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Dark Spy’s Resolution Page 6
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Page 6
“What’s going on?” Mey asked as she walked in.
“I can’t go home! That’s what’s going on.”
Apparently, Ingrid had learned about the village lockdown.
“You can’t stay either. We need to get out of here.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a safe location Turner has found for us. Think of it as a mini-vacation in the mountains.”
“Are we going to the cabin?” Ingrid asked.
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s the same one you are referring to. Turner found a place for us to hide out in until this is over. But if you wish, you can stay in a hotel in the city. You don’t have to come with us.”
“Are Bowen and Leon going with you?”
Mey nodded.
“Then I’m coming too. There is safety in numbers.”
Richard looked at Mey. “Are we under attack?”
“Not yet. But we might be. Arwel was captured by a rival organization, whose head can compel him to reveal everything he knows. They would like nothing more than to collect all the paranormal talents they can find, and that includes you and Wendy. Please hurry up and pack your things. You can use the bed sheet to create a carrying sack.”
“You said that we are going to a cabin in the mountains. Does that imply snow?”
“I guess so. It’s winter.”
“We don’t have warm clothing or proper shoes. I know it’s not urgent right now, but I’m being practical.”
Mey hadn’t considered that. She still had her snow attire from the trip, but the others didn’t have even warm coats. Richard and Wendy’s coats had been burned, and Ingrid and Vlad didn’t need them in Los Angeles’s mild winter. Vlad had a hoodie on, and Ingrid probably had a sweater, but she wasn’t wearing it now.
“We will get everything we need once we get there.”
“Wendy and I don’t have any money.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get you everything you need.”
16
Lokan
“An hour is fine. Thank you.” Lokan ended the call. “I need to pack.”
Arranging for his private jet to be ready for takeoff this late at night had taken some maneuvering, but for the right sum of money, it wasn’t hard to get people to cooperate.
“I’m going with you.” Carol walked into the closet.
Stifling a groan, Lokan rubbed the back of his head. He didn’t want Carol anywhere near Kalugal and his powers of compulsion, but convincing her to stay behind would start a major argument.
“We have proof now that I can’t shield immortals from Kalugal. If he compels you, I would be powerless to do anything about it.”
She walked out of the closet with a stack of clothes and dumped them on the bed. “Why would he do that?” She went back in and came out with a carry-on. “And how? I’m not going to be anywhere near him.”
“Really? Are you going to stay behind in the hotel?”
He knew her better than that. Carol would want to take an active part in whatever was going on.
“Hopefully, I can stay with the others wherever they moved everyone to. I’m sure Turner's found them a safe house.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “You need me there for moral support.”
He stifled a snort. “So, if I have to negotiate with Kalugal face to face, you are going to keep away?”
Carol put the luggage on the bed. “I’m not stupid. If I come with you, he can use me as leverage against you. He can’t compel you directly, but he could do it by compelling me.” She chuckled. “If he told me to strip naked, you would freak out.”
“Hmm.” Lokan rubbed his hand over his chin. “If he does that, it will backfire. He’ll be mesmerized by your beauty, and then you can compel him to do anything you want.”
He was teasing, of course, but he’d done it with a straight face to see if she’d take the bait.
Given the spike in her excitement, she had. “You’d actually let me do that? You wouldn’t mind your brother seeing me nude?”
Wrapping an arm around Carol’s waist, Lokan pulled her close. “We are mated, love, and that means you are mine, and I trust you. I have no fear of my brother’s charms winning you over, but I don’t trust him. I don’t want his eyes on you, neither nude nor fully dressed.”
Carol shook her head. “This could be an opportunity for you and Kalugal to get closer, to become real brothers, a family. Don’t go into it expecting the worst. He might surprise you.”
“I’d rather expect the worst and get surprised for the better than the other way around.” He dipped his head and kissed her lightly. “You are my family, Carol.”
She smiled. “You are so sweet. But I’m not your only family. In a small way, you have your mother back, and you are getting to know her a little better with each phone call. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the same connection with Kalugal?”
“That’s different. I can trust Areana because she is my mother, and she has as much to lose as I do if my father discovers our clandestine communications. Kalugal is an unknown. I don’t know what his agenda is.”
“Whatever it is, it’s not about the island.” Carol put the stack of clothes in the carry-on. “Do you want me to pack for you?”
“I’ll do it.” Lokan walked into the closet. “Kalugal could’ve been building up his power base and waiting until he’s strong enough to take our father on.”
Carol followed him inside. “Isn’t that what you want?” She pulled a pair of boots off the shoe rack. “Without Kalugal’s help, your dreams and aspirations for the island will remain just that. With him, you have a chance of making them a reality.”
“It all depends on what kind of man Kalugal is, and what he wants. He might want nothing to do with the island, or he might want to take over without me because he doesn’t need me.”
And that was what bothered Lokan the most. On the one hand he needed Kalugal, but on the other hand he feared him.
Lokan’s plans to take over the island had never been concrete, so even if Kalugal was willing to cooperate, Lokan had nothing to show him yet. His brother would realize right away that he didn’t need Lokan to take over from Navuh if he so wished. And if he had no such aspirations, he definitely didn’t need Lokan for anything else.
Brotherly love was a foreign concept to both of them.
Other than their genes and the unique powers that they had inherited from Navuh, he and Kalugal had very little in common.
Some would argue that blood-ties were enough, and that their shared genetics manifested in more than similar body build and facial features.
Their personalities were determined by their genes as well.
Given who his father was, however, Lokan preferred to think that wasn’t the case. Because if everything was determined by biology, free will was an illusion, and no one should be held responsible for their actions.
Except, this was not the time to ponder a philosophical conundrum.
Right now, there was a private jet waiting for him and Carol at the airport, and they had to hurry up. The six-hour flight to San Francisco would be better utilized by coming up with a strategy for dealing with his brother and organizing his thoughts regarding the island’s future. Perhaps if he could get Kalugal excited about the possibilities, his brother would feel more inclined to join forces with him.
17
Magnus
“A motel?” Magnus checked the address Turner had sent him. “That can’t be right.”
Vivian opened the window and looked up. “The lights in the sign are off, and there are no cars parked in front. The place seems deserted.”
“Before we go in, I want to double check.” Magnus placed the call to Turner. “Did you send us to a motel?”
“I should have mentioned it, but as you can imagine, I was in a rush. The owner is the brother-in-law of a buddy of mine, and he closed escrow on it less than a week ago. That’s why it’s vacant. He knows it's a covert operation and he’s not going to ask any qu
estions.”
“What about the staff?”
“There isn’t any. You’ll have to make your own beds. The linens and everything else is in the housekeeping supply room. The code I sent you will open that too.”
“Not a problem. How are things going with the negotiations?”
“They ended for tonight and will resume tomorrow. Kalugal promised not to interrogate Arwel and Jacki and to move them to a better room. Jin is verifying that he is keeping his promise.”
“At some point, she will need to go to sleep.”
If she were an immortal, she could get away with a short nap, but as a human she needed more than that.
“I’m aware of that, but Kalugal doesn’t know when she’s watching him and when she is not. He wouldn’t risk it. Kian told him that if he questions Arwel, he’s going to be stuck with her tether forever. He wants to get rid of that more than he wants to know the clan’s secrets.”
“Have you told Kian about her offer?”
“No, and I’m not going to unless I think there is no other way. What about the blockade, did you get decent earplugs for everyone?”
“I got the best, but don’t ask me how because you’d become an accomplice to a crime. William’s equipment is all in the van, and he is right here behind me. I’m going to leave Vivian and him in the motel and go back to the blockade.”
Magnus had never been in charge of such a large force, but he knew each of the men well, and they were all capable fighters.
In fact, he was glad of the opportunity to show Onegus and Kian that he and the other old-timers were just as good as the head Guardians, and that they could be entrusted with more than rescuing trafficking victims.
It didn’t matter that some of the men were still better with a sword than a rifle. Being a warrior was not about the mastery of a particular weapon, it was about grit and attitude, and after centuries of service, they all still had it despite their temporary retirement.
“Who did you leave in charge?”
“Gregor. He is an experienced and capable Guardian who has proven himself many times over.”
“You don’t have to defend your choices. You are the field commander, and you call the shots. Good thinking with the earplugs.”
“It was Kri’s idea. Or maybe Jin’s. Are they safely hidden?”
Magnus didn’t expect Turner to tell him where he had stashed them. Even with the earplugs, it was better that those who could be compelled didn’t know where Jin was. Finding her would be Kalugal’s top priority, and the guy would stop at nothing to get her.
“Rest assured, they are out of his reach.”
“Good. That’s one less thing to worry about.”
“Yamanu should be arriving with the reinforcements shortly. I told him to head straight to Kalugal’s complex. He needs to shroud the vehicles and take care of the neighbors. Lokan is on his way as well, and I gave him the motel’s address. I don’t know if he will be needed, but just in case, I want him nearby.”
“Is that a smart thing to do? He can’t do anything about Kalugal’s compulsion. His preventive measures didn’t work.”
“That’s true, but since Lokan is immune to his father’s compulsion, we can be pretty sure that Kalugal can’t compel him either. If needed, he could do the negotiating for us.”
“Or against us. Do you trust him?”
“We have no choice. I have to stay here to guard Kian. In case Kalugal takes control of him, I will have to take over command. Lokan is the only other immune we have, and you might need him on location. Besides, this is his chance to prove his loyalty, and if we want Lokan’s help against his brother, we can’t keep treating him as an outsider.”
Magnus smoothed his hand over his goatee. “I understand your reasoning. But I’m not convinced that testing Lokan’s loyalty during a crisis that involves his brother is a good idea.”
“I’ll use him only as a last resort. If possible, I don’t want Kalugal to know that his brother is working with us. It’s better not to expose the connection before we know what Kalugal’s intentions are. But I want Lokan in the area in case all else fails.”
“Got it. Are you calling it a night, or are you going to stay in the command center?”
“I’m not going anywhere until this is over. By the way, your son is here. Kian brought him to the war room.”
Vivian grimaced. “I know. Ella called me. But Parker can’t help remove Kalugal’s compulsion. Lokan, who is more powerful than my son, failed to safeguard us against it.”
“We don’t know that for sure. But in any case, since the negotiations are done for tonight, Kian is sending Parker and Ella home.”
“Can you tell Ella to call me once she is out of the war room?”
“No problem. Good night, Vivian.”
After Turner ended the call, Magnus put the phone away and took Vivian’s hand. “Parker is tough, and I’m sure that he feels two feet taller because Kian asked for his help.”
Vivian shook her head. “The village is locked down, everyone is terrified of Kalugal and what he might do, and Parker is just a boy. He’s probably scared and shaking in his pajama pants.”
Magnus chuckled. “I know that you don’t want to hear this, but at his age, I was already wielding a sword.”
“Yeah, but this is now, and a thirteen-year-old is not equipped to deal with a situation like that. Kian shouldn’t have asked him to come.”
18
Kian
After ending the conversation with Kalugal, Kian leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath.
“That was intense.” Turner walked over. “Ready for updates?”
“Let me grab another beer first.” He pushed to his feet and walked to the back of the room where Syssi was waiting for him.
The beer was an excuse.
What he really wanted was to hold his wife in his arms and absorb the positive energy she emitted. Syssi was his rock, his foundation, his life.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m drained, but I’m relieved that Kalugal and I were able to reach an agreement.”
She chuckled. “You didn’t leave him much choice.”
“Negotiation at its best is holding a big stick in one hand and offering a treat with the other. Some people respond better to the promise of a reward, while others are more afraid of sustaining a loss than they are eager for a profit. I like to cover both bases.”
From the corner of his eye, Kian caught Parker nodding sagely.
The kid no longer looked shell-shocked. A good meal combined with Syssi’s calming presence had done the trick.
He turned toward the boy and offered him his hand. “Thanks for coming, Parker. I really appreciate it.”
Parker shook it. “I didn’t do anything.”
“But you were here in case I needed you. It must’ve been stressful.”
Parker nodded. “I didn’t know what was going on, and when Syssi explained that you were talking with someone who could compel immortals, I got really scared because I don’t think I can override a compeller that powerful. But I listened to you negotiate with him, and you seemed to have things under control.” The kid smiled. “It was interesting, and I’m glad I got to be here. I even learned something I can use. I liked your stick and treat negotiation method.”
Kian clapped him on the back. “You are a smart fellow, Parker. And who knows? Maybe your powers have grown since the last time you used them. If we manage to bring Kalugal to our side, I might ask him to help us test you.”
Parker’s eyes widened. “Do you think he’d agree?”
“It all depends on what he will gain by it. I have a feeling that Kalugal is an opportunist, not an idealist. Which is good. It makes him much easier to negotiate with.”
“Why is that?”
“People are seldom willing to compromise on ideology, and beliefs are almost impossible to bend, let alone change. But Kalugal is a smart fellow who thinks logically, which m
akes him a good partner for the negotiation table.” Kian leaned closer to Parker’s ear. “Here’s another lesson you should internalize. Not everyone can be reasoned with, and bullies respond best to a show of force.”
“Is Kalugal a bully?”
“He might be. But he proved that he can at least listen to reason. That’s the mark of an intelligent man.”
Kian lifted his eyes to Ella, who was sitting on Parker’s other side. “Thank you for bringing your brother here. It must have been difficult for you as well.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “It was much scarier on the outside. When the lockdown was announced, Parker and I freaked out. We thought that the village was under attack. Then when Onegus called and told me to bring Parker, it was a relief to know that the lockdown was only a precaution because the location might have been compromised. Being here and knowing what is going on was less stressful than staying home and wondering when the explosions would start.”
“God forbid.” Syssi put a hand over her heart. “We would have been forced to move everyone into the underground facility.” She lifted her eyes to Kian. “After this is over, I’m going to enlist Ingrid, and we will figure out how to house everyone down here. I know that we have emergency rations, but we don’t have beds and blankets and everything else that’s needed for a prolonged stay.”
Turning the underground into an emergency shelter was a good idea, but the place hadn’t been designed for that.
“We don’t have enough room down here. And besides, aerial shelling is the last thing I’m worried about. The Doomers wouldn’t dare attract that much attention. What I’m worried about is a siege. Our emergency rations will not last indefinitely.”
“You need an escape tunnel,” Turner said. “Or several of them. If the Doomers discover one, we can collapse it and use another.”
Syssi waved a hand. “We've all gotten carried away, imagining doomsday scenarios. Can Parker and Ella go home now?”