Page 14 of Alien Warrior’s Claim (Nyxari Bondmates #1)

LAZRIN

I moved through dawn exercises—blade cutting air with practiced precision, body following ancient combat forms. Yet my mind tracked Mirelle's location within our settlement, the bond between us a constant presence.

"Your form is imperfect," Varek observed, approaching as I completed the final sequence. "Your focus wanders."

"My focus is where it needs to be," I replied, sheathing my blade with more force than necessary.

Varek tilted his head. "The bond troubles you still."

It wasn't a question. My body betrayed the truth—faded lifelines, subtle rigidity in motions that should flow like water over stone.

"She avoids me," I admitted. "Yet she plans to enter Hammond's territory today, where her life may be endangered."

"And you will allow this?" Varek asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

"It is not a matter of allowing," I corrected him. "Her choices are her own. Always."

"Even when they cause you pain?"

"Especially then."

Other warriors gathered nearby for morning training, maintaining a respectful distance. Through our shared bond, I felt Mirelle awakening, her consciousness focusing on the day ahead.

"The border patrols returned before dawn," Varek said. "Hammond's forces have expanded their territory markers another half-league westward. They are establishing a perimeter of armed sentries."

"And the missing medical supplies?"

"Still unaccounted for. Rivera believes they are stockpiling for conflict."

Hammond's actions followed a clear pattern—isolation, fortification, preparation. "Double the scouts along the western boundaries," I instructed. "Observe only. No engagement."

"And the translation stones Mirelle discovered?"

"They offer understanding where weapons bring only more division," I replied. "When Hammond's people hear our words directly, some may question what he tells them about us."

Elder Rylis approached, his lifelines glowing with a calm amber hue. "Hunt Leader," he greeted me formally. "The human female prepares for her journey."

"I am aware," I replied.

"You will accompany her?"

"To the edge of Hammond's territory, yes. She has not requested my presence, but I would not have her face potential danger alone."

A knowing smile touched the Elder's face. "She may not have spoken the request, but she expects your protection nonetheless."

I raised an eyebrow. "You claim to know her mind, Elder?"

"I claim to understand the nature of bonds, even those still forming," he replied. "She maintains distance from you, yet plans her journey for when you typically train the young warriors—ensuring you will be available to accompany her without asking directly."

Rylis's words gave me pause. Had Mirelle chosen this time deliberately? I pushed the thought aside, unwilling to see patterns that weren't there.

I found her sitting with Rivera and Jen, examining the translation stones. A worn leather pack at her feet held what might change relations between our peoples. As I neared, her shoulders tensed—she had felt my approach before seeing me.

"I see you've packed the translation stones," I observed. "You intend to distribute them today?"

Mirelle nodded, her face revealing neither warmth nor rejection. "The humans need to hear your words directly. Using marked women to translate slows understanding and gives Hammond too much control."

"And increases their value to Hammond as resources," Rivera added.

"Hammond will see these stones as a direct challenge to his authority," I cautioned. "His scouts have been more aggressive recently."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take," Mirelle replied, eyes meeting mine directly for the first time in days. "These stones could change everything."

"I'll accompany you to the border," I said. "The western routes have become particularly hazardous."

For a moment, I expected resistance, but she simply nodded. "That would be prudent. I'll be ready to leave within the hour."

"The most direct route passes through the western vale," I told her as we set out. "But Hammond's patrols have been sighted there. The northern path takes longer but offers better cover."

"Northern path, then," she decided. "I'd rather avoid unnecessary confrontation."

We traveled without speaking. Around us, Arenix spoke in its own language—tree-dwellers calling to mates, leaves shifting in wind currents. Despite the forest's voice, my senses fixated on Mirelle—her measured breaths, the cadence of her steps, the faint silver light of her markings.

"The others are developing abilities," she said suddenly. "Rivera, Jen, Talia—they're all experiencing changes."

"Yes. The markings enhance natural tendencies and abilities unique to each individual."

"And me?" She didn't look at me. "Why are mine spreading faster? Changing more?"

Behind her question lay deeper fears I could sense—was her human self fading faster than the others? I weighed my response carefully.

"Your connection is stronger," I replied simply. "Through our bond, the development accelerates."

"And if I had refused the bond completely? Never accepted the Honor Pact?"

"The markings would likely have remained dormant, or developed more slowly." I hesitated. "You would have remained more fully human, with fewer changes."

Her step faltered briefly. "At least you're honest about it."

"I have never been anything else with you, Mirelle."

She turned to me then, meeting my eyes directly. "No, you haven't. Even when the truth might have driven me away."

Her acknowledgment eased something tight within my chest.

As we neared a clearing, I noticed a subtle vibration through the soil, a disruption in the forest's natural rhythm. "Stop," I said. "Something's coming."

Mirelle froze, her markings flaring beneath her skin. "Not ahead," she clarified. "Behind us. To the east. Something's... moving."

I extended my senses. A deep, rhythmic tremor through the ground, more deliberate than random.

"Skelnar," I breathed. "Moving just beneath the surface."

"What's a skelnar?"

"An earth-devourer. A massive burrowing predator with armored segments." I studied the pattern of disturbance. "It moves toward the human settlement."

Alarm flashed across her face. "We need to warn them."

"It may not surface," I cautioned. "Many travel beneath the ground for days before emerging."

"And if it does?" she challenged. "Hammond's camp would be unprepared."

Mirelle considered only briefly. "The stones must wait. We need to follow this creature."

We tracked the skelnar through the forest, watching for disturbed earth and sensing its vibrations. Mirelle's danger sense proved invaluable, helping us predict the creature's path before visible evidence appeared.

After nearly an hour, its path became clear—it was heading directly toward the human settlement, its movement pattern growing erratic, vibrations intensifying.

"It's going to surface soon," I warned.

"We need to get ahead of it," Mirelle decided. "Warn Hammond's camp."

We quickened our pace. As we scrambled up a rocky outcropping, a jagged edge caught Mirelle's sleeve, tearing the fabric and slicing into her arm.

"You're hurt," I said.

"It's nothing," she replied, pulling away. "We don't have time."

From the outcropping, we could see Hammond's settlement below—structures assembled from salvaged wreckage and local materials. People moved about, unaware of the approaching danger.

"There," Mirelle pointed to trembling vegetation at the forest's edge. "It's nearly there."

We descended toward the settlement at a run. The guard raised his weapon as we approached.

"Duvane? Hammond said you weren't welcome?—"

"Evacuate the northern quadrant," she interrupted. "There's a skelnar approaching underground. It will surface within minutes."

The guard hesitated. "Hammond doesn't take orders from?—"

"This isn't about Hammond," I interjected. "Your people face imminent danger. The creature will emerge near your water storage area."

The guard shouted a warning. His alert created immediate action—humans grabbing weapons, children being ushered to safety.

Hammond emerged from the central structure, his expression darkening when he spotted us. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"Sir, they're warning about some kind of serpent?—"

"And you believed them? This is obviously a diversion tactic to?—"

His accusation was cut short by a violent tremor. A fissure opened near the water storage containers, soil erupting upward.

The skelnar burst from beneath the soil—its enormous body rising segment by segment, dark plates gleaming wetly in the sunlight. Its circular mouth opened to reveal rings of transparent, blade-like teeth.

"Aim for the segments between plates," I called out, drawing my blade. "Its armor is weakest there."

Mirelle was already moving. "Get the non-combatants to the southern perimeter!" she shouted. "It senses vibration—the more you move, the easier target you make!"

Hammond recovered quickly. "Security team, flanking positions! Everyone else, fall back!"

The skelnar struck with blinding speed, its massive head plunging toward the water containers. Metal crumpled beneath its attack, precious water spilling across the ground.

"It's hunting by vibration," I confirmed, positioning myself between the creature and the evacuating civilians.

Danger stripped away the barriers between us, our connection sharpening. Without words, we divided responsibilities—I would confront the skelnar while Mirelle directed the humans, her ability to sense threats allowing her to anticipate where the creature would strike next.

I struck at the creature's nearest segment, my blade finding the gap between armored plates. Black ichor spurted from the wound, but the skelnar seemed more enraged than injured. It whipped around with shocking agility, its maw opening wide to strike.

I leapt sideways, avoiding the attack by mere inches. Before it could recover, I struck again, this time targeting a segment closer to its head.

"Circle formation!" Mirelle called to the human defenders. "Conserve ammunition—wait for clear shots at the spaces between segments!"

"Wait for it to rear up," she directed them. "The underside is more vulnerable."

As if responding to her strategy, the skelnar rose higher. Hammond's team fired in unison, their energy weapons hitting the creature's exposed underbelly. It writhed in pain.

I took advantage of its distraction, driving my blade deep into a gap near its head segment. I felt Mirelle's warning spike through our bond—danger approaching from an unexpected direction.

I spun just as the skelnar's tail whipped toward me, its barbed tip aimed for my chest. There was no time to dodge completely—the impact caught my side, sending me flying backward.

"!" Mirelle's alarm pulsed through our bond.

Before the skelnar could capitalize on my vulnerability, energy blasts hit it from multiple directions. I regained my footing despite the pain, grabbing my fallen blade.

Mirelle appeared at my side. "It's going to dive," she said with certainty. "Try to escape underground."

"We need to finish it here."

No words needed, we acted in concert. I moved to flank the creature's left while Mirelle positioned Hammond's fighters. As the skelnar's head dipped toward the earth to escape, we attacked as though guided by one mind—my blade finding the vulnerable joint near its head segment while the humans fired at the same weakness.

The skelnar convulsed violently, its massive body thrashing in its death throes before finally collapsing. Silence fell across the settlement.

Hammond approached, conflict evident in his stance—gratitude for the warning battling with resentment at needing help.

"You saved lives today," he acknowledged grudgingly. "But don't mistake this for an invitation. The terms of your banishment remain."

As we walked away from the settlement, Mirelle turned to examine my injury. "You should have said something," she chided, noting the dark blue blood seeping through my torn garment.

"It is minor," I assured her.

Her eyes narrowed with doubt. "Let me see."

I nodded and held still while her fingers gently pulled aside the torn cloth. At her touch, my lifelines brightened, gold light intensifying beneath my skin. Her own markings answered, silver patterns flaring in matching cadence.

"The bleeding has mostly stopped," she observed. "But you'll need proper cleaning when we return."

"As will you," I replied, nodding toward her arm that had continued to seep blood during the battle.

Her hand lingered against my side, each heartbeat of contact both relief and yearning. Through our bond came the echo of her struggle—the instinctive draw toward me fighting against her fear of losing herself. When she finally removed her hand, she did so slowly, without the sharp withdrawal I had grown accustomed to.

"Thank you for coming with me today," she said quietly. "I'd planned to distribute the stones, not face down a skelnar."

"You would have managed regardless," I told her. "Your abilities grow stronger each day."

"Because of the bond?" she asked.

"Because of who you are," I corrected gently. "The markings enhance what already exists within you—courage, adaptability, leadership. They do not create what was not there."

She walked in thoughtful silence as we made our way back. The gap between us persisted, yet the battle had changed something—reminded us both of the strength we found in each other's presence.

"Hammond loses influence daily," I noted after we had traveled some distance.

"Those still loyal become more extreme," she countered. "As his circle shrinks, their convictions harden."

"A worrying development," I agreed. "Particularly as he gathers more weapons."

The settlement appeared through the trees, simple dwellings of stone and wood nestled among the forest. Our connection hummed with renewed strength, like a river finding its path after a rockslide. Today had solved nothing between us, yet it had stirred memories of what we could achieve together.

I would give her the time she needed. Not from obligation to the lifebond, but from recognition of who she was—fierce, determined, and unwilling to surrender her identity, even as it transformed.