Page 39 of Ava Stargazer

Iryl lit up, glowing brightly, and closed his eyes to focus.

Vox finally sat at the table with the others and closed his eyes as well. The room was silent for some time as they connected mentally. They shared until a chime signaled on the feed, breaking their concentration.

Iryl sighed heavily, his eyes weary. He ended the connection and took deep breaths while drinking some water. “Forgot how much energy that took.”

Rhutg leaned over and grabbed some water. “Weak.” He took a sip and smirked at Iryl. “So humble indeed.”

Vox looked around at his companions, his mind buzzing with Iryl’s knowledge as he sorted it methodically.“There are so many species here.”

“Yes. It’s a wonder Iryl keeps them all straight.”Erox nodded.

Iryl pushed his chair back, ready to rise. “Well, it’s time to go. Let’s get this over with.”

Vox fell in line behind Lirell, his mind working through the information as they walked through the halls. He was already better able to put names to all the various species as they passed them. He had a moment of pause, of uncertainty, as they walked.Even with Iryl’s knowledge, there is still so much we do not know.Vox kept his eyes wide.I still don’t know how to act to be a true player here.

With Iryl leading the way, they soon entered the room for the peace talks. Like everything on this board, it was metal walls and enclosed. Sterile, and not at all like the rustic beauty of Xai.

Vox filed in behind Rhutg, looking around. The room was set up in a way that eliminated direct contact, with both parties being behind barriers during the talk. The Decata, who was indeed tiny, smaller than Ava, was on a raised platform inthe middle. Vox tested out his mental strength and inwardly grinned, happy to note the room’s setup didn’t hamper their mental reach in the least.“Both the Decata and the Tuxa are easy to reach.”

Iryl looked relieved, joining their connection.“I’m glad you came. Already you can see so much more than I was able to.”

The Tuxa stood, reptilian and ugly, across the tiled floor when they entered, looking at the five of them in turn. There were four of the Tuxa in a line, indistinguishable between one another. Vox smiled a slow, sinister smile as he stared into the Tuxa’s vapid eyes while crossing his arms. He leaned forward on his feet in an intimidating manner as he opened his meditative state as far as it could go, touching their minds without letting them know he had such full access to their thoughts.

“They know it’s us,”Rhutg thought smugly.

The coat of fear felt delicious on Vox’s mind. He savored it.“Yes, they do. I believe we have a reputation.”He smiled again, not checking it as it turned into a leer.

Vox noted Lirell by his side, his glow also steadier than before. “You’ve improved.” He felt an appreciative flush come from Lirell, followed by renewed focus.

The negotiations went on despite Vox’s posturing, but the feeling of satisfaction remained that they were unsettled. He flitted in and out of the Tuxa’s mind with an unwelcome familiarity.No thoughts of Ava, just hatred for us.Although unless they broke them completely, it would be impossible to know everything.Frustrating.He would need to ask directly.

“What if I just break them after we’re done and send them back to die? We can know everything then, instead of trying to dance around,”Rhutg snarled internally. His lip curled upward as he watched the proceedings, the only indication of his murderous thoughts.

“That probably would be the opposite of being subtle about what we can do. Iryl couldn’t pretend to be so harmless then,”Vox added with a hint of amusement.

Next to him, Erox snorted out loud, turning it into a cough.

Rhutg’s eyes flashed.“But so satisfying.”

“I don’t like being here, Iryl. How do you stand it?”Vox thought absently. He missed Ava acutely. Her soft form, her scent.

Rhutg eyed him in disgust.“Mind your thoughts.”

Vox was chastised and hastily shielded those thoughts. If there was one person he didn’t want to overhear them, it was Rhutg. None of them, actually.

Erox was irritated as well. He should be at home with Orla right now, in the middle of his mating thrall.

“You as well.”Rhutg glared until the focus changed.

The talks were useless and unfocused. The Tuxa were clearly frazzled by the four of them, knowing they had been the ones on their land not so long ago. The Decata mediators did not know how to proceed, and long stretches of silence loomed over any speech they attempted regarding potential peace arrangements.

“This is taking too long,”Vox said internally. “Iryl, put the feed of us up there, with Ava. I wish to scrape their thoughts.”

“Alright.”

Iryl waited for an opening, which was not difficult as silence reigned due to Vox and the others’ presence. A picture of Ava, a close-up, appeared on the screen.

“Split up to monitor? I’ll take the one on the left,”Erox asked.

---