“No, Phoenix. I’ve been working undercover for several years trying to catch all the people running the black-market ring.”
Nera felt Niklas go stiff.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Niklas murmured.
“You traitor!” Avril screeched.
Ryant pulled a Tase stunner from his armor and zapped her. She collapsed back onto the ground. He looked around. “Well, this is a mess.”
“Solomon’s hurt,” Niklas said. “He needs to be in the medbay.”
Ryant glanced at where Solomon was clutching his stomach. “Roger that.”
The Sapa appeared through the dissipating smoke, a group of her blood-stained warriors at her back. Agent Ryant stiffened and moved closer to Niklas and Nera.
The woman stopped, her gaze taking it all in before settling on Nera. “Thank you for your help.”
Nera nodded.
“This one—” the Sapa shot Avril an unfriendly look “—attacked my people and tried to take our treasure.”
“We didn’t know?—”
The Rumin leader nodded at Nera. “You are free to go. As friends. It is your choice if you take your dead or not.”
Nera looked at Niklas. “We’ll go now.” Her gaze dropped to Avril. “She’s all yours.”
Avril blinked, confusion on her face.
“Thank you.” The Sapa inclined her head. “Before you go, I have something else for you. A token of friendship.” She waved to some of the warriors behind her.
Two stepped forward, holding more gold artifacts in their hands. The golden animal and the metal bowl Niklas had admired.
“Damn,” he muttered reverently.
The Sapa gestured. “For you. For a warrior like this woman to cherish you, you must be a good man.”
Nera and Niklas took the precious items, and he smiled. “Thank you. We’ll care for them. And I’ll take care of her, too…when she lets me.”
“Again, I wish you safe travels Nera Darc and Niklas Phoenix.”
Nera and Niklas made their way toward the ship, listening to Ryant gather his loyal agents and give them instructions on moving Solomon and collecting the other agents who were still alive.
“We can finally get that hot shower,” Nera said.
“No!” Avril’s scream echoed through the trees. “No, no. You can’t leave me!”
Nera didn’t look back. Neither did Niklas.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Nik stood at the large observation window on theDrakeand watched Earth’s surface recede beneath them. He felt a surprising pang. He wished he could have had more time to explore it. To uncover more of its secrets.
But a larger part of him was more than happy to be heading back to theMagellan. He ached and he was tired. He rubbed a hand over his face. Maybe he was getting too old for this treasure hunting gig.
He smiled. No. He didn’t think so. He kept staring at the black ocean below until the clouds finally obscured it from view.
He heard the whisper of the door sliding open. He was hoping it was Nera, but instead, Jonas stepped up beside him.
