Storm of Eon (Eon Warriors Book 7)

by Anna Hackett

  “Little guy, do that again.” She scrambled up. “On the oil.”

  Like he knew exactly what she was saying, the lizard moved closer to the oil and let out a stream of flames.

  The oil ignited.

  Mouth dropping open, she watched as the fire ran along the channel and then through the fountains. The fountains turned into springs of cascading fire. The channels turned into a wall of flame, rising high, circling around her and Sabin.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sabin stared at the flames then turned to look at Finley. She grabbed the small lizard, and held it to her face. It nuzzled her cheek.

  “Thank you. Thank you!”

  Through the flames, he saw the Kantos bugs had stopped, staring at them hungrily.

  Sabin tried to focus. “Well done, Dr. Delgado.”

  She dropped down beside him, her fingers brushing his cheek. “I had a little help.”

  “I saw that.”

  The lizard ran along her arm. She glanced at the flames and bit her lip. “I’m not sure the fire will hold them for long.”

  He grunted. Nothing stopped the Kantos for long. He pulled in a breath, but it was hard. He was weak and it was hard to keep his eyes open.

  “Sabin, no. Stay awake.” Her voice was laced with desperation. “Stay with me.”

  He reached out and managed to grab her hand. “I love you, Finley. Everything about you.”

  “I know you didn’t want to fall in love. That you were afraid.”

  “I was so wrong. So scared.” He smiled. “Not anymore. You make me stronger, more centered.”

  She lowered her head and pressed her mouth to his.

  Then he grimaced.

  “Sabin? God, there’s so much blood.”

  “Finley, I’m going soon.” He felt it. His energy draining.

  “No.” She shook her head. “No, no, no.”

  The lizard ran along his arm, now a deep black color, like he’d picked up her sorrow.

  She pressed her forehead to Sabin’s. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Hurts.” His voice was losing strength.

  She swallowed a cry. “I don’t want you hurting.”

  All of a sudden, Sabin felt a flicker from his helian. He sucked in a breath.

  “Sabin?” Her fingers tightened on him.

  “I felt my helian.”

  Her eyes widened and she looked down. “Oh, my God. The lizard is eating the goo on your helian band.”

  Sabin turned his head and saw the little creature licking at his helian band, black around its mouth. It kept munching.

  “God,” Finley breathed.

  Sabin felt his helian breaking through, starting to take over. His body arched.

  “Sabin?”

  “My helian is…healing me.” But it hurt. His symbiont was pouring everything it had into healing his injuries. Energy filled him.

  “Thank God.” Finley wiped her tears away and smiled.

  “Help me up.”

  With Finley’s help, Sabin rose. He was still shaky, and he knew it would take a while to heal all his wounds.

  The lizard leaped on his shoulder. “Thanks, little guy.”

  It squeaked and froze with its leg sticking out again.

  Sabin turned his head and looked through the flames. He stiffened.

  Kantos soldiers and bugs were pacing. Getting ready to attack.

  “Finley, behind me.”

  As they turned, he saw that there was an entire circle of Kantos surrounding them, just outside the flames.

  Cren. It would be impossible to keep her safe.

  Where the hell were Malax and Airen? He scanned the sky, but all he saw were the shadows of two moons, and no Rengard.

  He commanded his helian to form his sword, and the long, black blade extended.

  “Sabin, you’re in no condition to fight. You aren’t healed yet.”

  He gripped her chin. “I don’t have a choice. The Kantos are about to attack.”

  Fear flared, but she lifted her chin. “We’re not giving up.”

  “We’re not giving up,” he echoed. “I can…”

  “What?” She gripped his arm.

  “I can let my senses free.”

  She sucked in a breath. “What do you mean?”

  “The full spectrum of my enhanced abilities will let me sense things quicker, move faster.”

  “It’ll help you! Do it.”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. “But if I lose total control—”

  “You won’t.” She rose up and kissed him. “You’re my strong, disciplined, honorable warrior.” She smiled. “I know you can do this.”

  A hunting bug leaped through the fire.

  Sabin stepped forward and threw the chains off his senses. He’d do anything to keep Finley safe.

  Everything expanded—his eyesight, his smell, his hearing, his touch. Sensation and energy flooded his body.

  The bug attacked and he knew exactly where it was aiming. He could read every move a fraction of a second before it happened. He slashed out with his sword. He kicked the bleeding bug back into the flames.

  It screeched and struggled as it burned.

  Another one leaped through. Then another.

  Sabin fought, his senses open wide, his focus on nothing but the swing of his sword.

  Then he heard Finley cry out.

  He swiveled, his heart thumping.

  Three bugs were advancing on her from the other side of the circle.

  One jumped, and suddenly the lizard ran along her arm and opened its mouth. It breathed fire in the face of the bug.

  The Kantos crashed to the ground, shaking its burning head.

  Sabin slashed at a second bug. A third one leaped at Finley. They crashed to the ground, the bug on top of her.

  “Finley!” Sabin growled.

  He took two steps to help her when a soldier dove through the wall of fire. It attacked him and he whipped his sword up.

  He saw Finley struggling to push the bug off her, its snapping mandibles getting closer and closer to her face.

  She had no weapon. No way to defend herself.

  His heart was beating like a drum in his chest. “Finley!”

  Suddenly, scales flew off Sabin’s armor, moving through the air like a black cloud.

  They hit Finley’s body, flowing over her.

  With a screech, the bug leaped off her.

  Sabin’s heart stopped.

  Finley rose, staring at her body.

  Finley was his mate.

  A sense of rightness filled him. Of course, she was. “Finley, think of a shield and a weapon.”

  She held out her arms. The black-scale armor covered her snugly. Suddenly, a glowing purple energy shield formed on her left arm and a short sword on her right.

  “I can’t use a sword,” she cried.

  The Kantos soldier attacked Sabin again and he looked away from her. He kicked and slashed at his opponent.

  “Just swing it,” he yelled over his shoulder.

  A bug attacked her. She held up the shield and drove the bug back. She jabbed with the sword.

  She clipped the bug and sent it through the fire.

  Sabin kept fighting the soldier, working his way toward her. His happiness at seeing her safe in his armor bled away.

  “There are so many,” she breathed.

  The lizard peeked out of her hair.

  Kantos soldiers and bugs filled the streets of the ruined city. They were all converging on Sabin and Finley.

  Sabin pulled her close. They couldn’t lose hope.

  “Stay strong, my gorgeous mate.”

  “Mate?” She shook her head. “This has been a hell of a day. My first trip to space, my first spacewalk, my first—and I hope only—abduction by aliens, my first time on an alien planet, and now mated to a sexy alien warrior.”

  Two soldiers leaped through the fire on the far side of the circle.

  “Let’s fight, mate of mine.” Sabin charged.


  Finley was right behind him.

  They kicked and slashed and skewered. Finley fought—she wasn’t skilled, but she was fueled by the will to survive.

  But as they fought the Kantos, he knew that they were both tiring. His body was still healing his injuries, and several had started bleeding again.

  A soldier rammed into him from the side and he fell to his knees.

  “Sabin!” Finley fought to get to him.

  An elite emerged from the flames. Time to die, Eon.

  Suddenly, a body swooped in and landed in a crouch in front of Sabin. For a second, he thought it was a Kantos assassin.

  But the figure rose, a powerful body covered in black-scale armor, with wings that retracted back into the armor.

  War Commander Malax Dann-Jad.

  More bodies landed. Airen. Donovan. The warriors of Sabin’s security team.

  They all formed long swords and attacked.

  Thank. God.

  Finley watched the Eon warriors fight, relief punching through her. She kicked a bug and held her shield up to block another one.

  Nearby, an Eon shuttle, followed by several sleek Eon fighters, whizzed past, opening fire on Kantos in the streets.

  She worked her way back to Sabin. He was already looking stronger, standing taller. Her lizard friend curled around her ear.

  Sabin saw her, emotion filling his face. He yanked her into his arms as the fight raged around them. His arms were so tight she could barely breathe.

  “Sabin.”

  His hold loosened.

  She cupped his cheeks. His eyes were flickering, his nostrils flared. “Are you all right?”

  “Cren.” He pressed his face against her hair. “Yes. Sensory overload.”

  She kissed him, slowly, with deliberate gentleness. “Come back to me.”

  His hands flexed on her, then his eyes returned to normal. “Thank you, Finley.”

  “For what?” She clung to him. She never wanted to let him go.

  “For not giving up.” He met her gaze. “For saving me. For believing that I could control my senses.”

  “I’ll never give up on you, and I trust you with everything I have.”

  They kissed.

  She looked at the armor covering her. “So, we’re mates.”

  “We are.”

  Her stomach did an uncomfortable roll. “You told me you never wanted a mate.”

  He had an unreadable look on his face. “I never—”

  “Sabin.” Malax strode to them. The man radiated authority and was a little intimidating.

  “Malax.” The men clasped arms in a warrior grasp.

  Finley saw the other warriors had finished dispatching the Kantos. The rest had run and were being chased down by Eon fighter ships.

  The warriors moved closer. She noted that one man—with dark skin and a muscular body—was actually human. She realized it was Sub-Captain Donovan Lennox. The Space Corps officer was assigned to the Rengard, and mated to the tough female warrior, Airen Kann-Felis, the second commander of the Rengard. Finley guessed it was the tall, sleek woman standing beside him.

  Sabin greeted the warriors. “I’m glad you weren’t any later.”

  “We met a little resistance getting here.” Airen’s gaze flicked to Finley in her scale armor, then back to Sabin. “I see you’ve been busy.”

  “Sabin, I’m afraid this isn’t over.” Malax’s face was deadly serious, and Finley’s stomach dropped.

  Sabin slid an arm across her shoulders. “Tell us.”

  Malax paused. “Congratulations on your mating.”

  Sabin didn’t respond. God, was he even happy about it? He’d told her that he loved her, but she knew that he’d never wanted to mate.

  “The Kantos fleet is about to attack Earth,” Malax said.

  Finley gasped. “The StarStorm?”

  “Space Corps is trying to get it operational, but they need your expertise, Dr. Delgado.”

  “Let’s go.”

  A shuttle landed nearby and as they moved toward it, the little lizard, now vibrant green, turned around on her palm. “You’re safe now, little guy.”

  She lowered her hand and the lizard leaped off. It squeaked, then moved over to touch her hand—like a kiss—then with one last look, it darted away.

  “Good luck.” Sadness moved through her, but hope, as well. Hope that her little friend would thrive, and that this world would recover. She scanned the ruins and prayed that somewhere, some of its residents remained hidden and safe.

  Now, she had to save Earth.

  The Eon shuttle was sleek and spacious. Much nicer than Space Corps’ designs. Within minutes, they were strapped into plush seats and zooming away from C’addon.

  Finley bounced her leg, nerves getting the better of her.

  “Hey.” Sabin’s hand rested on her thigh. “It’s going to be fine.”

  She nodded.

  A warrior sat beside them. “Glad to see that you’re still alive.”

  He had gray threaded through his brown hair, although he didn’t look much older than Sabin.

  With a smile, Sabin gave the man a one-armed hug, slapping his back. “Finley, this is Medical Commander Thane Kann-Eon.”

  “I’m this guy’s closest friend, and medical commander of the Rengard.” Thane’s green-black gaze took in Finley’s armor and his eyes widened. “You’re mated.” He grinned.

  “So it seems,” Sabin said.

  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 or
ders. 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.