Page 33 of Chieftain
Of course, the other Kerzak would hear the sound of battle. Hell, people on the top level of the space station probably heard it. Khaion fought one creature evenly matched—he said he could handle three. I didn’t want to test his theory. As perfect a warrior as Khaion appeared, even he had his limits. If the others reached us before we could escape, Khaion would die, and the Kerzak would find me. The thought of Khaion lying dead at my feet was much more upsetting than the idea of myself roasted on a spit.
I couldn’t let it happen.
The Kerzak was a walking, talking grizzly bear, but people stood against grizzlies before and survived. Only a few, but some. I didn’t need to defeat the Kerzak. I just needed to give Khaion an edge by distracting the beast somehow.
My gaze darted around the alley for anything I could use as a weapon. The last door we exited was camouflaged by a pile of metal scraps. I crawled back to the area, nails breaking and cuticles ripping as I tore through the debris. Most of the crap looked like computer parts I might use as projectiles, but my throwing arm was shit. The Kerzak wouldn't feel anything I threw at him. I dug deeper, hands and arms coated in greaseand dirt, until my fingertips closed around something long and cylindrical.
The pipe was about four feet long, just another piece of scrap, except one end appeared like something exploded from within, leaving around six inches flayed open into wickedly sharp edges, sharp enough to cause a thin line of blood on my palm when I touched it.
Now I just needed to get close enough to do some damage. I couldn't rush the beast, it would befoul Khaion's attack, and I really didn't want to put myself within reach of those razor-sharp claws.
I needed to get behind the Kerzak—which was far easier said than done. Pressing against the wall, I tried to slide past the battling males, but the grizzly was no dummy. The massive body turned toward me like I was the sun, and he was a giant, ugly, hairy sunflower.
My muscles tensed with fear. This was an idiotic idea. While Khaion's blade drew blood on the Kerzak's arms and chest, I doubted my strength was enough for the pole to do any physical damage. Sure, I distracted the beast, but I also distracted Khaion. His golden eyes went wide when he spotted me, and with a roar of anger, he struck out at the Kerzak with a broad stroke of his sword, trying to turn the beast’s attention. The grizzly-alien was waiting, noticing the split in Khaion's concentration and using it to his advantage.
The deep grunt of pain changed everything.
The mists were unrelenting, swirling around to taunt and impede when Khaion dropped to one knee. The Kerzak loomed over him, snarling with smug viciousness, intent on victory.
The fear that held me frozen disappeared, replaced by something primal and wild. Something determined that the Kerzak would not hurt Khaion further. I wouldn't allow it.
"Tulloch Ard!" The war cry of the Mackenzie clan from the Outlander books. I thought Willa sounded silly when she yelled it before attacking the Trogvyk. Now I understand. When the words escaped my lips in a growling roar, something shifted inside me. I felt strong and fearless. I felt like a warrior.
I leaped at the Kerzak, the pole held before me like a sword. The flayed tip hit the middle of his back at the spot where a human's kidney lay. The contact with his thick hide reverberated down the metal and into my hands with a painful jolt.
"Tulloch Ard!" I screamed again, thighs burning as I forced the sharp metal point through fur and flesh.
The Kerzak wheeled on me, slinging aside the pole with a swipe of his massive paw. The other enormous paw swung at me with enough force to cave my skull if I hadn't jerked backward, falling painfully on my butt.
Blood poured from the wound on its back, but the Kerzak didn't seem much affected. The creature dropped to all fours—there was definitely some grizzly bear in his DNA—turning his head to gauge the wound for a moment before the black eyes settled on me, thick saliva dripping from his fangs.Shit!It was a grizzly, and I just pissed it off. I scrabbled backward, trying vainly to catch a glimpse of Khaion past the bulky fur body. How badly was he injured?Dear God, please let him be okay.
The Kerzak was on me, bellowing a roar that drowned me with rancid breath and spittle. One paw lifted, black claws glistening in what little light dared to invade the din.
Khaion, my heart whispered.
The claws never made it to my skin.
The Kerzak's roar faded to a series of creaks and gurgles, and I shut my eyes against the dark, hot blood spraying outward in an arc, droplets hitting my hair and skin. The beast's eyes widened with shock while the mouth and snout moved convulsively before the massive body shuddered and collapsed.
He stepped through the fog like Superman appearing from the clouds.
“Khaion!”
I was jerked to my feet and crushed against his chest. He smelled of blood, gore, and a nasty wet dog scent that must have been Kerzak, but I didn't care. I didn't care about anything other than that he was alive, and we were together. Winding my arms around his waist, I began to sniffle, despite feeling like a complete badass for stabbing the grizzly.
“I told you to hide,” Khaion murmured, warm breath puffing on the curve of my neck as he spoke.
“I didn’t listen,” I laid my head on his chest, pressing my cheek over the reassuring thud of his heart.
“I noticed.” There was wry amusement in his tone.
“I heard you… I thought you got hurt. I wanted to help.”
Khaion lifted his head from my neck and laid his forehead against mine. My breath caught from the intimate gesture and how it set my nether regions ablaze.
“I am fine. You did goodmi valaniesta.”
“What does that mean?” My translator thingie didn’t attempt to alter the word.
