a gentle slope. She heard Donovan try to stifle a groan of pain. Airen scanned ahead, searching for any place where they could hole up.
Then the trees ended. Her stomach plummeted.
She arched her head up, looking at the sheer walls of black rock rising up ahead of them. The cave had led them through one rocky mountain and led them straight to a second one. This one was even higher and more forbidding.
That was it. Despair hit her like a drowning wave. There was nowhere to go. No way to get through.
Nowhere to hide.
They’d reached a dead end.
Donovan fought hard to stay conscious. Blood flowed down his chest and back freely. He stared at the rock wall, grinding his teeth together.
“Climb,” he bit out.
Airen spun. “What?”
“Climb the cliff.” He had no doubt she could do it. “I’ll do whatever I can to hold them off you.”
Her eyes flashed a brilliant turquoise. “And leave you to face them, to be killed, so I can run like a coward?”
Stubborn woman. “The Kantos want you. Those criminals will hurt you and hand you over without a second thought. I won’t let that happen.”
“We won’t let it. I won’t leave you, Donovan.” Her voice lowered. “I can’t.”
Dammit to hell.
Voices echoed from the cave. Strange, the criminals seemed to be hanging back. Probably planning their attack.
And more Kantos wouldn’t be far behind.
“Please, Airen.” He needed her safe.
She slid a firm arm around him. “Not. Leaving.”
“Stubborn.” The word was ripe with frustration.
She formed her blaster again and she focused, going into full warrior mode.
Donovan wanted to fight the incoming criminals, but his strength was draining out of him. He drew in a shuddering breath. The best he could do now was stay out of her way.
Down the slope, he saw the first criminals appear at the cave mouth. They picked up speed, running into the trees.
One appeared, lifting his crossbow. He fired. The projectiles hit the rock wall just above Airen and Donovan’s heads.
Airen fired her blaster, a bolt of green energy forcing the criminals to duck. More bodies stepped out of the cave.
Damn. They’d charge before too long.
Donovan gritted his teeth. He had no way to keep Airen safe.
With wild cries, more criminals ran out of the cave. They were motivated by the promise of a chance to get off this prison planet. Airen fired again.
A stocky criminal broke from the trees, launching at them with a huge sword in his hands. Airen’s weapon morphed, changing into a sword. She spun, her blade slamming against the criminal’s. With a roar, the man swung, and got in a lucky hit. His blade cut across Airen’s stomach, opening up a long, thin line across her armor and skin.
She pressed her hand to the bleeding wound.
Donovan pushed away from the wall, and his knees threatened to go out from under him. He had to help her.
Suddenly, spears rained down from the sky.
The criminals cried out, several going down under the spears, slamming into the dirt.
Donovan looked up.
“Cren,” Airen breathed.
Bodies were running down the rock wall, attached to ropes behind them. Several held bows, while others clutched spears.
They were all women clad in leather.
Donovan blinked, his vision blurring.
The women hit the ground, and let out a warbling, wild, battle cry. They rushed at the criminals.
The men turned and ran back into the cave.
There were several wounded criminals trying to drag themselves away, but the female warriors dispatched them quickly and dispassionately.
As the women turned, Airen shifted closer to Donovan.
He had to lean on her to stay upright.
Two warriors stepped forward. One was shorter and curvier, with brown skin and black hair in a mass of curls. The other was tall, flat-chested, and toned. Her brown hair was clipped short around her skull. Both women’s cool gazes studied them.
The curvy one looked at Airen. “Are you all right?”
Airen nodded. “Thank you for your assistance.”
The woman flicked an unreadable glance at Donovan, then looked back at Airen.
“My name is Sanya.” The woman wore tight leather trousers and a sleeveless vest that displayed her impressive cleavage. “You are welcome into our sanctuary.”
“Thank you,” Airen replied.
“Your…friend is not.”
Airen stiffened. “I’m not going—”
“Go with them,” he said.
She glared at Sanya. “He’s with me.”
The woman gave a violent shake of her head. “No men.”
“What?” Airen demanded. “Why?”
“Most of our residents escaped from those animals.” She stabbed a finger at the cave. “Or others like them.”
Fuck. Donovan wavered. He wasn’t going to be able to stay on his feet much longer. Pain was a massive throb