Page 83 of Alien Warlord's Fury
"Focus on the interface," I growled back through our connection, blocking another of Hammond's attacks. My muscles screamed in protest.
"I'll handle this."
The remaining guards pressed in, forcing me into a defensive stance. Blood from my various wounds made my grip slippery on my blade's hilt. Hammond knew exactly what he was doing—wearing me down systematically while maintaining the pressure on Claire through the Nexus.
Through our bond, I sent her what strength I could spare. Her determination flowed back to me—fierce, unwavering. She wouldn't abandon those younglings, and I wouldn't abandon her.
Hammond circled, his modified weapon humming with corrupt energy. "The Aerie warrior protecting his human mate. How touching." His lips curled into a sneer.
"And how convenient for me that you delivered her right where I needed her."
I spat blood onto the floor. "You used the younglings as bait."
"Of course. Claire's connection to the Nexus made her the perfect conduit. I needed her here—willingly interfacing with my system." Hammond's eyes flicked to where Claire worked frantically at the ancient console.
"She thinks she's freeing the younglings from my control, but she's actually completing the final phase for me."
Cold dread pooled in my stomach. Through our bond, I could feel Claire's panic spike as she realized the same thing.No. Stay focused.
I sent the thought through our bond, anchoring her.
The guardian construct rushed me again. I dropped to one knee, slashing upward, catching its underside but not disabling it. Hammond used my momentary distraction to fire another blast.
This one caught me square in the chest, knocking me backward.
Pain exploded through my body. My lifelines reacted, trying to stabilize the damage. I tasted blood.
My vision tunneled, darkening at the edges.
"I expected more of a challenge," Hammond said, advancing slowly. "The mighty Aerie hunter, brought low by a human. Fitting, isn't it?"
I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the burning agony across my chest. My tail held rigidly straight despite the pain, a desperate attempt to maintain balance. Claire's fear and determination pulsed through our bond—she needed more time.
I would give her that time, whatever the cost.
The guardian circled behind me again. Hammond raised his weapon for another strike. The guards tightened their formation.
I couldn't win this fight through brute strength. Hammond's shield was too powerful, the guardian too relentless. Direct assault had failed.
But I hadn't survived countless hunts by being predictable.
I watched Hammond's movements, the way he positioned himself, the slight delay between the guardian's attacks and his own. There was a pattern—a rhythm I could exploit.
"Your shield absorbs energy," I said, forcing Hammond to focus on me. "Impressive technology."
Hammond's eyebrow raised slightly. "Finally acknowledging your inferiority?"
"Acknowledging your dependence on stolen power." I shifted my stance, subtly repositioning myself. "Without your artifacts, you're nothing."
His face darkened. "I've mastered what your kind feared to touch."
"You've corrupted what you don't understand."
The guardian lurched forward again. Instead of evading, I feinted toward Hammond, then spun at the last second. The guardian's momentum carried it directly into the path of Hammond's energy blast—a blast meant for me.
The impact was catastrophic. Hammond's weapon discharged against the guardian's core, causing a feedback loop that surged through both. The guardian's body convulsed, its systems overloading.
Hammond's shield generator sparked violently at the unexpected energy surge.
