Page 26 of Charmed by the Alien Warrior (Spirit Mates of the Laediriian Exiles #2)
Mara
Leah and Cassandra were eager to reunite with their friends, so we departed the village just before dawn. With only four eponirs among us, the women ride while the warriors walk alongside, guiding the mounts with practiced ease.
It’s not ideal, but it lets us cover ground faster than going on foot. The Sister Moons had long since disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving our path illuminated by nothing but the faint glow of the bioluminescent plants on Laedirissae.
Hours pass in tense silence, the rhythm of the journey broken only by the occasional snort of an eponir or the rustle of foliage in the distance. Just as the sun reaches its peak, we finally reach our destination.
A towering cliff of black rock dominates the landscape ahead, its jagged face broken by a slender stream that cascades over its edge into a crystal-clear pool below, sending up a fine mist that almost seems to dance in the sunlight.
“There.” Leah points to the waterfall.
Her voice is steady despite the tense set of her shoulders. My gaze follows her finger, and I spot it—a wide, dark depression behind the waterfall. It’s almost hidden, but unmistakable once you know it’s there.
“That’s where the others are?” I ask.
She nods. “Yeah, there’s a cave behind the waterfall.”
For a brief moment, a sense of hope fills me. Maybe they’ve managed to hold out and the anurois haven’t found them. But then the loud screech that I remember so well from those days spent in the crashed ship echoes around us and any hope I felt is dashed to the ground in pieces.
I freeze as a massive shadow sweeps across the ground, nearly blotting out the sunlight. Slowly, I tilt my head back and look up, my eyes widening at what I see.
It’s three anurois. Shit.
We’ve been lucky so far not to see the anurois that have been harassing the other women. But luck always seems to have a way of running out on Laedirissae.
The anurois are even more terrifying than I remember. Some part of me had convinced myself that my memory had exaggerated and that they couldn’t possibly be as bad as I recalled. But they are. If anything, they’re worse.
Each creature is covered in black scales that seem to glimmer as the sunlight hits them. Their enormous wings beat the air with enough force to make the leaves on nearby trees move as if they’re in a storm. Long, pointed beaks glint with rows of razor-sharp teeth that could cut through flesh like scissors through paper, and the knife-like talons on their feet flex menacingly as they circle above us.
The absurdity of the puff of blue feathers on the long tails that snake out behind them and the round ball of fluff that sits on top of their heads doesn’t make them any less horrifying. They’re built for killing, and they know it.
“They’ve seen us,” I whisper, glancing at Sorrin standing beside me.
He glances skyward, his jaw tightening. “We need to move. Now.”
Sorrin draws his sword with one sweep of his arm, before stepping forward and positioning himself between me and the anurois, his broad shoulders a barrier that makes me feel protected. And terrified.
I know he’ll do everything in his power to protect me, but the thought of him facing down these monsters makes my stomach churn with a tight knot of fear.
“Warriors, get the females to the cave!” Sorrin’s voice cuts through the rising tension, sharp and commanding. “Once they’re safe, we’ll fight off the anurois.”
The other Laediriian warriors respond instantly, drawing their weapons and spreading out to form a circle around us as we move down to the pool on foot. Their expressions are hard and focused.
Another gut-wrenching screech rips through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. I want to cover my ears, to block out the noise, but instead, my hand tightens on the hilt of my knife. My heart races as I glance toward the waterfall, knowing the other women are so close.
“This way!” Leah moves with purpose, her steps quick as she leads the way to the waterfall and the cave behind it.
She starts toward the waterfall, her movements purposeful and quick. Cassandra follows along behind her, her shoulders hunched as if she wants to disappear in on herself. I know all too well how she feels.
Sorrin places a hand on my back, urging me forward as the warriors close ranks around us. The screeches grow louder, and dirt and leaves fly around us, stirred up by the flapping of the anurois’ massive wings.
As we near the pool at the base of the waterfall, a shadow dives toward us, and I hear the sharp intake of Sorrin’s breath. The ground shakes as an anuroi lands in front of the group, its talons gouging deep ruts into the muddy banks of the pool.
It lets out a deafening shriek, its beady eyes fixed on us with terrifying intent.
Sorrin steps forward without hesitation, his sword raised. “Run,” he growls, the word low and fierce.
My heart pounds as the other warriors join him, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. Leah, Cassandra, and Isabella dart around the edge of the pool, their feet slipping on the wet rocks as they near the waterfall, but I hesitate.
My legs feel as if they’re made from lead as I’m torn between the instinct to flee and the agonizing fear of leaving the man I love behind. The thought of leaving him feels like a betrayal of everything in my heart.
“Mara!” Isabella’s shout snaps me out of my daze. Gritting my teeth, I force myself to move.
Cold mist from the waterfall clings to my skin as I skirt along the edge of a narrow ledge and duck behind the curtain of water. The deafening roar of the falls muffles the chaos outside, but my heart beats so loudly it feels like it might burst from my chest.
Inside the cave, dim light filters through the cascading water, throwing shimmering patterns on the walls. The damp, musty air is thick with tension. My eyes quickly adjust to the gloom, and I stop short, my breath catching in my throat.
Huddled in the far corner are six women, their expressions a mix of wariness and relief as they see us. They look battered by their ordeal, their faces gaunt, and their cheeks hollow. Dark smudges shadow their eyes, and their clothes hang loosely on their frames, ripped and caked with grime and dirt.
One woman sits against the wall, her leg extended awkwardly in front of her. A lime green cast encases it, the bright color stark against the cave’s dark surroundings. She stares at me in shock, her face tight with pain.
A loud roar sounds outside, and I turn back around just in time to see a figure that I know is Sorrin charge toward one of the anuroi. His sword is a brilliant flash in the sunlight, arcing up in a fluid motion that cuts deep across the beast’s long neck. The anuroi flails, its massive wings beating frantically as a screech of pain tears from its throat.
The sound of the warriors releasing a battle cry and the ear-splitting shrieks of the anurois fill the air, echoing through the cave. I force myself to stay rooted to the spot, even as every instinct screams at me to be out there beside him. But Sorrin wouldn’t want that—not when he is focused on protecting me. On protecting all of us.
My pulse races as I listen closely and watch the shadowy figures on the other side of the waterfall, but I’m caught off guard by an unexpected feeling blooming in my chest.
It’s warm, confident, and electrifying. It’s an eager ball of energy that radiates through our amoris bond. My hand lifts to my chest, resting over my heart as a small, incredulous smile pulls at my lips.
Sorrin. He’s actually enjoying this.
I shake my head, almost laughing at the absurdity. Leave it to my mate to face down death and treat it like a game he plans to win.
Beside me, Isabella watches me with wide eyes, her hand reaching out to grip my arm. “Is he okay? Are they okay?” she whispers. Her voice is shaky with concern.
I can’t suppress a chuckle as I rub the spot over my heart, where his spirit surges with excitement. “Oh, he’s fine,” I reply, the amusement in my voice softening her tension.
“In fact…” My gaze shifts to the fight, where I can make out the shadows of Sorrin and the other warriors moving in a well-choreographed dance as they work together to take down the three anurois. “He’s having fun.”
Isabella’s jaw drops, and she stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. But as the thrill of Sorrin’s emotions wash over me, I can’t bring myself to care. I love him— all of him. Every goofy joke, every loincloth panty-melting grin, and yes, even his maddening enjoyment of a good battle.
Behind me, the other women shift uneasily. I turn to them, offering what I hope is a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be okay. They know what they’re doing.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when another anuroi screech pierces the air. My hand tightens instinctively around the hilt of my knife, my knuckles turning white. But I’m not moving from this spot. I don’t think it will happen, but I can almost sense the anurois’ desperation. And if they manage to get in, well, my knife won’t do much damage, but I’m sure not going to go down without a fight.
“Move them to the back of the cave,” I whisper to Isabella. “Just in case.”
She nods, her gaze darting to the shimmering curtain of the waterfall where shadows writhe and clash. Her face is lined with worry, but she turns to the others and urges them to move to the back corner of the cave, as far away from the entrance as they can get.
“Come on,” she says. “Let’s go.”
As the women retreat, I step closer to the waterfall, unable to tear my eyes from the battle outside. A massive shadow appears, looming larger by the second. My breath catches, and my fingers flex around the hilt of my knife as the dark shape barrels toward me.
The glint of sunlight reflecting off a sword flying through the air flashes a moment before it plunges deep into the anuroi’s wide chest. The beast lets out a final, guttural screech before it crashes into the water below with a large splash.
The sound sends frightened yelps rippling through the other women, but I don’t flinch. My feet remain planted, my body still as I watch the fight. I trust Sorrin. I trust all of them.
Suddenly, the screeches begin to wane. My pulse quickens, the bond between Sorrin and me surges with adrenaline and triumph. The shadow of a second anuroi crashes down outside the cave, followed quickly by a triumphant roar.
Minutes stretch into what seems like hours as the fight rages on. Every screech makes my heart leap and every roar stokes the fire in my chest.
And then, silence. Just as quickly as the fight began, it’s over.
It’s so sudden it feels unnatural. My heart pounds in my ears as I strain to hear something— anything —that might tell me what’s happening. My heart lurches. Where’s Sorrin? Are they—
Then, a shadowy figure steps past the shimmering curtain of water, his broad shoulders backlit by the sunlight. His skin is streaked with blood that I really hope isn’t his and his chest heaves as he pants, but his mouth curves into a grin that sends a flood of warmth through me.
I run to him, nearly slipping on the wet stone, but I don’t stop until my arms are around his neck, tears streaking down my face. Sorrin’s voice rumbles through his chest as he assures me that none of the blood is his own, but I don’t care.
I need to check him for myself, and I do, running my hands over him. A groan seeps from him, even as he eyes me with amusement.
“You’re okay,” I murmur, my voice trembling as the knot of worry that had settled in my stomach finally unclenches.
His arms wrap around me, his hold firm but gentle as he pulls me to him.
“I told you, I’ll always protect you.” he says. His voice is soft but teasing despite his obvious exhaustion. “And I’ll always return to you. You’re stuck with me, Mara.” He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze.
“Good,” I whisper, blinking back the tears that are threatening to spill over. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
His gray eyes twinkle, the playful light in them softening as he leans down to press his lips against mine in a kiss that leaves me panting. For a moment, the chaos of the world fades away, replaced with the warmth of his touch and the steady beat of his hearts beneath my hands.
But reality quickly sets in, and I pull back, my gaze flicking to the women huddled in the back of the cave. Their eyes are wide with a mix of relief and apprehension.
“Sorrin,” I whisper, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “We need to help them.”
He nods, his gaze shifting to the bedraggled group. His jaw tightens, and I can feel the simmering anger at what they’ve endured—what we’ve all endured. But he pushes it down, stepping forward with a reassuring smile.
Together, we turn to face the others. Sorrin’s expression shifts, the playful light in his eyes fading as he takes in the bedraggled women. They’re tired and it’s obvious some of them are nursing injuries, while others look as if they’re barely holding themselves together.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he says, his voice gentle yet commanding. “We have eponirs waiting outside, food for you, and a medic to tend to your injuries.”
The sound of approaching footsteps snags my attention, and I see Warrix step past the waterfall, the satchel he keeps his medical supplies in slung across his shoulder. He stands patiently waiting, his gentle gaze scanning the group as if he’s already cataloguing their injuries.
The women exchange uncertain glances. I understand their hesitation—it wasn’t that long ago that I was in their exact same position. They’ve been through so much, and trusting strangers is a risk. Especially nearly seven foot tall teal strangers who just fought off three dinosaurs.
I gesture to Sorrin and the other warriors who have joined us at the entrance to the cave, their postures relaxed yet protective. “These are the Laediriians. They’re our friends. They helped us, and they want to help you, too.” I meet each of their gazes.
Isabella steps forward, adding her voice to mine. “They’ve done everything they can to protect us. They’ll do the same for you.”
A long pause follows our words, and the women glance at each other as if they’re having a silent conversation. Finally, Cassandra rises and takes a tentative step forward. Her shoulders are still hunched, but there’s a spark of determination in her eyes as they meet mine.
“I’m game if everyone else is,” she announces, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. She glances back at the others, waiting.
Leah exhales a sharp breath, crossing her arms. “Me, too.”
One by one, the other women nod in agreement, their expressions softening. Relief swells in my chest, but I keep my voice calm. “Thank you. We’ll take care of you—I promise.”
Sorrin moves to my side, his presence solid and grounding. “Let’s get out of this cave and back to safety,” he says, motioning toward the entrance.
As the group begins to move, Warrix steps forward, already pulling supplies from his satchel to tend to the most immediate injuries. The warriors assist the women carefully, their movements deliberate and gentle, a stark contrast to the ferocity they showed in battle.
I turn to Sorrin, my fingers brushing against his as we guide the group out of the cave and into the sunlight. His gaze meets mine, and in his eyes, I see everything I feel reflected back—relief and a fierce, unyielding love.
“You did good,” he murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
“So did you,” I reply, a small smile tugging at my lips.
As we step into the golden light of the sun, the waterfall roaring behind us and the open sky stretching endlessly above, I know this is just the beginning. There will be more challenges ahead, more battles to fight, and more lives to save.
But with Sorrin by my side, I’m ready to face them all. Together.