Page 60 of Asmodel

A faint hum filled the air, starting quietly but growing in intensity.

Prisma-Solara’s moans cut off as the frequency took effect. She stiffened, and her chaotic energy flickered as if in confusion.

The air vibrated with the force of the counter frequency, making Izzy’s ears ring.

“What... what’s happening?” Prisma-Solara's voice faltered. She clutched at her head, the crystals covering her face and body dimming from a vibrant yellow to a dull, throbbing amber. “My… my powers are weakening.”

Izzy clapped. “It's working! JR13, keep it up!” she shouted over the rising whine of the counter frequency.

“Of course. Maintaining frequency.” JR13’s body vibrated in tune with the sounds he generated.

“What’s going on?”

Asmodel’s deep voice next to Izzy made her jump.Holy cow!What was with everyone sneaking up on her lately? “Oh my gosh! Asmodel!” She flung herself into his arms. The feel of his powerful embrace lightened the tension making it hard to breathe. Grasping his firm upper arms, she pulled back to check him out. “Are you okay?”

His hazel eyes twinkled as he brushed a wayward strand of her hair from her eyes. “It’d take more than a powerful crystal alien from another dimension to keep me down.” He glanced around before cocking his head as he watched the moaning alien. “Is that sound coming from JR13?”

Izzy nodded. “Yes, with a little help from Echo.” She motioned to Raxx, who now sat up and rubbed his eyes. “The bots have devised a way to create a disruptive counter frequency to hold her psychic powers. Neat, huh?”

Asmodel’s expressive eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of gratitude and concern. “We’d better take advantage of it while she’s disoriented.” He cleared his throat. “I think I can hold her steady now. JR13, slowly diminish the sound you’re making.”

“Affirmative.”

The ringing noise turned into a soft whisper.

“Wait, before you do anything, let me see if I can talk to her.” Izzy placed a hand on Asmodel’s chest. “You know, woman to woman.” She glanced at the Krystalii, who now appeared fragile. Her once-formidable presence had been shattered by the dissonance caused by the AI duo. “I’d like to help her.”

Raxx joined them, his lips white and pinched. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, chica.” He shrugged one shoulder as if to loosen a knot. “Ya gotta admit that bitch is one Looney Toon. If it weren’t for these bots, we’d be toast.” He patted Echo strapped to his belt. “Good job, baby. Daddy’s proud of you.”

Asmodel’s intense focus on her made Izzy swallow hard in a dry throat. She threw her shoulders back. It was easy to understand his unspoken concern. Yet, something deep inside urged her to talk to the Krystalii. This had the feeling of one of those pivotal moments when destiny offered a unique opportunity to make a difference. A moment meant only for her.

“I promise I’ll be okay.” Izzy placed her hand on his strong, clean jawline. “If not, have JR13 start the signal up again. Okay?”

Asmodel closed his eyes, holding the back of her hand in his. “If anything happened to you…”

“You’ll be there to save me, won’t you?”

Izzy had never spoken a truer word in her life. Putting her trust in Asmodel set her free in ways she never imagined, setting her free to take chances she once dreamed impossible.

Chapter Twelve

“Ifonlywehadsome more of these PsyShields.” Izzy tapped her temple and glanced at the moaning Krystalii still on her knees with her arms wrapped around her waist. “I bet if she had those on, it’d help her.”

JR13 snorted. “He’s got more.” He pointed a thin metallic leg in Raxx’s direction. “He just didn’t want to admit it.”

“Way to rat me out, terminator.” Raxx growled with crossed arms.

Izzy chuckled at the puzzled expression on Asmodel’s face. Looked like her man wasn’t familiar with some old movies. Something to look forward to when they went back to Earth. Once they cleaned up this Krystalii mess, of course.

“I can’t tell you how great these work! Maybe they’ll help her out too.” Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. But if Izzy hadn’t been wearing the shields, she was sure she’d have suffered more than either Raxx or Asmodel.

“Could you possibly spare them?” she implored.

Raxx dropped his arms and rolled his dark eyes. “Of course I can.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled his fist out. Stepping closer to her, he opened his hand and exposed the two round disks on his palm. He pointed to the mumbling Krystalii. “So, how are you going to get her to wear them?”

Izzy held out her hand for him to drop the disks on her open palm. “Easy. I’ll just ask her.”

“Izzy…” Asmodel put an arm around her shoulders.

---