Chapter 4
Hakdari's eyes slowly regained their glow. "Where's Tiyan?" she wondered.
"You mean what's left of her?" snarked a university trainee who was bound to a jagged stalagmite. "Any of us could be next."
Hakdari looked around the cave and saw more Nuurahk, of all ages. Six were held in electrically-charged chains that delivered an intense shock when rattled. Twelve were magnetized to the floor by their backs, legs and arms immobilized, with white-hot plates of metal scorching the soles of their unarmored feet. And another was close to dismemberment, with every major joint dislocated.
"Three more." A storming voice rumbled throughout the cave. "I see three more coming."
"I will wait for them." His tone turned mocking. "I can be patient."
Hakdari closed her eyes and breathed through her lower abdomen, focusing her energy into the top of her head. She went into a deep meditative state. Kyosah, one of her trainers, had shown her this…