Tazhr

TAZHR

I paced the cramped, filthy passageway, frustration simmering through me. No matter how many times I replayed it in my mind, I couldn't understand why Emma seemed so upset when I transferred those credits to her.

I meant the money as a gift, a small token of appreciation for all her risky efforts so far. Surely she realized that the work she was doing for me was dangerous. She deserved some kind of compensation for the danger she put herself in.

When she gazed up at me in that dingy back room at the Fallen Star, her full, tempting lips parted invitingly, I was certain she anticipated a passionate kiss. In that charged moment, with her bright eyes fixed on me and her body angled toward mine, I was convinced she wanted a physical reward, one I was happy to give her.

Yet as soon as I sent the funds, her eyes flashed with anger and that delicate mouth twisted into a scowl. She stormed away without another word, leaving me confused and unfulfilled.

Clearly, I misread her intentions. But why? What else did she want from me? We barely knew each other. Was she truly so incensed at the idea of accepting payment from me?

Bah, there was no time to dwell on the mystery of her moods now. I had an urgent meeting to get to, and these informants were notoriously unpredictable. If I showed up late, or seemed distracted, they might scatter back into the shadows with their secrets. I couldn't risk that.

Rolling my shoulders to loosen tense muscles, I set off through the winding backstreets. I kept my pace unhurried, my posture relaxed. But all my senses were on high alert for signs of surveillance or traps. These contacts were jittery at best, paranoid at worst. If they suspected betrayal or capture, the situation could spiral violently out of control fast.

My meet point was a filthy, rarely-used back room at one of the seedier drinking holes in the ring district. I slipped down the narrow stairwell into the dank room, nose crinkling at the mingled stench of vomit and unwashed bodies.

In the farthest corner, obscured by deep shadows, two cloaked and hooded figures sat waiting at a rickety table. I recognized them as Arkani, a race of shifty information brokers. Their features were completely obscured by the hoods drawn low over their faces.

I sauntered over casually then slid into the seat across from them. Under the table, I rested my hand near the handle of the wicked blade sheathed at my belt. Its familiar weight offered some reassurance.

"You have something useful for me?" I queried, keeping my tone light despite the tension thrumming through me.

The Arkani hunched lower over the table, glancing around nervously despite the empty room. This cloak and dagger routine was their trademark, but it wore thin on me.

"Yes, very useful," one finally muttered. "But don't talk so loudly here. Too exposed."

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to grab and shake them. Their games grated at me. "Then speak quickly," I bit out. "I haven't got all night."

The other leaned incrementally closer, pitch black void under his hood giving no hint of his expression. "There's a very large shipment of glitterstim spice arriving tomorrow. The Karavak gang has all the details on the exchange."

Now this was interesting news. I sat back, thinking rapidly. "And how have you come to possess this information?" I asked. Their intel was usually good, but I had to be sure.

"We have an informant among the Karavak," the first hissed, eyes darting about the empty room. "There is to be an exchange at a small warehouse near the docking level 37. Mid-morning when it's quiet. That is when and where the shipment comes in."

I nodded slowly. "Very useful indeed. You've both done well." I tossed a credit chip across the table to each of them.

They snatched up the chips and swiftly secreted them away into their cloaks. "Well then, I believe we're done here," one rasped. "Best get going now. Good fortune."

Before I could respond, they slipped from the booth and scuttled from the room like cockroaches avoiding the light. I sighed in exasperation but didn't bother following.

Leaning back in my seat, I stroked my chin thoughtfully, considering how this unexpected windfall of information might prove useful. If I could intercept that spice shipment, the Karavak gang would be deprived of a massive payload. They'd then be indebted to Alkard's Syndicate for agreeing to "overlook" their folly. A tidy bit of leverage there.

While finding the information to exonerate Havek was crucial, our ongoing operations didn't stop. Having leverage with another gang might even be helpful.

Yes , I mused, an ambush would be perfect. The exchange point was isolated, out of sight. I could easily plan a covert attack and be gone before their wrath turned in my direction.

Anticipation flowed through me, awakening my battle instincts. After endless boring weeks of political machinations, I was eager for action. The thrill of the hunt quickened my pulse. Soon, I would taste blood again.

Finally satisfied I'd extracted every morsel of information from this encounter, I departed the dingy cellar and slipped into the maze of streets. I took a meandering path, stopping often to ensure I hadn't picked up any tails. Satisfied I was alone, I turned toward Conii's compound.

Emma should be safely back in her bed, but still, something called to me. I wanted to be closer to her, even if I couldn't see her.

"And tomorrow you'll explain why you're so upset with me, little one," I muttered. I didn't like the hurt that was in her eyes. It made a strange, uncomfortable sensation writhe in my chest.

But the closer I got to Conii's, the more uncomfortable I felt.

Even though they were deserted now, I could almost trace the path Emma took through the crowded market, just from the traces of her scent.

I took a deep breath, letting the bewitching aroma wash over me.

But this was wrong.

Too fresh.

Did she just pass through here?

Frowning, I scoured the marketplace.

She should have returned hours ago. Why would she still be outside?

And then it didn't matter anymore. The sound of cries and scuffling, seeming to originate from the next alley over.

Emma's voice begging for release.

With a roar of fury, I leapt across the divide and hit the ground in a battle-crouch. I took in the scene instantly—Emma shoved against the alley wall, surrounded by a gang of filthy Ewani. Their lewd taunts and groping hands filled me with berserker fury.

I tore down the alleyway with a primal roar, blood pounding in my ears. The Ewanis had no chance to react before I was upon them.

My fist crunched into the first opponent's face, cartilage and bone giving way under my knuckles. He spun and collapsed against the brick wall, stunned.

Another came at me with a rusty pipe. I side-stepped his wild swing and buried my elbow in his gut. As he doubled over wheezing, I brought my knee up sharply into his forehead. He crumpled to the ground in a heap.

The biggest of the bunch grabbed Emma, holding a vibro-shiv to her throat. "Come any closer and the girl dies," he spat.

Emma's eyes were wide with terror. A haze of red rage clouded my vision at her distress. With lightning speed, I hurled my own knife, sending it slicing across the thug's wrist.

Howling in pain, he released Emma and clutched his gushing wound. In a blink, I closed the distance and unleashed a devastating series of blows, ending with a crushing uppercut under his jaw. Teeth and blood sprayed as he sagged against the brick wall before sliding down, unconscious.

Another Ewani rushed me with a perma-steel bar. I side-stepped his wild swing then grabbed the arm holding the metal, twisting brutally until I felt the pop of breaking bone.

He shrieked in agony, dropping the pipe to clutch at his mangled limb. I silenced him with an elbow smash to the temple, flipping him head over heels into a pile of rotten garbage.

The three Ewanis still standing backed away, eyes darting about for an escape route. With a guttural snarl, I grabbed a fallen can and hurled it at them. It struck one in the chest, knocking the wind from his lungs.

While they were distracted, I seized the edge of a window and vaulted feet-first into the group. My boots smashed two of them in the face in rapid succession. They crumpled to the grimy deck, disoriented and moaning.

The last Ewani pulled a mini-blaster, the shaky movement of the muzzle betraying his fear before he turned to flee. I clamped one massive hand around the back of his filthy coat and swung him face-first into the alley wall. The metal denting under the impact before he slid to the ground limply. Pulling the weapon from his slack grip I spun, checking for any more enemies.

Silence descended on the passage, only the sound of my breathing remained.

The Ewanis were dead, the threat eliminated. Emma was safe.

I turned to check on her, bracing for her reaction. Would she see me as her savior? Or fear the brutal violence I was capable of, even in her defense? Her wide eyes gave no indication, seeming to stare through me in numb shock.

My shoulders slumped slightly. She saw the savage beast inside me unleashed.

I could only hope I hadn't lost myself in her eyes forever.