Page 35 of Asmodel

Ah, frustration looked good on her.

“No matter. I don’t need to enter your mind to know you’re not suitable.” Prisma-Solara gestured to Raxx. “However, here is a pure human.” She narrowed her light-yellow eyes as she walked around Raxx’s bound form. “Yes, he just might do. Who says I need a female?” She glanced at the Supreme Regent. “Since I have a human right here, why bother looking for another one?” She placed a hand on Raxx’s chest and closed her eyes.

Raxx jerked out of her hold. “Hands off the goods, dudette. Or you’ll be sorry.”

Asmodel frowned at the man.Don’t antagonize her. She’s a powerful psychic.He warned Raxx mentally.

Oh, please. As if.

An evil leer crossed Prisma-Solara’s clear lips. She reached out to touch him again.

Raxx’s smile widened.

Once her hand settled on his chest, the crystal alien jumped back with a strangled cry, putting a hand on her forehead.

See.Raxx’s mental voice was full of triumph.Echo loves me. She’d let nothing or no one hurt me.

Asmodel’s eyes widened.Good to know.He nodded in solidarity.I’ll do my best to protect you as well.

“Put this human in a holding cell!” The yellow crystal woman stomped back to face the regent. “I will take him with me once my rejuvenation cycle is complete.”

“You mean after you’ve eliminated the pardalion infestation.” Regent Korvex wasn’t asking. He tapped an extended claw on his armrest with a scowl.

Her glance at the regent wasn’t warm. “Yes, yes, of course. Before I leave, I’ll take care of that insignificant problem for you.”

Supreme Regent Korvex snorted. His triangular ears rotated backward. “Jaltaar, have some of your guards take the human to our strongest cell deep in the forbidden cave.”

Jaltaar snapped to attention and motioned for the guards next to Raxx. “Make sure you keep an eye on him.” The male frowned. “I don’t trust him.”

Ah, look.Raxx’s mental brag made Asmodel smile.One of them has little bitty smarts. Well, gotta go. I don’t suppose you’ll come and rescue me, will ya?He batted his eyelashes like he was a damsel in distress.

No worries.He reassured his new friend.You and I will be long gonebefore that crystalidimmumisses us.

Cool beans, dude. I’ve asked Echo to sync with JR13 so we don’t lose touch.Raxx winked at him as he walked by, two guards in front of him and two following.Catch you later, gator.

Asmodel chuckled under his breath. Sometimes Raxx’s slang was harder to understand than the stuff Arakiba had picked up since they found themselves in the future.

“What about the other one, Prisma-Solara?” Regent Korvex shifted on his large throne. “Should we question…”

“No.” Her decision sounded final. “Just get rid of him.” She waved a negligent hand, and the stranglehold on his body was gone. “Throw him down the gorge for all I care. All I need from you is the place we discussed earlier to renew my energy.” She snapped her fingers. “Hurry, now. I must return to Lord Baelon before the next lunar cycle.”

“Jaltaar, have some of your guards deal with that.” Regent Korvex indicated Asmodel. “You are to personally escort our guest to the royal gardens. Make sure she has everything she needs.” The regent sat back, his tail flicking back and forth behind the throne. “When she’s settled, come back here. There is much to discuss.”

The pale-orange whiskers above Jaltaar’s emerald eyes furrowed as the crease along his snout deepened before it smoothed. He gave a slight head bow, his expression blank. “As you command, Supreme Alpha Regent Malstyr Korvex.”

When Jaltaar said the full name of the other scikvak, the elder’s tail swished harder as he frowned.

Asmodel studied the two. How interesting. The hidden dynamic between them was personal. Not that he cared enough to use his psychic abilities to find out why.

Regent Korvex sat back and waved an impatient paw at the door. “Yes, well, we’ll speak later.”

The guard next to Asmodel bound his hands then shoved him on his shoulder. “Come on, alien. This way.”

Asmodel took one last look over his shoulder at the enormous cavern as the guard led him away. His eye caught the cat-man on the throne and the unkind smile distorting his snout. He didn’t need his psychic sense to know the ruler was narcissistic enough to gain power anyway he could.

Even if it meant he had to commit genocide on half the population.

“So, where are you taking me?”

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