Soul of Eon (Eon Warriors Book 8) Page 6

“They’re coming.” Thane gripped her arm. “Let’s go.”

  They ran down the tunnel. It looked naturally-formed to Kaira. The walls were banded with glowing and glittering strips of rocks and minerals. They maneuvered through a few gentle twists and turns.

  They came to a junction. Several tunnels speared off in different directions. Cobwebs hung from the rocky ceiling, but they looked old and broken—not fresh.

  Good. Hopefully, whatever made them was long gone.

  “Are the bugs following us?” she asked.

  “I’m not detecting them.”

  Her belly clenched. Why weren’t they following?

  Thane studied the tunnels. “I believe the Kantos base is in that direction.”

  They headed off into the tunnel to the left. More cobwebs decorated the walls and roof, and these ones were thicker, and looked newer.

  “I don’t like the look of those,” she murmured.

  Thane grunted.

  They shoved through several of them and the filaments were sticky, clinging to her gloves. Then she spotted a large chamber ahead, that seemed to glow with a brighter light. They stepped closer, and she saw that there were holes up above, letting the light down.

  A pool of still water sat in the center, a brilliant aqua color.

  They moved closer, and Thane crouched and touched the water. She assumed he was using his helian to test it.

  “The quality appears fine. It’s drinkable.” He filled up the bottle, and handed it to her. “The pool’s deep. I can’t sense the bottom.”

  She drank, detecting a faint sweet taste to the water. She handed the bottle back to him, then walked over to examine the walls. They were covered in moss. She touched it, and a blue color shimmered across it, leaving a bioluminescent glow on the tips of her gloves.

  “Thane, the walls are really wet. There’s moss growing on it.”

  He strode over to her. “Let’s find a way out. There are more tunnels on the other side of the pool.”

  They skirted the water and tiredness tugged at her. She had no idea how much time had passed since their abduction, but the lack of sleep was starting to wear her down.

  “You all right?” he asked.

  She glanced up to see Thane watching her carefully.

  She nodded. “Just tired. It’s been a wild ride.”

  “I’ll get you home. I promise.”

  “We’ll get home,” she said.

  There was an intense look in his black-green eyes, and he nodded.

  Several tunnel entrances peppered the wall ahead of them.

  “I think the right-hand one is best—” He broke off with a groan, going down on one knee.

  Her pulse jumped. “Thane?” She crouched beside him. “What’s wrong?” She pressed a hand to his back. God, was he hurt?

  “Don’t touch me.” He shifted away from her.

  She felt a strange punch to her gut, and dropped her hand.

  He was breathing heavily, his body shaking.

  Screw this. She moved around in front of him and crouched. “Let me help you.”

  His head lifted. The green in his eyes looked alive. “I’m feeling stirrings of the Eon mating fever.”

  “Oh.” Her belly was alive with flutters.

  “I won’t hurt you. I…just need a minute to get it under control.”

  “The mating fever…?”

  “It makes me want to touch you.” His body shuddered.

  She dragged in a deep breath. She stared at him. He was a good man. An honorable man. He’d protected her, been with her every step of this horrible situation.

  She cupped his cheeks.

  “Kaira—”

  She kissed him.

  He groaned and she deepened the kiss, pulling in the taste of him. She kept it slow. Desire was a slow simmer in her belly.

  She might not want to be mated, but she wanted him.

  He shuddered, but didn’t touch her. Except his mouth moved on hers—firm, demanding. So, so good.

  Kaira forced herself to pull back.

  They stared at each other for a beat. He looked better, and his breathing had evened out.

  “Come on.” She helped him up.

  “I’m good. Thank you.” He looked to the tunnels, gathering himself. “Let’s get going. I want to find a way out of this underground maze.”

  Small rocks crunched under their boots.

  “The quicker we get out of here and get to the Kantos base, the better,” he said.

  “You think the Eon are looking for us?” she asked.

  “Yes, and when they get our signal, they’ll be here as fast as they can.”

  Good. Kaira wanted off this planet.

  A rumble echoed through the tunnel.

  They both froze.

  The ground and walls started to shake, and dust rained down on them.

  “What now?” she said.

  Thane turned, looking back the way they’d come.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I hear water.”

  He strode back down the tunnel, and Kaira jogged to follow. They turned a bend, and ahead, she could see the chamber and the pool they’d left behind.

  Her heart stopped. “Oh, God.”

  The water in the pool was rising up, starting to flood through the chamber.

  Thane spun. “Run.”

  “It’s not so bad—”

  “It’s rising faster.”

  He took her hand and they ran. It wasn’t long before her chest was burning. Kaira stumbled, but Thane caught her.

  She heard the rush of water coming behind them with a loud roar. Shit. There was no way they’d be able to outrun it.

  Thane stopped and pulled her close.

  “We can’t beat it,” he said.

  Her heart thumped hard against her ribs.

  “Hold on.” He wrapped himself around her. His armor changed, the black scales twining around them both like a rope. He’d tied them together.

  “Thane.” Fear drummed through her.

  “I’m here.” His gaze met hers.

  Then a wall of water rushed down the tunnel toward them.

  Oh, God.

  She bit her lip and held onto him tighter.

  Then the water hit them and swept them away.

  Thane held on tight to Kaira. They were swept along, tumbling over and over.

  He sucked in a breath, and heard Kaira spluttering.

  He kicked his legs, trying to keep their heads above the deluge. He knew he could form helmets, but one big knock against a rock could shatter it in their faces.

  A deafening roar reached his ears, and he realized in a flash what was ahead. He thrust a hand out.

  He caught a rock and stopped their mad rush.

  They’d reached the top of a huge fall of water. The tunnel opened into a large chasm below.

  “Shit!” Kaira yelled.

  Thane gripped the rock harder, trying to hold on.

  They were hanging over the drop, water rushing over them.

  “Can’t…hold on much longer.” Every muscle in his arm strained.

  Kaira touched his face. “Let go.”

  “No. Have to…keep you safe.”

  But his fingers were slipping.

  “I’ll release the armor, and you climb up.”

  “Hell no, warrior. Let go. We’ll fall together.”

  His gut clenched. “Kaira—”

  Her face was resolute. “Do it.”

  He let go.

  The water washed them over the edge.

  As they fell, he curled his body around hers. He spun so he was on the bottom.

  A second later, they hit a pool with a huge splash.

  Bubbles rose around him and Thane kicked. Finally, their heads broke the surface.

  Kaira spluttered. “I always hated waterslides as a kid.”

  Holding her tight, Thane kicked to the side.

  It was another pool of water, being filled by the roaring flow tumbling down from above
. He reached the edge and dragged them both onto the rocky shore.

  Kaira flopped on her back. Her wet hair stuck to her head.

  As they watched, the waterfall slowly decreased, and then stopped.

  She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

  He squeezed back.

  “We need to search for a way out.” He didn’t want to be here if the water started rising again.

  She nodded and pushed to her feet. Then she swayed.

  “Kaira?”

  He swung her around. She blinked, her eyes unfocused.

  “I… It hurts.”

  “What?” he demanded.

  Her cheeks were flushed. He touched her neck. She was burning up.

  “Kaira, tell me—”

  She collapsed.

  Thane caught her and lifted her into his arms. He moved away from the water’s edge and set her down on the stone floor.

  She moaned.

  “Hold on, Kaira.” He touched her face.

  Her eyes were completely unfocused, like she didn’t see him.

  Panic was slick in his veins, and Thane fought to find the doctor inside him. He’d treated thousands of people without ever letting fear take over.

  But this time, he couldn’t quite find that calm. He commanded his helian, and her scale armor melted away. Instantly, he saw her shirt was torn. When he saw her shoulder, he hissed.

  It was red and inflamed where she’d been scratched.

  He cursed.

  “Thane.” Her voice was weak and she thrashed.

  “Shh. I’m going to take care of you.”

  “Hurts.”

  He studied the scratch. It was infected. Likely some sort of poison.

  He needed to use havv, and he only had one vial with him. He hadn’t been expecting to be abducted when he’d visited Earth. He pulled it out without hesitation and dripped it onto her wound. He smoothed it over her skin.

  She writhed.

  “I know. I know.” He pulled her into his lap. “Let the healing happen.”

  There was sweat on her brow, and her eyes opened. Her pupils were dilated.

  “Thane?”

  “I’m here.”

  Her brow creased and her gaze latched onto his face.

  “You’re really pretty,” she murmured.

  He fought back a smile. “Just rest now.”

  “I love your eyes. And your jaw. And your lips.” She made a sound. “I really like kissing you.”

  He fought back a groan.

  “I want you so badly, but I’m so afraid to reach out.”

  “Kaira—” His hands flexed on her. She was killing him.

  “Could fall for you,” she whispered. “Strong, smart, sexy warrior.”

  “Kaira.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “You’ll hate that you told me this.”

  “Glad we’re together. Whatever happens, I’m really glad you’re with me, Thane.”

  “Me too, Starlight. Now rest.”

  “Starlight. Like that.”

  “It’s from a famous Eon poem. A warrior calls his most cherished mate his starlight in the darkness.”

  “Pretty.” Her eyelashes fluttered closed. She had thick, ridiculously long lashes.

  Thane sat back and stroked her temple.

  His mate was beautiful. With her brown skin, high cheekbones and those long eyelashes. And so small, yet so strong and tough. A mix of contradictions, his mate.

  Telling him that she would never get close to someone again, then telling him that she wanted him.

  Cren.

  He wanted her so much he could barely breathe.

  He stroked her dark hair. It was drying after their trip through the water. All he could focus on was getting to the Kantos base, getting the message out, and keeping Kaira safe.

  Until they made it off Crolla, he wouldn’t risk her by giving into his desire.

  Then he felt the stirring of the mating fever.

  He gritted his teeth. He would protect her, from himself, as well.

  “Rest now, Kaira.”

  He stayed close, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She seemed to be resting calmly now.

  He needed her healed so they could keep moving and get to the base.

  For now, he’d keep watch and make sure nothing disturbed her sleep.

  Chapter Eight

  She blinked her eyes. She felt like she’d been run over by a truck.

  “Kaira?”

  Thane’s handsome face came into view. God, she could stare at him all day.

  “You with me?” he asked.

  She nodded. “What happened? I remember the waterfall from hell, then it gets hazy.”

  “You were scratched by those bear predators. It was poisoning you.”

  She touched her shoulder, remembering burning pain. “It feels okay now. I’m just tired.”

  “The havv fixed the injury, and my helian will do what it can to feed you some energy.”

  Because they were mates. For some reason, the thought didn’t make her panic quite so much.

  Kaira sat up and nearly fell sideways.

  Thane grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. “Easy.”

  She might need another minute or two. “We need to find a way out—”

  “Rest. Doctor’s orders.”

  With a sigh, she leaned against him. He was so warm. She moved her hand and it landed on his thigh.

  They both stiffened. She lifted her hand.

  “Don’t,” he said. “Don’t move it.”

  She hesitated, then let her hand drop to his corded thigh.

  It felt good.

  “Tell me about being a doctor. Do you like it?” Not the smoothest change of subject.

  “Yes. It’s my calling. I like healing people. I like solving challenges.”

  And he was an excellent warrior. She’d seen him fight. He was good.

  “Do you like the Air Force?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I like the order, and the challenges, and serving my country.” She resisted the urge to stroke the muscles under her fingers. “Although, I realize I’ve been all work since…”

  “You lost your husband.”

  She nodded. “This experience is a good reminder that I need to live a little more.”

  His hand moved to the back of her neck and squeezed. A quiet understanding. She closed her eyes. She was so drawn to him.

  They sat in companionable silence. Together they watched the pool of water, so still and calm.

  “I’m going to look around.” He shifted and rose. “You keep resting.”

  “I can—”

  He raised a brow. “Doctor’s orders.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Does that really work for you?”

  “Most of the time.”

  She watched him circle the pool and check the walls. He crouched, touching some of the rocks.

  Her gaze moved down his body. She loved the easy way he moved his powerful form.

  He finally wandered back her way and she pushed to her feet. She was feeling better, steadier.

  “There are some shafts in the far wall,” he said.

  “But?” She heard it in his voice.

  “But they go down. There’s no other way out of here, except the way we came in.”

  Kaira glanced at the cliff they’d fallen down. The sheer walls didn’t look scalable. “Well, maybe if we go down, we’ll find a way up.” A yawn hit her.

  He eyed her. “We should find somewhere to rest, get some sleep.”

  “I vote we go down.”

  He nodded. “We’ll have to climb.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’m ready.”

  They circled the pool. Thankfully, there were no signs of any more floods.

  They reached the wall, and she spotted the holes he was talking about. Thane waved her in.

  Kaira poked her head in and turned to look downward. The rock walls were rough, and the shaft was roughly circular, like a chimney. It had a slight slant to it, which
would help with the climb.

  “I’ll go first,” Thane said.

  She watched him climb into the shaft and start inching down.

  Right. She pressed a boot to the wall and climbed out over the hole.

  Ugh. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  She moved downward, moving her hands and feet, one after the other.

  God, if they slipped…

  Kaira gritted her teeth. She just had to think about getting out of here, then into the Kantos base.

  Suddenly, her hand slipped, and she lost her grip.

  Shit.

  She dropped and smacked into Thane.

  Thankfully, they didn’t fall. He’d locked his arms and legs, and was holding them still.

  “Jesus. Sorry.”

  “You all right?” he rumbled in her ear.

  She nodded and reached for the wall, conscious that she was plastered against his body.

  She got a grip and steadied herself. They kept moving.

  “We’re close to the bottom,” he said.

  A second later, she moved out of the shaft behind him.

  She stepped out into a cavern awash in a blue-white glow.

  “Oh my…”

  It looked like a fairytale. Bioluminescent plants covered the walls. Some dripped down from the ceiling, looking like strands of fairy lights. There was another small pool of water in the center of the space, with the same blue glow as the plants.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said.

  “Kaira, look.” Thane walked toward the far wall.

  She gasped. The stone wall was covered in symbols. There were circles and lines, all painted in a glimmering gold. They linked together in intricate designs.

  “Some sort of language?” She touched a line and a pulse of light flared across the concentric circles.

  “These might belong to whatever ancient culture lived on Crolla before the Kantos came,” Thane said.

  “Maybe the same aliens who built the stone ruins above.” Sadness washed through her. No doubt they’d been victims of the Kantos as well.

  There was a sound behind them. The crunch of rocks under a foot.

  They both spun.

  She didn’t see anything in the cavern.

  Both of them tensed and scanned around.

  “Anything?” she asked.

  “I’m not picking up any life signs.”

  “Okay, well I suggest we rest.” She yawned again. Tiredness was dragging on her like a heavy blanket. “I—”

  There was a sudden burst of bright light. She blinked and several figures appeared out of nowhere.