“Names, now, or you die squealing like the migtak you are.”Cylo smoothed his lips, hiding the derision.He was failing, his lack of control unusual.
“But…” Geffa stuttered.“Names of the Yithians?Of the females?”
“The ship, its destination, how many were on board when we found you?”Cylo leaned in, bringing the shadows with him.
Geffa pursed his lips then muttered, “Zannwar, Mascroba, twenty-seven.”
Cylo paused.A standard Yithian ship carried a crew of twenty.“Why seven extra?”
“I do not know,” Geffa said.“I am not curious about their staffing.”
“Do you know nothing about Yithian protocol?”Cylo snapped.
“No, only the bargain matters.”Geffa raised his chin in defiance.
Cylo snorted.“And yet you gained nothing from this.”
The Maloidian winced.“So it seems.”
“Either you are the worst Maloidian at negotiating, or you are lying.Shall I disparage your name and that of your family, for surely, their skills are now in question?”
Geffa spluttered.“We are excellent—”
“Ah, so you are lying to me again.”Cylo flicked out the dagger and sliced off a tentacle.
While Geffa screamed with his hand pressed to his scalp, Cylo tossed the squirming length onto the table.
“I will die at your hands, as you say.”Geffa sniffed as if offended.“Etterians do not deceive though this is not what I would call honorable.”
Cylo grinned at the male gathering his courage around him.
“Telling you anything more will only delay the inevitable.”Geffa glared.“So…kill me and be done with it.”
“Oh?”Cylo arched an eyebrow.“You die when I decide you do and not a moment sooner.”
“I will not speak under torture.”Geffa’s voice was strong, but he dipped his gaze, not meeting Cylo’s.
“I grow weary of this,” Malo muttered.“Kill him.Inform the two Yithians of his death.”
“As you command,” Cylo said and thrust the dagger into the Maloidian’s heart.
He died on a gasp.
“Seven extra?Mm, that has me intrigued.”Trav scooped Geffa’s slumped body off the chair and carried him out.
“Could be visiting dignitaries or operatives.”Malo held out his palm for his dagger.
Cylo handed it to him.“Like the Yithian prince Lady Quin killed?”
“Indeed,” Malo said.“You did well, Cylo.”
With a bow of his head, he held the Hallow’s door open for Malo.“Will you be monitoring the Yithians’ reaction to the news?”
“Yes, from the comm.”Malo nudged his head in the comm room’s direction.“Task Trav to do the interrogation.I do believe you have an asteroid to mine.”
Cylo fought to smother a smile.“I do.”
“Thought so.”Malo chuckled and sauntered off.
