Soul of Eon (Eon Warriors #8) - Anna Hackett Page 0,28
snout. It spotted them, made a clicking sound, then bounded into the undergrowth.
It is a little farther to our base. Come on.
They crossed the stream and reached another clearing. Huge trees, bigger than anything Thane had seen before, loomed above. Their branches spread wide, loaded with dark-green leaves.
They crossed a grassy area.
Kaira stumbled. “What the hell?”
Thane glanced down and saw that the grass had wrapped around her ankle. She tried to pull free, but the grass tightened its hold.
“What is it with the plants on this damn planet? They hate me.”
He formed a knife, then slashed the grass to free her.
No! Nisid’s frantic mental voice.
Thane swiveled. “What?”
It will trigger a defense response in the grass.
Suddenly, all around them, shoots sprouted. Red flowers unfurled.
“They look like tulips,” Kaira said.
Each flower released a puff of pollen into the air.
Don’t breathe it in. Nisid was agitated. Run.
Thane took Kaira’s arm. Cren. They sprinted forward, running through the field of flowers.
Kaira started choking. “Can’t…breathe.”
Her eyes were swollen and red, tears streaming down her face.
“You’re having some sort of allergic reaction.” Thane gave the command to form helmets. The clear covering slid across their faces, but he still heard her wheezing breaths.
He swung her small, compact body into his arms and picked up speed, following Nisid to the trees.
The rest of the rogue soldiers crossed the flower field.
Thane set Kaira down and their helmets retracted. He pulled out his water bottle.
“Lean forward. I’m going to rinse your face.”
She did and he pressed a hand to the back of her neck. He rinsed her face gently.
“That feels better already.” Her voice was husky. “The burning’s stopping.”
The grass here is very aggressive. Nisid hovered. Are you all right, Terran?
“Yes. And my name is Kaira.”
Nisid was silent for a moment. Kaira.
“And I’m Thane. Medical Commander Thane Kann-Eon.”
Nisid inclined his head. Our base is close. You can rest there.
Thane moved to lift Kaira again but she pressed a hand to his chest. “I can walk, Thane.”
He smiled. “I like carrying you.”
A strange look crossed her face. “I like you carrying me, too.”
He tucked some of her hair behind her ear, then stroked the edge of her swollen eye, wiping away the remnants of her tears.
He stayed close as Nisid led them deeper into the trees.
The jungle and its wildlife help to protect our base.
A second later, the Kantos leader motioned upward, and Thane lifted his head. He sucked in a breath.
Wooden platforms and walkways had been built in the tops of the trees.
“A treehouse village.” Kaira grinned. “Every little kid’s idea of fun.”
A ramp was lowered down, and they walked up into the canopy of the huge, alien trees. More rogue soldiers bustled around.
The place was incredible. Nisid led them to a large, circular platform ringed by a wooden railing. Some sort of gathering place. Other walkways led off it.
Thane noted lots of domed structures dotted around the treetops. Individual cabins. He saw some smaller Kantos wandering around, peeking looks at them. Juveniles.
Nisid’s people were breeding.
This is our home. For now. We don’t kill except for food or to defend ourselves. We have a right to live.
“I agreed to our deal, Nisid. We’ll get you and your people off Crolla. To do that, we need to get to the base and get a message to the Eon. Then we steal the pathogen. I will not let the Kantos council hurt my people or Kaira’s.”
She smiled at him.
The pathogen is well protected, Thane.
“I don’t care. Whatever it takes. The bond between a helian and an Eon warrior is sacred. It enrages me to know that the Kantos council are planning to destroy that.”
They are driven by the hunger. Ravenous for more. They lead their soldiers to slaughter. We are expendable to them. If you are prey, like Terrans, you are food. If you’re an enemy, like the Eon, then you are to be destroyed.
“I will stop them,” Thane said. “I’ll give my life to do it if I have to.”
Chapter Eleven
Kaira leaned against the railing, the breeze ruffling her hair. The ground was far below, the jungle spreading out as far she could see.
It was beautiful…and deadly.
A tree nearby was loaded with tempting-looking, glowing-red fruits. No doubt poisonous. She could also see the field of neon flowers they’d passed.
Squawks echoed nearby, then some screeches. Branches of neighboring trees rustled.
Turning her head, she heard Thane’s deep voice. He was talking with Nisid. She ran her gaze over his intense, focused face.
Despite the dangers of this planet, right now, high up in