The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 19.1

Scotty resisted the urge to look around for Steyrian and Lyrabeth. He had to trust they were in position, just like he had to trust the embassy security team and the half-dozen other refugees they had brought back to hold the embassy, or at least the shuttle landing pad. He hated not having the personnel to make the kind of approach to the Reissian embassy that Amoret would have approved of. But sometimes you just gotta work with what you've got, he sighed to himself.

"Ready?" He paused at the front steps to look around.

"Here goes nothing," Amoret muttered.

They marched up the steps to the imposing, heavily carved doors. Scotty looked in vain for some sign of a security screen, then shrugged and knocked heavily.

The door opened almost immediately. "Why Scotty. What took you so long?"

Scotty blinked, but recovered quickly. "Malvarak. Horrible to see you again. Still hanging out with the Reissians, I see."

"A matter of necessity rather than preference, I assure you," Malvarak said smoothly. "Who is your friend?"

"Specialist Amoret Kalin," Scotty said, switching to Praxatillian. "Amoret, this is the infamous Malvarak."

"I got that," Amoret said dryly. "Should I shoot him?"

"Ah," Malvarak said. "I wouldn't recommend it, my dear. Our security systems are active, and quite deadly. Scotty, I would call off your snipers, too, before something unfortunate happens."

"They won't do anything unless things look unfriendly," Scotty said.

"And we're all friends here, aren't we?" Malvarak smiled. "Well, come in. We have a lot to discuss, I'm afraid."

Amoret was giving Scotty a look that clearly meant "Let's make a run for it!" He shook his head and said, "So, you were expecting us?"

"Yes. We could have brought you in immediately, of course, but it was so much more amusing to watch you wander around in confusion," Malvarak explained, gesturing to the interior. Scotty and Amoret reluctantly stepped inside, and Malvarak closed the door. "I only wish you had brought Sabrina along. Your approach was lamentably straightforward, Scotty."

"I really want to shoot him," Amoret hissed.

Malvarak laughed. "Come now, Specialist. Scotty's bloodthirst doesn't extend to his kinsman."

"Oh, yes it does," Scotty said. "I just don't want to get Amoret killed. I want somebody to talk to after you lock us up. Or isn't that the plan?"

"For now. You make such wonderful bait, Scotty."

"Yeah, that worked out so well for you last time, didn't it?"

"It did. My plan would have worked, were it not for the Praxatillians' distressingly dirty method of disrupting my crystal influence. I very nearly killed Maratobia, I hear."

"Just a stroke. She's back to her old self now."

"Ah. Well, that will make this rematch more exciting," Malvarak said.

"So where are your allies?"

"My comrades are busy elsewhere."

"Comrades?"

"The term ally implies a certain power base, which neither of us has at the moment."

Scotty frowned. "What, this plot isn't sanctioned by the Reissian Empire?"

"Reluctantly, and on the condition it did not take place within their borders. Kuath is admirable for this purpose, though I find it lacking in, well, civilization."