Page 6 of Alien Warlord's Fury

"Then get out of my way." I took a step forward, markings flaring hot with my anger.

He didn't move. "I cannot allow you to go alone."

"You can't stop me."

"I do not intend to stop you." His lifelines pulsed beneath his skin, gold light tracing intricate patterns across his chest and arms. "I intend to accompany you."

That stopped me short. "What?"

The words struck harder than any reprimand. A door I’d kept bolted shifted on its hinges, tempted by the idea of someone choosing my impossible road.

"You heard correctly."

Hope flickered in my chest, but suspicion quickly doused it. "Why? This morning you were all about patience and planning and how I'm too unstable to be trusted in the field."

"The situation has changed."

"Bullshit. Nothing's changed except you're here instead of in there." I jerked my head toward the settlement. "What's your angle?"

The end of his tail flicked once against his leg.

That small tell betrayed an uncertainty he would never voice aloud. The secret of it wrapped around me like a private oath meant for us alone.

"Survival." He took a step closer. "You will not survive alone. Your gear is inadequate."

"Your knowledge of the terrain is limited. Your markings are unstable."

"I don't need a keeper!" The words burst from me, too loud in the quiet night. My markings flared, sending hot pain shooting through my veins.

"Evidently, you do." His gaze dropped to my arms where silver light pulsed erratically. "Your condition deteriorates daily. Hammond's experiments damaged your connection to the Nexus."

"And whose fault is that?" I spat. "If your people had moved against Hammond months ago?—"

"Recriminations solve nothing." His lifelines showed brighter, matching the intensity of my own markings. Energy crackled in the air, making the fine hairs on my arms stand up.

"The younglings need rescuing. You need assistance. I am offering it."

I lowered the knife slightly. "Why would you risk council censure for this? For me?"

Something flickered across his face, too quick to read. "Survival necessity."

"Try again."

"I am a hunter-tracker. The best the Aerie has. If anyone can move through Hammond's compound undetected, it is me."

It was logical. Too logical. There was something he wasn't saying, something in the way his eyes wouldn't quite meet mine when he spoke.

But did it matter? If he was willing to help...

"What's the catch?"

His expression hardened. "We do this my way. Aerie discipline. My lead on the path."

"Your senses guide us, but my experience keeps us alive."

"Your caution will get those children killed."

"My caution will prevent all of us from dying before we reach them." He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body even through the cool night air. "Hammond's compound is heavily guarded."

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