The Alien's Equal (Drixonian Warrior #7) - Ella Maven Page 0,27

them and fluttered the loose threads of their armbands.

Finally, Daz spoke on a ragged whisper. “Be safe, brother. She is All.”

“She is All.” Nero whispered back.

I felt the weight of their words with every beat of my heart.

Nero

I didn’t like Bosa because he was a dick, as the females would say, but I had to admit, the Kaluma knew how to command his warriors. They respected him, that much was evident, which meant I had to begrudgingly respect him too. Also, I had to trust him, at least a little. He and his warriors were the reason this mission could even get off the ground.

We’d gone over the plan a few times so we both knew it inside and out. After that, Justine dozed, curled up against me with her head on my lap. I slipped in and out of wakefulness, lulled by the vibrations of the fast-moving hover vehicle.

The Kaluma were quiet, watching Justine with a mixture of curiosity and distrust. They didn’t like outsiders, and none more than Bosa, but he also understood what was on the line for his race, as well as ours, if the Uldani were not defeated.

I’d found evidence that Bosa’s friend, who was also the brother of the Kaluma’s new pardux, had been taken by the Uldani and sold to the Plikens on Planet Vixlicin, along with several of our own warriors. Bosa wanted revenge but he also wanted more information in order to return his friend to their home. So, while I didn’t like Bosa, I trusted him, and knew his motives were as pure as mine.

After a few yoras, the returo slowed and the entire vehicle jolted slightly as it touched the ground. Justine woke with a jerk and rubbed her eyes. Sitting up, she braced her hands on my thighs and glanced around. “We’re here at drop-off?”

I nodded. We couldn’t take the returo the whole way to Alazar, as it was too large not to be noticed by Uldani security. We’d travel the rest of the way on foot. That worried me a little, as Justine had barely any sleep, but she was already on her feet and strapping her pack to her back.

With a low hiss, the returo ramp lowered, and the Kaluma filed out. We would be accompanied by ten of them, while two others remained behind with the returo to meet up with the Drix army who would arrive at sunup. I stepped down onto the ground and squinted at the night sky. The moon was only a sliver, which afforded almost zero light. While I could see, I knew Justine’s eyes were not equipped for this level of darkness.

Her little fingers curled into the waistband of my pants. “You lead the way,” she said quietly. Up ahead, the Kaluma were already on the move, Bosa in front.

“I’m sorry we can’t travel with lights.” It was necessary for us to gain entry to Alazar while it was still dark.

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “Is it just me, or are the Kaluma’s white tattoos glowing?”

She wasn’t wrong. What moonlight there was shone on their white markings. “It’s not just you.”

Bosa set a blistering pace which worried me for Justine. I could hear her heavy breathing and a few times she tripped over something on the ground, but she kept up well.

The returo sat at the top of a large hill, which we currently descended to reach the open ground that surrounded Alazar. The bare land was heavily monitored by guards and heat sensors and was nearly impossible to pass without getting blasted by the Uldani’s long-range laser guns or bombs. When we reached the bottom of the hill closest to the back gate, we settled into a small gully to prepare for the next phase of our mission—entry.

Justine crouched next to me, drinking a jug of qua and nibbling on a tein bar. Large solar lights lit the grounds, making it easy for guards to spot intruders, and harder for us to break in—if we didn’t have the Kaluma.

“Grego and Uther,” Bosa barked. The smallest warrior in the group appeared at his side. He was about Hap’s size and corded with tight muscles. He wore his hair shaved one side and long on the other. He remained silent, waiting expectantly for Kaluma’s orders. Next to him stepped another warrior, nearly identical but with his head shaved on the opposite side. I assumed they were brothers, if not twins. Bosa nodded to me, and the two twins faced me, their