Free Freedom (Delroi Prophecy) by Loribelle Hunt Page A

no doubt come in useful, however. If they know we’re coming, I should be able to sense the change in their emotions.”
    Before Barak could ask him why he’d never told him of his abilities, Britt and Falkor arrived. Roarr breathed a sigh of relief until he saw his chief lean close to his der’lan , saw him show her the entry points, and witnessed a conversation that he swore was half out loud and half private, mental. They were so in tune, had a connection so deep and solid, that he was actually envious. He wanted that with Kareena. He wanted someone to confide in, someone to bounce ideas off. Someone who would stand by his side. Though maybe not in this particular kind of situation. Britt’s head jerked up and she gave him a sharp look.
    “ You can’t change her,” she said to him telepathically. “You have to accept her as she is. Love her as she is.”
    She left unsaid that Kareena was from Earth and would never accept the traditional role of a Delroi woman. Part of Roarr recognized that, but he didn’t have time to deal with it.
    They split into two groups. Barak’s people took the outside entrance, and Roarr’s the one in the admin building. The door in the cellar was hidden behind a cabinet and opened by a pressure plate. He couldn’t believe no one had ever discovered it before. It opened into a dark, low ceilinged tunnel. Roarr turned on a small handheld torch and led the way. After about three hundred yards, they reached the end. There was a pad by the door and Roarr set his palm on it, knowing his mother had given him access. Jarek was with the other team to do the same. The door slid open silently. No one waited on the other side.
    “ Barak’s team is in,” Falkor said softly. “No sign of anyone on their side either.”
    Roarr led the way through the cellar and up the stairs. He paused at the door, letting his senses expand. He felt anger, outrage, from several people and assumed it was the priestesses, but he couldn’t tell where they were or if they were captives.
    “What are you reading?” he asked Falkor, whose expression had turned grim and furious.
    “ They’re locked in. And someone is injured pretty badly.”
    Roarr didn’t wait for more information. He swung the door open and walked into what appeared to be a storage room. Five priestesses were gathered around a table, tending to a sixth. They shifted immediately, protectively, but relaxed when they saw him.
    “Lord Idis,” the oldest said, and he struggled to remember her name. She took in the other warriors crowding in behind him. “You’re going to need more men. And we need a healer.”
    He scowled. “Why didn’t you use the passageway?”
    He’d been afraid they hadn’t been able to get to it. Obviously that wasn’t the case. She gave him the cold haughty look all priestesses seemed to have mastered.
    “This is our temple. We won’t be made to flee.”
    Roarr ground his back teeth together. He wanted to order them all out and if they’d been any other women, he would have. But though he was technically their clan chief, tradition forbade him from interfering with their temple. If they were somewhere else? Damn right he’d order them to safety. Since that wasn’t an option, he needed to resolve this situation as swiftly as possible.
    “Besides, we can’t move Qora. She’s been shot and she’s losing a lot of blood.”
    Roarr looked at the young woman on the table. Red bloomed over her abdomen and one of the other priestesses was putting pressure on the injury to staunch the blood flow. Somehow Roarr managed to contain his rage. Someone would die for this.
    “My brother is with another team. We’ll get him here as fast as possible. Do you know where the rebels are?”
    She shook her head. “No. And we haven’t heard from the other priestesses.”
    Fuck. He’d hoped they were it. “How many?”
    “ Four of my best.” She gave him a tight, nasty smile. “Don’t worry, Lord Idis. They won’t be