The second syndroid was advancing.
Shit. He sat up, heaving up the heavy pedestal again. But before he could swing it, the syndroid’s long sword slammed into the stone, shattering it into pieces. As dust and small rocks rained down on him, Zayn shook his head.
The syndroid lunged forward and that wicked sword pierced Zayn’s shoulder, pinning him to the floor. He cried out. The pain was outrageous.
The droid lifted its other arm. The second sword lifted high above Zayn, aimed for the center of his forehead.
He jerked, the blade in his shoulder causing screaming pain.
Then the tips of two knives burst through the center of the syndroid’s chest. The machine looked down, and Zayn guessed that if it was capable of emotion, its face would show shock.
Ria wrenched her blades sideways, causing terrible damage to the syn’s chest. Sparks flew and with a grinding drone, the syndroid froze. As it pitched to the side, Ria caught it. Carefully, she leaned forward and pulled the syn’s sword from Zayn’s shoulder.
He cursed, slapping a hand over the bleeding gash. He managed a grin. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I have more plans for this lean body of yours. Getting slaughtered by a syndroid wasn’t on my agenda.”
Suddenly, hands gripped Ria’s arms, yanking her upward.
Another syndroid had come out of nowhere.
The robot’s hands curled around her neck, cutting off her air. It lifted her off the floor and she kicked wildly, trying to reach the syn. Her face turned red.
Zayn scrambled to get to his feet. The syndroid kicked out, catching him in the shoulder. The pain sent him to his knees, nausea rushing through him.
No. He had to help Ria.
He heard her choking sounds. He managed to get upright, blood streaming freely down his left arm. She was still fighting the machine, but it just held her with its superior strength.
Zayn charged. He took a few running steps, then tackled the syndroid. All three of them crashed to the floor. The droid kept its hard grip on Ria’s neck.
“Let her go, you tin can.” Zayn slammed a fist into the droid’s black face. It didn’t react.
Standing up, he slammed a boot down on the syndroid. Again. Again.
It released Ria.
She rolled away, coughing and gagging. She sucked in deep breaths between harsh coughs.
The syndroid swiveled its head. Zayn didn’t see any eyes, but he knew the flame-burned son of bitch was looking at him.
It took a step forward and he took one backward. It strode closer and he kept backing up. He grabbed the bag attached to his waist and tossed it at Ria. It hit at her feet.
“Get out of here.”
She coughed again. “Always…trying to be a hero.” Then she bent over the droid she’d stabbed to save him. Using her blade again, she started hacking at the droid.What the hell?
Then the syndroid stalking him stopped and raised an arm. That whirr again—another damn sound to haunt Zayn’s dreams. If he survived to have any more dreams.
A stunner appeared at the end of the droid’s arm.
“Zayn!”
He looked over to see something flying at him.
The last droid’s arm. With sword attached.
He grabbed it, held it in front of him like a lance, and charged.
