Eternity Crux by Jamie Canosa

realization swept over me. “Me. They were hurting you to find me .”
    “Aura—”
    “They tortured you to get you to give up my location? They hurt you so badly you gave up the file, but not me?” I was going to puke.
    “Aura, listen to me.” Some of the fierceness returned to Sayer’s voice, demanding my attention and giving me hope. He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand and scrubbed it on the leg of his pants. “They could do whatever they wanted to me. I’d never let them lay a hand on you.”
    “How . . . very . . . touching.” Galen leaned up against the door frame, arms folded across his chest as he enjoyed the show with a twisted grin.
    “You son of a—” Sayer’s steel grip on my arm was the only thing keeping me from throwing myself at that merciless monster like some kind of screaming howler monkey.
    “Thank you for joining us, Auralia. This really has gone on long enough. Now that I have you both, I can complete my mission.” Galen, no doubt, was talking about killing us.
    “I wouldn’t get so excited if I were you.” Gently prying Sayer’s fingers from where they were embedded in my flesh, I checked my rage in favor of logic for one very rare moment. “You’ve got bigger problems than us.”
    “Really? Because the way I see it, you’re the one with the problem here.” Galen stepped inside the containment area, cocky grin firmly in place.
    Was it possible he hadn’t heard? “Why don’t you take a look at the news, then?”
    That got his attention, and though it was obvious he thought it was nothing more than a stalling technique, he flipped open the comp strapped to his arm. Evidently, he was in no rush to end this. Sadistic freak. Which is why it brought me such great pleasure to watch his mouth drop open and all the color drain from his face.
    “Not what you expected?” Now I was just poking the bear with a stick, but it felt good. “Your name is all over those bogus kill orders. Do you really want to add two more? The Legion is falling. They can’t protect you anymore. And the people are going to be looking for retribution. I suggest you run. And keep running.”
    “You’ve been a thorn in my side for months.” Galen slapped his comp shut and straightened his impressive shoulders. “Like you said, they’re already out for my blood. What difference is two more kills going to make?”
    Hadn’t really thought of it that way. “I . . . You’re wasting time. They’re coming for you.”
    I had no idea if that was true or not. Sooner or later, someone would notice his endless involvement in all things shady, but in the greater scheme of things, who knew how long it would take for individuals to be hunted down and punished.
    Galen seemed to be betting on the later end of that range as he stalked toward us. “And I’m coming for you .”
    “Aura!” Sayer attempted to pull me out of danger, but he could barely stand on his own two feet.
    Galen charged and sparks of light erupted as my head bounced off the wall. My fingers scrabbled for purchase on the taser, but it was useless. The tiny bit of hope it provided slipped from my grasp and—along with all of my luck—clattered across the floor, sliding seamlessly beneath the bars of the nearest locked cell. My knees gave out more due to surprise than anything else and Galen followed me down. He was quick. Quicker than someone his size had any right to be. I didn’t even see his hand coming before it closed around my throat.
    I choked and clawed at his meaty fist, but it did me no good. Oxygen deprived brain cells started sending up red flags and I had to force myself not to panic. Panic led to nothing but wasted energy.
    “Get off her!” From somewhere over Galen’s shoulder, I vaguely noticed Sayer grab a hold of him and pull with what looked like no small effort.
    It wasn’t wasted. The vice-like grip around my throat eased a fraction, allowing me to draw in the slightest gasp of much needed air,