Free Crystal Tomb (Starfire Angels: Dark Angel Chronicles Book 3) by Melanie Nilles Page A

pupil of the commander's dark eyes opened into
a triangle in the dim lighting, but the human expression hardened.
{"These questions I leave up to you, Rikku Ronur Kalas."}
    {"Yes, Kan Rikku ."} Kalas bowed slightly as
the commander stepped past him into the control room of that small
complex. Kalas had worked harder than any of the Nakor to earn his
position, where Nakor Surik had been handed his position by virtue
of birth, whether he deserved it or not. And the young commander
most certainly did not.
    On Earth, though, they were a universe
away from their homeworld and the clan wars, but Kalas had to tread
carefully if he would gain power among the thirty-two survivors who
had awakened on Earth. The Nakor among them numbered less than
half, a disadvantage that could be exploited if he could gain the
loyalty of a few more of the minority clan members.
    Perhaps this was an opportunity to
speak to Lorel, who came from one of the most oppressed of the
clans. Surely the xenobiologist would sympathize with
him.
    He had to plan it carefully. For three
years, they had been too busy, focused on learning the human
culture and language and tracking all references to crystals and
Inari—angels in human mythology—that they could find. Now that they
were close to the end, he would have to put his plans into motion.
The Nakor would fall and the oppressed clans would rule under a new
leadership.
    Under his rule, they would destroy the
Inari, where their fellow soldiers had failed.
    Dar Lorel strolled ahead, her
movements in the fluid grace of the Risaal far outclassing the
jarring pace of the humans or Inari. Kalas dropped his camouflage
and hurried after her. He focused on the hallway ahead and the
familiar colors of Risaal in camouflage, a visual adaptation of
their species.
    One of them stood still along the wall
ahead, blending in perfectly to those without their secondary
vision. He would have to be careful what he said.
    {"I am not the Inari."} The words came
from Lorel in a deep growl and her strides lengthened with the
clear intention of putting distance between them.
    He restrained the ripple of spines
down his back at the unexpected rebuke from Lorel and easily kept
pace with her. This might be easier than he had expected. {"No, but
I must speak with you."}
    She said nothing and they rounded a
corner together.
    If she would join him, he would need
only a couple more supporters to gain power. If Rik remained
unconscious, Kalas might have enough support with Lorel on his
side. How fortunate that the crystal had knocked the Nakor
unconscious and potentially eliminated one threat.
    Kalas scanned the corridor but they
were alone. {"Join me."}
    {"Why?"} The spines along her back
rippled in a clear sign of anxiety.
    {"Not here."}
    Together they marched
through the dull corridors, passing a few soldiers carrying out
their duties. Some of them knew of his plan, while others had
displayed some disdain for their Nakor masters but had not yet
defected to his side. If—No, when the time came, he hoped they would join him. The
others he couldn't be sure about.
    {"How long do you think the human will
survive?"} he asked.
    {"Difficult to guess. He's already
lasted longer than the other three."}
    Too true. The man in
holding also proved hardier than the others they had tortured. All
bore an Inari symbol tattooed on their hands. None had surrendered
the information they wanted, but research had linked the men
bearing the symbol to rumors of an Eye. The mythology of its
presence linked to the coming of winged beings, angels or Valkyrie,
had snatched their attention. Finding the monolith of Inari writing
had been another lucky find. One way or another, they would find
the stolen D'Nuvar .
The Inari were now the key to linking the clues to the
crystal.
    {"Surik should not have tortured the
other three to death."}
    The spines on Lorel's back lifted
slightly, but what part of his statement agitated her—leaving off
the title of their commander or