Claim of Eon - Anna Hackett Page 0,48

into the fight.

Several took on the Kantos. She watched two warriors jump on a turret, hacking it to pieces with their swords.

Across the beach, she met Sanya’s gaze. The leader pointed to the prison command building, then inclined her head. Airen nodded back.

“Let’s get inside,” she said.

Donovan took her hand and together, they dodged the worst of the fighting. The doors to the base were open and a rhythmic clanking noise made them pause.

Several wardens in large mech suits marched out of the base. The ground shuddered under their steps, and the large weapons attached to the shoulders of the suits swiveled to lock on the Kantos. They picked up speed, heading out to join the fight.

Donovan pulled her close to the wall and they pressed against it. She dragged in a breath, fighting back the driving pain. They waited until more wardens in mech suits lumbered out before they both slipped into the base.

Inside was a large courtyard, with smooth, metallic walls and floors. Weapons rested on racks, and there were several vehicles parked in front of what had to be the main entrance to the base.

It was orderly, clean, almost clinical after the rough, wild nature of Oblivion outside the walls.

In the center stood the tower, spearing into the sky, with the landing pad and ship on top.

“We’ve got to get up that tower,” Donovan said.

Airen nodded. They jogged across the courtyard. A second later, she heard the sound of running boots. Wardens were coming.

Donovan tugged her arm, and they ducked in behind a bulky speeder. Rows of wardens ran past them.

Once they were gone, Airen and Donovan jumped up and continued on.

“Hey, you shouldn’t be in here,” a voice shouted.

They spun and spotted a helmeted warden staring at them.

Cren.

Donovan held his hands up. “We just wanted to stay safe.” He walked slowly toward the warden.

The prison guard held up a rifle. “No planet inmates are allowed in this facility.”

“We aren’t inmates,” Donovan said.

“They all say that.”

Donovan sprang. He hit the warden hard, slamming the man into the speeder. Two more hard punches, and the warden was out cold on the ground.

“There’s an elevator at the base of the tower,” Airen yelled.

They ran toward it. Alarms started screeching. When they looked back, a huge wave of bugs was pouring through the main doors and into the base.

“Go!” Donovan roared.

They sprinted the rest of the way to the base of the tower. She tried to block the pain, but both she and her helian were running on fumes.

She had to keep going. She knew that Donovan wouldn’t leave her. Her gorgeous, stubborn mate.

They reached the elevator and she slapped at the control panel. They raced inside and spun. The doors started closing, but the bugs were streaming toward them.

“Come on,” Donovan muttered.

The doors were almost closed, but one horned bug slammed its head through the gap. It snapped at them, its horn whipping around.

“Doors won’t close,” she cried.

Donovan moved, swinging his sword at the bug. He sliced its head off, and the doors closed. The elevator moved upward.

She slumped against him and he lifted her chin, kissing her. He gently reached out and touched her bleeding stomach.

“We’re going to get off this rock, get you healed, and then I’m going to tan your pretty, white ass.”

She stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“Not telling me that we’re mated.” He gripped her chin. “Or how you feel about me.”

“Donovan—”

“You still haven’t told me how you feel.”

She bit her lip.

“Be brave, Airen. Tell me.”

She trembled, fear a horrible thing inside her. He could tear her apart.

“I won’t hurt you,” he murmured.

She knew that. It resonated in her soul. “I love you, Donovan. My mate.”

He grinned and kissed her again. This kiss was hungrier and far deeper.

Suddenly, the elevator jerked to a halt, and they both stumbled.

Spinning, she pressed a palm to the control panel. Nothing happened. She commanded her helian to hack the panel. “The alarms have disabled the elevator.”

“Is the ship still on the landing pad?”

She checked the logs and nodded. “They’re waiting to evacuate some warden VIPs.”

“Well, it’s our ride now.” Donovan jumped up, grabbing onto a trapdoor that was set in the ceiling of the elevator car.

While he worked on opening it, she accessed the main prison system and hacked into their communications.

Donovan pushed the trap door open and climbed onto the roof of the elevator car. “Come on.”

“Wait, I’m going to send an emergency transmission.” She quickly sent out an Eon-coded emergency message. She knew they were too far away from