Page 35 of Orange Tundra
I nodded. "Beneath us. The White Tribe was known for their underground networks." I pointed to a half-collapsed building to our right. "That structure—it looks like their version of a temple. Temples usually connect to the main compound."
CG joined our huddle, blood trickling from a cut above his eye. "And you know this how?"
"Onork told me about them on our way here," I replied. "Plus, I studied architecture before..." I gestured vaguely upward, indicating my abduction from Earth. Though I knew they have no idea where Earth was. Because of money, I shifted to an Engineering course, but my first love was architecture.
"Archiwhat?" Nim frowned.
Ugh, how to explan?
Sim grinned. "Our clever alien mate." He reached inside his vest and pulled out a sleek energy pistol, pressing it into my palm. "Take this," he said, his eyes serious despite his light tone. "I want you to be able to protect yourself."
My heart gave a tiny squeeze. With how protective they were, him trusting me with my safety and our babies wanted me to tackle him and have my way with him.
Sim just smirked, clearly he read my mind. "Focus," he gently reminded me.
The weapon felt cool and foreign in my hand. Oh good, it looked like a laser pointer. I'd fire one too many times during board meetings back on Earth.
"I've adjusted the settings," Sim explained, guiding my fingers to the small dial on the side. "Lower intensity, but wider spread. You don't need to be precise, just create enough chaos to keep them distracted."
I nodded, tightening my grip on the laser pen. "Got it."
An energy blast struck dangerously close, showering us with pulverized stone. The attackers were advancing, growing bolder.
"Nim," I whispered urgently, "take Sinx and Ferix around the eastern side. There should be a passage near that fallen arch. Sim, you and Nif circle west. CG and I will keep their attention here."
Nim's eyes narrowed. "I'm not leaving you exposed."
"I'll be fine," I hissed, though my racing heart suggested otherwise. "Xy knows how to handle himself in a firefight. We just need to buy you enough time to flank them."
Nim and Sim looked at me, surprised, then looked at each other, silently communicating - doing their twinsie thing again.
Another shot hit our cover, the impact reverberating through the stone against my back. I flinched involuntarily.
"I'll back them up," Clitasoxdfwe’h boldy declared. With him and Xy, the captain of the Red Guards, we should be fine.
"Go," I urged. "The longer we argue, the closer they get."
Nim hesitated, then pressed his forehead briefly against mine—a gesture of both affection and concern. "Be careful," he murmured, shot a heavy look Xy’s way, before slipping away. Nif, CG, Sinx, Ferix and two more males following close behind.
Sim squeezed my hand. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, my warrior queen," he said with a wink that didn't quite mask his worry.
"That doesn't eliminate much," I retorted, earning a brief chuckle before he too disappeared among the ruins.
Xy shifted closer. "Ready?"
I nodded, gripping the small energy pen Sim had given me. "Ready."
A sudden, sharp pain lanced through my abdomen as I leaned out from cover to fire at our attackers. The laser pen nearly slipped from my grasp as I gasped, doubling over. How come call of duty online games made it looked so simple?
"Brynn?" Xy's voice seemed distant through the ringing in my ears.
I braced myself against the cracked wall, legs trembling beneath me. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the cool evening air. Something was wrong—this pain was different, more intense than the occasional twinges I'd felt before.
"I'm fine," I managed, though the words sounded unconvincing even to my own ears.
Clitasoxdfwe’h cast me a skeptical glance before returning fire. "You don't look fine."
Another wave of pain crashed over me, stealing my breath. My hand instinctively went to my belly, which felt tighter, harder than before. The baby. Was something happening to the baby?
