Page 52 of Dark Rebel's Mystery

Except for Jade, perhaps. She was a professional.

Turner considered his notes while everyone waited for him to continue. "We will need to get the team as close to the compound as possible for the extraction. That means a transport chopper or two, depending on the team size and how many additional passengers we'll pick up. I can probably arrange for a couple of Russian-made transport choppers commonly used by the Iranians and have them painted to look like Revolutionary Guard equipment. We will also need authentic-looking uniforms to complete the illusion. This will give our team an edge as they approach the enemy."

Turner consulted a map of the region on his laptop. "If we can have the choppers wait for us near the Turkish border, the flight path is well within the equipment's range."

Onegus nodded. "Good plan."

Turner continued without responding to the praise. "We need to fly the team to Turkey on a private flight. With Yamanu on board, they won't need documentation, but just in case, we should provide them with fake Iranian identification."

Max quickly counted in his head as Turner flipped to a new page on his yellow pad. "The clan's jet should suffice," he said.

Onegus shook his head. "We need the eighteen-seater to accommodate the team and several guests. I hope Kalugal doesn't have plans to fly anywhere next week. We need his jet."

"What size team are we planning?" Kian asked.

"A small squad of Kra-ell should suffice," Turner replied. "Five to six warriors plus Jade or Kagra. This is a surgical grab-and-go operation, so a large force would be a hindrance."

"Plus Yamanu, Ell-rom, Jasmine, and me," Max added.

Onegus's eyebrows rose. "You're taking Jasmine? Is that wise?"

"Kyra is her mother and besides the fact that she insisted, she may be needed to assist with Kyra," Kian said with a grimace. "And where Jasmine goes, Ell-rom follows."

"At least he's not helpless," Max muttered. "That special ability of his could come in handy."

By now, many of the Guardians knew about the prince's deadly ability, but it was still being kept a secret from the rest of the clan. To Turner's credit, his face remained impassive apart from a raised eyebrow. But Max did not doubt that he would query Kian for the details in private later.

"We haven't fully tested the range limits of Ell-rom's talent yet," Kian said. "That's why I was keeping it under wraps. And wedon't know whether it would work on immortals, but he's half Kra-ell, so his strength alone should be enough."

It was easy to forget that Ell-rom had Kra-ell blood that made him stronger and faster than the average immortal or even a god. He was so well-mannered and mellow.

"You should also have a compeller with you," Turner said. "We don't know how many Doomers are there, and Yamanu can't hide the team from them or thrall them."

Kian winced. "I can't ask Toven or Kalugal to go to Iran to rescue one woman who might not even be there."

Remembering his earlier thoughts, Max smiled. "What about Drova? She singlehandedly took care of the Doomers in the last operation, and she performed well under pressure."

Kian shook his head. "She's too young to join a mission like this."

"That is something for Jade to consider and decide," Turner said. "In the Kra-ell culture, Drova is considered ready for battle."

"Are you going to speak with Jade, or should I?" Onegus asked Kian as if it had already been decided that Drova would join their team.

Kian looked resigned. "I see that I'm overruled. I will call Jade and Yamanu. I want you to concentrate on the logistics and getting the team out as soon as possible."

35

KYRA

Kyra woke well before dawn, the chill biting through the thin canvas walls of her tent, and as she rose from her cot, the low-pitched whistle of the wind teased the edges of her hearing. She pressed a hand to the pendant resting against her sternum, feeling the gentle thrum of warmth that never entirely left her and taking solace in its presence.

It was early even for her, but she needed the head start.

Mornings were the best time to slip into the compound with the rest of the staff without drawing attention. Early mornings were also the best time to check on the prisoner in cell twelve.

After pulling on the shapeless black dress and headscarf that was part of her disguise, she headed out.

Despite the cold, the air was crisp and fresh, and she let herself enjoy it for a moment before rushing to the communal bathroom. Her reflection in the dingy mirror over the sink startled her, not because of the disguise she wore but because of the haunted look in her eyes.

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