Page 80 of Dark Gambit Reliance

"Toven's abilities are not limited to compulsion," Marcel said. "He can shroud the entire city if he wants, but he is not the only ace we have. We have a guy that can do it nearly as well, and I suspect this is his work."

"It's Yamanu's doing," one of the soldiers said. "He came with the convoy." The guy chuckled. "I wonder where he got these trucks."

"Probably from Turner's supplier," another Guardian said while his eyes roved over Sofia.

He was a handsome guy who looked a little like that famous British soccer player whose name she couldn't recall.

Marcel wrapped one arm around her shoulders and put a hand on her thigh. "Let me introduce you to my mate. This is Sofia. Sofia, this is Jay, and that's Elliot."

"Hi." Elliot smiled. "Nice to meet you."

As all sixteen Guardians introduced themselves, Sofia tried to memorize their names, but it was futile. She had a good memory for languages, probably because her brain had been trained for it, but names had always been a problem. When she taught classes at the university, she asked the students to wear name tags for the first week.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

The Guardian sitting on her other side shrugged. "Somewhere in the countryside. We brought field equipment with us, so I guess we are camping." He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the side of the truck.

"I'll check with Yamanu." Marcel pulled out his phone and typed a text.

When he got no response, he put the phone in his lap. "He must be busy."

As the truck trundled along the bumpy road, Sofia regretted the lack of windows, but she could understand the need to hide what was under the green tarp. It was cold, there was no heating in the cabin, and her puffer coat was in her suitcase that was somewhere among the boxes of equipment occupying the center of the truck. With the Guardians stretching their legs and propping them on the boxes, she couldn't go looking for it.

Instead, she cuddled closer to Marcel. "Aren't you cold?"

"Immortals are not as sensitive to the elements." He rubbed her arm.

"Here." The Guardian who looked like the British soccer player handed her his coat. "You can use mine."

"What about you?"

He flashed her a charming smile. "I'm an immortal. I don't get cold."

She chuckled. "In two weeks, even you'll be cold. Winters here are not for the fainthearted."

He looked offended. "First of all, I hope we will be out of here in a few days, and secondly, none of the Guardians are fainthearted."

"Of course not." She draped his coat over her front. "You are all manly men."

"You'd better believe it." He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes again.

As Marcel's phone vibrated, he lifted it, read the message, and put it back down. "We are staying on a farm. The ladies will stay in the house, and the Guardians will erect tents in the field."

"I hope there's enough room in the house for you to join me."

He looked conflicted. "I'm glad that you will get to sleep in a warm bed. I should stay with the men."

"Don't be an idiot," the one who looked like the soccer player said. "Stay with your mate. No one will begrudge you that."

56

ERIC

Darlene hadn't slipped back into unconsciousness. Except for a couple of short naps, she'd been awake since morning.

"Bridget should have checked on you instead of leaving Julian and the nurse in charge." Eric rose to his feet. "I'll go talk to him."

"I wouldn't bother Bridget today," Geraldine said. "Shai told me that she's helping with the preparation for the mission."