Page 5 of Twin Warriors

“They are beings very similar to you. They walk on two and speak with sound. They are different as well. They are part living and part machine. Very dangerous males with exceptional skills in hunting and killing. They live in the city.”

Hope soared in Amy at the sound of other human-like beings living on this planet. At the idea of civilization.

“Is this city far from here?”

“Yes. It is at least a five days walk. Do you wish to go there?”

Amy chewed her lip for a moment, glancing around the cave. She couldn’t stay here, not if she had any hope of getting back home.

“Can I?” She asked, meeting the deep, stunning green eyes.

“If that is what you wish, Alpha, then we will take you. But you must understand who and what you are now. You are not one anymore. We are now five.”

“Five? What does that mean?”

“You accepted us all. We are bonded and will die without each other.”

She swallowed, “Bonded? Who are the other two? You said five, I only see you, me and him.” She gestured to the male still pacing by the pool.

“Come,” The female said, turning to walk towards a small grouping of rocks beside the pool, “Sit. I will explain it to you.”

Amy followed the massive black cat-like creature to the pool. She climbed up one of the smaller rocks, sitting down to be at eye level with the female and waited.

Chapter Two

Cane sliced his shimmering blade through the gut of the last Korok and watched dispassionately as it fell lifelessly to the sand. A quick glance around told him that all the large, black, scaly creatures that dared to attack the compound were dead.

With a nod of satisfaction, he drew back the blade and watched as it melted into the metal frame of his right arm. Curling his metallic fingers into a tight fist, he waited when he heard his twin brother, Cole, approaching.

“You could have left a few for the rest of us,” his brother called, bringing a small grin to Cane’s face.

“You shouldn’t have taken so long to get back,” he retorted, turning to meet his brother's eyes.

They were identical in living features. The only difference between them were their enhancements. Cane's were on his right arm, leg and chest, Cole’s were on his left.

Having been upgraded by the Arusian military for elite battle, they had the best mechanical enhancements on the planet. Most of the semi-bio that lived on this rock were outcasts, outlaws and defective units that were tossed aside by the Arusian military. He and Cole, on the other hand, had left behind that life in the hopes of finding the one thing that all Arusians told them was impossible.

Being half Arusian meant that they still had the same instincts as all of their males. They had heightened hearing, an impeccable sense of smell, very good eyesight, and speed and endurance that many envied. But with all the good, came one very sad and lonely bad. Arusian males mated for life. They found one partner and cherished her until death. They fought for her, protected her and provided her with anything she wanted.

At least, that is what normal Arusian males had. He and Cole were different. The only hope they had of ever finding a mate, would be if they found one that accepted them both.

Being born as joined twins, each a half of the other, meant they both were forced to find one female that would present with the bonding mark. All the wise elders of their kind warned that as twins that came from one, they would never find a female that would present the mark for their bloodline. It was unheard of. That is why joined twins were always killed at birth. To spare them from a life alone, and to save on the cost of having them enhanced at birth.

But Cane and Cole’s father, a very wealthy Arusian businessman, had insisted his sons be given the chance to live.

Their birth had killed their mother, and their father’s mate, ensuring that their father would never have another heir. So, all their lives they lived as outcasts, feared, and pitied all at the same time.

It was only when they joined the Arusian military that their true skills came to light. They were incredible warriors with a mental link that gave them an edge over all others.

They could sense each other's emotions and pain, even from a great distance. After years of training and honing their skills, they found they could communicate to each other in their minds.

They did not do it often, as it gave them both intense headaches, but in a time of need, it was possible.

This made them indispensable to the military command. For years, Cane and Cole fought and killed for the command, giving them a reputation of being the most feared males of their race.

But loneliness still filled their lives. Many warriors found mates, had families and relished in the joy and love that gave them. Cane and Cole had none of that. After their father died, and all his wealth was given to them, they decided to leave the military and set off to find that one elusive female who would bring them joy and peace.

As the years passed, their hope began to fade. Not only did most females fear them for their size, strength and enhancements, none of them presented with the mark of their bloodline.

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