Page 37 of Phoenix's Last Heist
Offering me that same predatory, suggestive grin, he opens the case. The Nebula Gems sparkle in the light, casting soft blue-green rainbows around the room. In the center of the necklace sits the prize of the jewels, an egg-sized blue diamond so deep in color, it looks black. The air leaves my lungs in a softwhooshas I stare at the priceless treasures that have been lost to my people for generations.
“Lovely, aren’t they?” Fobos says, plucking one of the blue gemstone earrings from the case and holding it up to his ear. “I’m told the Xylothians believe Father Darkness fashioned these stones from the tears he wept when he murdered the Solar Mother. He later bestowed them upon Xylothia as penance for taking her from them. Silly story, really,” he says, taking note of my interest. “Since they just look like plain old diamonds and sapphires to me.”
“Change of plans, Ranger,” Lyra barks in the earpiece. “Knock out that son of a bitch and take the jewels. They’re practically yours, anyway.”
I grit my teeth, trying to focus on Fobos and block out Lyra’s unhelpful snark.
Fobos peers down at his claws, sighing in what seems to be exaggerated boredom. “I take it you’re interested in a trade, yes? The idol for the gems.”
His eyes cut to the case at my side and my grip tightens reflexively.
“I’m not interested in a trade, though the gems are exquisite,” I say slowly, trying to stall for time. Lyra is supposed to be creating a distraction right about now, so I can scan the vault and make my escape.
Fobos narrows his eyes.
“What else would you offer me?” I ask, attempting to appear imperious.
The sheen of greed is back in his eyes.
“Four million credits,” he replies, waving a hand dismissively.
“Hang on, Ranger, I’m having a small problem with the grenade. It’s not…dammit, why won’t this dumb thing start?” Lyra mutters, more to herself than to me. The mention of her Velusian grenade encountering technical difficulties has beads of sweat forming on my brow. I can only hope Fobos doesn’t notice.
“Four million? That’s an insult! I had to loot the Celestial Temple to find this thing,” I scoff.
Anger vibrates off of Fobos like a string plucked on an instrument.
“Five, then,” he grits out.
I snort in derision. “Clearly, you’re not interested in what I have to offer, otherwise you wouldn’t bother with a sum so low. Beyond the cultural significance, this is the largest sample of enaurium in existence.”
A vein begins to throb in Fobos’ forehead. “Ten million.”
“Oh, honestly, now youarewasting my time. I think I’ll just take it back to my original buyer. He was offering me fifty,” I say with a sigh.
“What buyer could offer you fifty million credits?” Fobos snarls. “No one this side of Eternia has that kind of money unlesswedeem it so.”
“Perhaps the Triumvirate knows less than they think,” I say.
With that sentence, Fobos’s entire demeanor shifts. His anger melts like the last snowfall before a spring sun.
“I see,” he says. The wicked grin that splits his face dislodges something in my gut and a warning klaxon blares in my head. “Tell me, have you had a chance to spend any time in the casino? Perhaps a circuit on the floor while you consider my offer.”
“I never gamble,” I say darkly. “Unless I’m certain of the odds.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Fobos replies, deftly pulling a plasma pistol from beneath his jacket faster than I can blink. “You’re taking a pretty big risk in coming here,Xylothian.”
Panic freezes me in place.
“Shit,” Lyra swears. “Fuck the distraction. I’m coming to you. Hang on, Ranger. Play for time!”
“What did you call me?” I ask, masking my fear with confusion.
“Oh yes,” Fobos chuckles. “I know a Xylothian when I see one. Now, before I relieve you of your little case there—yes, go ahead and set it on the floor, very gently, if you please—I’d like to know how you came to be here. Who are you working for? And how did you know about the Nebula Gems? Only a few people outside my circle knew about them, and those that did were too smart and too afraid of me to open their mouths about it.”
He flicks the safety off and the high-pitched whine of the plasma pistol charging tears my gaze from his.
“Don’t you tell him a fucking thing!” Lyra huffs in my ear. I can hear the clattering of the casino floor and furious shouts over her panting. “I’m almost there—just make some shit up and distract him!”
