Page 8 of Dark Gambit Reliance

6

TOVEN

As Toven climbed the steps to Bridget and Turner's house, the door opened and Turner stepped out. "Good afternoon. Thanks for accepting my invitation. I didn't want to drag everyone to Kian's office on a Sunday."

"No problem. I'm glad to help in any way I can."

"Hello." Bridget walked over and offered him her hand. "Where is Mia?"

"She opted to stay with her grandparents. They were a little upset about having to cut their weekend in Arcadia short."

Turner led him to the couch where Vrog and Aliya were sitting. "I wouldn't have asked for you to come if it wasn't important. I need to test the Kra-ell's susceptibility to thralling and shrouding."

"You mentioned that when you called." Toven offered his hand to Aliya, who looked anxious. "Don't worry. Thralling and shrouding don't hurt."

"I know. I can do a little of that myself on humans. But that's the thing. What works on Vrog and me might not work on the purebloods. And if the male holding Jade is as powerful as everyone says, he might be immune."

"Not every compeller is immune," Turner said. "Eleanor is immune, but Emmett is not. Annani successfully compelled him to reveal the numbers of his Swiss bank accounts, and we all know that he wouldn't have volunteered them."

As a knock sounded at the door, Bridget walked over to open it. "Hello, Kian."

"Hello, everyone. Apologies for my late arrival."

"No apology needed." Bridget motioned for them to move to the dining table. "I prepared some snacks."

Looking at the place settings, Toven lifted a brow. "Are we expecting more people?"

"Yes." Turner pulled out a chair for Bridget. "Onegus and Yamanu are going to join us in a few minutes. I want to conduct an experiment. We will start with Bridget. Her thralling and shrouding abilities are good, but Onegus's are better, Yamanu's are superior, and yours are divine." He chuckled at his own lame joke. "Bridget, you go first."

She smiled at Aliya. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"I'll start with an illusion. Here it goes."

No response registered on Aliya's or Vrog's faces, so Toven concluded that they didn't see Bridget's illusion.

"Nothing?" Bridget asked. "Not even a flicker?"

"Nothing," Aliya said. "What was your illusion?"

"A rainbow unicorn. The little kids love it when I project it into their minds. They forget all about my checkups and vaccinations."

Turner glanced at his watch. "I'd better open the door for our two other guests."

Toven cast Kian a sidelong glance. "Why don't you give it a try?"

Kian shrugged. "Turner wants me to observe, not to participate."

That was odd. What could Turner's motives be? Was Kian still uncomfortable about showing the extent of his powers in front of Toven? Was he embarrassed about not being as powerful as a god? Or was he powerful but didn't want to show his hand?

If so, it was uncalled for and somewhat offensive.

So far, Toven had provided his assistance whenever he'd been asked. He was part of the family, and it was time they treated him as such.

As the two Guardians walked into the living room, and a round of hellos and how-are-yous ensued, Toven crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the show to begin.

"Vrog and Aliya didn't see Bridget's illusion," Turner told Onegus. "You go next."

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