Page 51 of Asmodel

Izzy clutched his firm arm. “How can we stop someone that powerful?” She glanced around and watched the scikvak talk in small groups. “Especially since I doubt Madam Fexa got her machine completed in time.”

She eyed the elder pardalion speaking adamantly with a group, a hissing snarl propelling spittle from her curling lips.

Asmodel raised his head, his chin tilted, his hazel eyes bright. “That leaves you, me, and Raxx to take care of things.” He blinked and focused on the praetor. “You and your people need to find whatever provisions you can and meet up with us at Panterion Prime. Hopefully, when you get there before nightfall, we’ll have gotten rid of the Krystalii threat.”

“And if you can’t?” Praetor Vorlok growled.

“Then it won’t make much of a difference, will it?”

The praetor didn’t comment on Asmodel’s announcement, but his calm demeanor didn’t fool Izzy for one moment. As Talira and he walked off to join the circle of council members, Izzy sucked in the side of her bottom lip. No sooner did they join the group than a heated argument erupted among them. She couldn’t hear what was said, not that it mattered. She snuck a quick peek at Asmodel and Raxx. She couldn’t get what Asmodel proposed out of her mind. It was a pretty tall order for just him and her. Even with Raxx’s help.

“So, how’re we gonna do this?” Raxx spoke in a low tone, his dark eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Asmodel.

Asmodel nodded at the small spybot on his shoulder. “JR13 has been communicating with Echo to determine the best way to neutralize the Krystalii.”

“That’s right, organic one.” JR13’s bulbous head nodded. “We’re still considering several options.” His head cocked as if listening to something. “Yes, quite right, Echo.” He once again focused on them. “But we’d have a better chance to come up with a solution if we get close enough to analyze her specific brain-wave patterns. That way, we can come up with a viable solution.”

“Alright, that sounds easy enough,” Asmodel said. “Since I’ve been through the area between here and there, I’ll just teleport us to the edge of the city, and we’ll go from there.”

Raxx crossed his arms and cocked his head. “Sounds righteous, dude. But what do we do once we get there?”

“You’re not going to make it if you don’t take me with you.”

Izzy jumped at the sound of Talira’s voice.Holy cow!The female was quiet as… well, as a cat.

“Oh?” Raxx barked with laughter. “And why’s that, pussycat?”

“You need someone to guide you, and I’m the best choice.” Talira’s firm tone accompanied her pounding the end of her weapon on the dark jungle grounds. The tips of her claws gleamed in the shadowed light under the jungle foliage.

Izzy watched the blank expression on Asmodel’s face. Not sure if he agreed with the scikvak or not, but she had to make sure it was safe first. “Can you handle transporting the four of us?” She stared at Asmodel, then held her breath as he hesitated. He had to say yes. Talira quivered, probably with her need to find Jaltaar.

Asmodel’s handsome face softened when he glanced at her. “Yes, that’s not something you need to worry about,alma gemela.”

“Yeah, organic female. He’s got enough psychic energy to…”

“JR13, have you finished conferring with Echo?” Asmodel interrupted his spybot.

Izzy pursed her lips. Hopefully he was hiding stuff from Raxx and Talira, not her.

I am, as your people say, an open book to you.Asmodel’s voice was soothing in her mind. And I want you to know everything about me. But you are right. Not in front of others.

Doggone it, Izzy loved the sound of his voice. In or out of her mind. She giggled. Out of her mind. She sighed. Wouldn’t it be great if she could talk to him like that? Yeah, talk about intimate.

You can, my Bella.

His masculine tone gave her shivers.

Just feel this pathway that I’ve created for you in our dreams. Now you can reach me anytime.

Izzy searched her mind until she was sure she found what he described.I think I’ve got it.She gave him a mischievous grin.You know, you’re not going to get away from me so easily now.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her cheeks heated at the sincerity in his mental tone.

“I believe you’re right, Talira. You’d better come with us.” Asmodel addressed the stiff-necked scikvak. At his words, her stance loosened.

“Do you think you know where the Krystalii could be?”

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