Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

The Gek’Dragar made a low, garbled sound.

Sten’s next thrust was to his enemy’s gut. He kicked the Gek’Dragar back, freeing his sword.

He saw Carys send a giant energy wave into two Gek’Dragar soldiers, knocking them off their feet.

The other two charged at Sten.

He swung and struck one. He whirled, hooked the second alien’s leg with his, and yanked him off his feet.

But the first Gek’Dragar was already rushing at him, holding his large, clawed hand up. He felt the kiss of the soldier’s blade on his armor.

His armor held, but he felt the power of the blow. Ignoring the pain, he rammed an elbow into the Gek’Dragar’s jaw.

The alien staggered back, then he let out a low roar.

As Sten watched, the soldier’s body started to enlarge, muscles rippling.

Sten’s gut clenched. The var. A battlefield transformation that allowed the Gek’Dragar to get larger, stronger, wilder.

The alien towered over Sten and yanked a blaster off his belt. Sten glared.

Bring it.

The soldier fired and Sten dodged. He crashed into the attacker, driving him backward. Stepping back, Sten swung his sword up. The Gek’Dragar lifted his hand. They were now tipped with long, black claws.

Sword met claw, Sten’s blue blade sizzling against the Gek’Dragar’s hand.

They whirled, striking again. The Gek’Dragar was stronger and more powerful under the influence of the var.

Sten swung his sword, over and over, but the soldier deflected every blow.

“Come on,” Sten roared.

But when a heavy weight slammed into his back, he realized the soldier had been distracting him. Waiting for the second Gek’Dragar to attack.

Claws rammed into his side, piercing his armor. It felt like fire. He gritted his teeth, pain rocketed through him.

He rammed an elbow back, catching the second attacker in the face. He whirled and jumped, using his enhancements to jump above his opponents’ heads.

A powerful slash decapitated the first soldier.

Sten landed, blood dripping off his sword. He spun and caught a glimpse of Carys fighting with another Gek’Dragar. Her sword whirled gracefully.

“You will not touch my queen,” he growled at the soldier in front of him.

The Gek’Dragar sneered. “We will take her, torture her, and kill her. We will kill all Oronis scum.”

Sten roared and charged. His blade hit a weak spot on the Gek’Dragar’s armor, and his fury pushed him. He rammed the blade right through the Gek’Dragar. He saw the light wink out of the alien’s eyes, then his body collapsed.

Sten sensed another one coming in for the attack. He swiveled, but knew he wouldn’t be fast enough.

The Gek’Dragar swung a huge mace. It hit the side of Sten’s head, and the world wavered, his ears ringing.

He stumbled back.

He raised his sword and glanced at Carys.

She looked up. “Sten!”