.

“You’re making plans to go retrieve the humans,” Faktil declared, sounding eager.

“Seriously?” She looked to Payim, excitement and fear making her stomach jump.

The thought of leaving the others at the mercy of the reptiles made her sick. If there was anything they could do, she welcomed it, and yet she wasn’t a fool. This could be very dangerous.

“That’s quite a risk.” Thorac joined them, voicing similar concerns.

“It serves two purposes: intel and rescue,” Scala reasoned and Thorac nodded.

“I want to go,” she declared.

“No.” Payim adamantly shook his head.

“If you are going, I am, too,” she insisted. “My people will be scared. Having a human face there will help.”

“Elena,” Payim growled in frustration.

“That is valid. She could stay in the combat shell,” Scala offered.

“You could all stay in the combat shells.” She looked at them incredulously. It seemed only logical.

Payim made frustrated grumbling noises as she stood in front of him, staring up at him. The shell molded so perfectly to his face that she could see his terse expression as he clenched his jaw.

“I think we should discuss this over mid-meal.” Faktil goaded everyone out of the storage bay.

“You could be seriously hurt,” Payim said to her as they headed into the corridor.

“You could be seriously hurt,” she parroted. “Either we both stay behind or we both go.” She stared him down, daring him to say otherwise.

“Female! This is why the mated males I know are crazy,” he grumbled.

“Yep. Besides, I don't know why you’re worried aboutme. I tookyourbutt on a merry chase the same way I did the reptiles,” she teased him.

“What was that?” Faktil interjected. “Did I hear that right?”

“You did. When we first met, Payim had to chase me all the way to my cave.” She grinned and nodded.

“I reached her cave without dying.” Payim haughtily lifted his chin, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“And then I knocked him out with a big rock,” she added with a sheepish grin. On one hand she was proud of herself, on the other she felt bad since Payim turned out to be a good guy.

“Youknockedhimout,” Faktil snorted.

“No offense but you guys look like mythical demons, and I thought he might be working with the reptiles.”