Again, Finley’s nerves jittered. That wasn’t a ringing endorsement. She clutched her hands together.
“You’re looking a little battered, Sabin,” Thane said.
“Been a bit of a rough day.”
The doctor pulled out a vial of havv and something inside of Finley eased. Finally, she knew Sabin would be okay. Fully healed.
She sat quietly as Thane administered the havv.
“We’ll be docking soon,” a warrior called out.
She looked out the side window and saw the Rengard.
The warship was impressive. It was obvious Eon tech was way ahead of Earth’s. She remembered how disdainful she’d been of Sabin when she’d first met him, and shook her head.
A large door opened in the black hull of the warship, and the shuttle entered the docking bay. Once they’d set down, Sabin led her off the shuttle. More of Sabin’s team met him, clasping arms with him.
“We need to get to the bridge,” Malax said.
Sabin moved to Finley. She was feeling awkward and out of place. It was clear Sabin belonged here, and was well-respected.
And her place was back in her lab on Earth.
Her throat tightened and she followed the war commander. A second later, Sabin was with her, taking her arm.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “Just worried.”
He touched her hair. “Let’s go kick some Kantos ass.”
She smiled. “Who taught you that expression?”
“Gemma.”
“I think Earth has corrupted you.”
“Maybe.” He smiled back.
They moved through the sleek, black corridors of the Rengard. There were more warriors in black uniforms. The entire place was awe-inspiring.
Then they stepped onto the bridge.
Wow. There were several tiers of workstations, with busy warriors behind them. A huge viewscreen dominated the space.
“Prep us to jump,” Malax ordered.
“Finley!”
She turned and saw Wren Traynor. “Wren.”
The woman hurried over and hugged Finley.
Finley felt a prick of tears and hugged the woman back.
“You’re okay?” Wren glanced over her, and saw the Eon armor. “You’re mated? Oh my God, Sabin.” Wren spun and hugged the warrior as well.
“Wren, we don’t have time.” Malax put his hand on his mate’s shoulder. “We need to get to Earth.”
“Let’s go, then.”
Finley listened to the war commander give orders. Sabin held her hand.
“It won’t take long.”
The jump to light speed initiated, and there was a second of disorientation. Warriors shouted orders. They did another jump, and another.
Finley’s head was spinning.
Jarringly, Earth appeared on screen. Alarms screeched.
“Kantos fleet in range,” Airen yelled.
Another screen showed the incoming fleet of Kantos ships.
No. Finley’s mouth dropped open. There were so many.
Sabin moved to a light table, swiping its surface, a frown appearing on his face. One of his warriors moved up beside him, asking questions.
He belonged here. That was clear.
“Finley, Dr. Gregson and Admiral Barber for you,” Donovan called out.
She turned and on a different screen, she saw the faces of the admiral and head scientist.
“Thank God you’re both okay,” the admiral said.
“It was touch and go,” Finley said.
“Finley, we’ve replaced the destroyed satellite, but there is still some problem in the programming. We can’t get the StarStorm fully operational.”
Oh, God.
“I need access to the StarStorm system,” Finley said. “Now!”
“Here.” Sabin pointed to the light table. She saw her code appear on the screen and swiped.
“You have three minutes until the lead Kantos ship is in range,” Airen said.
Finley’s chest locked. That wasn’t enough time. Her head wasn’t in the right place. She needed calm. She needed to be in her lab. She needed—
Then there was a touch on her back. She looked at Sabin. Everything zeroed down to the two of them.
“Do what you do best, my smart Terran.”
She nodded and swiped at the screen. She stared at the lines of code filling the table. She touched and swiped, losing herself in the data and the numbers.
There. She found the issue. And the targeting needed another tweak.
“One minute until the Kantos are in range,” a warrior called out.
“Lead battlecruiser is spooling weapons,” Airen said.
Finley blocked it out. She added in the correct code.
“Fire on the Kantos ship,” Malax ordered.
“With pleasure,” Sabin replied.
Finley kept working. She felt the Rengard shudder beneath her, and dimly heard the security team firing on the Kantos ships.
She looked up and saw the screen filled with arcs of laser fire.
“War Commander, the Valantis just arrived,” someone called out.
On screen, another Eon warship appeared, firing on the Kantos.
“Sir, a Kantos battlecruiser just broke through. They’re preparing to fire on Earth.”
Finley put in the last bit of code. Everything clicked and went green on screen.
“I’ve got it!” she cried.
“Activate the StarStorm, Admiral,” Malax yelled.
“Activating.”
The seconds slowed and Finley stared at the screen. Sabin appeared by her side and took her hand.
They waited.
Come on.
She saw the battlecruiser getting closer and closer to the planet.
God, what if it didn’t work?
The StarStorm lasers fired. The net started forming around Earth.
“My God,” she breathed.
“You did it,” Sabin said.
A shiny silver net of laser surrounded the planet.
“We did!” She jumped on him and kissed him.
The Kantos fired, but it rebounded off the StarStorm net.
The lead Kantos ship was moving at high speed, and already too close. It hit the net and part of the ship disintegrated, explosions flaring.
Cheers erupted on the bridge of the Rengard.
Chapter Nineteen
Sabin watched the Rengard and the Valantis open fire. The Kantos fleet turned and ran.
“They’re retreating,” Airen called out.
His beautiful, talented, hard-working mate had done it. With a cheer, he picked Finley up and swung her around.
She looked dazed. “It worked. The StarStorm repelled the Kantos.”
“You just dealt a heavy blow to the Kantos’ invasion plans.” He kissed her.
She kissed him back—a little wild, with an edge of desperation.
He frowned. Something wasn’t right. “Finley?”
Then they were mobbed by the others.
“Finley, congrats!” Wren hugged her.
Malax, Airen, and Donovan slapped Sabin on the back.
But he kept one eye on Finley. She looked a little withdrawn.
Cren. Did she not want to be mated? That thought was like a rock in his gut.
No. She loved him. He felt in his bones that she was his. His helian pulsed.
“Well done, Sabin.” Malax gripped his shoulder. “On the StarStorm, and on your mating.”