28-Neela
Stunned, I stare at the strange creature crouching a few feet away from me.
“I’m your liaison officer for this mission. By the way, my name’s Wingo!”
It’s such a bizarre feeling to push my thoughts toward him.
“What mission?”I ask, still half-convinced I’ve lost my mind.
“We’re gathering intel for Pherebos. Can you tell me how many guards there are in total?”
“Pherebos? Is that your mate?”
Deep down, I can’t help thinking that if my only hope of rescue lies with a couple of these creatures, I’m not getting out anytime soon. He may be adorable, but I seriously doubt he can take on Bully.
“Pherebos is my friend!”he corrects indignantly. “He’s Ileana’s mate—she’s my friend too. And for your information, I’m male!”
“Ileana?”I repeat, thrown.
What are the odds that two different women would share the same name, and that I’d hear it yesterday and today? None. It has to be the Ileana—the one who managed to win over Prax a few years ago.
“Yes. She’s Human, like you. Now can you please answer me? Time’s running out!”
“Oh—right, sorry. I saw six Penubians—the reptilian men. There’s also General Nivek, but I don’t know what species he is.”
“Can you push his image into my mind? I’ll send it directly to Pherebos.”
How convenient! Wingo is turning out to be a surprisingly useful little creature.
A few seconds later, my peculiar contact speaks up again.
“Yikes... that’s bad news.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pherebos says he’s a Ninasarvik—a particularly cruel species. Prax is asking if he’s alone, because they usually travel in packs.”
“PRAX??? Did you say Prax??”
“Whoa! No need to shout in my head, okay? Wingo is a sensitive and delicate being.”
My heart skips a beat. Since yesterday, the belief that I’d lost the love of my life had crushed me into a deep, endless grief. And now, out of nowhere, Wingo drops his name like it’s no big deal—like he’s alive. An overwhelming wave of hope crashes into me, sweeping away my despair and replacing it with indescribable joy. It’s like finding a piece of myself I thought was gone forever. How is this even possible?
“I’m so sorry, Wingo—I didn’t mean to shout. But... you did say Prax?”
“Absolutely. The Sadjim who keeps looking at me like I’m his next meal. That said, his aura is clear and kind, so I won’t hold it against him. Still, I think you’ll agree I’m not a snack, and it’s extremely unsettling to be assessed as one. Anyway, Prax is right now with Pherebos and Ileana, and they still need to know how many Ninasarvik are present.”
“At least four more besides the General—the ones I saw step off their ship. But I imagine there are more inside.”
“Like I said, not good at all.” Wingo sighs. “We’ll adjust the plan. I’ll keep you posted.”
I sink back into my thoughts, torn between elation and sorrow. Prax is alive—I don’t know how, but he is. And he’s with Ileana... the woman he left the Coalition for.
While I wait for Wingo to return, I scan my surroundings. The landing area where the two spacecrafts are parked is now almost deserted—aside from my cage. A fresh wave of anxiety rises in me when I spot two of General Nivek’s men heading my way. They’re coming to get me. Panic seizes me, and I try to alert my tiny ally.
“Wingo, if you’re going to do something, now would be a great time! The Nina-whatever guys are loading me onto their ship. It looks like they’re getting ready to take off!”
“Neela, stay calm!”he replies immediately.“That ship won’t be lifting off anytime soon. A most unfortunate mechanical failure, I’m afraid.”
