Soren's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell Page B

of boulders located around the far edge of the clearing. They took the time to examine the area around them then signaled their warriors to join them. As one they began advancing across the clearing. The unlucky ones were in the center where there was no cover to protect them.
    "Skye, what about the opening to the cave?" Soren asked.
    "I closed it off," she replied.
    Soren saw Berit say something to her, she nodded and looked at him then held her hands up in plain sight. "In five nano-seconds we begin."
    Soren counted in his head. When he reached five a part of the wall in front of him disappeared and he threw the krystal at a group at the far edge of the clearing. It landed in the middle, shattered and most of the men fell to the ground. Several tried to run back to the boulders.
    "Throw at the far edge," Soren yelled. "Don't let them retreat." He threw two more shards. They hit the ground and exploded sending small dark shards at the males trying to run away. They fell and the ones behind them turned back to the battle and began throwing krystal at the shelter on the cliff.
    Shards hit above and below them. Their cloaks protected them from the few that entered the shelter, hit the back wall and shattered and fell to the ground.
    Soren threw shard after shard until his gloves were coated with blood from the many nicks on his fingers. He ripped the gloves off and dropped them. "Skye," he thought, holding up his hands. "Gloves."
    Skye began to move in his direction.
    "No, stay there. I need gloves and krystal now."
    She waved her hands then hurried to one of the warriors who'd been wounded.
    Soren watched her drop to her knees beside the wounded warrior and place her hands on his neck before he returned to the battle. Shard after shard appeared in his hands as the fight wore on. The intensity and war cries of the enemy increased when they realized how dire their situation was but Soren's group gave no mercy.
    Finally after a unit of battle the last enemy fell.
    Soren looked to his left and saw Raina sitting on the floor, rocking one of her babies. To his right Skye healed another warrior.
    Berit caught his eye, nodded then turned away. The warrior next to him, patted his shoulder so hard Soren slid forward a few centimeters. He grunted and turned to face the warrior.
    "Pelyn," the huge warrior said.
    Soren looked him over and nodded. "Soren." He took Pelyn's forearm in a warrior's greeting. He released him then looked at the battlefield. "Where are the conjurers? I didn't see them."
    Pelyn snorted. "They would have kept them back, behind the boulders."
    "Is there any way we can reach them?" Soren asked.
    Pelyn looked thoughtful. "I don't know but I'm willing to go with you to find out."
    "Skye, can you sense the conjurers still?" Soren thought.
    "Yes, but just barely. I think they're moving away," she answered.
    "My mate says they're still near." Soren sent a message to Skye to make the shelter wider and open the end. She did and he pushed passed the other warriors and began climbing down.
    Pelyn and two large warriors followed. When they reached the ground Pelyn introduced them. "These are my brothers, Kelyn and Delyn. We're related to Skye. We fight with you from now on."
    "Won't that upset Berit, or Jerret?" Soren asked.
    "No, you're a dark krystal warrior." He indicated himself and his brothers. "We are strong. We fight with the strongest warrior. Always."
    Soren grinned. "I'll make sure I remain the strongest." He led the way toward the cave. "Skye," he thought, "let me into the cave."
     
     

Chapter Eight
     
    The opening appeared and he hurried to the ship. They boarded and the door was closing when Skye slipped through it.
    "Out." He pushed the door open and waited for her to exit.
    "No. If they're injured they'll need a healer," she said.
    Soren towered over her, glaring, in an attempt to intimidate her. She snorted, patted his chest and slipped by him. "Nice try but I'm still going."
    Soren looked at the brothers.