FIFTY-SEVEN
Tai
Following the last h’axom out in a cloud of sand, I can’t see more than five feet in front of me, but I know what’s waiting out there.
I stalk forward. The blaster I gave Bri would have come in handy, but there was no way I was going to leave her unarmed. I step over the bodies of the brethren.
I can’t believe I feel bad for them. But I do.
The sand settles enough for me to see Bri on the other side of the camp, running full speed toward the freighter. She moves effortlessly through the tents, making great time. Pride swells in my chest at the sight of her bravery.
The zapping red arc of a cattle prod lights up not far from me. I look for Bri one last time, needing confirmation she made it onboard safely.
She dashes up the ramp. My relief disappears before it can fully settle, because not far behind, a Yuhlari follows her up the ramp.
My vision goes hazy. Colors swirl before my eyes, and I struggleto stay focused. I shake my head to stop the ringing in my ears. I didn’t feel an impact, but I could swear an explosion just went off. I’m disoriented and can’t think straight.
Power radiates from my chest, down my legs, and to my fingertips. Raw instinct takes over.
Destroy. Protect. Mate.
An unrecognizable hand, my own, claws the restrictive shirt from my chest, ripping it in two. I don’t think. I strike. A boulder crumbles beneath my feet into dust. Everything standing between me and my mate won’t be there long.
A roar echoes over the frenzy around me.
Pounding. Metal bending. Blaster fire.
My side stings, like something bit me. I brush the pain aside easily and move toward the freighter. My head is jumbled. The only coherent thought is to get to Bri.
I grab a blaster out of the hands of the nearest Yuhlari. The weapon crumples like paper in my hand. I toss it aside. The Yuhlari pulls a telescoping baton from his belt and swings it at me.
The metal stick bends to the shape of my chest. A hit that should have knocked me to the ground felt like nothing. The Yuhlari turns and runs in the opposite direction. I don’t follow. I stay on course.
Another sting, this one to my shoulder. I look down and see an empty space where my bionic arm should be. I don’t bother to retrieve the missing arm, nothing matters but Bri.
A wall of blaster fire is the only thing that stops my progress. I duck behind the remains of a destroyed tent and look for another path forward. I’m cornered, surrounded by the endless bright pink and purple light of blaster fire.
My mind clears enough to know to stay here. I’ll wait until they run out of ammo, then I’ll take my turn. The beast inside of me rumbles with anticipation at the thought of ripping them limb from limb. They won’t live long enough to regret standing between me and my mate.
FIFTY-EIGHT
Bri
Hieroglyphs light up in every color and shape. I scan the panel, looking for anything to indicate takeoff. Where’s the bright red arrow pointing up? Or at least something that goes “boom”?
Tai is down there. Unarmed.
Movement catches my attention. It’s Tai making a run for the freighter, for me. Blaster fire follows him until he dives behind a tent for cover.
Only it’s not the Tai I know. This one is enormous, in size and presence. Power pulses off him in waves, invisible but undeniable. The air around him ripples like the aftershock of a nuclear blast. I feel it from here, a thrum in my diaphragm.
Raw. Magnetic. Barely contained.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I shake my head at the realization.
The Tilak who believed he wasn’t worthy of a battleform or a mate now has both. All I feel is pride. He's mine, and apparently every cell in his gigantic body already knew it before he did.
“Come on!” I run my hands along the panel. “Where’s the fucking universal language when you need it?”
