Dawnstar sensed something in the quiet darkness, a dark presence almost familiar to her but one she could not identify as friend or foe. That awareness easily startled her out of restless meditation, and she reached for the hilt of her lightsaber before getting to her feet.
Despite her size, the tall twi?lek?s movement was silent, unheard under the mechanical hum of the building?s ventilation systems and the sporadic chatter of the local desert wildlife outside. Dawnstar padded barefoot down the darkened hall of the residence she sometimes shared with her clone-sister Daydream. She swung her lekku back behind her shoulders, unconsciously framing a wordless, wary comment on the situation.
Hearing hushed speech, she scowled, suspecting that one of Daydream?s stalkers had managed to slice the entry codes for the bunker. A flash of irritation and anger was dampened, and she moved quickly into the only shadow tall enough to accommodate her frame. She waited with serpentine patience, listening.
?. . . for in the upcoming weeks there will be none to be had.?
What. . ., thought Dawnstar, stunned. The word was poised, unspoken on her tongue. Her senses were acutely sharpened from meditation and the surge of anger, but for a moment she doubted what she had heard. That didn?t sound like a stalker. That sounded like Azrakiel.
Moving silently, a human male stepped from Daydream?s room and looked directly at the tall twi?lek looming in the darkness. He was cloaked, and his eyes burned in the gloom. I?ll be damned, Dawnstar thought. Her surprise was visible only for an instant, masked as she lowered her head respectfully.
?Azrakiel. . ,? said Dawnstar, after trying to decide whether she should address him as Master. She shrugged and lifted her chin slightly. ?I thought you were dead.?
?Your sister never seemed to lose her twisted faith in me. . . I was hoping you hadn?t either Dawnstar.? As she began to voice some protest, Azrakiel voiced a familiar, dreadful laugh, then added, ?Say nothing to anyone. I am not yet ready to return.?
She offered him a gravely formal bow, indicating her acceptance of the situation. As Azrakiel left the cool, underground structure, Dawnstar stepped over to Daydream?s rooms, tapping lightly on the doors.
?DD. You awake??
Despite her size, the tall twi?lek?s movement was silent, unheard under the mechanical hum of the building?s ventilation systems and the sporadic chatter of the local desert wildlife outside. Dawnstar padded barefoot down the darkened hall of the residence she sometimes shared with her clone-sister Daydream. She swung her lekku back behind her shoulders, unconsciously framing a wordless, wary comment on the situation.
Hearing hushed speech, she scowled, suspecting that one of Daydream?s stalkers had managed to slice the entry codes for the bunker. A flash of irritation and anger was dampened, and she moved quickly into the only shadow tall enough to accommodate her frame. She waited with serpentine patience, listening.
?. . . for in the upcoming weeks there will be none to be had.?
What. . ., thought Dawnstar, stunned. The word was poised, unspoken on her tongue. Her senses were acutely sharpened from meditation and the surge of anger, but for a moment she doubted what she had heard. That didn?t sound like a stalker. That sounded like Azrakiel.
Moving silently, a human male stepped from Daydream?s room and looked directly at the tall twi?lek looming in the darkness. He was cloaked, and his eyes burned in the gloom. I?ll be damned, Dawnstar thought. Her surprise was visible only for an instant, masked as she lowered her head respectfully.
?Azrakiel. . ,? said Dawnstar, after trying to decide whether she should address him as Master. She shrugged and lifted her chin slightly. ?I thought you were dead.?
?Your sister never seemed to lose her twisted faith in me. . . I was hoping you hadn?t either Dawnstar.? As she began to voice some protest, Azrakiel voiced a familiar, dreadful laugh, then added, ?Say nothing to anyone. I am not yet ready to return.?
She offered him a gravely formal bow, indicating her acceptance of the situation. As Azrakiel left the cool, underground structure, Dawnstar stepped over to Daydream?s rooms, tapping lightly on the doors.
?DD. You awake??