hit of Elate. What made him anxious was the idea his end might be humiliating.
With Respel, murder was usually committed in a humiliating fashion. Especially when he had a Nobek executed. He loved destroying the tough breed’s minds as well as bodies.
“Do I have to ask you again, Karil? I realize Elate has erased a large number of your brain cells, but I shouldn’t have to remind you of how I hate repeating myself.”
Respel’s eyes flicked only the slightest bit. That was all that was needed. The pair of the body-armored Nobeks who’d hauled Karil to face his Dramok pounded on him until he was flat on the floor. When they stopped, Karil was groaning with pain.
He wiped blood from his mouth. He could handle hurting. It was the other things that Respel could command them to do that would cause real damage.
“Let’s try again, my Nobek. Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you.”
“Manol. Gralyn. Danun. Pik. I’m sure there are dozens more of your former rivals I’ve forgotten.” He rasped the names of those who’d either gotten in the way of Respel’s ambitions or had attempted to attack him. Men Karil had taken out of his Dramok’s path, permanently.
“All ancient history. I used to be able to count on you, but that was years ago. Now you’ve brought my operation to the attention of the authorities. Do you realize how much it’ll cost to make them leave me alone?”
Karil was sweating profusely and hated himself for it. He’d been brought in the night before, forced to spend long, dark hours locked in an empty room with no food, water or, most importantly, Elate. Withdrawal was kicking in. He hoped they’d think that was the only reason for his body’s reaction, but he doubted it. What appeared to be terror was the first embarrassment he’d suffer. If he was reading the signs right, it wouldn’t be the last.
As if to drive home the point, the door opened that led to the front of the building where Respel’s private sex club was located. A gaunt Imdiko was shoved in by two more of Respel’s armored Nobek heavies. He immediately fell to his knees before Respel’s desk, his hands lifted to the crime boss in supplication.
“Please! I’ll have the payment by tomorrow! I swear!”
Respel didn’t bother to look at him as the Nobeks grabbed him and shoved him through the other door…the door to the rear of the building, where no one who owed Respel wanted to go. It clicked closed behind the trio.
Seconds later, the Imdiko’s screams and the Nobeks’ laughter began. If it were a first offense, the guy would be beaten, violated sadistically and repeatedly, then beaten again. If it was his second transgression, it would be the same, except he wouldn’t come out alive.
Karil fought to keep his expression stony, especially under the eyes of Respel’s hired goons. They stared at him, their disgust clear. He was well aware of the wreck he’d become, his Nobek strength sapped by Elate. He knew they found him an insult to their proud breed.
However, Karil had one last thread of pride left to him, something far more precious that they’d forsaken. Unlike them, his loyalty to Respel and their late Imdiko hadn’t been bought and paid for. He’d never put a price on that. It remained intact, though Respel might certainly have him executed for getting law enforcement’s wind up. If for some reason Respel let him live, Karil would remain bound to see that Huk’s death was answered for.
He was the only real Nobek present. No matter how addicted and weak he’d allowed himself to become, he remained the most principled of those gathered in Respel’s office.
Gathering that last shred, clinging to it as the screams beyond the closed door continued, Karil met his Dramok’s gaze. Junkie or not, failure or not, he’d face whatever came without a whimper. He’d show them all what a real Nobek was made of.
Maybe Respel saw that stuttering but unquenchable flame in his eyes. The crime boss sighed and shook his head. He pulled out his handheld and tapped.
“I’m putting credits into your account, enough to leave Kalquor. Permanently. Don’t come back.”
Karil thought of Vax. Respel was putting the bastard out of his reach. He couldn’t restrain a soft growl of frustration.
Respel leveled a deadly glare at him. “If you return for any reason, I’ll have you chained in the Dirty Hole.”
Karil’s heart stuttered, but he maintained his impassive demeanor. What happened in the