I’m bound to a table, my arms and legs securely fastened. I’m not wiggling my way out of these straps — Erran learned his lesson.

The room is empty. It’s just me and a vast array of surgical instruments, carefully laid out on a table next to me.

The suspense is killing me. Lord Erran promised he’d cut my legs off, but so far, he’s yet to make good on his word. I’ve been in here for what feels like hours. It’s like he’s getting off on my terror, on making me wait.

“Ah, there you are, my perfect specimen.”

Erran strides into the room. He slides medical gloves onto his bony fingers, giddy with anticipation.

My stomach lurches at the sound of the gloves snapping onto his hands. I close my eyes, wishing I was anywhere but here.

“Let us start with a cursory inspection,” he says as he grabs a strange, round device. He traces it over my body, focusing on my lower stomach. “The Czar wants you in perfect order… well, your uterus, at least,” he smirks.

The machine beeps, and Erran frowns.

“Hm, what’s this… no, this can’t be right. By Archon…”

“What?”

“You fraternized with that filthy mongrel, didn’t you, you slut? Ah, what a waste! What a colossal waste! Your features would have looked lovely on a Nezdek baby.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re pregnant,” Erran says as he removes his gloves.

I’m what?

Endorphins rush through me. I’m bloody pregnant?! This changes everything. I’m no longer only fighting for myself — I’m fighting for my family!

Maybe that’s why my body kept itself going, when my hopes were dashed. If only Turnon were here with me…

“Such a shame. The Czar isn’t interested in damaged goods.”

Erran grabs a butchers knife from the table. It gleams menacingly in the bright light.

“At least I’ll make you pay for my lost eye,” he muses to himself. “Any last words?”

“W-what?”

The pregnancy news blew me off my feet, so I haven’t fully realized that the Nezdek lord is moments away from killing me.

“W-what?” Erran mocks me. “Not my first choice, but hey, they’re your last words.”

He places the blade against my neck, resting it on my skin, before raising it up high — but a scream down the hall stops him from landing the blow.

I hear footsteps, countless of them, and screaming, cursing, and fighting.

“What in the blazes is going on out there?” Erran sighs. “Can’t a man work in peace?!”

He places the blade back on the table.

“I can’t properly enjoy it with all this noise. I’ll be right back for you, dear.”

With that he leaves, and I have a moment of respite, a moment to process the news. Me, a mom. Not something I ever expected — but I am ecstatic about it all the same! Turnon lives on, inside our child. I might have lost him, but this way, he’ll always stay close to me.

I wiggle, but the straps won’t give, no matter how hard I try. The sounds in the hall are getting louder and louder by the second. This isn’t some scuffle — this is a battle!

And from the Nezdek’s guttural screams, they’re losing! It sounds like a whole freaking army is invading. I might live yet. I don’t care if they’re human, Zorans, Asir, or Tyk’ix for all I care — everyone is better than the Nezdek.

I wait with my heart beating in my throat. What’s happening out there? The cries outside stop, suddenly, and a silence falls. Is the battle over?

The door to the operating room is pushed open by a bloody, seven foot tall man. He staggers inside, and my heart skips a beat from terror alone.

I barely recognize him, for his skin is colored dark red, but his orange eyes are unmistakable.

“Turnon!”

He wobbles towards me. I’m filled with incredible relief and unimaginable fear at the same time. I’m relieved to see my mate again, for I never thought it possible, but I’m scared out of my mind for he looks like he’s been through hell.

Two broken-off spears are lodged inside his chest, and he’s leaving a trail of blood behind with every step.

“Ava,” he grunts as he loosens my straps. He sits down on the operation table as I fly into his arms, hugging him as tightly as can while avoiding the spear tips.

“How is this possible?!” I ask. “I thought you were dead!”

“I’m hard to kill.”

“I can see that! How did you find me? Where’s the rest?”

“The rest?”

“The army!”

“It’s just me,” he says, a painful grimace on his face. He clutches his side, blood leaking past his fingers.

“What? You took on everyone by yourself?”

“I had to save you,” he says, resting one hand on the back of my neck. “So I did.”

“Oh, Turnon!” I lean forward and kiss my mate, my savior, my hero. I feel his warm blood on my naked skin, and I pray he pulls through. I can’t lose him again, not like this. Not after just getting him back. Not moments after finding out I’m pregnant.

I need him by my side.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.

His eyes widen in surprise. “Mine?”

“Of course, silly!” I laugh. “Yours!”

A wide-smile spreads across his face, but his eyes seem to lose focus. I’m losing him.

“Stay with me, Turnon,” I plead, resting my hands on his cheeks. “Open your eyes. Stay with me, please!”

Turnon rests his head on his chest, a smile on his face as he loses consciousness.

“Impressive, Zoran, mighty impressive.”

That voice…

My blood runs cold. No, please. No.

It’s him.

Lord Erran stands in the door opening, his gun resting in the palm of his hand.

“You killed a whole company of men with nothing but your bare hands, Zoran. Most impressive feat I’ve ever seen. You’d make a fantastic pit fighter. Having you in my stable would make me fabulously wealthy — but you’re too dangerous to let live.”

He raises the gun and points it at us both.

I hug Turnon tightly and close my eyes. If I have to go, then I’d like to do so in my mate’s arms.

Bam!

My eyes are shut tight… but nothing happens. I peak through my eyelids, and see that Erran’s weapon has fallen to the ground — and that a spear is sticking out his chest.

“H-how?” he stammers as he turns around.

“This one’s for Earth!”

Another Nezdek spear is run through Lord Erran. He falls to the ground, in his death throes, gurgling before falling silent.

Donovan Ferguson stands triumphantly over the dead alien lord’s body, pumping both his fists in the air.

“Did I just save the day? I did, didn’t I? Still got it!”

I can’t even begin to comprehend how and why Captain Ferguson is here, but I don’t have time to be surprised. I don’t even have the time to cover my naked body, for all of my attention is focused on my mate. I turn back to Turnon, who still has his eyes closed. I check his pulse, and it’s weak and fading.

“Turnon? Turnon? Turnon!”