Page 55 of Adored By the Alien Warlord

“We need to split up,” I whispered. “Flank them from all sides.”

Valdar nodded. “Kro Ek, take part of the force and circle around to the left. Krekk, you take four and thattunnel.” He pointed. “Torinar? You and two others pace two openings past Krekk and enter there. Davon will take three of us and enter from a few openings on our right. The last of our group and I will work our way around to the opposite side. Attack when you hear my cry.”

Softly grunting, we disappeared into the shadows. I carefully guided my group to the right, using the flickering shadows cast by the fire to hide until it was time.

The sharp taint of smoke and the musk of Veerenad sweat overwhelmed me.

We waited, our weapons tight in our hands and with sweat trickling down our faces. Finally, Valdar released a low chitter, the signal.

With a roar, we charged into the chamber, our battle cries echoing off the walls. The king's guards reeled around; their wide eyes filled with anger. We clashed in a flurry of steel and scales, the chamber filling with the snarls of battle.

I fought with a desperation born of love and fear, my sword flashing in the firelight. I dodged a guard's wild swing, his blade whistling past my ear, and countered with a swift thrust. He fell, his body twitching as I wrenched my sword free.

Around me, Valdar and his forces engaged the enemy, brutal and efficient. They used the shadows, striking from the darkness and melting away before the guards could counter.

The remaining king's forces regrouped, forming a defensive circle around one particular passage. Was thatwhere the king thought he could hide? Their spears bristled, and their eyes gleamed with malice.

Valdar and I exchanged a glance. We needed to break their formation to get past them. I signaled to a small group of Veerenads, pointing toward the narrow alcoves carved into the right chamber wall. They nodded, giving me sharp grins.

“One moment,” I said, stooping down. Yes, there was some sand mixed in with the soil on the cavern floor. I closed my eyes and asked the gods to help if they could and the sand warmed beneath my palm.

Straightening, I nodded.

Valdar gave me an odd look. “I’ve heard of your gods but . . .”

“It’s hard for anyone to believe.”

He grunted and spun to attack. While he and the rest roared toward the guards in the front, I and a few others split off and circled behind the enemy. Focused on the main battle, they didn't hear us coming.

Sand lifted from the ground, swirling around me like the sand twisters I’d seen in the desert. It plunged toward the guards and when it hit them, they cried out in terror. We used their disarray to our advantage, attacking them from the rear.

Their line crumbled, and we pressed forward, driving them back toward the fire pit. The battle turned into a frenzy, Veerenads snarling and weapons slashing.

I fought with single-minded fury, my thoughts fixed on Maggie. I could see her face, her smile, and hear her laughter. The memory of her screams as they took heraway made anger boil inside me. I channeled that rage into my strikes, my sword moving with deadly precision.

We pushed forward, our footsteps loud in the tunnels. The clash of steel and the growls of battle still rang in my ears, but we were closer now, I could feel it. Maggie was near.

The passage widened, and we reached a heavily secured area. Guards lined the entrance, their spears bristling, snarls ripping up their throats.

I didn't hesitate but charged forward, my sword flashing, my heart overwhelmed with the need to reach Maggie. The guards lunged at me, but I parried their blows, my sword moving in for the kill.

Valdar and the others battled around me with a ferocity that matched my own, their cries piercing my ears.

One by one, the king's guards fell, and we stepped over them, leaving them on the ground.

The king slid from the shadows, weapons in both of his hands. His eyes locked on Valdar, and he slashed his blades through the air, a wild smile on his face.

Valdar growled, rushing forward to meet his uncle's challenge.

The two males circled each other, the scent of their sweat filling the air. Valdar's allies moved in, eliminating the final guards, their movements quick and efficient.

“Go, Davon,” Valdar grunted, his eyes never leaving the king. “Find your mate.”

I rushed past them, and when I entered the passage behind the king, her faint voice reached me. “Davon.”

I followed the sound, my feet flying over the rough stone. Then I saw her, pressed against the bars of a cell, her face full of relief.

“Maggie,” I breathed, rushing to her. I grabbed the bars, my eyes scanning her for any signs of injury. “Are you hurt?”