Page 26 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

"Will do, chief." Yamanu ended the call.

"Why kill him?" Kyra asked quietly so Nadim couldn't hear her. "Couldn't they have just thralled everyone to leave without a fight?"

They were sitting in the back of the van this time, and Nadim was busy navigating the busy city streets.

"There could be several possibilities," Max said just as quietly. "He might have seen them taking down the guards, opened fire, and they shot back. Thrall requires focus and direct eye contact, which is difficult to maintain in an active firefight, even for someone who is good at it. Another is that they were really bad at it. Some Doomers can't thrall at all."

She had a feeling that he wanted to say more but stopped himself, and she could guess what that was. The Doomers might have shot and killed Javad with the intention of inflicting more trauma on his family.

Max had forgotten that for the past two decades, she'd lived and fought in these parts of the world,where savagery and cruelty were celebrated and encouraged. She was no stranger to either.

That was what she'd been fighting, what the rebels were trying to end.

Their slogan was Woman, Life, Freedom, which was in direct opposition to everything the Iranian regime was about.

The drive back passed in tense silence, with Kyra staring out the window, her hand continually going to her pendant as she thought through tactical scenarios in her mind.

A fortified facility, an unknown number of hostiles, six hostages, five of them kids. It would be challenging under the best circumstances, but with the emotional component added in, it got exponentially more complex.

While they were heading back, Nadim mobilized his network, sending operatives to Parisa's home while others gathered whatever intelligence they could on the facility where they believed Yasmin and her children had been taken to.

When they arrived, Max and Yamanu headed straight for the weapons cabinet, and Kyra followed right behind them.

"I want you in battle-ready full tactical gear," Yamanu instructed, lifting out a case of explosives.

Jade and her team arrived minutes later, her frustration at losing the Doomers evident in her tight lips and rigid posture.

"They knew exactly what they were doing," Jade reported, going into the cabinet for weapons and a Kevlar vest. "The tunnel was a planned escape route. They must have had vehicles waiting on the other side. The question is how did they know we were coming?"

"They didn't," Yamanu said. "They prepared for being chased by police or the Iranian army. I assume they don't have friends in every department."

Once everyone was armed, Max turned to the Kra-ell warriors. "Remember that the safety of the hostages is our absolute priority." He fixed his gaze particularly on the Kra-ell females for some reason. "Don't take unnecessary risks, no heroics, and no wild charges into unknown situations."

Maybe they were more savage than the males?

They certainly looked ready to tear the Doomers limb from limb, and Kyra was glad that both their hosts were in another part of the apartment and couldn't see the red glowing eyes and elongated fangs.

"We get it," Jade said, her large dark eyes blazing red. "The children are a priority. We will get them out alive."

"My sister, too," Kyra said.

Jade nodded. "We will do our best."

Kyra hoped that they were disciplined enough not to succumb to their savage urges and to think rationally despite their blood lust. Rescuing hostages wasnot the same as storming an enemy post and inflicting maximum damage.

Then again, they had done remarkably well rescuing her, Fenella, and the girls from the facility in Tahav, so she had to trust that they knew what they were doing.

After removing the fat suit and getting dressed for battle, Kyra returned to the living room, but then it occurred to her that she might need the disguise, so she went back to retrieve the suit and the traditional clothing.

Max arched a brow when she tucked both into a shopping bag.

"It's just in case I need them. If I don't, I'll leave the bag in the van."

"How are you holding up?" he asked quietly, keeping his voice low enough that only she could hear.

"I'm fine."

"Kyra." It was just her name, but the sound was loaded with meaning.

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