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She expected contempt, but somehow, his inflection carried a wicked tone of amusement.

She lifted her chin.

‘Zavei Rhakiba Caleph D’Ketheron,’ she greeted in return, matching his formality.

She glanced at Ki’Remi, then the admiral, and continued on their behalf. ‘Commander of the Saatifa Division, General of theCelestial First Host, Executioner of the High Tribunal, Blade of the Divine Immortal King.’

The demi-god before her was no ordinary warrior.

Zavei was one of Sacra’s finest weapons.

His skin was obsidian, a deep midnight hue threaded with astral silver. Markings etched into his being shimmered with divine energy.

His features, chiseled and sculpted out of black jasper and jet, were ferocious, and his eyes were a molten gold, burning like the cores of dying stars.

He did not wear traditional armor.

Nada, his body was the armor.

Across his broad shoulders, a cloak of woven stardust draped, shifting with every breath he took, each mote holding power to eviscerate a single city.

Issa held his stare.

His lip curled, his amusement still dancing within his mesmerizing eyes.

‘You have the Sanopic Jar in your possession?’

The answer to this simple question would decide the fate of the dreadnought and everyone on board.

Issa didn’t flinch. ‘It is never far from me.’

The flicker in his gaze deepened, a satisfied yet icy frisson passing over his countenance.

‘We’re sending a boarding party to fetch you. Bring it with you.’

This was no request nor a negotiation, simply a quiet command.

Issa lifted a brow. ‘I’ll come to you.’

Silence stretched.

The amusement twisted into something darker.

‘Of course, you will,’ Zavei murmured.

His countenance faded into black as the holo vision fell away.

She heaved, planting her hands on her knees and taking jagged breaths.

Rearward, Admiral Rhye snapped.

‘This is my ship.’ His voice thundered across the bridge, breaking free of her hold through sheer will. ‘You just committed gross insubordination, Doctor!’

She turned her head to face him.

His jaw clenched.

The rest of the crew stiffened, and the significance and danger of what was happening sank in.