Free Nebula's Music by Aubrie Dionne

for victory were twenty-four point eight two percent to one. She’d outsmarted one Gryphonite, but she knew they were fast learners. These two would be more careful to protect their wings. Her combat program was judicious in selecting her next move. She dropped to the ground and swiped her leg at their feet, sending them both into the air. The move was meant to knock the attackers down, but the UPA programs had not considered flight as a defense. Although the maneuvers kept them back a step, the Gryphonites had the advantage in the air.
    Nebula ducked as they dove toward her. She grasped at their sides to steal the laser but missed. She fell into a roll and somersaulted until she was far enough away to leap to her feet. The Gryphonites swooped in the air and turned back around.
    Meanwhile, the cry from the first Gryphonite as it went over the rim had been answered and her radar calculated twelve more Gryphonites on the horizon. She needed to dispense these two quickly or she would be taken in. And now they knew her secret. She was too powerful to be considered a mere human.
    Nebula leaped into the air and knocked one Gryphonite to the ground, landing on top of it. It pierced her shoulder with a talon, but the claw did not go in far—underneath her skin was a skeletal frame made of synthetic bones reinforced with iron. The bird man’s eyes went wide as it tried throwing her off, but she outweighed him. In one swift gesture, she chopped her hand down on its neck.
    She had just enough time to jump off the limp body before the second attacker reached her. Nebula double-feigned a move and grabbed its laser gun. Within the next fraction of a second, she fired and the Gryphonite’s wing exploded into a cloud of feathers before its body disappeared over the cliff.
    Nebula did not need to look behind her to know more Gryphonites were meters from closing in. Following the tracks in the sand, Nebula ran, swifter than a leopard and lighter than a gazelle, propelling herself through the narrow crevices and underneath the sharp ridges jutting over her head.
    Radian waited for her underneath a rock outcropping on the escape route he’d taken with Eldin and Illena. He led her into an underground tunnel, where a small alcove led to a subterranean cave. With one swift blow to the cavern wall, Nebula released a cascade of red-veined rocks. The boulders tumbled to the floor in a heap, sealing them in.
     

Chapter 9
    Underworld
     
    “Wow! You were awesome! You kicked Gryphonite butt!” Eldin exclaimed as Nebula surveyed the pile of rocks to make sure they wouldn’t be followed.
    After deeming the cave secure, Nebula’s gaze immediately darted to Illena and assessed any sign of harm. The woman looked weak and dehydrated, but otherwise all in one piece.
    “My mom’s fine.” Eldin came close enough to stare at Nebula’s wounds. “But you’re bleeding.”
    “What?” Radian examined the place where the talon had cut Nebula’s arm. Nebula pulled away, embarrassed. She could see the synthetic bone through the hole in the skin. “It is nothing.” She ripped a piece of fabric off her uniform and tied it around her arm. “My body will heal quickly.”
    “Wow, so you really are indestructible.”
    “Leave the poor woman alone, Eldin.” Illena’s voice was raspy and hoarse.
    “Fine.” Eldin threw a rock across the cave. “I thought it was a compliment.”
    “It is no problem.” Nebula finished dressing the wound and gave Illena a smile to show there weren’t hard feelings.
    Radian put a hand on her shoulder. “You saved us all back there. You were wonderful.”
    “I was not aware my programming allowed me to kill so readily.” Nebula looked at her hands. They were so clean and petite, with pristine ivory skin and slim digits. How could anyone tell she was such a lethal killing machine?
    “Hey, it was in our defense.” Radian’s breath moved wisps of her hair. She didn’t realize he stood so close. His shirt had come