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Groaning and creaking filled the space, along with shouts from outside. Beside the sheriff, the massive pile of mining equipment appeared to be coming to life.

A single machine rose from the pile and rumbled slowly forward on rusted treads.

“What’s going on, Sheriff?” Lyslee called out, limping in.

“Do your job and protect me,” he yelled back to her. “Where’s your sister? The two of you are supposed to protect me.”

“Protect you from what?” Lyslee demanded.

“This dragon is in cahoots with the hands,” the sheriff yelled. “And they’re all in it with the bandits. The whole thing was a set-up. They are trying to steal the cargo I hired you to protect.”

Lyslee’s face fell, and she turned to Kian, looking ready to attack, though it obviously pained her.

“Bots, drill the intruders,” the sheriff demanded.

The machine that had risen from the rubble headed for Kian and the others immediately.

“Don’t believe him,” Kian called to Lyslee. “He’s stealing intergalactic aid.”

Lyslee frowned but didn’t relax her stance.

He was disappointed, but not really surprised. The women were professionals. It was their duty to protect their subject. And Lyslee clearly didn’t believe Kian. He was lucky Avril wasn’t in here yet.

“Get the one outside too,” the sheriff yelled. “The one with the baby.”

Kian’s blood turned to ice as he watched another machine slide toward the doorway to attack his mate and child.

“Nope,” Lyslee yelled, turning on the sheriff. “Not on my watch.”

With hope in his heart, Kian began to fight his way past the sheriff and the mining bot that stood between him and his mate.

Please,he begged the gods.Please protect her until I can get out there and do it myself.

He pushed forward, but the robot was on them in seconds, joining with the sheriff in his massive suit.

“Get out of here as fast as you can,” Lyslee gasped to him as she struck against a rusted joint with her laser blade. “Get to Kinsley and tell Avril what’s going on. I can handle these guys.”

Before Kian could respond, he was deep in the melee, fighting for his life against the sheriff and his rusted metal machines that were made to drill through solid rock.

20

KINSLEY

Kinsley had just led the dogs to a sunny spot to rest and have a little water, when she heard a commotion coming from inside.

She jogged back just in time to see a massive mining machine rolling out across the gravelly surface of the mine entrance.

The thing was enormous, with a spinning drill at its front, and it was moving fast in spite of the rust that feathered off it.

She stepped sideways to get out of its way, but itturnedas if it were heading for her on purpose. Stumbling backward, she tried to get her scattered thoughts in order.

I have a baby. I have to protect her.

But the machine was moving faster now, nearly on top of her.

At the last second, there was a flash of fiery red hair and a sickening crack and clatter.

“Avril,” Kinsley called out.

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