She’d known it wouldn’t be easy. “I hope Malax and the Rengard can find us.”
The shuttle had a tracking beacon in it, but she knew that both of them were aware that there was slim hope of the warriors finding them. The wormhole had dumped them too far away.
“Fucking Kantos,” Donovan said.
“So.” Airen straightened. “We get away from your new friends, and find the location of the prison command.”
“That’s our plan.” He pulled her close, and she wrapped her arms around him.
“I’m glad I’m with you,” she said quietly. “And not alone.”
“Damn, me too, Airen.”
They looked at each other, the light flickering over their faces. And then she moved, leaning up until her lips touched his.
He kissed her, and only took seconds to deepen the kiss, taking her mouth hungrily. Her hands slid over his short hair and she moaned. By the warriors, he tasted so good, and felt even better. Desire was a hot, burning fire inside her.
It felt like seconds, and it felt like forever, but finally, she reluctantly broke the kiss.
Panting, he pressed his forehead to hers. “You obliterate my control, Airen. Any time I touch you, it’s just gone.”
She smiled. “I like knowing that.”
His answering smile was wide and white. “I bet you do.”
Suddenly, bright lights speared through the cracks of the tent. Shouts echoed outside.
The chaos was followed by the unmistakable sound of laser fire.
“Fuck,” Donovan bit out.
They both leaped up and Airen formed her armor, instantly feeling much less vulnerable.
Donovan shifted a flap of the tent, and through the opening, she spotted a Kantos ship in the sky. It fired at the criminals, who scattered across the camp.
A moment later, several Kantos soldiers skittered out of the trees and into view.
“We need to move,” she said.
Donovan rummaged through the gear in the tent, and grabbed a knife and a rusted sword. He also threw some food and drink in a leather bag and swung it onto his shoulder.
He turned and slashed at the furs at the back of the tent. They both pushed out of the slit and ran outside. They sprinted toward the trees.
Lights hit them.
Cren.
Laser fire cut up the ground, moving toward them. Airen dived on Donovan, shielding him.
Dirt and rocks flew around them, and a second later, a sharp burn sliced across her back and she cried out.
“Airen!”
Wincing, she rolled off him. The pain made it impossible to talk.
Donovan lifted her and she fought off the agony. She had to stay conscious. He started running, and then, they were in the trees.
Airen dragged in a breath, her vision blurring. Don’t pass out and don’t vomit.
Donovan set her down against a tree trunk.
“Baby, let me—” He touched her shoulder, trying to look at her back.
“O-kay. Helian…stopping pain. Healing.”
The air shuddered out of him. “You’re sure?”
She managed a nod.
“Can you move?”
She knew that she didn’t have a choice. She nodded again.
He helped her up, keeping an arm around her, careful not to bump her laser burn.
Then they set off running.
Donovan ground his teeth together, scanning the jungle as they ran.
Airen had fucking taken a hit to protect him. For a blinding second, he’d been sure that she was dead. Her weight had been on him, her body lax.
He glanced down at her. She was looking stronger and she seemed fine, but his body was still on edge.
He heard shouts and screams, and the sound of fighting. The criminals were fighting back, and the Kantos ship still hovered over the camp.
Now, he and Airen needed to put as much distance between them and the Kantos as they could, and then find somewhere safe to hole up.
The sound of heavy bodies crashing through the trees reached them. Dammit.
You cannot escape us, Eon female.
A shiver ran down Donovan’s neck. An elite Kantos. Only they had the ability to speak telepathically in other people’s heads.
Airen cursed. “Faster.”
They picked up speed.
We will capture you.
“You can try,” she muttered.
A piercing, buzzing noise cut through the night.
With a sharp cry, Airen dropped to her knees, her hands clasped over her ears. Her face contorted.
“Airen?”
“It…hurts,” she moaned.
Donovan looked around and realized the noise was worse for her. It was some weapon designed to mess with an Eon warrior’s acute hearing.
A second later, two Kantos appeared, skittering on their four legs. One was the elite—a little taller and paler than the other soldier.
Donovan stepped in front of Airen and lifted his sword. Damn, he wished he had a better weapon.
The Kantos soldier rushed forward, his arms slicing through the air.
Donovan ducked, swiveled,