Page 47 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

"You have your Kevlar vest on, right?" Max asked the guy.

"Of course." Anton patted his chest. "I know what my vulnerabilities are."

The Kra-ell were not as immune to injuries as immortals, and they healed at a slower rate. That and their inability to enter unassisted stasis were their two main disadvantages compared to immortals, but they were superior warriors in every other way.

22

KYRA

Kyra crouched behind the row of parked cars. The fat suit and traditional clothing were gone now, replaced by tactical gear that allowed her the freedom of movement she'd need if things went sideways—which, based on Max's urgent communication, seemed increasingly likely. Her hair was covered by a scarf, though, to comply with the local modesty laws that were enforced brutally. Not because she feared the enforcers but because she didn't want to draw unnecessary attention. Many young Iranian women dressed in modern attire, which was allowed as long as they were not showing any skin, but covering their hair was mandatory.

Jade, on the other hand, looked so alien that she didn't need to bother. She would be assumed to be a tourist, and if anyone bothered her, they wouldrealize their mistake pretty fast. The female was livid at the discrimination.

"At least it's not as bad as Afghanistan," Kyra said. "Women there are completely covered and are forced to look at the world through a mesh window."

"There are always worse hellholes." Jade's eyes were gleaming red, her blood lust evident. "I know what it's like to have no choice, and I'm angry at the Mother of All Life for allowing her proud daughters to be treated like that."

Kyra couldn't imagine the fierce warrior ever being subjugated, but she didn't know the female's history, and apparently, Jade had lived through some dark moments. After this mission, when they were all safely back in the village, she would invite Jade for a cup of coffee and hear her story if she was willing to share it.

It was no doubt fascinating.

Parisa's apartment building was across the street, a modest five-story structure with a single guard positioned at the entrance—the same one who had accompanied her to the market earlier. Through her binoculars, Kyra could see him checking his watch repeatedly, clearly anxious about something.

"He's been doing that for a while now," Kyra said. "I think he's expecting a shift change."

"Or he's received orders to prepare Parisa for transport," Jade suggested grimly. "Either way, we should move in. We have it easy with just one guard."

"Wrong." Kyra's hand went to her pendant, whichremained unnervingly cool against her skin. Its inconsistent warnings were becoming increasingly frustrating, but perhaps its silence now was itself a message—that direct action was necessary. "The boys are at school, and we need to get them. That makes our mission the most complicated one. I'm still trying to figure out how we are going to do that."

Her earpiece crackled with Yamanu's voice. "Jade, Kyra—status?"

"One guard at the entrance, Parisa inside," Kyra replied. "Her sons are still at school. No sign of Doomers yet, but the guard seems nervous. He appears to be looking for something."

"Get Parisa now, Kyra, and then go get the boys."

Kyra exchanged a look with Jade, who nodded her agreement. "Copy that," Kyra responded. "Moving now."

"Cause a distraction," Kyra told Jade. "Something to draw the guard from his post, but nothing that would put Parisa at risk or draw too much attention."

Jade's lips curved into a smile that showed just a hint of fang. "Leave it to me."

As the Kra-ell warrior slipped away, Kyra positioned herself closer to the building's side entrance. The layout was familiar to her now after hours of surveillance. Third floor, apartment 3C. Two potential escape routes—the main stairwell and a fire escape accessible from the kitchen window.

"Commencing distraction." Jade's voice came through the earpiece, followed almost immediatelyby the sound of a car alarm blaring from just around the corner.

The guard at the entrance hesitated, then walked to the edge of the building to see what was happening. It wasn't much of a distraction, but it created just enough of a gap for Kyra to slip inside the building's side entrance.

The stairwell was empty, the building quiet in the midday hours when most residents would be at work or in school.

Kyra took the stairs two at a time, and when she reached the third floor she paused, drawing her sidearm and checking that the silencer was securely attached. Hopefully, she wouldn't need it, but there was always a chance that Doomers could get into the apartment from the fire escape staircase or even from a neighboring apartment while Kyra was making her way to her sister.

Caution was a must, and as she stood in front of Parisa's door, she debated knocking or just walking in. Even if the door was locked, she could break the lock with one hard push.

In the end, she tapped lightly on the wood.

Silence stretched for several heartbeats, and Kyra was about to try again when she heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching the door.

"Who is it?" Parisa sounded tense.

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