Page 101 of Dark Gambit Reliance

"We blocked the gates with the vehicles," the Guardian said. "And we put Kra-ell guards at the entrances to the tunnels. We have snipers hiding in the trees and a team inside each tunnel. We are ready for Igor."

He was one of the two Head Guardians who had introduced themselves to her as Bhathian and Yamanu, but she'd forgotten who was who. The other one was a mountain of a man, with muscles the size of a professional bodybuilder, and he was just as cordial as this one, but not as easy with his smiles.

"What about the cameras?" Jade asked.

"All the camera feeds are broadcasting prerecorded stuff on a three-hour loop. All Igor will see are empty tunnels and empty corridors. The same goes for his and Valstar's offices. We also checked the entire compound for hidden cameras and listening devices."

"Did you find any?"

The Guardian nodded. "Quite a few. They are taken care of as well. We need to thank Igor for being paranoid and not allowing anyone to have cell phones in the compound. We verified that all the phones were locked in the safe in Valstar's office, and we searched everyone and all the rooms to ensure no one was hiding a communication device. We've left nothing to chance." He flashed Tom a teasing smile. "The only wild cards are the guards you compelled. How good is your compulsion? Are they going to follow the script we gave them?"

Tom leaned back and sighed. "I was still in good form when I compelled the purebloods and the hybrids we needed for the tunnels, so you have nothing to worry about them singing the tune I taught them. I wasn't as good with the others, but since all I had to do was remove Igor's compulsion, and our other compellers did the rest, it's all good. Regrettably, Igor didn’t have a contingency in place in the event of disruption in the compound’s communications. Getting someone to call him from one of the surrounding villages would have bought us more time, and we might have learned when he was planning to return."

When it seemed like the two were done talking, Jade dipped her head at Tom. "Thank you for what you did for us. You and Mia and your warriors worked hard to save my people, and you made a great effort not to harm anyone. You've exceeded all of my expectations, and you have my eternal gratitude."

"You're welcome," Tom said. "How is Kagra doing?"

"She's asleep. Your doctor assured me that she's healing at a good pace for a Kra-ell." Jade chuckled. "He was so excited about getting a peek at her digestive system. He said that he understands now why our waists are so slim. Our stomachs are tiny, and our intestines are much shorter and narrower than that of immortals and humans because we live on a liquid diet. I told him that he could have just asked me, and I would have explained, and he said that it was not the same as getting to see the insides of Kagra's gut."

"Doctors are all weird," the Guardian said. "And Merlin is weirder than most."

Tom smiled. "I like Merlin. He's unconventional."

Jade didn't have any experience with human doctors, so she had nothing to add to his comment. "I'm ready to deliver my end of the bargain." She glanced at Mia. "Do you want to wake your mate up?"

He smoothed his hand over Mia's short black hair. "I'll tell her everything later. She's exhausted."

"Kian and Turner asked to listen in," Yamanu said. "You can put them on a video call." He turned to Jade. "Is it okay with you?"

"Why wouldn't it be? I promised Tom to tell him the history of his people, and he can do with it whatever he pleases."

The guy shrugged his broad shoulders. "Some people get shy when the camera is on them."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Your communication is secure, correct? Because this information should never reach the humans."

Tom chuckled. "We are in their quarters."

She waved a dismissive hand. "You can cast a silencing bubble around us, can't you?"

"Yamanu can do that. I'm too tired to even think."

The Guardian nodded. "It would be my pleasure. But first, I'll call Kian."

As he placed the call, Sofia came down the stairs with her immortal boyfriend. "Can we join you? Or is it a secret meeting?"

"What I'm about to tell Tom is information that I didn't even share with my daughter, but when I promised him the story, I failed to make it contingent upon him keeping it a secret. It's up to Tom what he wants to do with it." Jade looked at him. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"The only problem I have is keeping my eyes open. Yamanu will shroud us so no one else can listen in, and I'll make sure that Sofia keeps what she hears to herself."

"Would you like some coffee?" Sofia asked.

"That would be great."

She turned to Jade. "What about you?"

Jade nodded. "Black with nothing added."

"I know." Sofia pushed to her feet. "Purebloods can't tolerate dairy or sugar."