Page 50 of Abalim

Bindings shot out from the tree and wrapped around his neck, arms and upper legs to hold him in place.

She tried in vain to see if his little spider-shaped robot was okay, but he was either hiding deep into Abalim’s hair or he had somehow fallen off.

“Now put them next to her.” Nyvira commanded, pointing a finger at the other side of Lisa.

Lisa’s eyes widened when she saw Maelani, Dravik, and Zylar approaching the tree.

Several guards followed close behind with pointed laser spears. The one guard, Xalun, jumped ahead and faced the other soldiers in front of Maelani as if to stop them from taking her. He was quickly subdued and

forced to the tree with the others. All were bound to the scratchy bark like she and Abalim were.

“You all have the rare and honored privilege of becoming one with the mighty and glorious Echovara!”

Nyvira’s sneer made Lisa’s blood boil. What a sanctimonious twit.

“Fear not. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. Once you join with him, you’ll be giving life to all of Aroonshire for generations to come!”

With a dramatic flair, she took the crystal pendant around her neck and placed the iridescent gem in a divot on a small, raised platform.

A blinding light shot from the dais, making Lisa squeeze her eyes shut. She tilted her head to the side, trying to escape the painful glare piercing through her closed lids.

So much for us being in control.The thought crossed her mind before her world crashed, coating her in darkness.

As Abalim clawed his way back to consciousness, an accompanying orchestra of agony threatened to overwhelm him. It was a fight to open his eyes. Once he got them open, he couldn’t see clearly. With a grimace, he narrowed them until an eerie, dimly lit cavern came into focus.

The walls were adorned with glistening stalactites, with the faint sound of dripping water echoing.

It took a shaky effort to sit up. Pressing a palm against his chest, he struggled with his fragmented memories to piece together where he was. A brief memory of being torn apart by a transporter made him grunt. Now the dull ache in his head throbbed in time with his racing heartbeat.

Lisa!Where was Lisa?

A feminine moan sounded next to him. Ignoring his burning muscles, he pulled her off the dank and dirty floor and cradled her on his lap. With a gentle touch, he brushed her short blonde hair out of her eyes. “Lisa? Are you okay?”

He opened his senses and gave her a psychic scan. The mental block he’d taught her was fragmented, giving him full access to her memories and feelings. She was just as disjointed as he was. Good thing her aches were disappearing like his were.

Her eyes fluttered open, and her sapphire eyes met his. She rubbed the side of her head with the palm of her hand. “I’m so sick of being knocked unconscious and then waking up feeling like this. Let’s not do that again, ‘kay?” She looked around the cavern and gave a deep sigh. “Well, hell. Where are we this time?”

An image at the center of the room caused Abalim’s eyes to widen.

There, looming like an ancient sentinel, was a colossal, round machine that defied the cave’s natural formations. Its massive metallic surface shimmered with an otherworldly glow, casting eerie shadows that danced along the craggy cave walls. A soft, pulsating hum emanated from it, vibrating within the rocky chamber.

He couldn’t help but marvel at the intricate web of gears and cogs, all interlocked in a mesmerizing, symmetrical pattern.

That’s where the answers had to be.

Speaking of finding answers, he tore his gaze away from the machine to find out how the small bot was. “JR15? You still with me?”

“Yes, Mister Abalim, sir.” The small bot scuttled down his neck and rested on the end of his shoulder. “I appear to be in maximum working order.”

Abalim bowed his head as the sharp tension in his shoulders melted away. “I’m so glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Are we the only ones here?” Lisa’s eyes searched his face with pursed lips. “What happened to the Lumarians who were tied to the tree with us?”

Abalim frowned. “That’s a good question.” He glanced at her beautiful face. “You well enough to stand?”

With a sultry smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “First things first.”

Before he had a chance to ask her what she meant, she pressed her plump lips against his. He opened his mouth and returned her caress, allowing his tongue to stroke hers with abandon. The drugging action made his head spin as all thought centered on where they joined. Placing his palms on the side of her head, he tilted her to gain further access. It wasn’t until JR15 gave a little squeak did he remember where they were.

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