Indrex hated talking to someone he couldn’t see. So much was communicated through expressions and gestures. “Ugly, I grant you, but I’m starting to think the incompetence is intentional.”
“What the hells does that mean?” Kantor’s image suddenly appeared in front of Indrex. Reddish-gold hair framed his angular features, and the ruthlessness in his amber eyes truly was a glimpse into his soul.
Shaking away the distraction, Indrex said, “Think about it. We both know there is no way Zerna captured Velmar on her own. That means the yellow brute did it for her.”
Kantor’s eyes narrowed, but all he said was, “And?”
“Why would someone with the skill and intelligence needed to capture Velmar Rylin fail over and over?”
Understanding finally ignited in Kantor’s gaze. “Because he didn’t want to succeed.” He paused, clearly milling over the possibilities. “But what does he gain by failing?
“I haven’t figured that out yet. All I know is no one is as incompetent as recent events make him appear. The razor-pistols are the perfect example. It’s possible that one foolish or extremely inexperienced mercenary would leave a weapon behind. But every one of them left their weapons. That, my friend, is intentional.”
“Again, why? Thanks to those weapons, the rebels know the name of his planet and are frantically trying to locate it. Why make himself vulnerable? That’s terrible strategy.”
“There is a reason. I just haven’t discovered it yet,” Indrex told him. “I’ll let you know as soon as I learn anything.”
Kantor lapsed into thoughtful silence for a moment then asked, “I know she wasn’t specific, but did Zerna give you any idea what she is trying to do with all that power?”
“This is Zerna we’re talking about,” Indrex reminded. “Even as a child, she didn’t want to share her toys. I honestly think she imagines herself as the sole ruler of this entire planet.”
Kantor scoffed, “As if any of the village chieftains would accept her. Her bloodline is so diluted, she is barely elite.”
“Which is probably why the kwaris is so tempting to her,” Indrex said. “She has always had just enough power and authority to make her ravenous for more. The kwaris allows her to draw on the combined energy of three dimensions.”
“Three dimensions? Sarronti and Cretz, what is the third?”
Indrex hesitated to admit his suspicion. It was improbable to say the least. “I’m just guessing, but I have a team intercepting any signals to or from Earth.”
“Earth?” Kantor sounded confused. “Humans can’t control magic. The vast majority don’t believe it exists.”
“Which means the few who can tap into the energy of Earth have an exceptionally rich supply from which to draw.”
Kantor shook his head dismissively. “Unless you have a specific target, I think you’re wasting your time.”
“We shall see,” Indrex said stubbornly. His instincts had saved his life more times than he could count, and his instincts told him that Earth was the correct choice.
“So what do we do with Zerna?” Kantor asked.
“Unless you have specific objections, I’d like to play out this farce for a bit longer. I want to learn more about the kwaris, hopefully identify her other partner.”
Kantor shrugged. “I don’t care. Let me know when you’re ready to end her and I’ll send someone to do it.”
“Perfect.”
After a silent pause, Kantor asked, “Is there anything else?”
Indrex shook his head. “That’s all I know for now. I’ll com you if that changes.”
Kantor nodded then terminated his end of the link.
A HYSTERICAL SCREAM drew Nikki out of the sickening vertigo. She released her death grip on the armrests of her seat as she realized the ship was no longer spinning. Sucking in a deep breath, she forced her eyes to open. Haley was trying to calm her sister, but Selina twisted away and continued screaming.
The ship might be motionless, but Nikki’s surroundings continued to undulate. The monitor in front of her was blank, so she wasn’t sure what was going on in the cockpit. The last thing she’d seen was Velmar collapsing. Was he all right? What caused him to lose consciousness? Trepidation coiled in her belly as another possibility unfolded in her mind. What if he hadn’t just passed out? Could they return to their dimension without him?
She wasn’t sure what she could do to help him or Selina, but she couldn’t help anyone strapped to this seat. She released her safety restraints and tried to stand. The vertigo returned with a vengeance. Nikki pitched forward, then rocked back and sat down with a groan. What was wrong