Page 26 of Alien Warlord's Fury

Something shifted in her expression—surprise, perhaps. She wasn't accustomed to praise.

"The technique you showed me," she said. "It helps. But it's temporary, isn't it?"

"All control requires practice and renewal."

"Even yours?" A challenge in her tone.

My lifelines brightened traitorously. "Especially mine."

The admission cost me. Claire's eyes widened slightly, sensing the concession.

"We should move," I said, breaking the moment. "Stay close. Follow my lead."

We continued westward, more cautious now that we knew Hammond's patrols were active. Claire moved differently after our training session—more grounded, more aware of her body in space. She placed her feet deliberately, testing the earth before committing her weight.

The bond between us transmitted her concentration, her determination. I felt her awareness of me too—a constant hum of attention that matched the awareness I had of her.

We paused at the crest of a ridge. Below, a valley stretched toward distant structures—Hammond's compound. Even from here, I could see the wrongness of it—angular buildings that disrupted the natural flow of the landscape, energy barriers shimmering in the afternoon light.

Claire crouched beside me, her shoulder nearly touching mine. "There it is."

"Yes." I studied the approach, noting guard positions, energy fields. "We'll need to wait for darkness."

"That's hours away."

"Patience, Claire."

She frowned but didn't argue. Progress.

"The younglings are in there," she said quietly. "I can feel them. Their pain."

I glanced at her. Her markings pulsed steadily, but her face was tight with tension. "Use the grounding technique. Don't let their suffering overwhelm you."

"Easy for you to say."

"No. It isn't." I met her gaze. "The Aerie feel the planet's pain. We've learned to channel it, not be consumed by it."

Claire took a deep breath, her eyes closing briefly. When she opened them, her expression was calmer. "I'm trying."

"I know."

We settled into position, watching the compound. Claire's energy remained relatively stable, though I noticed flares of silver when she focused too intently on the distant buildings.

"Tell me about the Aerie," she said after a while. "About your training."

I considered her request. Sharing knowledge created connection, but perhaps that connection would help stabilize her further.

"Aerie children begin energy training at five cycles," I said. "We learn to feel the flow of life through the planet first, then through ourselves."

"And the lifelines? When do they appear?"

"At maturity. Around fifteen cycles for most."

Claire studied my exposed forearm, where golden patterns traced from wrist to elbow. "They're beautiful."

I didn't respond. The compliment unsettled me.

"Do they... do they always respond to emotions?" she asked.

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