Page 78 of Dark Gambit Reliance

"I can make it work," Toven said. "As long as Igor can get to Valstar before heading back to the compound, and he is told the communication disruption was just a malfunction, he will be reassured that everything is back to normal."

Jade shook her head. "He will know that something is up. Igor is very thorough. He probably has a contingency for such an event, like sending someone to a nearby town to call him and let him know about the malfunction. That's what I would have done, and I'm not nearly as paranoid as Igor."

Toven shifted to a more comfortable position. "If there is a contingency plan like that, it's even more important to keep Valstar alive. I can get him to tell me what the plan is, and we can do that. In fact, I hope that they have that contingency. Igor will not suspect that someone found a way to use it against him."

Jade let out a breath. "Everything you say makes sense, but I know in my gut that I need to kill Valstar and not just incapacitate him."

Kagra frowned at Jade. "How are you even going to overpower him? Can you compel him?"

"I'm not sure. I've never had the chance to try, but being Igor's second, Valstar must be a strong compeller. That being said, I don't need to compel him to overpower him." Jade's savage grin was chilling. "I'm going to drug him. Pavel already got me a large dose from the human chemist. It's not going to kill Valstar, but it will weaken him and slow his reflexes. I'm going to drain him until his heart stops and watch the horror in his eyes as he realizes what's happening."

Bile rose in Toven's throat, but he forced it down and swallowed.

Jade noticed. "What's the matter, pretty boy? Too savage for you? Would you prefer that I used a more civilized weapon to end the bastard who murdered my sons?"

"Not at all. It's your kill, and you have the right to end him any way you please. He doesn't deserve mercy from you. But if you want to capture Igor, you'll need to postpone your revenge by one more day. Can you half-drain him? Would that incapacitate him?"

Jade nodded.

"I can do the same to his third," Kagra said. "In case Igor wants to verify that what Valstar is telling him is true, you should also compel Durmar, Igor's third."

54

DARLENE

As Darlene became aware of the subtle sounds the medical equipment was making, she knew where she was and why, but not how long. She had been slipping in and out of consciousness, but she had no concept of time.

Had it been a day? Two? Maybe more?

She remembered waking up and talking to Eric, her mother, her son, and her sister, and she also remembered the goddess standing next to her bed and smiling down at her, but that could have been a dream.

Toven had promised to give her his blessings to help her along, but she hadn't even dreamt about him.

As Darlene's mind became more focused, she remembered Eric reminding her about a mission that Toven had accepted. Annani had taken his place, which explained the memory of the goddess being in her room. The Clan Mother had come to bless her because Toven wasn't there.

Forcing her eyelids to lift, Darlene was greeted by her mother's smiling face. "Good morning, my sweet girl." Geraldine leaned over and kissed Darlene's forehead. "I hope that today you will stay awake for longer than a few minutes."

"How long have I been here?" Darlene whispered.

Geraldine smiled. "You ask the same question every time you wake up. Your transition started on Tuesday, and today is Saturday." Her mother wetted her lips with an ice cube. "Bridget doesn't allow me to give you water to drink. She says that you need to be awake for longer than a few moments."

Darlene licked the droplets of water from her lips. "Can you do it again?"

"Sure."

When she was done licking the scant moisture from her lips, she asked, "Where is Eric?"

"He went to the cafeteria to get us something to eat. He'll be sorry to have missed you being awake. I should call him."

"Don't. He needs a break."

Geraldine nodded. "He's with you twenty-four-seven. Shai tried to convince him to help out with the mission the whole village is buzzing about and fly some people over, but Eric declined. Luckily, the Clan Mother overheard them talking and volunteered her own jet with one of her Odus."

"That's nice of her." Darlene closed her eyes. "I remember Eric reading a steamy romance to me, but it wasn't one of mine. Did I dream it?"

Her mother giggled. "It's mine. He asked me to bring him a book to read to you, and he wanted it to be hot. He said that you read him a steamy romance when he was in a coma."

"I did, but he doesn't actually remember me doing that. I'm sure that it helped, though."