Page 65 of Stars in Nova

‘How did he know to look for it?’

‘I advertised I was after it. I was desperate and sent word to everyone in our network.’

‘Desperate for what?’

‘You saw the cyborg army out there. We require it to win, to survive, that’s why.’

‘Don’t justify your shitty behavior for some cause. You used me,’ he growled, his anger flaring. ‘You seduced me, lied to me, and then left me to chase shadows.’

Her expression faltered, remorse flashing across her face. ‘You sound butt hurt, soldier. Get over it.’

She tagged a surge of emotion in his eyes.Disappointment? Anguish?

Hit with guilt, Samira sighed. ‘Look, Rider, I didn’t have a choice. We’re at war with a relentless enemy. We needed the advantage we believe your mask provided.’

‘You always had an option,’ he said, his voice softer now, though the anger remained. ‘You also might have asked.’

‘Nada, I did not, and you wouldn’t have agreed. You’ve seen what we’re dealing with on the surface. Lives are at stake, and the mask can help. I witnessed what it was capable of when you were Ankis. There’s footage of you up against battleships and flyers using the vibrations and pulses the artifact emitted to defeat machines, disrupt them, and turn their power to counteract them. That’s what I need. I thought -.’

Her voice trailed off as Kisan stepped even closer, his towering presence forcing her back a step. ‘You thought to use it for its worst capabilities without me?’ he gritted, his tone dripping with disbelief. ‘That it would just function for you? I bet you and your tech crew are stymied on getting it to wake. Am I right?’

She tilted her head, mulling his words. ‘You are. However, it will work now that you’re here to show us how. Thankfokkfor that.’

‘Hell,nada. Give me back my shit, and I’ll leave and get off your freakin’ planet,’ Kisan growled, his rasp hoarse, taut with restrained anger.

‘I wish I were able to,’ she clipped. ‘It has more use than just being hung on a wall like an altar to your past. It might save lives.’

‘In wrong or inexperienced hands, it may eviscerate millions of souls. I’m not leaving without it,’ he rasped, stepping forward.

Samira stepped back, her fingers twitching as she drew moisture from the dripping walls.

The cavern echoed with the rush of running streams, a reminder of the power she could summon. ‘Don’t come any closer, Rider.’

She raised her weapon.

He arched his brow, then lunged, a blur of dark armor and raw energy.

His speed surprised her as they collided in a tangle of limbs.

He pressed her up into the rock, his armored frame radiating scorching heat.

His hands gripped her shoulders, holding her in place. Their faces were close enough that his breath brushed against her cheek.

She shuddered as she felt the rising scorch of his thickening cock throbbing against her stomach.

Her chest tightened as their eyes locked, his raw intensity pulling her in despite herself.

For a brief, maddening moment, she forgot the fight or why they were even here.

Her nipples stiffened, her core convulsing, on the verge of cumming in his presence.

The space between them was charged, their anger blurring into something more dangerous.

‘Let me go,’ she whispered, her pulse jumping.

‘Make me,’ he rumbled with menace, almost daring her.

He smirked and, with a growl, flicked her tits that were distended through her suit.

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