Page 63 of Dark Gambit Reliance

"His guards will find the devices, and that will be the end of it. But even if I somehow manage to sneak them in, he's physically stronger than me."

"We can give you a weapon. A syringe filled with something that will stop his heart."

She smiled. "Your venom?"

"Regrettably, it can't be bottled. It deteriorates immediately."

"It wouldn't help. I can't sneak anything past his guards. Not the earpieces nor a weapon. On top of that, they are always primed to defend him."

44

TOVEN

Toven had expected Jade to say that, but it was still a disappointment.

"Can you think of any way that can be done? Is there anyone you can trust to assist you?" He pushed compulsion into his voice to make her answer truthfully.

"My second, Kagra. But even if you free her from Igor's compulsion, his guards wouldn't let us past them. If we show up together, they will know that something is up."

"You could pretend that you want a ménage with her and Igor," Mia suggested.

Jade cast her an indulgent smile. "Kra-ell females are not into ménages with other females. No one will buy it."

"You are a compeller, correct?" Toven asked. "Can't you compel the guards to let you and Kagra through?"

"Igor's compulsion is stronger than mine, and I can't override it even when I'm free of it. I can't compel the guards to do anything that will endanger him. I'm glad that he's not in the compound right now, or I would be more apprehensive about being here. He's not going to be back until Monday, so I have a few days to come up with something." She rubbed her temple. "The guards are not as careful when he's not here. So maybe I can hide something in his personal quarters now and use it when he returns."

Toven's mind jumped into action. "Are you sure he won't be back before Monday?"

"That's what his second told me. But Igor could change his plans, so that is not set in stone."

"Do you know that the entire compound is rigged with explosives?"

She nodded. "Igor doesn't take any chances. None of us are to be taken alive."

"Who can blow it up in his absence?"

"His second-in-command, probably his third as well. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Igor has a way to do it remotely."

Toven smiled. "He can't do it remotely if he has no connection. We can block all communications in and out of the compound."

"That's good."

He could see the wheels in her mind working, but she didn't offer to share her thoughts.

"Would Igor's second-in-command actually pull the trigger?" Mia asked. "Knowing that he will die too?"

Jade regarded Mia with her too-big, dark eyes. "Valstar will do what Igor compelled him to do. The will of everyone in the community is not their own. I can mouth off to Igor and tell him that I hate him, because he allows it, and he doesn't compel me to stop. But I can't tell anyone about what he did to my tribe because the compulsion to keep it a secret is so strong." She took a deep breath. "He killed all the males of my tribe. He killed my sons." She took in another breath. "It's such a relief to finally be able to tell someone."

Toven nodded. "My condolences on your loss. They say that time heals all wounds, but I know that some wounds keep bleeding forever."

Jade nodded. "Maybe mine will heal once I kill Igor and avenge my people. But unless you have an army of gods you can summon, I don't know how that's possible."

"I can summon an army, not of gods but of immortals, what you call hybrids. But we can't attack knowing that there is a chance Igor or his second will blow everyone up."

She tilted her head. "Why would you bring an army?"

"I told you. Igor is a threat that needs to be eliminated before he finds out about us."

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