Page 85 of Zayrik

The comms cut.

Silence.

Oppressive. Waiting. The kind that came before blood.

Then —

THUD.

A deep, metallic clunk that echoed through the ship like a death sentence.

Docking clamps. Engaged.

The ship’s alarm screamed to life.

And through our connection, I felt Zayrik’s understanding hit like a physical blow. Felt his determination crystallize into something deadly.

Zayrik slammed his hand onto the console, external sensors flashing red. His emotions leaked through our bond, calculation, strategy, and beneath it all, a desperate need to keep me safe.

I didn’t need to look.

I already knew.

He was here.

Not just Vask.

A full hunting party.

Zayrik cursed low, ancient, war-forged rage in every syllable.

“Docking bays are sealed.”

No escape. No bluffing our way out.

This wasn’t a warning. It was a snare. Cold. Final.

Zayrik turned to me, jaw tight, eyes storm-dark. “Tell me you have a plan.”

I didn’t.

I reached for my blaster, anyway.

Because I knew what I had to do.

And gods, I hated that it would break him.

Only a promise I hadn’t made yet.

A choice I’d been preparing for since I gave him the crystal.

Since I let myself love him.

Footsteps outside. Dozens. Getting closer.

Each step echoing through the ship like a countdown.

Like endings.

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