Page 59 of Alien Warlord's Fury
Each other. This path.
And ever since Hammond's experiments had left me broken and marked, I felt whole.
NIRAKO
Icrouched behind the massive root system of a fallen tree, studying the compound's eastern approach through a small viewing scope. Claire knelt beside me, her silver markings flickering beneath her skin like contained lightning. Our bond thrummed with shared purpose and urgency.
"Hammond's reinforced the eastern perimeter since our power station attack," I whispered, adjusting the focus. "Three additional guard rotations, staggered timing."
"We need to move now." Claire's voice carried that familiar edge of desperation. "The younglings can't wait."
I lowered the scope, turning to face her. "We need precision, not just speed. One misstep?—"
A twig snapped behind us.
I spun, blade already drawn, pushing Claire behind me in a single fluid motion. My lifelines flared, ready to channel defensive energy if needed. My tail lifted slightly from the ground, poised.
Two figures emerged from the dense undergrowth. My grip on my blade tightened, then loosened slightly as recognition dawned.
Ravik. And Zara Graydon.
Ravik's tall frame moved with the deliberate control of our warriors, though his movements betrayed exhaustion. A fresh gash marked his left forearm. Zara, the human woman who'd become his mate, looked equally worn, dark circles beneath her eyes and dirt streaking her face.
"Nirako." Ravik's voice was low, controlled, but I knew him well enough to hear the fury beneath. "You abandoned council orders."
Claire stepped out from behind me, her chin lifting. "We couldn't wait."
Ravik's gaze flicked between us, lingering on the places where our energies visibly resonated. His expression shifted almost imperceptibly—recognition, then something deeper. Understanding.
"You've completed a bond." Not a question.
I straightened, meeting his gaze directly. "Yes."
Zara moved forward, her attention on Claire. "Are you alright? The council's been in chaos since you two disappeared."
"We're fine," Claire answered, though I felt her unease through our connection. "Better than the younglings Hammond's torturing."
Ravik's jaw tightened. "You think I don't know what's at stake? The council assembled a proper strike team. We've been tracking you for two days while you've been?—"
He cut himself off, taking a measured breath.
"While we've been what?" I challenged, stepping closer. "Disabling surveillance stations? Disrupting power grids? Gathering intelligence that your council would still be debating?"
"Getting yourselves nearly killed," Ravik countered. "Acting without backup. Risking everything on impulse."
"Last time you faced Hammond, it required Varek and Rivera to extract you. What makes you think you can succeed alone?"
Claire's anger flashed hot through our bond. "You didn't see what I saw. Hammond's connecting those younglings directly to the Nexus. He's using their pain to amplify energy fluctuations."
"We know," Zara said quietly.
That stopped both of us.
"What?" Claire asked.
Zara glanced at Ravik, who gave a short nod. She continued, "Three more younglings were taken from the Eastern Settlement two days ago. Hammond's men came in the night."
"We tracked them back to the compound, but..." Her voice faltered.
