Page 67 of Asmodel

Asmodel grinned at him. “I promise that won’t be a problem. Will it, JR13?”

“What?” The droid glanced at him. “You expect me to do miracles now?” A harsh huff. “The man’s wanted in five systems.”

“JR13.”

“Fantastic. Just what I always wanted to do. Commit a cover-up crime.”

Asmodel nodded. “Thank you, JR13. I knew you could do it.”

“Of course I can, you insufferable organic creature. Already done.” The bot trotted with harder steps to his place at the back of Asmodel’s neck. “But it’s temporary. The only way to expunge it must come from the chancellor himself.”

The droid's exasperation made Asmodel grin wider. He loved pushing the AI’s buttons.

“Hey, that’s awesome!” Raxx rubbed his hands together. “Hear that, Echo? We’ll be free to go anywhere we want in the galaxy!”

The galaxy. Asmodel glanced at Izzy watching the scikvak walk away. He had to make sure she was safe before they went anywhere. The thought of putting her in danger as he and his family fought the Krystalii was unacceptable. “But first you have to take us to Earth.”

“Why Earth?” Izzy cocked her head, an eyebrow arched. “If time is so urgent, shouldn’t we head straight for the palace?”

“Normally, yes. But we’ve got to take you to safety first. Putting you in the middle of this upcoming conflict isn’t going to happen.” He turned to Raxx. “Now, tell me what you need…”

“What does that mean, take me to safety?” Her gruff tone matched the twitch in her left eye. “You talk like I’m some kind of nuisance you have to get rid of.”

“What? Izzy, no!” He shot a look at Raxx, who shook his head and took a step back with his palms up.

“Nope, no can do, dude. You’re on your own.” Raxx pointed to the group of scikvak talking to Prisma-Solara getting farther away. “Oh, wait. They’re calling me. Gotta split.”

The coward sprinted off as if the hounds of Gilgamesh were after him.

“I thought we were in this together.”

The slight quiver in her voice made Asmodel frown. “Izzy, it’d be better for you if we take you back to Earth,” He searched her face for understanding.

Her reaction was immediate. Her jaw dropped and her eyes filled with tears. That expression of shock pierced him more than any physical wound. “I mean so little to you that you’d do that? Leave me behind?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Asmodel’s heart clenched. “Oh, my goddess, no… no! It’s not like that. The only thing I want is for you to be safe, that’s all. With Lord Baelon coming, things are going to be unpredictable and dangerous. I can’t protect you if—”

“So, instead of a partner, you view me as a burden?” she interrupted, stepping closer. Those damn tears spilled over. “You think I’m a liability? If it wasn’t for me, Prisma-Solara would still be destroying this planet!”

He pulled her into a firm embrace, his heart aching for the warmth and comfort of her having her in his arms.

She was stiff and unresponsive.

“You’re right. You couldn’t possibility be a liability to anyone,” he reassured her. “No, Izzy, it’s because I care too much about you to take a chance. Just because you did that here, doesn’t mean it would work with this formidable threat.” He swallowed hard, his mouth dry. “I couldn’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.” He was desperate to make her understand. “You mean far too much to me.”

Her shoulders trembled as she pushed away, her nose in the air. “So you think getting rid of me will keep me safe? Is that right?”

Asmodel’s chest tightened. How did this turn into such a chaotic, emotional mess? All he wanted to do was protect her. Shield her from the impending danger ahead. But every time he opened his stupid mouth, he ended up pushing her away.

“The last thing I want, Izzy, is to put you in more danger. Can’t you see? I’m afraid if you go with me, I won’t be strong enough to protect you.” His words came out scratchy, his mouth and tongue were so dry. “And I couldn’t live with that.” Now she’d know what a frail coward he was when it came to her. It was a weakness hard to admit out loud.

Izzy leaned toward him, close enough for Asmodel to bathe in her alluring, honeyed scent laced with a sting of acidic anger. “I thought we were partners, Asmodel. I believe, no, I know, we’re stronger together. Why don’t you?”

The urge to tear the PsyShields from her hit Asmodel hard. That way, he’d take the easy way out and enter her mind to manipulate her emotions. To force her to see things his way. His mind raced, confusion clouding his thoughts until one thing became crystal clear. His shoulders slumped. Since when did he turn into someone who’d force others to his will? If he did that, he’d be no better than the Akurns who enslaved him.

Reaching out with his trembling hand, he touched her arm. “Alma gemela. Never doubt I believe in us. In what we have. That’s why I want to do this. Because I love you too much to lose you.”

She yanked out of his hold, her shimmering tears held at bay with a narrow stare. “Then don’t push me away. Let me fight by your side. I’m stronger than you think.”

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