Page 39 of New World

Dorane waved her off, his lips curving at Asta’s comforting irritation. “Unfortunately, I’m going to have to put off any heroic declarations for the moment.” He glanced at the holoscreen flashing on his desk. “I have an important communication I need to take. We’ll have to finish this conversation later.”

Ash inclined his head. “We’ll get out of your hair. I appreciate you hearing us out.”

“Please, stay in one of our guest apartments,” Dorane offered.

Kella locked eyes with Dorane, a challenging smile forming on her lips. “We would be delighted,” she replied with wry amusement.

Dorane flicked his fingers toward Asta. “Asta, please escort Ash and Kella to the guest apartments. And try not to threaten them too much. I’d like to keep this assassin on my good side.”

Asta grumbled but obeyed, escorting them out.

The moment they were gone, Dorane turned back to his holoscreen and tapped the incoming call.

Roan Landais’s face appeared.

Dorane grinned. “Well, well. If it isn’t the man of the hour. It’s good to see you aren’t dead, unlike your father, from what I’ve heard.”

Roan sighed. “It was close… and yes, Coleridge is dead.”

Dorane leaned back, fingers steepling. “It’s about time someone put him out of his misery. I’m guessing this isn’t just a social call to let me know about his passing.”

Roan’s lips twitched. “No. I’ve been having so much fun blowing things up, I thought you might like to join in.”

Dorane threw his head back and laughed. “Damn, it’s good to know you are still alive. Tell me what happened.”

The moment Roan began speaking, Dorane’s expression darkened. He listened in silence as Roan described what had happened aboard the Legion Space Lab—the twisted experiments, the Legion’s plans to obliterate Tesla Terra, the sheer scale of destruction they were preparing to unleash.

By the time Roan had finished his vivid description and dire warnings, Dorane felt as if he had been on the space lab with his friend. He exhaled slowly, fingers tapping against the desk. This night was proving to be more exciting than he had expected.

“We need your help, Dorane. My uncle is mad, and what happened will make him desperate. With the power at his disposal, I don’t have to tell you how dangerous that makes him,” Roan said.

“You know how to stir up a Torrian vipers’ nest, Roan,” he replied with a shake of his head.

“I have an Ancient Knight with me. Her name is Julia Marksdale,” Roan added.

“There is one here as well. He said his name is Ashton Haze,”

Roan nodded. “He came to warn you about an assassin?—”

“Named Zoak. Yeah, he told me. I guess Coleridge wasn’t happy with just dying. He and your uncle have put a high enough price on my head that every would-be assassin in the galaxy is after my blood,” he replied with a hefty sigh.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Dorane,” Roan murmured.

“It was bound to happen. Men like your father and uncle are easily threatened by men like us. I’m assuming you’re heading to Cryon II. How soon before you arrive?” he asked.

“Two days,” Roan replied.

Dorane’s fingers traced slow circles against the desk as he mulled it over. “You might want to reconsider coming here.”

Roan’s brows lifted slightly. “Why?”

“Because Cryon II is currently crawling with assassins,” Dorane said dryly. “And unless you’re planning on shooting your way through a very enthusiastic bounty pool, it might be better if I come to you.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Roan nodded. “Where?”

“Aetherial,” Dorane said immediately.

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