Page 64 of Asmodel

Prisma-Solara emerged from the frothing spilling water, her crystalline body shimmering in the dappled sunlight.

Asmodel watched her, satisfied she remained calm. The residual tension cramping him loosened. Taking a deep breath, he enjoyed the humid jungle air that clung to his skin, as well as the earthy scent of damp foliage.

Izzy watched the alien as well, her gaze steady on the bright-yellow crystal form. “You’ve got to admit, she looks different,” Izzy murmured, her voice carrying a hint of awe.

Asmodel nodded, unable to stop studying the Krystalii.

She moved with a grace that belied the chaos she’d caused, her eyes now a clear and focused lemon-yellow.

“Yeah, I guess she does.” He glanced at the bot on his shoulders. “JR13, what’s your assessment?”

“Of the Krystalii or just everything?” The spider-bot wiggled his bulbous silver bottom. “Because if that’s what you want, we’d be here all day.”

With a humph, Asmodel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “On the Krystalii.”

“Well, that’s easy.” The bot turned his little head towards the crystal female walking toward them. “She may not be an organic, but she might as well be.” He snorted. “I can’t analyze something that chaotic. So, the formal answer to your question is, I don’t know.” He shrugged with his abdomen, making his upper legs wiggle. “But if you’re asking my opinion, I’d have a hard time trusting her. I find you non-mechanicals cannot change your overall nature.”

“I think you’re wrong.” Izzy chimed in. “People change all the time.” Her dark eyes softened watching Prisma-Solara approach them. “That is, if they want to.”

“I think the crystal Betty found her chill.” Thank the goddess Raxx interrupted with his own opinion. Even with his ever-present smirk in place. “Yo, so what’s the plan, boss?” He turned to Asmodel. “We’s outta here or what?” With Echo in his hand, he kept it aimed at Prisma-Solara when she stopped in front of them.

“I want to help the scikvak.” Prisma-Solara’s voice was firm, her posture confident. “Now that I’m free of Lord Baelon’s influence, I can make it right with them. Since I’m the one

who caused so much harm, it’s up to me to fix things.” She threw her shoulders back with a steady glare. “Take me back to Panterion Prime, where I can at least make the offer to them.”

Asmodel stilled, watching Izzy studying Prisma-Solara with a narrowed focus. “What makes you think they’ll listen to you?” He glanced at her as he kept his tone cautious.

“If I wasn’t sincere, all I’d have to do is to remove these PsyShields.” Prisma-Solar tapped one of her fingers to her temple. “But I won’t. I want to keep them on to show I’m not their enemy.” She grinned. “Plus, they keep Lord Baelon from finding me.”

Raxx chuckled, crossing his arms, keeping a grip on Echo. “Well, ain’t that fine and dandy? So, what do ya think, Ace?” He aimed his twinkling eyes filled with mischief at Asmodel. “Think those cat people will be down for a friendly chat with our sparkly friend here?”

He didn’t know if he’d describe their return as “friendly” after what Prisma-Solara did to the cave city of Nekojin, as well as the city of Panterion Prime. Asmodel sucked in a deep breath as he considered. While he couldn’t psychically connect with the Krystalii, the residual hum of Prisma-Solara’s subdued power was easy to sense. What wasn’t there before was a sincerity that now came off her in waves. “How do you propose to help them?”

A corner of Prisma-Solara’s lips curved as a playful light danced in her clear yellow eyes. “The PsyShields don’t bind everything.”

Raxx’s dark eyebrows furrowed. “Oh shit. That can’t be good.” He dropped his arms, holding Echo so tight his knuckles turned white.

“No!” Prisma-Solara raised her hand, palm outward. “No, no. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s a gift I can use for good.” She glanced at each one of them, her smile quivering. “I can help them by moving heavy objects and sense those trapped where no one hears them.” She clasped her hands together. “In a limited way, I can transform materials from one form to another.”

Asmodel had no trouble visualizing what she said. He too could transform matter. Like when he shapeshifted or teleported. “I think we should take her back to Panterion Prime.” He decided with a shrug. “If she wants to help, we should let her try. I agree, if she wasn’t sincere, all she has to do is remove the PsyShields.”

Izzy nodded in agreement. “Maybe if we vouch for her, the scikvak will listen. I’d like to at least give Jaltaar and Talira the chance to listen to her. They must be overwhelmed by now.”

“Raxx?” Asmodel nodded to the other man. “What do you think?”

“Dude, what choice do we have at this point but to trust her?” He put Echo back into the halter on his belt. “But nothing’s gonna stop me from keeping an eye on her.”

“I second that,” JR13 intoned. “Hey, organic man, hang on. Let me get situated before you teleport us.” He scurried to the back of Asmodel’s head and clasped onto the neck of his shirt.

No matter how many times JR13 did that, the feel of the bot’s spindly feet made chill bumps zip down his spine.

Prisma-Solara’s gaze lingered on each of them. “Thank you.” Her voice bore a soft quiver. “I promise I won’t let you down.”

Raxx clapped his hands together. “Well, cool beans, then. Time to roll. Maybe they’ll let us chat first and shoot later.”

Asmodel grinned at Raxx’s irreverence. He turned to Prisma-Solara. “When we get there, stay close. We’ll do everything we can to make sure they understand we’re there to help.”

The Krystalii nodded.

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