Page 52 of Bikar

Hissing in amusement, he inclines his head. “I will endeavor to do better. You are not the first to tell me such a thing this rotation. However, your pheromones reek of unfilled… need.”

Scoffing, my head falls back against the wall, making him wince at the sound. “That is an egregious understatement. My mate, as well asall the humans… suffered much before they came to us. My mating is moving according to her needs, not mine.”

Bhastas freezes in place as he contemplates all I said… and all I did not. He must come to some sort of decision, because he offers a hand to help me stand.

“Vornek and I have concluded you and your family are trustworthy.” Yanking me to my feet, he snickers when I trip. “Apologies, I forget my strength when handling such frail species like Rukuhks.”

Bhastas slithers out of the relay station where I have been working, and beckons me to follow. “Come with me. There is something Vornek and I have decided you need to see.”

Frowning in confusion over how cryptic he is being, I follow beside him as he leads me back through the city complex to the old Aynar palace. It is a building my brothers and I have studiously avoided since our return. All the Aynar’s egregious experiments were conducted in the labs beneath the opulent structure.

Bhastas must sense my hesitation because he slows. “I would not ask you to enter here if it were not of the utmost importance, I assure you. Contrary to what some believe, I do not relish the torture of other beings.”

His words end with a bite, so I eye him warily. Jega are not a species for a Ruk to take on alone. “I do not believe such a thing of you, if my opinion matters. Lead on, Bhastas. I will follow.”

He turns without a word and enters the palace. Swallowing back my fear, I follow. Even with portions damaged from our uprising, the opulence that abounds still makes the rage I keep tamped down swell.

“They had all this and kept us in poverty and borderline squalor.”

Bhastas doesn’t stop but does tilt his head. “Yes, they are similar to my people. Our Queens and their favorites live a life of luxury, while the rest of us struggle to survive off scraps.”

Deciding for once in my life to not pry into someone’s personal business—especially a species that can best me in a fight—I say nothing and follow him until we reach an innocuous alcove. A massive crack in the wall exposes the glint of metal.

Familiar-looking metal.

The same type of metal most of the laboratories were made from. Keeping my silence, I wait and am rewarded tics later when Vornek emerges from the fissure in the wall.

“Ah, good, you are finally here.” Pinning Bhastas with a look, he asks, “Are you staying?”

The Jega shakes his head negatively. “No. I have no desssire to sssee… that again.”

Interesting.

Whatever is beyond that door upsets Bhastas enough that his sibilant hiss emerged.

Flicking my gaze over to Vornek is all the excuse Bhastas needs. He disappears from the alcove without a sound. I flinch when I turn back to thank him, only to discover he is gone. Shuddering, my blatant discomfort elicits an abrupt laugh from Vornek.

“You do not get used to it, but you will learn to control your reactions to his coming and going.”

Pivoting on his heel, he beckons me to follow. “Come on, Bikar. I have a new task for you. If my calculations are correct, you are the only being in the Void that can help them.”

Them?

CHAPTER 46

BAMBI

Bikar’s late.

He’s never late to supper. The man loves food and never misses a chance to eat while harassing his loved ones. Glancing over at Heather, she rolls her eyes. “The Winged Wanker never misses a meal. Don’t worry so much; he’ll be along.”

I’ve sent him two comm messages asking how much longer he’s going to be, but he hasn’t answered either one of them. Just as I’m about to start worrying in earnest, the front door opens and closes. Murgul’s head tips, nostrils flaring, and he frowns.

That can’t be good.

Turning in my chair, I see Bikar walking towards us carrying… something. “Bikar, what is that?”

His body language is… hesitant, which puts me on alert. “Bikar Ramuguk, what did you do?”