Knightqueen - Page 84

Off to the left was a blink of red light. Kaden teleported in right behind another Gek’Dragar, and ran the soldier through with his curved, red sword.

Ashtin leaped into the air, whirling, two balls of energy sparking on each of his hands. He threw them and they smashed into a group of enemy soldiers.

Nearby Kennedy crouched, holding her blaster up, aiming as she fired on the enemy. Sten heard a roar, and turned. Davion, dressed in the signature black-scale armor of the Eon warriors, held a huge sword that also glowed blue. He charged into combat, swinging his weapon with power and skill. Nearby, Eve—wearing matching armor to her mate—swung two smaller swords, no less deadly.

Sten focused on fighting, and assessing any opponent who got too close to Carys.

They battled closer to the wreckage of the ship. More and more Gek’Dragar fell.

Finally, cheers went up.

The lead knights had reached the ship.

Carys stalked through her knights. Sten stayed one step behind her. Some knighthunters had several Gek’Dragar down on their knees, under guard.

“Where is the weapon?” she demanded.

Ashtin and several other knights moved onto the ship. “We’ll search it and look for any remaining Gek’Dragar.”

One of the Gek’Dragar prisoners looked up, his teeth covered in blood. “You won’t find the weapon.” He let out a phlegmy laugh.

Sten stalked over and pressed the tip of his sword to the alien’s throat. “Your leaders are dead. Your battle is over. You’ve lost.”

“It will be over when the Oronis dissolve to dust.” The Gek’Dragar laughed again. “Our best have taken the Blue Death to your precious capital. We were just the distraction.”

Sten rammed the sword forward. The soldier choked, blood streaming down his chest. He sagged forward.

“Knightqueen.” Ashtin ran out of the ship, his face in harsh lines “There are signs that a four-man team left the ship.”

Sten cursed.

Carys stepped forward. “I will stop them. Sten, Ashtin, Kaden, and Nea, with me. We need to track them and move fast.” She turned and looked at Kennedy, Davion, and Eve. “Can I leave you here to coordinate with the knights and secure the starship crash site?”

“Of course,” Kennedy said. She looked at Ashtin. “Be careful.”

The knightmaster strode to her and gave her a quick, hard kiss.

Carys looked toward the edge of the plains. She studied the ground ahead. It was rockier, covered in trees. It would make it easier for the Gek’Dragar to evade them.

You can’t hide for long.

Carys’ hand tightened on her sword. “Let’s move.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

They spread out, running through the trees.

The deep, large prints of the Gek’Dragar were heading in the direction of the city.

Carys kept running. She had to stop them. She couldn’t let them unleash the Blue Death.

She drew in a deep breath, and let calmness wash over her. She was resolute.

As the knightqueen, she would protect her people.

“This way,” Ashtin called.

She saw her knightmaster turn sharply right, following the tracks on the ground.