by Celia Kyle
“Brukr, stand down.” The sharp words and tone indicated he should not argue.
He should not, but he did. “When the humans leave.”
“They have to secure their injured and collect their dead. You must stand down.”
Eric chose to move again—chose to step forward once more. Brukr restrained himself and only burnt the ground at the human’s feet again. “Cease.”
“Warrior Brukr sen Zak’lu!” The sharp command, the deep tone, the overwhelming strength in the words… Parts of Brukr reacted as trained. Some of his tension eased, his need for blood and battle retreating.
But then Hannah moaned, defeating the calm Jarek’s snarl had caused.
“No! They will harm her again! Look at the damage they caused. Them! They injured a friend of the Preor.” He glared at Jarek, begging him to see the rightness in his actions. They’d dared to touch her.
“I’m ordering you to medical in Preor Tower. Now.” Green eyes bored into his, determination and an unbreakable demand in every line of the older warrior’s expression.
“Hannah will be treated at East Fortuna.” Eric again.
“He wishes to die, Jarek. Let me grant his wish.” Smoke slipped from his nose and his flames danced in the air in front of his mouth. The dragon could not wait to set the human aflame.
“No.” Jarek glared at Brukr and then turned that fierce stare on Eric. “Hannah will not leave. She is a friend of the Preor and will be treated by Healing Master Chashan.”
“Then I’m coming with you.” Eric drew nearer.
“The male is begging for death, Jarek.”
More sirens. More flashing lights. Vehicles that belonged to human law warriors flowed into the area, taking up any remaining space.
Jarek shook his head. “No, you both will enter Preor Tower. Immediately. Human authorities will remain outside. Chashan will heal Hannah while I,” the male waved at the increasing number of humans, “see to this.”
Brukr spied several humans drawing weapons—weapons they pointed at him and Hannah. He did not wish for more blood on his claws—no matter how justified—so he simply nodded and carefully turned. He walked slowly, unhurried, despite Hannah’s need for care. He did not wish to harm her further.
Eric followed in his wake, the cadence of the male’s steps seared into Brukr’s mind. The urge to do the male harm—more than harm—plagued him, but he had to remain focused on Hannah. He’d allowed himself to be distracted by Eric, which left her suffering far longer than she needed. He would not fail her again.
She whimpered and he cooed, soothing her as his dam had cared for him when he was young. “I have you, shaa freem. All will be well.”
Or he would kill any who dared say otherwise.
They approached the tower’s entry and the doors parted before Jarek reached them, parting faster than Brukr had ever seen. He frowned at the sudden change and made a note to question the alteration once Hannah was healed. Except the moment he stepped inside, he discovered the reason for the oddity.
“Brukr, Chashan has a ryaapir unit prepared for Hannah.” Penelope’s voice filled the air, the tone almost… frantic with worry. But Preor machinery was not sentient. At least, he had never heard of such a thing. “Whelon and Yazen were notified they are required as well. They have departed the ship and are en route.”
Brukr continued to follow Jarek, Eric at his back, while Penelope continued.
“Supplies have been re-routed from East Fortuna Medical to assist.”
Eric snorted. “Your kind stealing supplies from humans, too?”
“Esteemed Warrior Jarek, permission to remove the human Eric?”
Jarek sighed once more. Perhaps it was no longer a sigh, but the way the older warrior now breathed. “No, Penelope, you cannot remove him.”
Brukr would like him removed. Ever since the human female, Liquid Knot, began altering the ship’s code, Penelope was capable of many things—such as teleporting an individual from the surface of the planet to space. Not within a vessel in space, but simply in space. It would kill Eric. Brukr endorsed such an idea.
Penelope harrumphed. The system sounded more and more like the human females within Preor Tower every day. Liquid Knot stated that Penelope’s “personality” developed based on its interactions with others. She’d attempted to explain the details to Brukr, but he was a warrior. He did not have a mind for anything beyond battle, tactics, and how to best kill another.
Another like Eric who still followed. He wondered how difficult it was to make death look like an accident.
“Whelon and Yazen have landed. Argan and Radoo provide escort. Ivoth and Elle are in medical.” Penelope gave them continual updates.
Jarek grunted but said nothing else as they climbed aboard the elevator. Eric joined them, the persistent male glaring as he stepped inside the metal box.
One puff of flame, and the male would be…
“Do not.” Two words from the male and Brukr’s fire vanished.
No matter, he would find a way to rid Earth of Eric some other way at another time. He did not like the way the human stared at Hannah, as if he wished to see her nude, touch her, taste her skin, and claim her as his own.
Brukr would not allow it. He did not have a justifiable reason why, but he would not.
The moment the elevator doors parted, they stepped out and turned left, medical only another two turns away. The closer they drew, the quicker Brukr walked, increasing his pace until he almost ran into medical. He vibrated with need, with a desperate drive to get Hannah into that space and within a ryaapir unit. The medical platform would heal her—it must.
He did not know what he would do if it did not.
Soon the doors were in sight—flat, shining metal so innocuous. They did not betray the importance of what lay within. Hannah’s salvation.
The panels slid apart before they even reached them, Penelope anticipating their needs once again. As they strode in, her voice filled the air, directing them.
“First unit on the right. It is the newest and recently calibrated for Hannah.”
Brukr did not hesitate, listening to the ship’s orders and the occasional demand from Chashan. Soon Whelon and Yazen entered as well, wings fluttering in agitation, faces set into hard determination. They did not appear concerned, simply resolute.
They would heal Hannah.
They also would not displace his position beside her. He’d let his attention stray, allowed his frustration and anger get the better of him, which led to her injuries. Had he not learned yet? Not learned to control his heart to retain his honor? Instead, he’d acted like a sixth warrior once more—sure he knew best and unwilling to bend. The emperor had nearly lost his life, and Brukr had nearly lost his head the last time he’d behaved so.
He was not sure why Syh continued to grant him leniency, but he would not allow himself to continue down the same path. He would take better care in the future. He would.
As long as Hannah was returned to him healthy and whole. If she was not… He does not know what he would do. Or who he would kill.
Chapter Twelve
Hannah was sure she would have remembered getting new gen mods. Maybe. Probably? Well, hopefully. But, whether she remembered or not, she still felt like someone had been poking at her body. Her side hurt, her arm ached, and her leg throbbed in time with her heartbeat—her rapidly increasing heartbeat.
Sure, she might forget gen mods for a little while—waking up after a session was disorienting—but she never would have messed with her body after the last time. Arms, legs, hands, feet… She’d accept a color change, but not structure. Any structural changes were limited to her face now.
Why did she hurt everywhere but her face?
She mentally groaned and gathered her strength. She wouldn’t get any answers until she woke.
She took a slow, deep breath and released it just as gradually. There would be pain, but she’d push it aside like she had in the past. She could endure… –ish.
The –ish came from the fact that her body took her decision to get mobile as permission to let the world intrude on her thoughts.
Specifically, the rumbling mass of voices. Oh, they were muffled by… something, but they still existed.
And they were arguing. Hannah knew the sound of arguing. Of terror and pain, too. Panic was a sound she’d love to forget. If only her father hadn’t taught her how to listen for them, though.
She yanked her mind away from that train of thought. She wasn’t going there. She was—
A loud roar rose above the other voices, silencing them all, and it was that animalistic sound that brought the memories back.
Sweet Violet. Outside. The reports. The followers. Then Brukr. She relaxed just by thinking of his name. Brukr.
As if thinking of him summoned the Preor warrior, a set of doors whooshed—opening or closing? She didn’t know. She simply knew that the heavy thud of boots on the floor belonged to Brukr.
Hannah forced her eyes open and then snapped them closed once more, wincing with the sharp sting. He didn’t issue an order or ask for the glare to be reduced but she sensed the brightness lessening.
“Lights at seventy percent.” Penelope. Hannah was sure the ship had its own mind no matter what Liquid Knot said.
“Hannah?” Brukr murmured, and she tried opening her eyes again, relieved when the brightness didn’t burn her.
“Hi.” She tried to smile, pulled her lips up to curl at the edges, and was relieved she didn’t experience more pain. Getting up and moving around was going to be bad enough. “What happened?”
Brukr’s eyes darkened, the color bleeding to nearly black, and his expression hardened. “How do you feel?”
“Tired.” Tired, but she’d need to quickly get untired if she was going to get away before too many formed a large crowd around the tower. She brought up her arms, rested her palms flat on the surface beneath her, and pushed herself upright. She groaned with the movement and ignored Brukr’s threatening growl.
He wouldn’t hurt her. He’d saved her. That was what happened. “Thank you for protecting me.”
“I will protect you again by pinning you to the ryaapir unit. Remain still.” He grumbled.
Ah, that was what she laid on. Upright, she took a moment to scan her surroundings. Yes, she was in medical and laying on a Preor medical platform. At some point, someone had put her in a hospital gown of some type. Thin like most, but at least she was covered.
Hannah eased her legs over the side of the platform and allowed her shoulders to slump forward. Just those few movements exhausted her. How the hell was she supposed to get away?
“Hannah, you must remain on the unit. Tell me what you desire and it can be brought.” His tone was a mixture of anger and a… plea. He begged her. This large warrior who’d fought so many and lived through countless battles, pleaded with her.
She lifted her hand and stroked his cheek, finding that the more she moved, the less she ached. It’d been so long since she had a mod that she’d forgotten that to heal she had to stay active.
“I’m fine.”
“You are not.” He shook his head. “You nearly died. You must rest.”
“You’re exaggerating just a little. I nearly died?” She snorted. “Maybe a cut or two. Possibly a broken bone, but died?”
Then she saw it. She truly saw Brukr’s emotions—feelings—in his eyes. He’d worried about her. This wasn’t the annoyance or frustration he usually expressed when he had to chase her down at the diner. This was more—deeper. So deep it touched a part of her that she’d tried to bury.
“Brukr.” She reached for him again, grabbing his uniform straps tight when he would have stepped out of reach once more. “I’m okay. I’m alive. Here. Because of you.” She gently pulled, drawing him nearer. “The ryaapir unit healed me. I’m well.”
Hannah parted her legs, giving him space to step between her knees. When he couldn’t move any closer, she went to him. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her ear on his chest. “I’m okay.”
Brukr didn’t say anything for a moment but just stood there passively while she listened to his heartbeat. Then it all changed. A single shudder wracked him, shaking his entire, massive body, and he curled forward. Thick arms embraced her, large wings lifted and curled inward to add to the careful hold. He clutched her to him, his grip gentle, but she didn’t imagine he’d release her any time soon.
Brukr simply trembled and held her, as if he’d die if he was forced to let her go. At least, that was how she imagined he felt.
In truth, he released her the moment the doors opened. The low whoosh reached her ears, and between one heartbeat and the next, his touch was gone. Instead, he spun and faced the entry, wings spread to hide her, and his body grew with his every breath. Arms and legs thickened while his shoulders broadened. Even his blue-gray wings seemed to increase in size. Dark scales slithered over his skin, replacing the deep tan with varying shades of blue and gray. His inner dragon was close to the surface, and she didn’t want to be in the same room with him if the beast broke free.
For now, she’d work on calming him. Running—if necessary—would be her second option.
She extended her arm and gently caressed his back, fingers stroking the soft skin above his wing base. “Hey, I’m right here. I’m okay. We’re in the tower. No one bad is going to get in here.”
Her father’s followers wouldn’t get in.
“She’s awake? Good.” Eric’s voice grated over her nerves, the tone scraping her body as if he was an ancient cheese grater. She twitched, which made Brukr growl, and then she was back to calming him while fighting the urge to jerk again. Because Eric kept talking. “Hannah, let’s get your condo packed up and you in the air in the next fifteen. Got it?”
She opened her mouth to agree, but Brukr spoke first. “She is not going with you.”
“Yes, she is.” Eric raised his voice. Just enough for her to know he was a very annoyed camper. “Hannah, did you hear me?”
She licked her lips and nudged Brukr. She gave herself a moment to memorize the feel of his skin beneath her fingertips. Soft and hard at the same time, silky with his scales. “Yeah. I’ll get dressed.”
She nudged him to get him to move but he simply backed into her, securing her against the platform. “She is not leaving. She remains with the Preor.”
“The human authorities require her.”
“The Preor require her.” Brukr shot the words back. “She is not leaving.”
“Who’s shouting?” Hannah recognized that voice. It was Elle, her boss. Then came the soft taps of her high heels followed by a low “oh.”
Hannah peeked around Brukr’s wing, ignoring the pain that came with the move. “Hi, Elle.”
Elle jerked back. “You’re awake.” She rapidly blinked her eyes and then turned her head to shout through the open doorway. “She’s awake!”
She kept her gaze trained on the entry, watching as others piled into the small room. One that seemed even smaller with so many in the space.
Jarek and Melissa. She vaguely recalled Jarek being involved in the mess outside. He’d been there?
Then Ivoth to join Elle.
A warrior with purple scales but no wings escorted a human female into the room. That had to be War Master Taulan and his mate, Lana.
Others entered as well, warriors with their mates all lining the wall.
And everyone’s attention was on her.
Yippee!
With every newcomer, Eric’s face darkened and eyes narrowed until she wondered if he could even see. He didn’t say a word as they filed in, gaze missing nothing while his lips remained firmly pressed together.
Until the last couple entered, Zadri and Delaney—the other half of Cole-Daven.
“Now that everyone is here,” Eric sneered, and Hannah held her breath, wondering who’d stab Eric first. “I need someone to help me pack Hannah’s things. I have a transport coming for us.”
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“I have already denied you. Hannah remains here.” Smoke accompanied Brukr’s words, and she wondered which of the other warriors would set the record straight. Except no one objected to Brukr’s words.
“And I’ve told you, it’s imperative that she leave as soon as possible.” The way Eric’s eyes flashed with fury told her things could get physical very easily.
“No.”
Eric took a step forward and the warriors moved in unison. Each stiffened and pushed their mate behind them, all wearing an expression that said try it.
Which was why Eric didn’t attempt to talk to Brukr anymore and instead focused on Hannah. “You know you can’t stay. Not now.”
She did know. It was what she hated about life. It always had a habit of destroying whatever happiness she found. “I know.”
“You are not leaving, Hannah.” Now Brukr argued with her. “You are remaining. The human Eric is departing.”
“They won’t stop.” Eric raised his eyebrows. “You know that, right? You know how persistent they are.”
God, she did know. One time she’d tried to stay in a town after someone identified her, and then… She nodded. “I know, I know.”
“You know you are remaining?” Brukr questioned and then grunted. “Good.”
So like a man who only heard what he wanted and ignored the rest.
“I have to leave.” As much as it hurt—bone-deep, soul-deep hurt—there was no other choice. “The sooner the better.”
“No.”
“Brukr, you don’t understand. They’ve…” She reached up and rubbed her temple, stress and exhaustion pounding at her mind. “This has to happen.”
“You are correct. I do not understand. Explain.” He wanted her to explain, but he remained in place, a physical barrier between her and Eric.
Eric butted in before she could come up with an answer. “There’s not much to understand here. You’re standing there protecting Han—”
“You’re not authorized to disclose information about me.” Hannah snapped out the words, glaring at Eric as she released each one. “Ever.”
