his life.
For a moment, the shimmering white façade of the inn doubled. Then it trebled. He blinked, forcing the view into normalcy. His nose wrinkled, not from the fetid smells coming from the nearby jungle, but at the raw scent of the sweat streaming from his pores. He wore the stench of sickness. Drug sickness, to be specific.
He was just emerging from the worst of withdrawal from Elate. He’d not been able to score before leaving Kalquor. By the time he’d reached Dantovon, he’d been too ill to do more than rasp his lodgings’ address to the shuttle service pilot. He didn’t even remember making it to the room, where he’d collapsed on the sleeping mat to drift through days of pain and incoherent nightmares.
His joints continued to ache, but he was no longer bedridden. The injuries he’d suffered from the backroom beatdown—as well as other painful, humiliating acts done to him—were healing. That evening, he’d been well enough to shamble through the hectic streets of Ler to have a few drinks to take the edge off withdrawal and choke down half a bowl of stew. He’d reasoned after he recovered some of his strength, he’d find a dealer to sell him the only reason for living now.
He’d been staring dully at the lane beside the outdoor café when the miracle had occurred. Like a remnant of the withdrawal-fueled hallucinations that had swamped Karil only hours ago, Vax had appeared in the teeming crowd, his stupid face rendered stupider by awe as he gaped at his surroundings. As if fickle Fortune had taken pity on Karil, deeming his shattered pride worthy of a second chance to be recovered, she’d offered him the only worthwhile sacrifice. Had brought it mere feet from where he’d sat, stunned with disbelief.
Yet Karil was in no shape to face off with Vax and his pal. Thanks to withdrawal, he needed at least another couple of days before he could hope to best even an Imdiko taken by surprise. It had been necessary to simply follow them that night, to keep them in sight until he discovered where they were staying.
He didn’t dare indulge in Elate now, though the ache to do so set his teeth on edge. Not when destiny had taken such a turn. He had to stay straight long enough to make Vax pay for his crimes. Only when that smug Imdiko lay dead could Karil return to his last pleasure in life.
How long would the young shitheads remain in Ler? That was the big question.
At least a few more days. By then, I’ll be able to take the murdering bastard down. If I can catch him alone, I’ll be able to take the full measure of revenge.
Not only for Huk, but for what Karil’s backstabbing Dramok had ordered done to him. Vax owed Karil more with each passing second. More hurt. More blood. More screams for mercy before Karil stopped his heart for good. All the indignities the Nobek had suffered, Vax would be forced to endure twice over. Then he’d die as Huk had, but far more slowly. Far more painfully.
Karil couldn’t let this unforeseen opportunity to salvage his tattered dignity disappear. He had to make Vax pay.
I have time. It’s clear they haven’t been here more than a day. Two, at the most. I’ll keep track of them until I’m ready.
Though his vision doubled again and he drooped with fatigue, Karil grinned. They had no idea he was here. They’d enjoy their little holiday with no glimmer of how badly it was going to end. How death was right here, on their heels, counting down to Vax’s last breath.
“See you in the morning, Imdiko.” Karil smirked at the inn before turning toward the edge of the town where his own berth, cheaper and scummier than any he’d ever slept in before, waited. Where he’d dream of pools of blood and earsplitting shrieks and degradations not his own for a change.
Yes, Karil would sleep so well tonight, if his excitement for his second chance in the coming days would allow him to.
Chapter Ten
Kalquorians were impressive to most other inhabitants of the Galactic Council’s membership. At an average of six-and-a-half-feet tall and naturally muscular, they tended to dwarf the majority of the other races. To see a Kalquorian in the midst of Dantovonians, Plasians, Joshadans, and others was like watching a mountain towering over hills.
Nobeks, with their restrained ferocity, were the most eye-catching of all. They moved with silent grace. They proudly