left to take out the computers and operators while Lanie rushed the first of three raider guards. They surrounded a giant birdcage in the center of the room that sparked and popped with what appeared to be electricity.
Refusing to look at the half dozen bodies lying motionless on the floor inside the cage, Lanie rammed her sword in the stomach of the guard and decapitated another when he rushed over to help his friend.
Computers exploded behind her, and Lanie ignored the flickering of energy crackling around the giant cage and ran towards the last of the guards. Cin must have got to him first because the man fell to the ground just as the room went dark.
Lanie’s eyes were adjusting to the darkness when Cin waved his hand, and emergency lights flickered to life around the room. She joined him at the door of the cage and rushed inside the moment it opened.
Reaching Niama’s side, Lanie slid to her knees and gasped at the deep bruises on the elf’s face and the paleness of her skin. She’d just picked up Niama’s limp wrist when Cin threw up a portal in the air and gently placed Adamo inside of it.
Gathering her strength, Lanie picked up the elven princess and carried her through the portal. She barely registered the gleaming white stone courtyard before half a dozen stunningly beautiful elves ran to her and took Niama from her arms.
Figuring this was the elven world, Lanie went back through the portal and helped Cin get the rest of the elves out of the cage. By the time they finished, the once packed courtyard was nearly empty except for the largest, oldest, and most regal of the elves that Lanie had ever seen.
It wasn’t just the elaborate crown, gold-threaded clothing, fur-lined cape, or golden war staff he carried that gave away his status. It was the penetrating gaze, rigid set to his jaw, and the absolute power that radiated from him.
“Cindrac,” King Lioda said with respect. “There are no words. Again.”
Cindrac bowed and looked to where Adamo and the others were taken. “Did we get to them in time?”
For the first time, Lioda’s eyes lit on Lanie, and she nearly shrank from his intense stare that seemed to strip her soul bare. It was unnerving until he smiled and nodded at her with respect.
“I heard you have finally taken a mate.” Lioda’s eyes never left Lanie as he stalked towards her. “May I?”
Lanie was scared to death to decline though she had no idea what the king was asking her permission to do. Too terrified to move, Lanie watched as Lioda placed his hands on her head, and she felt a slight electrical charge race through her before he stepped away and smiled at her.
“You have my blessings and the promise of a debt to be repaid at your leisure for saving my children and their guard, Lanie of Earth.” Lioda smiled kindly before turning back to Cindrac, leaving Lanie to take stock of herself to see why she felt different.
“Will they be all right?” Lanie asked again. “Can I see Niama?”
Lioda turned back to Lanie with a quirked brow at her outburst, but she refused to back down. She had to know her elven friends would be all right.
“Yes, Lady Lanie,” Lioda said with a smile. “They will heal quickly now that they are home again. You can’t see them now, but I do not doubt that Niama will want to thank you in person once she is well again.”
Feeling like she’d been put in her place, Lanie shut up and moved to stand by Cin, who grasped her hand. She was wondering why he was holding it so tightly when Lanie saw plans running through her mind.
Cin smiled down at her to make sure she understood what to do, and when she nodded, he held both of his hands palms up, and Lanie did the same. Nanites shot into the air a few inches before crashing back inside them, leaving gleaming medallions in their wake.
Taking the small quarter-sized coins from Lanie, Cin held them out to Lioda, who looked at them oddly before taking them from Cin’s hand.
“What is this magic you’ve created for me?” Lioda grinned and studied the medallions in his hands.
“They will neutralize the effects of a mirrored lead faraday cage,” Cin promised. “If Adamo and Niama are going to continue battling the Consortium over magical relics, they need to be prepared for another trap.”
Lioda clenched a fist around