Outside, Dart is waiting for me, which is unusual. Sensibly, most of Dante’s warriors acknowledge my presence and then pretend I don’t exist.
The huge warrior with the scar over one eye wrings his hands.
“What’s wrong, Dart?”
He looks from side to side as if something is going to come for him, even though the small atrium outside the sarkarnlings’ quarters is empty.
“It’s the boss,” he says.
“Dante? What about him?”
“He’s gone after the rest of our crew…alone.”
“What?” A chill races from the top of my scalp to the base of my feet.
“I told him you wouldn’t like it,” Dart says quietly.
“And I bet he knew it too.” I grit my teeth. “Is he still on Vorostor?”
“No, he took two scout ships and left two nova hours ago.”
So, no wonder everyone was being shady when I asked about Dante. He’d made them all swear to secrecy.
My blood rolls in my veins, part ice, part fire. I want to kill Dante and I want to kiss him.
“Do the warlords know?”
“Only Driok.” Dart’s face twists in agony. “He followed, and I don’t think he wants to help,” he adds with a growl.
I swear under my breath. “I need to get to Lord Dexx’s sector. Will you come?”
Dart nods and accompanies me through the neutral sector, winding our way through the place which is as much of a maze as the rest of the Sarkarnii ships, until we reach an airlock with two angry looking warriors stood next to it. Both snarl at our approach.
“I’m here to see Lord Dexx’s mate.” I stand my ground. I’ve already sent a comm to Scarlett telling her I’m on my way but not why.
The airlock opens, and both Dexx and Scarlett are standing behind it. Both of Dexx’s warriors give them a deep bow, and I feel Dart bristling behind me.
“You are welcome, little human. The warrior is not,” Dexx intones.
“Dart is with me,” I respond. “Dante’s orders.”
I feel Dexx’s growl in my chest rather than hear it. Scarlett glares at him.
“Does it matter, Dexx? I want to see my friend.” She beckons me inside.
Dart follows.
“I need your help,” I rush out. “Dante’s gone after his missing crew.”
“Then he does not need my help,” Dexx says. “He will be fine.”
“He won’t,” I respond. “The thing, whatever it was, which took them—it’s the professor.” I stare at Scarlett. “The one who took us.”
“I’ve heard Darax say Dante claimed it was a Gonoz,” Dexx says. “But they are a myth.”
“Bloody dragons are a myth on earth, and yet here you are,” Scarlett snaps. “What is the myth?”
“They have no form. They have to use other vessels to exist on our plane of existence,” Dexx says, leaning back against thebulkhead and folding his arms, a tiny skein of smoke emanating from his nostrils.
