“Her bath wasn’t very relaxing,” Salvo said. “Indrex Farr walked in on her and proceeded to tell her that he knew she was involved in a kwaris.”
“Indrex has no significant abilities,” Velmar pointed out. “How could he possibly have detected the kwaris?”
“I don’t think he detected it,” Salvo told him. “He knew she was up to something and used his sister’s notes to figure out the most likely spell or ritual.”
“And he landed on a kwaris?” Velmar sounded doubtful. “There are at least twenty possibilities that make more sense.”
“Don’t forget her involvement with an unfamiliar alien,” Malik reminded. “Are you factoring in Hastos?”
Velmar’s head bobbed subtly from side to side in a noncommittal gesture.
“Her reaction to the accusation told Indrex all he needed to know,” Malik concluded.
“Did you arrest her?” Velmar asked.
“I had a team on the way to her apartment when Indrex contacted another one of the leaders.”
“Kantor Alonov or Fayton Marr?” Velmar punctuated the question with a sneer.
Malik narrowed his gaze thoughtfully. “I’ve suspected Kantor for weeks, but I have Fayton pegged as a peripheral player. Should I have a team following him also?”
Velmar waved away the concern. “As soon as I’m dead Fayton’s interest in the rebellion will end. He is not a true believer. He just wants me to pay for killing his son even though it was self-defense.”
Malik nodded then clarified, “Indrex comed Kantor Alonov and told him that their suspicions that Zerna was in the process of betraying them was correct. Kantor wanted to kill her, but Indrex suggested that they watch her, find out who her human partners are and what they contribute to the kwaris.”
“So you want to do the same?” Velmar guessed.
“Yes,” Malik admitted. “Zerna must pay for all she has done, but I think it serves us best right now just to watch her. We don’t want to dismantle the Opposition Force only to be invaded by some human threat.”
“Ooor,” Nikki extended the word dramatically, drawing everyone’s attention. “You could arrest the bitch quietly before anyone else realizes she’s back. Indrex and the other one will think Hastos took her off world again and you guys can interrogate the shit out of her. I’m pretty sure I know who her human partners are so there is no reason to risk her escaping.”
Much to Jaron’s surprise, Velmar was the one who pointed out the problems with her strategy. “Trust me, Nikki. I want her dead even more than you, but Malik’s suggestion is the better plan. If we question her directly, she will use her newfound power to protect her mind. Then the first chance they get, Indrex and Kantor will kill her to protect themselves. We will have accomplished nothing.”
“Can’t you, or someone like you, take the information out of her mind?”
“The Sarronti consider it immoral to use our abilities like that unless lives are in immediate danger,” Velmar told her. It was just such a psychic invasion that had gotten him exiled from the capital. Most of the other villages quickly followed their example and Velmar had been living in seclusion ever since. “She is definitely a danger, but there is not yet a specific threat.”
“I’m not bound by Sarronti morality,” she stressed. “They forced these abilities on me without my permission. Using them to find out everything we need to know is called poetic justice.”
“You don’t want justice. You want revenge,” Velmar stated emphatically. “I do too, but Malik’s is the better plan. Zerna is convinced she is in control. If we are patient just a little while longer, she will lead us to all the answers.”
She made a disgruntled face and looked away from Velmar.
Jaron reached over and rubbed her back, half expecting her to twist away. Instead she stilled, then looked at him and attempted to smile. The expression looked more like a grimace, but he was pleased with her attempt.
A tense silence followed then Malik asked, “Does anyone have anything they need clarified before I turn Velmar loose?”
Kara pivoted toward Velmar and placed her hand on his forearm. “How are you physically? Do you need a healer? Someone to feed you energy?”
Shifting his arm out from under her hand, Velmar insisted, “I need nothing and no one.”
Kara and Malik exchanged worried looks then he asked, “Do you have any questions for us?”
Turing to Salvo, Velmar asked, “Will you open a portal to my cabin? I know recent events require action, but I am no good to anyone until I recover