“Oh,” Anna gasps, her grip tightening on my hand.
I remember ships like this. Planet breakers. It carries weapons of such destructive force that the shield over the city will not hold. A dim cheer echoes to us from outside the dome. The Invaders celebrating the arrival of what they’ve been waiting for.
“It’s time,” I say, staring at the monstrosity moving over our heads. “We must act now.”
“We’re not ready,” she says.
“We don’t have a choice,” I say.
We run, heading for the tunnels and the launch point of our plan. No matter my words of certainty to her, and I do believe them, there is always the chance. Fate isn’t static. No matter that Tajss intends us to be together, it doesn’t mean we will make it.
It’s up to us to create our future together. Tajss only sets us on our paths, guides us, and intends for us to make it.
She isn’t ready for this knowledge, and I will not have her scared. Giving her what hope I can was the right decision. She doesn’t yet accept her fate. I’m not going to fool myself. The humans do not see mating as we Zmaj do.
Zmaj mate only with their one true mate. The other half of themselves. Desire doesn’t come upon us for others, but I’ve pored every file on the humans. Studied every scrap of knowledge the Order had to offer, which was considerable, and I know it is not the same for them.
I will not have her dawning understanding shaken with nuances of the truth. When she is ready to understand, she will. For now, my duty is to keep us both alive, no matter the odds. Besides, I believe we’ll survive. We beat the Invaders before, and we can do so again.
“Khabri,” Anna says, breathing heavily. She doesn’t slow, though, she keeps pace with me. “Are you… sure about this?”
“I am,” I lie.
My dragon recoils. Lies are not honorable, but the truth serves no purpose but to scare her. We reach the building that leads to the tunnels. Most of the Zmaj are gathered here. Through the open door that leads down to the basement and the tunnels comes the sounds of the humans.
“About time,” Shidan snaps.
My men from the Order compound come to attention, and as one they glare at Shidan, tightening their grips on their lochabers.
“You saw?” Sverre asks.
“I did,” I say, ignoring Shidan. “We are out of time.”
“I agree,” Visidion’s deep voice comes from behind my shoulder.
Everyone in the room turns to see that he and Rosalind have entered the room. Anna moves closer, sliding her arm around my waist. She is the only human in this room besides Rosalind herself.
“Now is the time I would give a rousing speech,” Rosalind says. “But I have no words to share. We all know the odds. We have one shot, and to say it is a long one would be an insult to your intelligence.”
The other males chuckle and we all stamp the butts of our lochabers on the ground creating a resounding echo in response to her words.
“Warriors,” Visidion says. “We will protect our mates and all of the humans. Are you ready?”
We roar our agreement. I squeeze Anna against my side and raise my fist into the air. When I glance down I see fear and admiration writ across her face.
As the roaring subsides, Anna lets me go. Slowly she steps backwards, moving towards the door to the tunnels. Tears shimmer in the corners of her eyes. She raises one hand to her sweet, full lips, pressing her fingers to the soft flesh. She purses her lips then motions, moving her hand towards me and blowing softly across it.
My hearts are so full it hurts. I motion catching the kiss she blew to me and then press it against my chest, pushing it into my heart where she will always loom largest. She turns and walks through the door.
As the rest of the warriors and I funnel out of the building and into the street, Rosalind says her goodbyes to Visidion before she follows Anna. They exchange a kiss. The love between them is so obvious, it makes my own pain ache worse. I look over my shoulder to the door that Anna went through.
I will see you again, my treasure, I vow.
“Sir,” Titus says, stepping up beside me. His twin, Typhon is on my opposite side.
“Any advice?” Typhon asks.
“Fight with all you have,” I say. “Fight for the future.”
The twins nod, and as one the males of the Order stomp the butts of their lochabers. The sound echoes off the walls.
We file out of the building. The ship overhead has blocked out the suns. The city is cast in shadow, as is the outcome of our attempt. The males of the Order form in a tight square formation, the other four Zmaj huddle in a group of their own. Visidion walks to me.
“Are your warriors prepared?” he asks.
“We are,” I say. “If we hold a tight form, we’ll be able to withstand the onslaught the longer.”
“I agree. A box shape, three males to a side,” Visidion says.
“You were a warrior before?” I ask, impressed with his strategic thinking.
“I have become what I must,” he says.
There’s nothing more to be said. We march towards the dome. The critical part we play in our plan is about to start. No one talks until we arrive at the edge of the city. Staring at the glimmering dome and its waning protection.
The Invaders have moved back, which is good. They’ve retreated to the top of the closest dunes. Close enough to the dome that we can’t walk out and away, but far enough that they won’t be in the direct line of the blast from the ship hovering overhead.
“This is it!” Visidion yells. “Protect your treasures!”
The bijass surges through my thoughts, stronger than I’ve felt it in what seems a lifetime. Red tinges my vision as my fists clench tight, desperate to close on enemy flesh. It’s a struggle to resist and if it is hitting me hard, then I can only imagine how it is affecting the rest of the males who do not have my years of training.
Titus throws his arms wide, chest thrust out, and bellows a challenging roar. It’s infectious. The rest of the males follow his lead. Our roars rise to the heavens, and I know in my heart that Tajss hears us. Now if only it’s within her power to deliver us to the other side of this challenge.
We’re answered with a loud whining and the shadows lightening. Above, the bottom of the massive ship is opening to reveal a bright red-blue light. they’re preparing to deploy their weapon, and we’re not ready. The humans will not have had their chance to reach safety yet.
We must act now or lose before we try.
“Now!” I yell.
Visidion punches a code into the airlock. There’s a crackle then a pop sound. The temperature leaps higher as the shield drops. We charge the Invaders, who look on in disarray.
The timer in my head starts. Every second we purchase with our blood and sweat matters. The humans will need all of them we can buy if they are to reach safety.
The Invaders rouse and charge to meet us.
20
Anna
BLAM!
Dirt falls from the ceiling as we’re all thrown from one side to another. Screams so high-pitched they hurt fill the tight tunnel.
“Faster!” Rosalind’s commanding voice cuts through the din easily.
Everyone does. The mothers gather up their children into their arms. Illadon runs beside Calista, pulling her forward with him in front of me.