She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the tunnel’s shadows, stepping in close to him, so close he felt the heat of her along the full length of his body. He lost the ability to breathe.
Hey, you two. We need to finish this, before you can finish that.Nikolai’s mindvoice was hoarse with tension.
Right.Lucas swallowed, and Aria stepped back.What is your plan?she asked.
Lucas gestured to himself.I’m dressed for success. I can get in close to Galeran, while you stay in the tunnel.
Her mouth straightened.And then what?
I’ll have to take a swipe at those runes.
Aria tilted her head as she looked up at him.No offense, Lucas, but he’s not going to let you walk up and slice the runes off his arm.
I was thinking more of a sidling motion...
Aria frowned at him.
Look, Aria. If we go in there in full slash mode, we won’t get anywhere near him. The only chance we have is if I sneak in close.
But once you are close, you’re going to have to take a swing at him. You might get one strike before he fries you.
The link.The two words dropped into their head. Nikolai’s effort to split his attention was obvious.Aria can be with you and guide your motions. One strike will have to count.
But there are two runes,Aria stated. One on each wrist.
Nikolai took a moment to answer.Cara says wrecking one rune should damage the connection.
Shouldis not reassuring,Lucas pointed out.
It is the best we can do,Nikolai said.We need to do this soon. I can’t keep this up much longer. Disable that rune, and I’ll do the rest.
I don’t like the sound of that,Lucas noted.Let the Watchers handle Galeran.
I don’t like you having to take this risk.Nikolai’s tone was scathing.But there isn’t any other way.
The battle sounds in the tunnel behind them grew closer, and as Aria glanced back, a seething mess of tooth, claw, and sword burst on them.
She whirled and fended off a Bellati who lunged toward them, her tail spike a blur of motion, her movements swift and sure. Before she could finish him herself, a huge tail spike shot from the morass to take the Bellati’s head clear off.
Tyrez jumped free and spun to engage another, but Aria managed a gut slice to that warrior and the Bellati fell back.
Lucas moved closer, and Tyrez stiffened and raised his tail spike.
“No!” Aria knocked it aside with her own. “It’s Lucas.”
Tyrez squinted at Lucas. “Wow. You’re good. Nice tights. Don’t hide much.”
Lucas winced. “Yeah. Like you should talk.”
A Dire bounded toward them from the fight, teeth bared. “Where’s Cody when you need him,” Tyrez snarled. He swung his tail spike and engaged the Dire.
Lucas grabbed the dead Bellati and pulled him away from the fighting. Then he stripped off the weapons’ belt and the Bellati knife. The horn felt warm as he picked it up and carefully ran his finger along the razor-edged spiral.
Tyrez backed toward them, engaged with another Bellati. A blur of black and gold rolled past him, unfolding into Kitani. She slashed at a Dire, and dodged his return blow, before lunging beneath it and driving her claws deep into his stomach. She braced her hind feet and wrenched outward.
The Dire’s shriek cut off abruptly, and the creature dropped like a stone.
We’ve gotta go.Aria grabbed Lucas’s hand and guided him down the tunnel until they made it to the main access way. He peeked around the corner and jerked his head back behind the rock.
