Page 8 of Alien Knight Teddy Bear Troubles

“Get in. They’ll know we’re in here now. We don’t have much time.” Taeger closed his eyes, mentally feeling for the Dark Ones. Every Lumerian had different gifts. Abilities. Sensing the enemy was one of his.

Bloodlust and rage hit him hard through the connection as the Dark Ones reached a frenzy. They were coming, and fast. They knew one of the escape pods had been activated. The enemy had been savoring the coming fight, the kills. Now that their prey was escaping, rage had quickly replaced amusement. They were definitely coming. En force. “Knights, we are running out of time. Throw them in the pods if you have to. The Dark Ones will be on us in two minutes. Maybe less if they transfer through dimensions.”

Three of his Knights rushed to Taeger’s side. “Where?”

Taeger pointed to the end of the corridor, to an empty space clearly designed for transport. “There. Set up a perimeter and hold them off until the last pod is ready to leave. Make sure you are all on it. That’s an order.”

They didn’t respond, but moved into position, weapons armed and ready to fire the moment the Dark Ones appeared.

“Move!” Taeger didn’t intend to yell at the female, but the rest of the captives had already boarded the escape pod and she stood out in the open.

“You first. Take the boy.” She stepped between him and the open area where his Knights had set up their perimeter. Gripping the dagger tightly, she turned back toward the way they’d come.

“Get in the pod, woman,” he growled urgently.

She shook her head, her gaze locked on the end of the corridor. “Tell your men to pull back and get in their pods. I left something behind, and I think it’s just on the other side of this room. I’ll grab it and be back before you miss me.”

The female was clearly out of her mind. Perhaps the stress of captivity had rattled her wits. Perhaps she intended to make a noble sacrifice...or perhaps she simply wished to die.

No matter her reasons, he did not have time to argue. No way was he going to let her go out there, his every protective instinct screaming at him to take the woman and run.

“Ion. Go. Now.”

The boy looked into his eyes and scrambled into the escape pod. Nearly full of escapees, Belsaran stood weakly in the entrance, waiting for the final three passengers.

Taeger frowned. He thought Belsaran had been evacuated with the other injured Knights.

Belsaran grinned. “Still have a little fight left in me,” he said by way of explanation as he lifted his last Sword of Ohm-Ra, the curved blade glowing eerily in the dim light.

Ion dashed past him. When the boy was safely on board, Taeger bent low, swept the stubborn female up and over his shoulder and carried her onto the craft.

“Hey! Put me down!” she hissed.

Taeger remained silent and kept going. Belsaran stepped in behind him and the door lock sealed with a loud hiss. Everyone but Cassandra breathed a sigh of relief.

“Damn it, put me down.” Cassandra struggled frantically. She had to get that data chip. How dare the brute treat her like tha? Her cheeks flamed in rage and embarrassment. She wiggled, trying to get down.

His palm landed on her ass.

“Ack!” She let out a shriek at the stinging blow. Had that asshole really just spanked her? During their escape? Rage turned to killing fury. He wouldn’t dare. “Stop that! Put. Me. Down!”

His hand struck again, lightning fast. It didn’t hurt as much as feed her rage.

“Stubborn females who needlessly put their lives at risk must be shown the error of their ways,” Taeger said calmly, inordinately pleased with the situation. His hand rested over her very feminine, curvy buttocks. This female was small, but full and lush. He even liked the way her long blond hair brushed against the back of his knees. Something shifted inside him. Something elemental. Primal.

Cassandra raged. “Put me down, you beast! You don’t know what you’re doing!

Ion’s cry of dismay broke the tension. Taeger whipped his head around. “What is it, Ion?”

Large tears rolled down his cheeks as he pointed outside. “I dropped Booboo bear.”

A long string of epithets left Taeger’s mouth, albeit under his breath. That damn kuvu bear the boy treasured was out there? His mother had given it to Ion and the boy treasured it above all else. There was no way he could leave it.

“Pod leaves in thirty seconds, Commander,” Belsaran warned, “if we’re going out there to get it.”

Taeger slid Cassie down, very aware of every inch of contact her body made with his. “Keep her right here,” he ordered Belsaren, ignoring her protests. The Dark Ones were already rushing into the area.

He looked at Belsaran, signaling with his fingers to cover him from the doorway in three, two one..

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