Page 70 of Dark Gambit Reliance

She understood the need to eliminate the threat to everyone in the compound but the callous way they talked about killing her grandfather was disturbing, to say the least.

"Toven will speak with Jade tomorrow and tell her about the change of plans," Shai said. "She will need to incapacitate Valstar until Toven can take control of his mind. The question is will she listen, and if she does, will she be able to incapacitate him without killing him. If the answer is no, we will not restore communications to the compound and hope that Igor will return despite not being able to contact anyone there. But in either case, Valstar's demise is imminent. Once everyone's minds are free, Jade will not be the only one who wants him to pay for his crimes."

As another cold shiver pulsed through Sofia's body, Marcel took her trembling hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Valstar's impending demise wasn't the only reason for the tremor, though. He might have contributed his genetic material to her creation, but he wasn't real family to her.

Sofia was worried about the ones she couldn't contemplate losing, and she couldn't stay in Safe Haven while everyone she cared for was in mortal danger.

"I want to be there for my family. Once the compound is freed, they will be confused, and having me there will reassure them."

"Hold on one second. Kian wants to talk to you."

"I'm sorry about your grandfather," Kian said, surprising her. She had never met him, but he didn't sound like the empathic type, and yet he'd been the only one who'd bothered to say that.

"Yeah, me too. I wish things were different, but I can't change who he is."

"True. I'm also sorry about denying your request to go to Karelia. We need you to keep the pretense up."

"I can call him right now, I mean, after I get to my regular spot, so he won't expect me to call tomorrow, and by Sunday, it will all be over, one way or another. Please, I need to be there."

Kian didn't answer right away, and the second or two that it had taken him to respond seemed to last an eternity. "You have a valid point, but it's a logistic nightmare to get you and Marcel to St. Petersburg. The force leaves for the airstrip in three hours, so even if I send a jet to pick you up, you won't make it on time."

"We can fly commercial," Marcel said. "I'll book us a flight to St. Petersburg, and we will join the force there."

"They are going directly to the campsite Turner secured for them. They are not staying in a hotel, and good luck finding a flight that will get you there on time."

"Eric can fly them," Shai said in the background.

"Darlene is transitioning," Kian said. "Do you really think that he would leave her side?"

"Let me check with him. If he agrees to fly Sofia and Marcel, he can pick them up in Portland and continue from there."

"Thank you, Shai," Marcel said.

"Don't thank me yet. I didn't get Eric to agree yet, and Kian is probably right."

"I'm always right," Kian grumbled. "You should talk to Valstar as soon as you can and get ready to leave on a moment's notice." The line went silent.

Sofia jumped out of bed. "I'll get dressed and pack my bag. Do you have warm clothing? It's cold out there this time of year."

"Don't worry about me." Marcel pulled her into his arms for a quick hug. "I'll make us coffee and something to eat."

She lifted her lips to his. "You're the best."

"So are you."

Twenty minutes later, they met with Eleanor and Cecelia at the beach.

"Lots of excitement, eh?" Eleanor patted the cat. "Do you want to hold her?"

Sofia shook her head. "I'm too nervous."

"That's why you should pet her. It's relaxing."

"I don't think it will help this time. Who is Darlene?"

Eleanor glanced at Marcel. "Why are we talking about Darlene?"