Page 14 of Hunter's Moon

Forcing myself to focus, I moved away, crouching low as I circled around behind the guards. When I was in position, I gave a low whistle.

Lina popped up from behind the crates and started firing. Her aim was wild, but it did the job. The guards ducked for cover, shouting in confusion.

I emerged from my hiding spot, my rifle already blazing. Three guards went down before they even realized what was happening.

But then one of them spotted me. He raised his weapon, aiming not at me, but at Lina.

Time seemed to slow down. I saw his finger tightening on the trigger. Saw Lina, exposed and vulnerable. Saw the energy bolt streaking towards her.

Something inside me snapped.

With a roar that was more animal than sentient, I charged forward. My rifle clattered to the ground, forgotten. I wanted to feel their deaths with my bare hands.

I reached the first guard and tore into him, quite literally. My fingers, suddenly more like claws, ripped through his throat. Blood sprayed, hot and coppery, across my face.

The others tried to react, but they were too slow. Too weak.

I moved among them like a whirlwind of death. Bones crunched under my fists. Flesh tore beneath my teeth. I lost myself in a haze of violence and rage.

When it was over, I stood amidst a sea of broken bodies, panting heavily. Slowly, the red mist faded from my vision, and I became aware of my surroundings again.

Lina stood a few feet away, eyes wide with shock. The sidearm hung limply at her side, forgotten.

“Tharion?” she said hesitantly. “Are you... are you okay?”

I looked down at myself, covered in blood and gore. My hands shook, coming down from the adrenaline high.

“I’m fine,” I growled, my voice rough. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, taking a tentative step towards me. “No, I’m okay. Thanks to you.”

I grunted, uncomfortable with her gratitude. I hadn’t saved her out of any noble impulse. The thought of her being harmed had triggered something primal in me, something I didn’t understand, didn’t want to understand.

“We need to keep moving,” I said, retrieving my rifle from where I’d dropped it. “There will be more coming.”

Lina nodded, falling into step beside me as we made our way towards what I hoped was the exit.

As we moved, I wondered about the snippets of conversation we’d overheard. A secret planet? The Obsidian Dawn? The Trefter Syndicate? What had this human woman gotten herself involved in?

I glanced at her, noting the determination in her eyes, the set of her jaw. Whatever it was, I had a feeling our troubles were far from over.

LINA

Istumbled after Tharion, my legs burning from exertion. The metallic scent of blood clung to him, a constant reminder of the violence we’d just escaped. His gray skin glistened with sweat, the dark green markings on his arms and neck seeming to pulse with each labored breath.

“Tharion.” I reached for his arm. “We need to stop. You’re hurt.”

He turned, his eyes glowing in the dim light of the corridor. “We can’t. They’ll be right behind us.”

A shudder ran through his body. I’d heard stories about the Vinduthi - their strength, their ferocity. But seeing Tharion like this, injured and exhausted, made my heart ache.

“Even Vinduthi need rest,” I insisted, scanning our surroundings. The compound’s stark metal walls offered little in the way of hiding places.

A faint hum caught my attention. I cocked my head, listening. “Do you hear that?”

Tharion nodded. “Ventilation system.”

I spotted a vent cover near the floor, large enough for us to crawl through. “There. We can hide in the ducts.”