Rina’s face reddened to Vurro’s hand squeezing her neck. A Barra was pressing her right temple.
“Show yourself, coward!” he shouted, his muzzle drooling white foam. “Or the female dies!”
How did he make a two-week trip in seventy-two hours? asked Marante in Kalin’s mind.
“Vurro, how did you get here so fast?” yelled Kalin.
“Do not alter the subject!” he shouted, his lips quivering over pointed, razor-sharp teeth. “Show yourself!”
“Let her go and I’ll let you live,” said Kalin. “Hurt her, and you’re dead.”
Vurro stood silent; his nearly black skin amplified the glow of yellow eyes.
He has been working with Vorkis for close to five years, said Marante.
Kalin sensed his friend’s telepathy digging into Vurro’s mind.
He assisted in the plan to annihilate all Salerans, said Marante.
Vurro’s elongated maw widened into a nefarious smile. “A glorious moment I will never forget,” he said as dangling strings of saliva jiggled in the air.
Kalin’s need to take him out was beginning to overpower him.
Marante clasped his arm. His only thought is to kill the Prince of Salera. Do not give in to his pleasure.
Kalin nodded and Marante handed him his Barra. He set it for stun.
“Show yourself!” yelled Vurro. He pushed the Barra hard against Rina’s temple and her head jerked to the side.
“Don’t, Kalin!” she shouted, digging her nails into Vurro’s hand. “He’s a maggot!”
Vurro squeezed her neck harder, his rigid claws cutting into her skin. A bluish tinge began tinting her lips. She put her hand over her fist and elbowed Vurro’s stomach. He released her, stumbling away in pain. She jumped and spun, slicing a kick mid-air, her foot colliding with his head. His body swung around and bashed face-first into the wall. Rina stood over the unconscious form, rubbing the front of her neck, when a blue laser beam hit her in the back. She lurched forward and fell helplessly onto Vurro.
“No!” cried Kalin, leaping to his feet.
A volley of laser blasts whizzed past him and he ducked down for cover. Several Zorcons were hiding behind another outcrop.
“I have to get her,” he said, firing at anything that moved.
A low buzzing sound preceded a green transport beam that spread over Rina and Vurro. Their bodies lifted and flew towards the Zorcons. Within moments, Rina and Vurro were teleported away with the Zorcons. Vorkis’ laughter resonated through the tunnels.
“You’re a fool, Kalin,” he said. “I have the Pril. Come. I’m waiting.”
Kalin picked up a rock and angrily threw it at the wall. It bore through the black stone with a puff of smoke. He turned to Marante. “We have to find her.”
“We must stop the planet implosion,” said Marante, “or there will be no one to save.”
“You go for the Xeons.” Kalin picked up Vurro’s Barra and tossed it to Marante. “I’m going for Rina.”
“Done,” said Marante, and they ran their separate ways.