Gramps and the security guards weren't the only ones witnessing the moment when Adam Forwarder first laid eyes on the Mother to the One. 

     Thirty-plus stories below, in the sub-basement, in Livia Montcrief's "safe" room, Valtair watched the whole event unfold over Livia's security cameras. He'd just about tortured the information out of Livia that he required, even though it was taking him a little longer than he'd hoped. He had her bent back until her forehead almost touched the floor. Agony-sweat coated her body like grease. She whimpered, "Please. Please. Have mercy." With this new situation developing, however, finishing her off would have to wait. 

​     Valtair got on a com-link to an entity that he rarely contacted. It was a difficult link-up, for one thing, traversing entire dimensions. Furthermore, this particular entity did not like to be disturbed unless it involved something vitally important. 

     A nexus moment, for instance. 

     The voice Valtair heard over the com-link sounded both watery and gravelly at the same time. Such a voice would terrify a normal human being. It even intimidated Valtair slightly, even though he was anything but human. 

     "What is it?" the voice inquired, a question that was also a command. 

     "I believe he's found her," Valtlair replied. "I believe Adam Forwarder's found the Mother to the One."

     A pause, then, "Are you certain?"

​     "I believe we're experiencing a nexus moment, yet."

     "Kill her." 

     "You..." 

     "Kill her now. Do you know where she is?"

     "I'm looking at her even as we speak."

     "And you're still able to teleport?"

     "Of course, but..." 

     "Kill her, and Infini is mine to devour." 

     "But Adam Forwarder is..." 

​     No response. The voice on the other end of the line had broken off the connection. 

CONTINUE