Xilon pushed himself up, calling his Renjerian form forward. But silence answered him. Shit! How much time did he need to recover?

He crept in front of Ash, protecting her from whoever had found them.

Ash stood her ground, unafraid, but she didn't draw her sword. Was she that confident in his skills?

“Get your weapon ready,” he whispered and clenched his fists, rolling his shoulders forward in preparation to fight.

“I can't.”

He spared a glance back at her. “Why not?”

“Cause it kind of melted when I stabbed it in the biggest demon I've ever seen.”

His blood turned cold. “What? When was this?”

“Yesterday.” She nodded her chin to the opening. “Here comes company.”

What else could the larger Tryns do that he nor his people were aware of? And why had they shown themselves recently rather than months ago at the beginning of this endless war?

He inhaled, scenting Taurian.

“Peace, brother.” Taurian raised a hand as he entered. “Morning, Ash.”

Xilon looked at her and back at his brother. “You know each other?”

“Yeah. We met in New Orleans, Grams ran him through the ringer and I gave him a ride on my bike.”

Taurian tossed Xilon some human clothes. “Put those on, we've a Tryn troop scouting near here and it's too bright to fly.”

Dressed, Xilon pulled Ash into a hug. “Don't worry, we'll get you back home soon.” But the words stabbed his heart. He didn't want her to leave. How would he be able to breathe without her? Just thinking of her gone and away from him ate a hole inside him.

“Let's go.” He nodded to his brother. “The sooner we can get her back to Earth, the better.”

One by one they left the cave. Xilon let his brother take the lead while he took the rear with Ash between them. No way was he going to let her out of his sight until he knew she was safe.

They crouched along the path, stopping whenever Taurian gave the signal.

At the base of the mountains, Ash looked over her shoulder at him. “I can't hike, not with my ankle like this…maybe we should fly over?”

Xilon shook his head. “We aren't going over, we're going through.”

Her eyebrows rose and he pointed ahead to Taurian.

His brother checked the area, then nodded for them to enter the secret caves.

“I can't see a thing,” Ash said, her voice echoed off the walls.

“Let me guide you.” Xilon took her hand. The tunnels seemed so huge compared to his Renjerian self.

She limped along with him and he led her to the healing chamber.

His sister was there in her with a fierce frown on her face. “You had everyone worried!”

“Sorry. I'm fine. Can you heal her ankle and she's got a cut on her cheek too.”

“No, it's okay.” Ash touched her face. “Just the ankle would be plenty.”

“Nonsense.” Desmonda shook her head. “We're not going to send you back home all banged up. Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” Ash admitted. “And I could use a drink or five if you have any to spare.”

“Take off your boots and let me see your ankle, then we'll see if the healing water will be enough to fix you up.” His sister turned to Xilon. “Stop hovering like a whavil and go get her something to eat and a flask of moonwine.”

He nodded.

Xilon left his sister and Ash alone while he grabbed the food. In the pantry, he ate four jerkys and a flask of moonwine before returning.

With a smile that brightened his mood, Ash soaked in the healing water of the underground spring. Leaves coated her cheek.

“Yay, food!” Ash held out her hands.

“Once you've eaten, I'll fly you to a storm and we'll hitch a ride back to your world. But I'll have no control over where we land though.”

Sadness crept into her eyes and she stared down at the breadroll in her hand. “Thanks. I needed to check on Grams anyway. Maybe later, I can return and you can show me your world.”

Desmonda snuck out of the room to leave him and Ash alone.

“I don't think that's a good idea.”

Ash jerked her head up. “Why not? Once I get my weapons I can return here and help you and your people fight.”

“No!” He couldn't lose her again. Not when she'd come back into his life. “It's too dangerous.”

“Excuse me? Who saved your ass back in the forest?”

“This is different. I won't be able to concentrate on my enemies if I'm worried about you.”

“Then don't.” She stood, water dripping off her body. “In fact, don't think of me at all.”

“Ash, wait.” He grabbed her arm, but she pulled away.

“No, it's fine. I understand, believe me.” She squared her shoulders. “I wouldn't want strings of anyone tying me down either. Too much risk.”

“It's not like that.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Let me explain.”

“Sorry, Xilon, but I've got people waiting for me back home that need me. Call me when you get your shit together.” She brushed past him. “Good luck with everything.”

“Ash!” He chased after her, but his sister blocked him.

“Let her go. She needs to be among her own kind. Taurian will see her home.”

And just like that, the hollowness in his chest opened up to a dark void.

For the next hour, Xilon paced in his chambers. He kept his human form as it allowed him to punch the wall periodically without bursting through the rock.

A wail sounded. The alarm. He raced up the winding path. Seeing Sevrx, he shouted after the Renjerian. “What's happening?”

“Tryns. They've found our hide out.”

Impossible. “How?” But his question hung on the air.

He transformed into his dragon, roaring from the pain of shifting so fast. Following the other warriors, he barreled out of one of the cave openings and into the air. Outside their home, thousands of Tryns stretched across the land in every direction. They’d been found out. Their last sanctuary gone.

Unless they were able to kill every single Tryn here, they had nowhere else to go. Nowhere to hide. Their planet was doomed, overrun by these vile creatures.

Xilon blasted his firebreath over the enemy. There was so many of them. He had to get Desmonda and the others to safety. He dove back inside the caves.

“What is it?” his sister asked.

“Here.” He held out his hand to her. “Take some of my blood, then ride the lightning storm back to Earth.”

“What about my younglings?” She rubbed her belly.

“They’ll probably shift to humans when you do. Now hurry.”

She did as he asked, and he raced to the next Renjerian. All who were too weak or old or shouldn’t fight. By the time he was done, he stumbled on his feet. Now he had a battle to finish.