Relda turned. They’d come in through the back and were watching her intently. She glanced at the front of the tent.
The aquatic gave her a sharp smile and held up a tiny device. “It’s a sonic suppressor. The man out front won’t hear a thing. But if you do manage to involve him, don’t think we won’t take great pleasure in killing him.” The aquatic shook his head. “We just wanted the Trojan Moon, but now my friend, Maz here, would like a little time with you as well.”
Maz sneered. “I want revenge, bitch.”
CHAPTER THREE
He intended to hurt her, then kill her. Relda saw the flash of his intent in his energies. It was a spreading dark cloud that sucked all hint of color away.
Maz sprang forward, fast and brutal.
Relda threw herself to the side, landing on her hands and knees. But today, surprise wasn’t on her side and this time he was fueled by anger.
He grabbed at her legs, trying to pull her backward.
Wildly, she scanned ahead of her. The table nearby had one of her smaller orbs balanced on top on a tiny, black stand. She reached up, her hand scrabbling at the edge of the table.
“No, you don’t.” A hard hand chopped into the small of her back.
Pain radiated up her spine and Relda winced. He finally got a good grip around her knees and yanked her backward.
As he dragged her, she grabbed the edge of the table. It tipped slightly and the orb rolled off onto the rug. She grabbed it, twisted, and threw it like a champion VelocityBall player.
Her awkward position meant her throw lacked power, but there was nothing wrong with her aim.
The heavy crystal smacked into Maz’s head, knocking him sideways.
Relda jumped up. Adrenaline rushed through her veins, but something else was also stirring. She pressed a hand to her belly, willing herself to stay calm. “Leave now and I won’t hurt you.”
Maz’s eyes were narrowed to tiny slits and blood oozed sullenly down the side of his face.
The aquatic straightened, his blue gaze wary. “We just want the Moon.”
“It’s not here. And even if it was, I still wouldn’t give it to you. Now leave.”
“We aren’t going anywhere without the artifact,” the aquatic snapped. “It’s worth millions of e-creds and our employer…dislikes it when he doesn’t get what he wants.”
“Last chance.” She kept her tone breezy, but her heart was hammering. She couldn’t risk using too much of her power. It had been a long time since she’d unleashed the full force of it, and her lack of training left her…unstable. Trying to scare these two might lead to her wiping out the entire market. Or worse.
The aquatic lunged forward. Relda raised a hand and the man stopped like he’d hit an electro-fence. He shook his head, blinking rapidly. As he realized he couldn’t move, panic bloomed in his large eyes.
Power sang through Relda’s blood, a long-forgotten pleasure.
Slowly, he raised his fist. And slammed it into his own face.
She released her hold on him and he crumpled to the floor.
Maz swore. “You won’t use your mind tricks on me.” He swung, his open palm slamming into her cheek.
The blow made her eyes water and her head ring.
She saw the man raise his hand again, a rotten grin on his face. He held something in his hand—a glowing blue ion blade.
Relda hit him with a mental blast. With a high, thin scream, he dropped the blade. He clamped his hands over his eyes and scuttled backward.
She ran out the front of the tent. Deputy Westin spun to face her, looking shocked.
She dragged in air. “They?—”
