The Shattered Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 7)

Chapter 22.4

They managed to get within sight of the Reissian embassy, dodging groups of zombies along the way, and settled into cover in what had once been a sculpture garden in the Lthosyenne embassy next door.

"What now?" Amoret asked. "We did the frontal approach last time, and they know we know about the back door."

Scotty glanced at Tirqwin. "Do you think Malvarak's in there?"

"Possibly. At any rate, I can withstand Reissian weapons better than either of you," Tirqwin replied. "I am willing to go and inquire."

"Dammit, I wish we had some sign of Wilmik and Danask," Scotty muttered. "I don't like this, but I can't think of a better way. Will you know the jammer if you see it?"

"I believe so," Tirqwin said. "Do you wish me to get taken prisoner and look?"

"If they take you prisoner, they won't take you near it," Scotty pointed out. "I was thinking about letting them open the door and then blasting them so we can get in. They didn't seem very well staffed when I was in there, and Malvarak killed some of them."

Amoret said, "If they grab him, we'll have a hard time shooting them and not him."

"Aw, one or two hits from a blaster won't slow Tirqwin down. Much," Scotty said.

"I would greatly prefer to avoid it, however," Tirqwin said.

A low chuckle nearby made Amoret and Scotty snap their guns up to firing position, sweeping the area around the large sculpture whose base they were using as cover. Tirqwin stood calmly as Malvarak came out from behind a nearby sculpture and swept them all a mocking bow. "You took longer to arrive than I'd anticipated," Malvarak said.

Scotty lowered his weapon; Amoret exchanged glances with him, then turned her aim from Malvarak, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

"Lhushan," Tirqwin said. "I am pleased to see you. I understand you would like to depart this planet; allow me to offer you the hospitality of Khediva."

Malvarak grinned. "Once I've helped you deactivate the jamming device, you mean. This is quite a reunion: first Scotty, then Maratobia, and now you and possibly Khediva. We are only missing Sabrina."

"You must hold her excused: she was badly hurt escaping your allies," Tirqwin said. "You owe her your thanks, however. She and Niavar managed to bring Sribarak back with them."

Malvarak gave a soft laugh. "And so my colleagues have learned what I know: no plot that comes into contact with Sabrina Devon survives intact. I would like to hope they have learned merely to avoid her, but I'm afraid they will approach her as a problem that needs solving. I do hope you will provide her with adequate security from now on."

"Are you not interested in what became of Sribarak? Or do you already know?" Tirqwin demanded sharply.

"Do you?" Malvarak retorted.

"In part. I know that his Way engines and controls were converted into a weapon that was used against my son's ship," Tirqwin said. "How could you allow such a desecration?"

"How could I prevent it?" Malvarak said, spreading his hands. "Do you imagine that anything that has happened since your son escaped my control has been at my pleasure? I was a captive, tortured and used as badly as the shell of Sribarak!"

"Did you assist?" Tirqwin demanded.

"Not willingly."

"Hey, guys, keep your voices down," Scotty said, looking around anxiously. "Could we maybe talk later?"

"No," Tirqwin and Malvarak chorused.

"Amoret, perimeter," Scotty instructed. Amoret nodded and moved off into the foliage.