Free Freedom (Delroi Prophecy) by Loribelle Hunt Page B

taken.”
    Just what he needed. His mother’s assassins loose in the temple. He hoped they looked at the insignia his men were wearing before making a fatal mistake.
    “Better warn Barak and tell him to get Jarek over here,” he said to Falkor.
    “ Already done.”
    “ Good. Let’s go.” When the priestess made a move as if to join them, Roarr held up his hand. “Not you.”
    She snorted. “You forget, my lord. You have no authority here. But don’t worry, I won’t get in your way. I’m going to find your brother.”
    She had a steady determined look that reminded him of Kareena. He could well imagine his der’lan being just as stubborn, just as insistent she put herself in harm’s way. He ignored the dread that filled him at the thought and led his men out of the room.
    The temple was ancient, one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was three stories, built of stone with soaring ceilings and uncovered floors. Austere. And much too quiet.
    “That way.” Falkor indicated right.
    “ What’s down there?” Roarr asked the priestess.
    “ The entrance to the temple. The reception area. There are several corridors that feed into in.”
    “ How many men?” he asked Falkor.
    “ I can’t tell. A dozen maybe, but I sense more in other parts of the temple.”
    “ Tell Barak to find another way into the reception room. We’ll attack at the same time.”
    After they took the big group, they’d spread out to search for the others.
    “He’s moving into position now.”
    Roarr led his team down the passageway. As they drew closer to the reception area the sounds of men arguing grew louder. Falkor tapped his shoulder to indicate Barak was ready whenever he was. Roarr gave the order to move with hand signals. They swept in low and fast, hoping for the element of surprise, but the rebels weren’t caught off guard. The air filled with the sound of weapon’s fire and the smell of blood. It was over in minutes and unfortunately there were no survivors. When it had become clear they couldn’t win, they’d killed themselves. Roarr swore furiously under his breath then waded through the bodies to join Barak and Falkor.
    “Where is Jarek?”
    “ He went with your priestess,” Falkor said. “We have a few casualties, but none with life threatening injuries.”
    “ How many dead?”
    “ Ten total. Six of ours, four of Barak’s,” Kaje said, joining them.
    “ Search the temple for other rebels,” he ordered Kaje. “Two man teams, and for the love of the gods, bring me someone alive.”
    “ If it isn’t too late.”
    Roarr nodded. If those rebels couldn’t find the escape routes, they’d probably do what these had and take their own lives. Kaje left to pass the word.
    “I don’t see anyone I recognize here,” Roarr told the remaining two men.
    “ I recognized a couple,” Falkor said, pressing his lips into a grim line.
    “ We’ll bring a tech team in and see what they can discover,” Barak continued.
    Several hours later, about half of the rebels had been identified. They were from a few clans, but mostly his and Barak’s. His chief was so cold Roarr was unaware of his fury until Britt stepped up to his side and set her hand on his shoulder. His shields cracked for just moment and Roarr damned near stumbled under the wave of rage.
    “No survivors. Every corner of the temple has been cleared.”
    There was a hint of reluctance in her voice.
    “But what?” Barak asked, turning his full attention on his mate.
    “ I got close enough to read one before he shot himself.” She glanced at Roarr. “They were looking for your guests. Since they didn’t find them, obviously, they assumed they’d been moved to the Keep. They were looking for a way out when we came in.”
    Roarr went cold. Rebels had targeted his der’lan . It took every bit of control he had not to rush out and go to her. He knew she was safe. She was guarded. But fear gripped him anyway.
    “ They passed that on to a contact