Irritated by the interruption, I asked Sloane, "How do you humans say it in your line of work?"
"I have no idea—" She started, but I didn't let her finish.
"It’s a need-to-know basis," I filled her in. Yes, I had read up on human military intelligence—Sloane in particular—while nearly going insane on the flight to Morrakbarr.
The elevator came to a stop. I raised my hand for Sloane to wait before moving her behind my back again, hoping that by giving her a purpose, she would shut up and let me continue to try to contact Ella.
I felt her checking me out, though, and snarled, "Quit staring at me. Your Soulweb Glyphs give you away as someone's mate."
She didn't have the decency to deny it; instead, she went straight for an attack, "What are we doing here?"
I sensed Ohrurs and nodded at Sloane, "Take care of them."
"What? Who?" She fell silent when she must have heard the approaching footsteps. How these humans stayed alive was a mystery to me. She opened fire, and all six ended up in a pile on the ground. That's when I noticed that her blaster was set to stun, not kill. Interesting.
"You're welcome." She glared at me as if I should be grateful that she had taken out the Ohrurs.
Again, I felt a faint echo from Ella ...Zaph… and I grunted a reply at Sloane, irked again by the interruption. Amused, I sensed her urge to kick me between the legs, and couldn't stop myself, "I dare you."
"Fucking ass," she cussed, making me laugh despite myself. I liked her.
Sudden blaster fire lit the hall. Damn, Sloane had distracted me. Instinct took me; I lunged, pulling her down and covering her with my body, taking the volley on my shield. I felt her thinking we were done for, and just as I solidified my aura to shield us, I sent out a shockwave that sent the Space Guardians who had snuck up on us flying into the wall. By the time I stood, I was a god of vengeance. I sent out a command to two more Space Guardians who had just emerged to knock their skulls together and take each other out.
Her glare speared me. “You didn’t have to kill them.”
“They’re not dead. That’s what healing wands are for.” I retorted.
Another thought crossed her face, and her eyes narrowed as she realized I’d never been a prisoner. “You could have left anytime you felt like it,” she accused.
I let the corner of my mouth tilt, enjoying the small victory. “I told you. I need your help. It was easier to intercept you here.” I baited her further. I felt her urge to just take off without me, and I had to figure out a way to make her follow me. She and Vraax needed to know what was happening here. We were both brought here for that very reason. I could feel it in my soul, but I had no idea by whom.
"This whole thing… what is this?" She demanded, clearly frustrated that she hadn't realized my full power sooner.
"I told you—I needed you. It seemed easier to intercept you here." Why was it so much fun to antagonize her? I was just as surprised by her being here as she was when she caught sight of me as aprisonerearlier. But I wouldn't let her know that. Let her think I had more powers than I possessed out here in Auris Prime. As long as I kept her engaged and sidetracked, she would follow me to Ella. She would see what I already feared we'd discover.
"How did you know I would be here?" She demanded, fully exasperated now.
"Oh, Sloane," I tsked, shaking my head as if pretending to be puzzled.
"Well?" She tried hard to keep her composure.
"Some things are already written in the stars," I declared enigmatically, enjoying our little game.
"Don't give me that BS, Zapharos. I want to know."
"Hmm, I think your species has evolved, if that isn't explanation enough for you anymore," was all I said. I learned that once upon a time, the humans had Oracles, just like we did, who liked to speak in riddles. It seemed that time was gone for them.
Ella's presence was pulling on me, and I walked by Sloane without glancing back or saying another word. Huffing my annoyance, I stepped over the pile of unconscious Ohrurs and Space Guardians. Wordlessly, she followed me down the hall, around another split-off until we reached a third. There, I stopped by the corner, sensing more Guardians.
"Take care of them," I pointed aroundthe corner.
"What if I don't?"
She dared to challenge me? She wanted to keep playing games?
Fine.
"What do you want?" I asked.
