Dark Spy’s Resolution Page 14

  “Why do I have a feeling that I’m not going to like it?”

  “I don’t like bringing her to you either. A workable solution requires compromise on both sides.”

  “What’s your plan?”

  “We will meet on your driveway. You will bring out my people together with your second-in-command, who Jin tells me you seem very fond of. I’ll hold him hostage until you release Jin. You are not going to take her into your bunker. Instead, she is going to demonstrate the tether’s removal and reattachment out in the open on your front lawn. I’ll have snipers pointing at you, and you will no doubt have snipers pointing at Jin. Once she is done, you open the gate, she walks out, and your guy walks back in.”

  For a long moment, Kalugal didn’t respond, and Kian imagined him mulling over his offer. He wondered what counter the guy was going to come up with.

  Obviously, Kalugal wasn’t just going to agree to all of Kian’s terms.

  “If you want me to risk my own safety and to keep my second-in-command as a hostage, then I want to keep your people until I’m safely back inside. When you return him, I’ll release your people.”

  “No deal.”

  “Then we are back to the starting point. Your offer is extremely one-sided, and I can’t accept it. We can do it the way I suggested it or your way, but without me coming out into the open. Jin will have to do her demonstration in the bunker.”

  “I can’t risk her like that. Her safety is not negotiable.”

  “I’m not going to harm her. If she can’t prove the tether’s removal, she will have to stay with me as my honored guest.”

  Kian chuckled. “The cat hosting the mouse. I don’t think the arrangement bodes well for the mouse.” He lifted the glass and took a sip of whiskey.

  “That’s not a good analogy. I prefer to think of it as a king hosting the daughter of a rival monarch. That story could end in an alliance.”

  As what Kalugal was implying sank in, Kian snorted. “Are you asking for her hand in marriage?”

  “Not yet. I haven’t had a chance to talk with the lady and see if she is agreeable. But this could be an excellent solution to our problem. Don’t you agree?”

  This was what Onegus had suggested, but Kian was still convinced that Jin was Arwel’s fated mate.

  Nevertheless, the fact that Kalugal was thinking along those lines was encouraging. The guy was willing to mate a woman he’d never met to defuse the situation and form an alliance with the clan.

  “I appreciate the offer, but I doubt the lady in question would.”

  40

  Kalugal

  Kalugal chuckled. “Let me worry about winning Jin over. I can be quite charming, and the ladies find me very appealing.”

  He was a good-looking man, but that wasn’t why he was confident in his ability to win over every woman he set his sights on.

  Kalugal could change his appearance to precisely match the lady’s taste in men, and as to his personality, he had enough experience to woo and charm even the most resistant. In fact, he enjoyed himself more when females didn’t just drop into his lap.

  What was the fun in that?

  For the win to be meaningful, it needed to be challenging.

  Regrettably, these days most young women had lost their natural instincts and succumbed much too easily. Not only that, many fancied themselves pursuers instead of embracing their traditional role of seductresses.

  “I have no doubt. Especially when you compel them to feel that way.”

  “You insult me, cousin. I never compel women into my bed. I might compel them to reveal information relevant to my business interests, but only if more mundane methods of coaxing it out of them fail, which rarely happens.”

  In the spy’s case, though, he might have to break that rule. If she couldn’t prove the tether’s removal, and if she was resistant to his charms, he would have no choice but to compel her to mate him. After all, rules were meant to be broken, and pragmatism demanded that he set his moral code aside.

  “Let’s leave matchmaking out of the deal, Kalugal. You’ll have half an hour with her, and it’s going to be in full view of my people and yours. Even as skilled as you claim you are in the arts of seduction, I’m sure you can’t convince a woman to marry you under those conditions. Not without using underhanded tricks like compulsion or thralling.”

  Kalugal huffed. “You are one to talk about underhanded tricks. You sent a spy after me, who inserted a mental camera and voice recorder into my brain. How is that better than compelling or thralling someone?”

  “It’s not the same. You might not be free to do anything in secret, but you still have your free will. The only times I sanction thralling or compelling is when it’s necessary to hide who we are or to save lives, immortal and human.”

  “I didn’t know that you had compellers among your clansmen.”

  “You don’t know many things about us.”

  “Same here. But if I marry your clanswoman, we can become allies and share information. Maybe even cooperate on some projects.”

  Kalugal had no intention of getting the clan involved in his dealings, but he would love to know what they were doing. As far as he knew, their goals were to stay alive and to stop Navuh and the Brotherhood from enslaving humanity. For some reason, the clan believed in humanity’s ability to govern itself in a democratic and peaceful way, which was an absurd notion. Most of the world was governed by dictatorships of this or that kind, and humans had been at war with each other throughout history. The only way to stop them from destroying themselves and the planet was to make wars impossible.

  Under Kalugal’s watchful rule, wars and the senseless slaughter of millions would be a thing of the past. Nevertheless, Kian would probably not approve of Kalugal’s method of achieving global peace.

  “This is the twenty-first century, and political marriages are no longer used to ensure cooperation. After we overcome this impasse, we can sit down and negotiate like two civilized men.”

  “Agreed. But I still don’t like how one-sided your proposal is. I suggest a compromise. I’ll release one of your people and keep the other until I’m convinced that the tether is gone. You can have the warrior, whose return you consider vital to your safety. I’ll keep the immune.”

  “Getting Jin is enough. You don’t need another hostage.”

  “But I’m not really getting her. You want her to do the demonstration out in the open while you have snipers aiming at my head. That’s not the same as the simple exchange I had in mind. In fact, I assumed that you would trade the spy for your people and withhold communication with my mother until after the spy’s release.”

  “That was my original plan, but I then realized that communicating with your mother might not be as important to you as getting rid of the tether in any way you could. I’m not about to chance Jin’s life on your eagerness to talk to your mother. But just so we are clear, if you harm Jin in any way or refuse to return her, I will retaliate by harming your mother. We know where she is each evening, and we can kill her with one well-aimed missile.”

  Kalugal’s blood chilled in his veins. “You wouldn’t do that. If any of what you’ve told me is true, your mother would have your head if you killed her sister.”

  “My mother is not in charge. I am. I humor her when I can, but I’m not obligated to do so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking forward to killing my own aunt, but don’t think for a moment that I won’t do it if you harm Jin. This is not a warning. This is a promise.”

  Kalugal chuckled. “I know that you are bluffing, cousin, but you have nothing to worry about. I give you my word that I will not harm the spy. The worst that can happen to her is marriage to me, which in itself is an excellent deal. As my wife, Jin would live like a queen.”

  Kian let out a breath. “You think that you are so different from your father, but you are not. Navuh keeps your mother in a gilded cage, but at least he loves her. You plan to do the same to Jin, but without the love. That makes you
worse than Navuh.”

  As the truth of Kian’s words hit Kalugal, his first instinct was to abandon the plan to marry the spy. But that was a knee-jerk response, and letting Kian’s accusation affect him was precisely what Kian wanted.

  “You threaten to kill your mother’s beloved sister. How does that make you any better than my father? And besides, what makes you think that Navuh loves her? I know that she loves him, but I don’t think he is capable of loving anyone.”

  “If Navuh didn’t love Areana, he would have killed her a long time ago. Your father doesn’t want anyone to know that Annani is not the only surviving goddess, and that her sister is sequestered in his harem. She could potentially undermine his authority, and so could you and your brother. Provided that your real maternal lineage is discovered, that is. Your blood is purer than his.”

  “Blood purity is irrelevant in today's world. Navuh is a charismatic leader, and his compulsion ability is incredible. He is in no danger from my gentle mother or from me. Perhaps Lokan poses a threat to him. How is my brother, by the way?”

  Kalugal had the feeling that Kian had approached Lokan on behalf of Areana first. Had the spy tethered him as well?

  “As far as I know, he is well.”

  Which meant that Lokan hadn’t been tethered. If he were, Kian would have known everything there was to know about him.

  Perhaps they hadn’t gotten to Lokan yet?

  He was curious about his brother and what he was up to, but Kian wasn’t going to volunteer any information without getting something in return.

  “We need to finalize the terms of the exchange. You get your warrior and my lieutenant, Jin and I meet out in the open, and once the tether is removed, I let her go in exchange for my man. Later, I’ll trade the immune for communication privileges with my mother.”

  Kalugal sighed dramatically. “This is my final offer, Kian. I can’t sweeten the deal any more than I’ve already done. And if she can’t convince me of the tether’s removal, we will have to negotiate for her to remain with me. I don’t have to marry her, but she will have to join my organization and stay by my side. I can’t afford to release her and have her report everything I do to you. I’m sure you can understand that. I promise you that other than her freedom, she would lack for nothing.”

  “How would I know that you won’t kill her or keep her locked up in a cell?”

  “Simple. She will call you every day, under supervision of course, and report how she’s being treated. As you’ve indicated, you hold my mother’s life in your hand. If I break my promise, you have the means to retaliate.”

  “I don’t know how important your mother is to you.”

  Kalugal rubbed his chest. “Even villains love their mothers, and I’m not a villain. When are we going to do this?”

  “Midnight.”

  Kalugal let out a silent breath.

  Without stating it explicitly, Kian had accepted his terms.

  “Agreed.”

  41

  Jin

  Jin’s heart was beating so fast that she was sure Kri could hear it from across the room.

  Kian had actually listened to her plea and arranged for the swap. She was going to save Arwel, Jacki, and everyone in the village, and also prevent a war between the clan and Kalugal.

  Except, everything depended on her ability to convince Kalugal that the tether was off.

  No pressure.

  “You can still change your mind,” Kian said. “I can call Kalugal and tell him that the deal is off.”

  He didn’t sound like he meant it, but Jin appreciated him leaving the final choice up to her.

  “Not only will I not change my mind, but I am adamant about doing this. And thank you for using my idea to hold Kalugal’s second-in-command as a hostage.”

  “I did much worse than that. I threatened to kill Areana if he harms you.”

  Jin gasped. “You didn’t.”

  “I had no choice. Your life is on the line, Jin, and I’m not taking it lightly. Kalugal’s best option is to kill you. I need a powerful deterrent to ensure that he won’t dare do it.”

  She sighed. “I don’t know what’s worse. If I can’t prove the tether’s removal, and the only way to defuse the standoff is for Kalugal to marry me, it would kill Arwel. So maybe it’s better for Kalugal to kill me instead.”

  “Don’t talk like that. Do you think Arwel could live without you?”

  “Yeah, you are right. I guess I’ll just have to convince Kalugal. No one else has doubted it before. Not my teammates in the program and not Edna. It should be okay.”

  Jin wasn’t sure who she was trying to reassure, Kian or herself.

  “Let’s hope so. Turner is going to arrange your transport back to San Francisco.”

  “Thank you.”

  Across the suite’s living room, Kri smiled. “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to go home. I miss Michael.”

  “And I miss Arwel. If everything goes well, I’ll have him in my arms tonight.”

  Just thinking about it made her heart flutter like a happy butterfly. In twelve hours or so, this nightmare was going to be over.

  Kian still wouldn’t know much about Kalugal, but Jin was sure that during their negotiations, Kian was gaining valuable insight into the guy’s character. Maybe when it was over, they could meet somewhere neutral and talk.

  Except Kalugal’s compulsion ability complicated everything. Kian would have to take Turner with him.

  “You didn’t tell Kian that you were sick.”

  Jin waved a dismissive hand. “It’s just a stupid cold. I’ll load up on fever reducers, and I’ll be fine. Do you think that he knows where we are?”

  Kri chuckled. “I’m sure of it. Where else could Turner have sent you that is five hours away by plane?”

  “Many places. I could be back in New York.”

  Kri shrugged. “Plausible deniability is good enough. If Kalugal compels Kian to tell him where you are, he can honestly say that he doesn’t know.”

  Jin cradled the cup of tea in her hands. “It’s weird to get ready for a flight and not have anything to pack.”

  Kri nodded. “I’ll ask Alena to give you a warm coat to put over the sweater.”

  Jin was about to decline the offer, but then she thought better of it. She didn’t feel well, and a warm coat sounded too good to say no to.

  As Kri left the room, it occurred to Jin that the Guardian could have used a phone to communicate with Alena, but she had chosen to do everything in person instead. Was it because she thought it was more respectful to do it this way?

  Alena was the goddess’s daughter, but so was Amanda, and Kian was her son. Was Kri as polite with them as well?

  Thinking back to her conversations with Kian, Jin realized that she could have addressed him more formally, and probably should have. She needed to remember it when dealing with Kalugal. He might not be as forgiving as Kian.

  She blamed her Israeli upbringing. Even in the army, her commanders hadn’t expected to be treated formally unless it was on official business or a ceremony. On a day-to-day basis, the atmosphere had been informal and friendly.

  In that respect, American society was very different, and the hierarchy was still observed in schools and in the workplace. Things were changing, though, and informal camaraderie was slowly replacing the older, more rigid models.

  When the door opened, Jin half expected Alena and the goddess to enter, but it was only Kri, and she had a long, wool coat draped over her arm.

  It was pink, but Jin didn’t mind. It looked cozy.

  “Alena says she and Annani will see us off. The Odu is preparing the goddess’s jet. And he’s going to fly us all the way back to San Francisco. That way, you can sleep comfortably during the flight.”

  “Awesome. I loved the fully reclining seat.”

  Pushing to her feet, Jin held on to the couch’s armrest, but it didn’t mitigate the dizziness that assailed her every time she changed positions.


  What a lousy time to get sick.

  Kri was next to her in a blink of an eye. “Why didn’t you wait for me? Falling down and breaking something would really screw everything up.” She wrapped her arm around Jin’s middle, propping her up. “Perhaps I should carry you. That would be the safest.”

  Jin glared at her. “Don’t you dare.”

  “You wouldn’t have objected if a male Guardian suggested it.”

  “Yes, I would. Unless I’m nearly dead, the only one who is allowed to carry me is Arwel, and only under special circumstances.”

  Kri snorted. “Like when? Over the threshold while you are wearing your wedding gown?”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of him carrying me to bed, but I like the threshold idea too. I can’t wait for this to be over so we can move into the village and start our lives together. Unfortunately, I need to wait until Wendy, Richard, and Jacki find their mates.”

  The Guardian slanted her a glance. “I heard rumors about Ingrid calling dibs on the guy.”

  “She did. But from what Mey is telling me, they are just fooling around. Vlad and Wendy, on the other hand, seem to like each other a lot. The one I’m worried the most about is Jacki. She doesn’t seem interested in anyone.”

  “Is she into girls?”

  “It had occurred to me that she might be, so I asked her. Jacki said that she’s just waiting for the right guy, and that she’s not going to hook up with anyone just for sex. It’s either the real deal for her or nothing.”

  “It might be a convenient excuse for someone who is not ready to come out, so to speak. Not everyone has the guts to do that.”

  “Maybe.” Jin shrugged. “Or she might be telling the truth. Not everyone is into hookups either.”

  Kri nodded. “I can understand that. Before Michael, I was quite sick of meaningless sex, and I’m a young immortal, so it’s not like I had centuries of it. I’m so glad that that part of my life is over, and I feel sorry for those who still have to hunt. Sometimes I feel guilty for getting lucky.”