Page 6 of Dark Gambit: The Play

"I will. Why the urgency, though?"

"The sooner we get Sofia free of the compulsion, the sooner we can utilize your idea of feeding her boss misinformation. The last thing we need is for the compeller to send a rescue team to retrieve her. Not that I think he would. Turner suspects that she was set up to be found out, and that she has a tracker embedded in her body so she could lead him to our main base of operations."

A chill ran down Marcel's spine.

So that was what Turner had deduced, and he might be right. It was such a cold and heartless move, but then what else should he expect from a man who slaughtered his own people to get his hands on a few females?

"That kind of move puts even Navuh to shame."

Kian chuckled. "Don't underestimate Navuh. He has no problem sacrificing his warriors if he can gain anything by doing so, and he has no qualms whatsoever about sacrificing the human residents of his island. He and Jade's captor would get along splendidly. Anyway, once Sofia's mind is under our control, we will do our best to make the compeller think that things are back to normal and that she got only a slap on the wrist for her part in the attempted journalistic sting operation. It will buy us time."

"Time to do what?"

"We need to clear Safe Haven of anything that can point to us. It's unfortunate given the enormous investment we’ve committed to the place, but the location is compromised. Even if the compeller never comes or sends anyone else to investigate, I will not feel safe having our people there."

Unless they found him and eliminated him, but that wasn't likely.

Kian wouldn't want to open an all-out war with the Kra-ell and make them aware of immortals' existence. That being said, though, it might be wise to eliminate a future threat to the clan.

Provided that it was doable.

They needed to find out the kind of force the compeller commanded, which was probably why Turner wanted it done as soon as possible.

"What about Eleanor and Emmett and the paranormal program?"

"Regrettably, Emmett will have to step down and transfer leadership to someone else. The paranormal program will have to be moved as well."

What a major headache. "It almost sounds as if eliminating the compeller would be less of a hassle."

Kian huffed. "Sure. We can eliminate him and his followers, free Jade and the other females, and everyone will live happily ever after. That's not a realistic objective, but Turner says that we will re-evaluate the pros and cons after we learn more about the threat we are dealing with."

"Meaning getting Sofia to tell us all she knows."

"Correct."

4

KIAN

Kian ended the call and put the phone down. "I'd better go talk to Toven before the Guardians load the MRI on the truck. We are basing this entire operation on the assumption that he will agree to go on a moment's notice."

Turner shifted his gaze away from his laptop screen. "Do you think he might refuse?"

"I don't think that he will say no, but he might need more time. He's not as much of a prima donna as my mother, but he is still a god, and he needs to be handled with caution and the proper respect." Kian got to his feet. "That's why I'm going to ask him in person."

Turner frowned. "You can't just show up on his doorstep either. You should call ahead. As you've pointed out, he's not your mother."

"Right." Kian raked his fingers through his hair. "He might not even be home. I'll call to say that I'm stopping by." He pushed to his feet. "I'm no good at this diplomatic crap. I would have asked my mother to call him for me, but then she'd be upset that I'm not taking her to talk to Sofia."

Palming his phone, Kian headed toward the door but stopped with his hand on the handle. "Do you need help in here? I can ask Shai to come in. He could take care of some of the arrangements."

"I don't need help." Turner continued typing on his laptop. "I’ve mobilized my team to make the arrangements for the safe house on the Oregon Coast, and Bridget is taking care of arranging the MRI transport. We are lucky that she had already been planning to send the rest of the medical equipment from the clinic at the keep to the one in Safe Haven and she had ordered the special case to transport the MRI. The thing needs to be steel lined to prevent its magnetic pull from affecting anything in proximity. The crate alone cost ten grand."

Kian released a whistle. "It's a damn shame that's money down the drain."

"It doesn't have to be, but that's a discussion for when we are not pressed for time. You should go talk to Toven."

"Right."