Page 68 of Warrior's Purpose

There were several blasts that deformed the doorframe, then the door swung open.

“Abby!” Ash rumbled as he stormed into the room.

She rushed forward then stopped when the smoke cleared.

“Ash?” She tilted her head as she eyed the bone-armored behemoth. That was his voice, but the figure looked more like Aculus.

He engulfed her, careful not to jab her with the spiky ridges on his forearms. She relaxed seeing his tail flicking behind him.

“What the hell?” Her father tried to tug her back.

Ash snarled menacingly at Brennan, and her eyes widened at the frightening sound.

“Ash, are you okay?” She stared up at his armor-covered face, wishing she could see his expression. His eyes were a creepy red, like Aculus’.

Ash nodded curtly as he swung her into his arms and possessively squared off against her father. She wasn’t sure what was going on with him; he knew her Dad.

“Nadzia.” Aculus made a grab for Hope.

“Whoa there, bonehead. You guys are freaking my dad out.”

“I am freaked out,” Aculus mimicked with a rumble. “You were abducted.” He snatched Hope in his big bony arms.

“It’s all right, Dad,” Hope sighed. “Meet Aculus.” Hope rapped her knuckles on Aculus’ armored chest.

“And you remember Ash.” Abby patted her Cadi hero.

Brennan looked dubiously at the two men holding his daughters, then to the door where more armored aliens waited.

“We need to leave now,” Ash insisted. He didn’t sound like himself. His voice was more gruff and snarly. “Wrap around me.”

She was so elated to see him, she forgot what it took for Ash to get to her. The terrifying realization that he just fought his way through an entire army stabbed deep, making her heart cry out. No wonder he was acting weird, he’d just done the impossible. She frantically looked him over for injuries. Finding, thankfully, the armor kept him whole. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and gripped tight.

“No argument here.” Abby gave him a watery but eager smile.

Brennan didn’t argue further as they fled the cell. The corridor was disturbingly empty as they raced past the unmarked doors and hallways.

“This is a new look for you. You’re a two-ply bonehead now,” Hope tapped Aculus’ forehead.

“Your sibling is rather disrespectful,” an Osivoire commented to Abby.

“She does that when she’s scared,” or all the time. But she wasn’t about to admit that her sister was irreverent and caustic on her good days. Hope deserved a pass for everything they’d been through.

The bony man nodded and continued down the corridor.

Brennan eyed her sideways.

“What?” she mouthed with a shrug and a sheepish smile.

Her dad shook his head then turned his attention back to the hallway ahead.

“Ashtoret.” Two bony armored Cadi approached from an intersecting passage.

“We attempted to follow Vintor, but he was taken through another exit before we could reach him. We were unable to break through it with blast rounds.”

Ash snarled.

“We need to leave. The females and their sire are vulnerable,” Aculus rumbled.

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