Damn, the special effects from the creature gave the surroundings a scary-as-hell edge.
It paused at the doorway, its head tilted as if something caught its attention.
Toni’s heart leaped into her throat. Her breath caught against the stifling pressure of her panic.Did it know she was there? Could it sense her?
But then, with a low, resonant hum, the guard resumed its movement, and its massive form disappeared through the doorway without so much as a backward glance.
The moment it was gone, she swore the room exhaled. Her eyes remained glued to the empty doorway. The only sound was her deafening heartbeat pounding in her ears.
It took several seconds before she dared to move. Clenching her trembling gloved hands into fists, she let out a grateful breath. “Whew! That was close. Thank you, Sensos.”
Daring a glance at Azazel, she almost burst into laughter.
His eyes were as wide as all get-out, his open jaw practically resting on his chest.
Well, didn’t that say it all? Maybe now he’d calm down so they could get him the hell out of there and escape.
One could only hope.
Azazel snapped his mouth shut when a line of drool threatened to roll free from his lips. How in the world did Toni escape the Krystalii guard’s notice? It was then he noticed the strange outfit she was wearing. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she wore that unusual suit the so-called rebels had given her to wear from the Vault of Forgotten Worlds in their simulation.
Except, covering her head was a clear—fishbowl? And hovering next to her was his spider-bot, JR14. He’d give anything to hear what they talked about as the droid bobbed up-and-down while Toni spoke with her expressive hands, emphasizing whatever she said. She pursed her lips and glared at the bot with narrow eyes. Apparently, she didn’t like whatever the droid was telling her. She put one of her hands on her trim hip while wagging her finger at him before waving it around.
One more bob from the bot before he buzzed to hover in front of Azazel’s crystal cage. The droid’s eyes changed from his normal pale sky-blue to a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors, a clear sign the bot was examining or processing something.
Toni moved closer behind the droid, now putting both hands on her hips, her lovely lips creased into a frown. Looks like she wasn’t happy with whatever the AI droid was doing.
All at once, the bot’s eyes switched color to a solid red. Then he zoomed backward until Azazel only saw him as a dot in the distance, then he rushed into view, his bulbous head tilted as if in determination. If Azazel could put his hands up, he would have.The damn thing looked like he was going to ram into the crystal cage!
The only thing Azazel could do was twist his head sideways when the bot reached the barrier… then zoomed in without a problem. He landed on Azazel’s shoulder as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Azazel swallowed a hiss when a sharp pain pierced his neck right next to where the bot stood on his shoulder. Did that damn bot just jab him with one of his razor-thin legs?
Query.
Was that JR14’s inanimate voice in his head?
Please ascertain and confirm your ability to converse with me in this manner.
The voice spoke to him, not on a psychic level, but more of a mechanical one. Like using earbuds when listening through Bluetooth.
I can.He replied on the same path. Talking to the bot like this was not uncomfortable, just disorienting.
Excellent.JR14 announced.
“However,” the bot stated out loud. “It is best to conserve energy by speaking out loud whenever prudent.”
Azazel gazed at the spider-bot in amazement.
“How did you get in here? Can I get out the same way?”
“Response: once I determined the vibrational aspects of this enclosure, I adjusted my own frequencies to match it with 99.9 percent probability of success. It only became a matter of intent to do so.”
Okay. Not something he could pull off.Gathering his thoughts, Azazel watched JR14 out of the corner of his eye.
The bot fluttered his wings before sliding them under his back panels and folding his legs to settle.
“Now communications can commence,” he continued in his matter-of-fact tone. “And we can illuminate you on our escape plans. Bonus: I am communicating with my family now gathered with yours at the chancellor’s palatial space station orbiting Zerin.”
