by Hacket, Anna
As they got closer, she saw riders on water-skimming bugs. The bugs had long, narrow bodies and almost delicate legs that spread out, keeping them skimming above the water.
Eve knew they couldn’t swim fast enough to outrun them. And—she looked around—they had nowhere to swim to.
Davion studied the incoming Kantos. “We’re at a disadvantage.”
“That’s how the Kantos like it.”
Moments later, they were surrounded by the water-skimming bugs and the soldiers riding them.
An Kantos elite moved closer. War Commander Thann-Eon, we are here to get the codes you refused to give us last time.
“Codes?” Eve whispered.
Davion’s jaw tightened. “To the Eon warships. It’s a backdoor code to take control of a ship’s systems in the event of an emergency.”
Eve blinked, then she started laughing. Then she laughed some more.
She saw confused looks on the faces of the Kantos.
What is so funny? Even in her head, the Kantos leader’s tone sounded disgruntled.
“He’ll never give you those codes. It doesn’t matter what you do to him.”
The Kantos leader glared at her.
“He’s a freaking Eon warrior and a badass. There is no way.”
The Kantos nodded. We realize that. Then he tilted his creepy head. But perhaps what I do to you will convince him.
Her chest locked. The Kantos soldier beside him shot something in Eve’s direction.
The net clamped down around her, and the force of it knocked her down into the water. She came up sputtering, peering through the lattice of hard fibers that made up the net.
“Eve.” Davion lunged for her, grabbing at the net. Their gazes met and she saw him lifting his arm, his sword forming.
Then the net was yanked violently through the water.
Shit.
It was a bumpy ride as she was dragged behind a Kantos skimmer. Her mouth kept filling with water and she spat it out, desperately trying to keep her head above the water.
They hit a wave and she went under. She kicked her legs, trying to hold her breath.
Her chest started to burn.
Shit. She struggled against the urge to breathe. The burn turned to an inferno. No.
Her mouth opened and water rushed in.
* * *
Davion felt a net brush past him and dodged to the side. He slashed out with his sword, cutting it to pieces.
Ahead, he watched the skimmer bug drag Eve through the water, doing a large circle around where Davion bobbed. They were drowning her.
The skimmer slowed and Eve’s head, covered in the net, broke the surface.
“Eve!”
“Go!” she shouted before she was yanked under again.
Never. He wasn’t going to leave her. Not like everyone in her life had before. He started swimming toward her.
He saw several Kantos lift projectile weapons, aiming at him. They fired and Davion dived beneath the water, kicking hard. He came up, not far from Eve. She was struggling against the net.
“I’m coming.” He powered through the water and stretched out an arm. Their fingers brushed.
More projectiles hit the water, closer to him this time. They were harpoons.
“Watch out!” Eve screamed.
One projectile pierced Davion’s shoulder. The burning shock almost knocked him under the surface. He gripped the spear sticking into him and yanked it out.
The skimmer Eve’s net was tied to started moving again. Ignoring the blood and pain, Davion gripped the net with one hand. Then both he and Eve were being dragged across the water.
He was still gripping the harpoon in his other hand. Pulling his arm back, he waited for the wild ride to smooth out a little, then tossed it.
The spear hit the soldier in the neck, knocking him off the bug. Riderless, the bug rocketed forward, turned in a confused circle, then finally slowed to a stop.
“Eve.” Davion gripped her the best he could through the net and hauled her up.
He had to free her.
“They’re coming,” she choked out.
He looked over his shoulder. The other Kantos skimmers were closing in.
“I’ll get you free.” He shrugged out of his backpack—it was weighing him down. He moved to cut the net, but the Kantos skimmer moved, yanking her away, almost out of his grasp.
Cren. He gripped the net more firmly, and started cutting through the tough fibers.
More projectiles sailed through the air. Davion ducked down, and the harpoons missed them.
Instead, they peppered the skimmer. It let out a mournful cry and slumped in the water.
“They’re stopping us from getting away,” Eve said.
Davion gritted his teeth and went back to cutting the net. It was so damn tough.
Eve spat out some water, dropping lower in the water. “Davion.”
She was being dragged under. That’s when he realized that the dead skimmer bug was sinking, and it was taking the net and Eve with it.
No. He cut harder.
Eve thrashed, trying to keep her head above water. “Leave me, Davion. They’re almost here. Go before they catch you.”
“No.” Despair tore at his chest.
“Davion, more than just our lives are at stake.”
“I said no,” he roared.
He heard the clicking sounds of the Kantos. They were close.
“Go.” Her fingers brushed his. “Find your people and make the Kantos pay.”
He dragged her close, kissing her through the net. “I can’t do that. I can’t leave you.”
“You’re the strongest man I know. True to the core.” Her voice broke. “You can do anything.”
Pain ripped him to shreds. “Eve—”
They were both dragged under a wave. He swallowed water and kicked hard. They both sucked in air and spat out some water.
“Save my planet, Davion. Promise me.”
He tried to pull her up, but even all his enhanced strength wasn’t enough to lift her, the net, and the dead skimmer bug.
“Promise me,” she said again.
“I promise.”
Her face smoothed out. “Thank you.”
A fierce surge of emotion choked his throat. “I can’t leave you.”
The Kantos’ clicking increased. They were almost on top of them. Only Eve’s nose and lips were above the waterline.
“Go, my war commander.”
Then she slipped beneath the water. Davion dived under and heaved. He fought the heavy drag, refusing to give up. He saw Eve thrashing, desperate for air, and soon his own lungs were ablaze. Come on.
Calling on every bit of strength he and his helian had, he surged up. He heaved in air and heard Eve spluttering.
But he could feel the weight dragging on her again. Relentless.
A giant splash sounded from somewhere nearby. An aquatic creature leaped out of the waves. It had sleek, gray skin, and a long, stream-lined body. It swam up, bumping into Davion.
Cren. He pushed the animal away.
“Go,” she whispered.
The creature circled around, cutting through the water fast. It circled around them again, and as it did, Eve slipped completely beneath the water.
“No!” Davion heaved on the edge of the net, trying to pull her up.
The water creature nudged him away from Eve. Reflexively, Davion grabbed the fin on top of the creature to stay afloat.
The animal shot away, swimming so fast water sprayed up into Davion’s face.
No. “Eve!” His roar echoed across the water.
He looked back, and watched the Kantos circle the spot where she’d gone down. There was no sign of her. She’d been taken by the waves.
Chapter Sixteen
Davion coughed up water, his lungs burning. The aquatic animal gave him a hard shove. He flew through the water and landed on sand.
Coming up on his hands and knees, he vomited up more water. The gentle w
aves lapped at him, and he knew the sound should be soothing. It wasn’t.
He raised his head in an attempt to get his bearings. He was on an island. There was a long beach consisting of yellow sand, and a wall of thick vegetation, including tall trees with spiral trunks.
There was also a health station on the sand. He rose, intent on heading up to the metallic dome, trying not to think.
Trying not to let the emotional agony inside him rip him to shreds.
He heard a splash, and swiveled. The aquatic creature was in the shallows, swimming in circles. It had a sleek, gray body, several fins, an elongated snout, and very sharp teeth.
It splashed playfully at him, using its tail to spray water onto the sand.
“Go away,” Davion snarled.
The creature had taken him from Eve.
The animal splashed again, and Davion looked more closely. Bright aqua eyes.
He stilled. “Shaggy?”
More happy splashing.
Davion felt a burst of something in his chest. He splashed knee-deep into the water, sliding his palm along Shaggy’s rubbery side.
By Eschar’s bow, Eve would be thrilled. Eve. Davion’s hands clenched on Shaggy.
Blue-green eyes looked up at him. “We need to find Eve, boy.”
But dark thoughts pounded inside Davion’s head. She’d been dragged beneath the water. Gone. He’d been helpless to save her. He sucked in a breath.
She was likely dead, and that thought ripped him inside and left him bleeding. If the Kantos had saved her…then she was their prisoner.
He bowed his head.
Either way, he was bringing the woman he loved home. Love. His mate. His other half.
Eve Traynor of Earth was the woman who’d been made for him. He wasn’t leaving her.
Turning, he strode to the health station. Methodically, he squeezed havv onto his wounds and pressed a stim to his neck. He shot himself with another dose. He’d exceeded the dosage and it was dangerous, but worth the risk.
Energy rushed through his veins. Determination rocketed through him. Eve had saved him, over and over. She’d never given up on him.
Now he was going to save her, and then, together, they’d save her planet.
Davion needed weapons. He’d lost his wrist screen, but there was a small screen in the health station. He tapped on it and a map appeared.
There. There was a weapon’s cache not too far away.
But as he turned his head in the cache’s direction, he realized that he was looking at the water.
Cren. The cache was underwater. Wonderful.
He strode back into the water, giving a sharp whistle. Shaggy appeared with a splash.
“We’re going to get Eve, boy.” Another splash. “But first we need to get to the weapons cache.”
Reaching out, Davion gripped Shaggy’s top fin and waded farther into the water.
“Go, Shaggy. Dive.”
They tore through the water and Davion dragged in a deep breath. And then Shaggy dived beneath the waves.
The water was a clear, crystalline blue. As they went deeper, Davion saw a huge school of fish of all shapes, sizes and colors. They scattered around like dancing butterflies.
They cut through the water like an arrow, and in the distance, he saw the shadow of a giant creature moving slowly through the ocean.
Davion didn’t care what he faced. He was only focused on Eve and getting her back.
They moved along the bottom of the sandy sea floor and hit some long strands of green vegetation, waving in the current. He pulled himself in close to Shaggy, careful not to get tangled.
His lungs started to burn, but he held his breath.
Was this how Eve felt when she was dragged under? He gripped Shaggy harder, and just as his lungs were reaching breaking point, he saw the glimmer of a blue dome ahead.
Shaggy swam right up to the dome and Davion let go. With a powerful kick, he swam to the dome entrance and pressed his palm to the lock.
Quickly, he tumbled inside. He was in a small vestibule. The door closed behind him and the water drained out. Heaving in air, he staggered through the main door into the cache.
Stumbling, he sat on a crate. He pulled in more deep breaths. The entire dome was clear, and he had a perfect view of the water around him, and the wildlife swimming past.
Pushing his wet hair out of his face, he studied the weapons locker in the center of the dome. Standing, he moved over and opened it. Then he started yanking out grenades and weapons.
He slotted grenades into his belt, knives into sheaths that his armor created for him, and a blaster over his back.
Once he had enough, he stood and took a deep breath. Outside the dome, he saw Shaggy turning circles, ready and eager.
It was time to find Eve and get her back.
It would only be her body—pain tore at him, his throat raw—but he didn’t care. He wouldn’t abandon his mate.
He headed for the exit. When he swam out into the water, he gripped Shaggy again.
The animal didn’t seem to need any directions. He powered through the water, taking Davion with him, heading up to the surface.
Eve. Davion looked at the glimmer of light ahead. I’m coming, my Earth warrior.
* * *
Bubbles streamed around Eve’s face. Her chest aching, she struggled hard.
The claws gripping her hair pulled and her face was yanked out of the water. She gasped, sucking in air.
I can keep doing this all day, Terran.
God, she hated that creepy, raspy voice in her head. The Kantos had pulled her out of the ocean and revived her, only to try to drown her again.
She lifted her hand and shot the Kantos the finger.
He dunked her under again, holding her until her mouth opened and water flooded in.
Fuck. It hurt. And she was getting tired. Fear and panic clawed at her insides, but she fought it down.
He yanked her out of the water again, and she heaved in a breath.
They were on a gorgeous beach somewhere. In the trees behind them, insects were chirping, and birds were calling. And in front of her, the beautiful, blue ocean stretched out to the horizon.
She’d been stripped of her gear and weapons. They hadn’t noticed the scales circling her wrist…and she wasn’t going to draw attention to the piece of Davion’s helian.
Clicking filled her head. Where is the war commander?
“Preparing to kick your ass.”
The Kantos dunked her head under again.
As she flailed in the water, she thought of Davion. God, she hoped he was okay. She had no idea what had happened to him, but at least the Kantos didn’t have him.
Just picturing Davion’s strong, rugged face calmed her. Davion. Her warrior. Her lover. Her man.
He’d left her and this time, she was glad. She wanted him to be safe, to live. She realized now that she truly loved him. He was her match in every way. She wished…wished they’d had more time together.
The Kantos held her under a bit longer this time and when he lifted her head, she was limp and tired. She coughed up water. She’d lost track of how many times he’d dunked her.
“He’ll make you pay.” Her voice was scratchy and water-logged. “You kill me, you’ll ignite his need for vengeance. The full might of the Eon and Earth will come down on you.” Well, maybe not, but it sounded good.
The Kantos snorted. The Eon detest the Terrans. And there is nothing mightier than the Kantos.
“That’s where you’re wrong. Very, very wrong.”
Eve blinked at the deep voice. Davion’s voice. She must be hallucinating.
But the Kantos turned, yanking her with him. Eve lifted her head, she saw Davion striding out of the water like some sea god.
Her heart clenched. No. There were too many Kantos for him to take on alone. The macho idiot.
The Kantos holding her straightened. Kill him!
The Kantos soldiers swarmed Davion. But he charged into the m
elee, exploding into action—spinning, hitting, and kicking. His blue sword swung through the air, vicious and deadly.
Eve saw green Kantos blood spray on the sand.
Davion lobbed some grenades and they exploded, sand flying into the air, along with screeching Kantos. He powered through the fighters, blade swinging. Unstoppable. A force of nature.
The alien holding Eve pulled her up, holding her like a shield. She could barely touch the ground. She swung her elbows, trying to fight him, but after the repeated near drownings, her moves were sluggish and uncoordinated.
Davion went down on one knee, tossing a grenade with an underarm throw. It hit the sand, rolled, and exploded. This one sprayed a sticky blue-green substance that splattered the Kantos. The clicking sounds and screeches exploded in a fever pitch that hurt Eve’s ears.
The Kantos elite holding her swung her around, one hard arm across her chest. She felt a blade pressed against her throat.
Stop, War Commander, or your toy is dead.
Davion paused, glaring.
“Toy?” Eve said.
That is all that could ever be between a Terran and an Eon.
Davion’s eyes blazed, all of it focused on her and the Kantos. God, he was something. Eve’s belly flooded. There was so much emotion in his eyes but the Kantos just couldn’t comprehend it.
“You are so wrong, bug boy,” Eve said.
Really?
“Yes.” Davion threw out one powerful arm.
Black cascaded off his armor, flowing through the air like smoke. It hit Eve’s chest.
The Kantos made a shocked sound, but Eve stood still, absorbing the symbiont.
It flowed over her skin. She felt warmth wash though her, and power infuse her system. Scale armor formed on her body, molding to her.
Then she grinned and ducked, pulling away from the stunned Kantos.
As the alien leaped back, Eve imagined a sword and it formed on her arm. She rushed him, his yellow gaze on her.
“Not a toy.” She strode toward him and he backed up.
Davion moved into view. He charged at the other Kantos, his sword glowing as he cut through them.
Eve smiled. Magnificent, and all hers.
The Kantos elite in front of her threw his arms out. The clicking sound intensified—desperate and afraid. Torax. Use the torax.
