The Crimson Nexus

words against his instincts. The woman had the kind of calm that came from either absolute

s arms. "Why were you lurking here, and

a predator stalking prey. "This isn't a coincidence, detective. That diplomat wasn't just killed; he

t get cryptic with me, lady. I've

e. You ever hear of

piracy theorists and relic hunters. An artifact t

re, investigating a murder caused by a shard of it. You tell me, d

cator interrupted him. He pulled the device from his coat pocket, gl

Someone's trying to hack

ack to Nyssa, who loo

ng a finger at her before turni

marketplace was in chaos. The gathered crowd had grown larger and more restless, murmurs s

?" Kael asked as

l arm sparking faintly as she adjusted the controls on her wrist terminal. "I can't

in an unsettling rhythm, and one of them began projectin

figure cloaked in shadow. Their voice ech

th malice. "Your interference is unwelcome. Leave this mat

exploded in unison. The blast wasn't powerful, but it was enough to se

his mind racing. Whoever this was, t

breath. "Well, that'

d down and secure whatever's left of the

y barking orders in

cting Nyssa to have vanished, but she was st

she asked, her ton

am, which means they're keeping tabs on this invest

, detective. The people behind this? They don't play by your rules. They're the kind of powe

in his mind. He didn't trust her, but she was right ab

"But if you're lying to me,

faintly. "F

-

of a rundown building in District 7. The walls were lined with overflowing

p on the edge of Kael's desk. He ignored the gestur

file Zara had sent over. "He was known for his involvement in trade negotiation

in Erythra Prime is t

meet with a private contractor the day before he was killed. Th

rkened. "Eon Vex? Tha

them?" K

y deal in black-market arcane-tech. If Solen was working

ed diplomat, an illegal shard of the Crimson Nexus, and a corporation with

gues, detective," Nyssa

a plan. "I need to pay Eon Vex a visit. See

h you," Nyssa s

ne. But if you get in my way, I

t," Nyssa said, stan

t he was walking into a trap. But he'd made a career out of

didn't act fast, it could destroy ev