Fantasy Warrior by Jaylee Davis Page A

shifted his stance and took up the entire opening. Curious, Pam looked on as he surveyed the area just out of her sight.
    “If you want to live, leave the landing bay and clear the corridors.” After a few seconds, he bellowed, “Now!”
    Startled by the vehemence in his tone, Pam jerked. Apparently, whoever was outside wasn’t obeying fast enough. She was grateful Kord kept a protective arm around her waist. Shouts and running noises came from beyond the doorway. Swishing sounds that she associated with doors opening and closing could be heard. Moments later, there was silence.
    “The landing bay is vacant and the corridors are clear, Thoren!” The strong authoritative voice came from outside.
    “You and the general are still here.”
    “I’m the captain. It’s my ship, and General Jernick is your superior. We aren’t leaving.”
    Thoren glanced back at Kord and shrugged. “It’s hard to disagree with him.”
    Kord heaved a great sigh. “I’m in control. How could you think to banish them?”
    “The temptation was too great. I gave it a shot.” He grinned.
    “If I were captain, I’d shoot you.”
    “Good thing warriors can’t command space vessels.” Thoren’s pleased expression turned serious. “Flyn and Draven are waiting near the bottom of the ramp. Are you and your female ready?”
    Kord nodded and headed for the door with Pam scurrying along right beside him. She wanted to reassure him by staying glued to his hip. Confronted by the biggest unknown of her life, she was more than willing to follow his orders. In fact, she felt so nervous she feared her knees might give out, which would send her crumpling to the floor in a frightened heap.
    “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone harm you,” Kord said.
    His calm assurance bolstered what remained of her courage.
    As she walked beside him, she kept her head bowed, eyes focused on the center aisle until they reached the open doorway. She only intended to take a swift glance just out of curiosity, but the instant she looked up, she froze. The sight of the immense landing bay brought her to a complete standstill. Vehicles of varying sizes crowded the interior. Spaceships? Shuttles? It’s real.
    She squinted against the brilliant lights, trying to focus clearly on the two large men standing at the foot of the ramp. Both were deeply tanned, one much darker than the other. They resembled Kord and Thoren—tall brawny males with long hair. Except she saw right away that they were dressed differently. The two warriors wore black uniforms that differed in style from the Tauran spacers and soldiers. Their shirts looked similar to the tank tops human men wore, but the slender straps fit closer to their necks, revealing heavily muscled shoulders and arms. Their shirt tails were tucked neatly into belted, formfitting trousers that molded to thick, muscular thighs. They wore black boots, the same style as Kord’s. Their forearms were covered by the familiar gauntlets. Pam was well aware of what they concealed. The memory was permanently seared into her mind. She tried not to gawk at their arms or even think about the strange weapons.
    A firm, warm hand pressed against the small of her back and nudged her forward. She shuffled down the ramp beside Kord, each step taking her closer to the giants who stared at her with blatant curiosity. The darker skinned one had shiny, copper-colored eyes and the other’s irises were the palest tan color she’d ever seen. Didn’t any of them have normal eyes? In unison, they inhaled sharply, nostrils flaring.
    Kord growled, low and menacing, and the two giants quickly shuffled backward. They turned and hurried to an open doorway while exchanging hand gestures. They stopped in the opening to wait, and by that time she and Kord had reached the end of the ramp. Pam didn’t notice the other two men standing off to the side until one of them spoke.
    A gruff voice drew her attention. “Draven and Flyn will escort you. Don’t