Page 94 of Dark Gambit Reliance
William let out a breath. "I wonder if the older kids will join the fight. Jade's daughter is only sixteen. I hope she's not out there while her mother is on a killing spree."
66
JADE
Down in the courtyard, Jade saw several warriors lurking in the shadows, the lack of collars identifying them from afar as Igor's lackeys.
Most of the others must have rushed toward the attacking forces, and she wondered what was on the minds of the purebloods hiding in the shadows. Did they plan to take the invaders from their flanks?
As if that would do anything to the suits those warriors were wearing.
It was an exercise in futility.
That surprised her. She hadn't thought they would have the presence of mind to devise a strategy without Igor and Valstar directing them.
But that was the invaders' worry. Or rather, the liberators.
She shouldn't think of them as invaders, or she might say that to her people who needed to believe they were being freed.
But that was a worry for later.
Right now, she had murderers to kill and revenge to exact.
Pretending to join their efforts, she slunk behind Artuom and slit his throat. He did not deserve an honorable death, and she had no qualms about robbing him of the privilege of a duel.
Besides, his buddies were near, and she couldn't take on all of them at once.
The scent of his blood was overpowering, but that was only because she was right behind him. The compound was saturated with residue from the explosions, and the dust was still heavy in the air.
Nevertheless, the Kra-ell senses were designed to follow the smell of blood, and as Distor turned around and sniffed, Jade pressed herself against the building's wall, cursing silently that she hadn't had time to drag Artuom's body further into the shadows. He was sprawled on the ground, his legs illuminated by the moonlight, and his gaping neck bleeding profusely.
Lucky for her, right then a large drone passed overhead, distracting Distor momentarily, but as she was about to leap at him, Kagra sprung out of the shadows and slit his throat without making a sound. She lowered him gently to the ground and smiled at Jade.
She saluted her second and headed toward the purebloods’ living quarters. The place seemed deserted, but she knew they were hiding, and she wanted to check on Drova. She was only sixteen, so she should be hiding with the other kids, but she might have done something stupid and gone out to fight.
"What's going on out there?" Vombad stepped out from behind a column.
There was a sword in his hand, and a gun was tucked into his belt. Was he there to defend the children? Or was he just hiding and leaving the work of defending the compound to others?
He was near the top of her kill list, but she wouldn't do that here where the children could see it. They were Kra-ell, but they were still soft-hearted, and there was no need to show them the cruelties of life just yet.
"Isn't it obvious? We are under attack. Why are you here instead of out there?"
"I could ask you the same question."
She looked down her nose at him. "I'm checking up on the children."
"They are safe in the basement, and several females are guarding them."
They weren't safe, and he knew it. If Igor could activate the explosives, they would all be dead.
"Then my question still stands. Why are you here?" She walked out the door, hoping he would follow.
When he did, she decided that there was still a smidgen of honor left in his body, which earned him an honorable death in a duel.
When they were at the edge of the courtyard, Jade turned around. "I'm no longer restricted by Igor's compulsion, and I've waited for over two decades for the day I'll get to avenge my sons and my males." She unsheathed her sword. "Make your peace with the Mother, though I don't think it will save you from spending eternity in the valley of the shamed."
Looking amused, he pulled out his sword. "When I kill the traitor who betrayed us to our enemies, I'll be guaranteed a place in the fields of the brave."