Mak’s gaze sharpened as he prowled to the messenger. ‘I’m who you’re asking for,’ taking the bundle.
The man scanned the room, a slight smirk tugging at his lips, before he slipped out.
Kaal looked at Mak, his jaw clenched. ‘What do you think?’
Mak tore the parcel open, his fingers rough with impatience.
Inside was a small, unmarked black case, its weight ominous.
He removed the contents, a data cuboid nestled in foam.
The sight of it made his stomach tighten with instinctive unease.
‘No note,’ Kaal muttered, examining the box it had come in. ‘No clue who sent it.’
Mak’s grip on the device tightened. ‘It’s her,’ he growled, a cold certainty in his rasp.
Without further word, he crossed the room and plugged the cube into the nearest interface. The monitor flickered before stabilizing, and his woman glimmered into view.
Saba.
She sat in a bare room, her back straight, hands folded in her lap.
Her hair fell around her shoulders, her posture composed despite the circumstances.
Her gaze locked onto the camera, her face tight with tension.
Mak’s entire body lurched, hands twitching, itching for her.
‘Mak,’ she said. ‘I’m safe, for now. However, if you would like to see me again, please follow these instructions. Come toThe Selburnia. The location is in the data cube. Bring a small team, no more than three people. They’ll give me back to you if you comply.’
Mak’s grip on the desk tightened, rage and helplessness intertwining.
He studied her, searching for any sign of harm or injury, but found none.
Her eyes flicked away for a fraction of a second before meeting the camera again, the moment of hesitation not lost on Mak.
The display flashed, revealing map coordinates, then it went black, plunging the room into a thick silence.
Mak’s fangs elongated in fury. ‘Asivan,’ he growled.
Kaal cursed. ‘Fokk. Only he can stoop to the sewers in retaliation for our raids.’
Mak’s eyes narrowed, staring at the dark screen as if willing it to give him more. ‘No doubt it is,’ he muttered, blood pounding in his ears.
Kaal curled his lips. ‘We have the option of going in hard.’
Mak shot him a glare that spoke volumes. ‘What? Kick off a battle that might harm her? Hell, you know better.’
Kaal sighed. ‘Just trying to help.’
‘If I may,’ Xander drawled.
They turned to their pack leader.
‘Follow their instructions, but have Santi and me stealthed nearby in our corvettes, out of reach of their sensors. If anything kicks off, we’ll come in with force. However, a prudent approach is safest for now.’
‘Fine,’ Mak grunted. ‘I’ll play by their rules, but eventually make them regret it.’
