Alterant

  Evalle's jaw hung slack.

  "Do close your mouth." Macha paused, then continued. "In the interim of establishing this race, I will offer amnesty to any Alterant who comes forward willingly to swear allegiance to me and does not harm a coalition member, a Belador or a human while the origins are being researched."

  Evalle cut her eyes around the room, searching for this to be a trick.

  "Are you paying attention?" Macha snapped at her. "I will not return again if we do not come to an agreement."

  "I'm paying very close attention, but what about Brina? Saving her comes first." Evalle nodded to double stamp her words. Hope and reservation struggled for equal space in her heart.

  "Brina will be freed once this clears the Tribunal."

  Evalle had learned hard lessons about the devious ways of gods and goddesses, which spurred her to pin Macha down more precisely. "I have the feeling what you're talking about involves me doing something, but I'm not going to be a lot of help in this cell."

  "Tzader led me to believe you were bright. Did you think I came here to exchange fashion tips?" Macha sniffed at Evalle's ragged clothes.

  Didn't get a chance to pack for this trip.

  "Once I open the charter for a new race with the Tribunal, that decision supersedes their judgment, as you will then become responsible solely to me and my laws."

  There was a loophole in Tribunal rulings?

  Macha angled her head and pursed her lips as though she'd heard that thought. Then she continued, "I am designating you as my coordinator for this undertaking with the Alterants. You will be released under my custody and responsible to me while the Alterant race status is being documented. You will continue to serve as a Belador agent for VIPER and will be protected from anyone in the VIPER alliance harming you."

  Did that mean Sen couldn't screw with her again?

  Part of Evalle wanted to demand that Macha show her where to sign on the dotted line, but another part--the one tired of being used as a pawn in everyone's personal games--had her hesitating to jump up and shout.

  Macha said, "If you need some time to think about it, go ahead. You have the rest of your life to ponder while I'm gone." She lifted her hands.

  Evalle feared she would teleport away. "Wait. Please."

  "Does that mean you've come to a decision?"

  Deals with a god or goddess were irrevocable. Evalle didn't want to lose this chance or spend the rest of her life away from all that mattered to her--Tzader, Quinn, Grady, Nicole . . .

  What about Storm? No one would search for the truth behind his disappearance if she didn't.

  Feenix's face swam through her mind, sealing the decision.

  Evalle would face much worse than the fine print in a goddess's contract to hold Feenix again. "I'll do it."

  "Big surprise," Macha said under her breath, then went on instructing her. "Do not speak of this to anyone, and do not fail me, Evalle. Brina is far more forgiving than I am."

  Macha lifted her hands in a swoosh of movement, vanishing.

  End of meeting.

  What now?

  Evalle would like to think she'd just gotten a reprieve, but she had a strange feeling that she might have only stuck both feet into quicksand.

  Once Macha departed, Evalle paid attention to her empathic senses, which had been busy deciphering the meeting. She fingered what had been nudging her to take notice at the very end.

  Macha had given off a potent emotion. Exhilaration.

  Why had she been so excited over this agreement?

  Or had all this been nothing more than a cruel way to punish Evalle for getting Brina into trouble by coming in here to offer Evalle what she most wanted?

  Then disappearing and never coming back.

  Honor might be a lonely cellmate, but hope was a vicious mistress that would kill her over and over every minute she believed she would be freed.

  "Faith is not a learned skill . . . but the blossom on the vine of hope," the soft female voice whispered in the silent room.

  Evalle asked, "Why won't you tell me who you are?"

  No one answered.

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  We need to talk, Tristan.

  The telepathic contact broke Tristan's concentrating on where to take his band of Alterants tomorrow. After facing off with that black-ops group and walking away from Evalle, he had no doubt Tzader Burke would unleash the fury of the Beladors on him.

  Tristan's only regret in all of this was leaving Evalle to face the Tribunal. When the black-ops team had burst on the scene, all Tristan had been able to think was that she had betrayed him.

  In hindsight, he began to have his doubts.

  At least he'd taught her how to survive in whatever place the Tribunal would send her so she wouldn't die of an animal attack or snakebite.

  You need my help, the male voice said again.

  Really? Tristan leaned back in the hotel room office chair and looked out the glass at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. What makes you think I need anyone's help?

  Because you're on the run from the Beladors and VIPER. I can offer you refuge.

  If you're speaking to me telepathically, then you're one of the Beladors.

  Yes, I am. Or at least I was until they decided to treat me like a criminal. You can't run far enough to protect your sister.

  Tristan's eyes shot to the second bed in the room where Petrina slept. Exhausted, but safe. He relaxed back into the chair. If I believe what you say, then the Beladors are after you, too.

  True. There's only one place safe enough to hide, and I'm in that spot with full protection.

  That sounded tempting. Tristan had his doubts about his ability to keep Petrina and the other two Alterants safe. He couldn't link with Webster and Aaron in a fight, and he didn't want Petrina in a risky situation.

  The voice said, Don't panic at what I'm about to tell you.

  Tristan laughed. I doubt you could say anything that would panic me.

  Excellent. I have people waiting outside your hotel, watching the same airplanes take off and land.

  That drove Tristan to his feet. He searched the ground below his window but saw nothing. Where are they?

  Close enough to keep watch over you. Wait a moment . . . I understand you've changed clothes and are wearing a pale yellow button-down shirt.

  Tristan touched his shirt as if the damned thing had told on him. Who are you?

  We can meet in person to allow you to decide for yourself. My people will not bother you. They'll make sure no Belador or VIPER agent comes near you, but they will let you depart the hotel only upon my authority.

  Should he trust this guy to meet him?

  The airport was still jammed from all the damage caused during the fog. He couldn't fight a team of powerful beings alone if this guy had people in place to prevent him from leaving. Tristan said, I'm not agreeing to anything, but I'll meet you.

  Splendid. I believe you'll find my offer exceptional. Expect a car downstairs in ten minutes. Your sister and the other two will be safe while you're gone. If I wanted you captured you would already be sitting in front of me. I want to work with you, not be your enemy. Until we meet . . .

  Tristan felt the presence seep out of his mind.

  He stood up and wrote a note for his sister with instructions to stay in the room until he returned or contacted her telepathically.

  If neither happened by tomorrow morning, he told her to contact Tzader Burke telepathically and ask for Belador protection.

  Evalle trusted Tzader to be an honorable man.

  Tristan hoped his trust in Evalle was as well placed.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  Kizira waited on her platform in her red robe dyed with the blood of dragons. She chanted the words that would cast the torch-lit hall under a shield of privacy. Gazing at the ten men dressed in gray robes, she counted nine of them as her most trusted warlocks.

  But the tenth addition might prove to be her most valuable weapon. Twin
snakes of conflict and loyalty twisted through her. Cathbad had compelled her loyalty, but her soul fought for freedom to choose which Beladors died and which one--Quinn--was spared.

  She finished chanting and lowered the hood of her robe. "I have seen the breaching of the Castle Treoir in my visions." Her face squirmed with a smile while murmurs of excitement surged through the room. "I have seen the face of the one who will lead the charge."

  When silence fell once more, she was ready to present their newest member. "We have waited a long time for this opportunity and for the one who will hand us the key to our success." She gave a pointed look at her new disciple. "Step forward, brother, and tell everyone how we will triumph over the Beladors who have persecuted you even though you bleed their blood."

  Conlan O'Meary lowered the hood of his robe. "There is an Alterant who is ready to lead us to victory by breaching the warding of Treoir Castle. In return, we have offered this Alterant what no one else can, the end of being victimized by the Beladors. When the time comes to take possession of Treoir, Priestess, I will deliver you Evalle Kincaid, who will destroy the inhabitants of Treoir Castle and open the gates for you."

  Shocked silence hung in the air, then the warlocks cheered.

  When Conlan lifted his hand, the warlocks quieted. "The Alterant Tristan has agreed to meet me, but he's careful. I like that trait in someone I'll be working with. Once we have Tristan in place, we'll use him to bring Evalle in. I told you, Kizira, I understand how Beladors operate."

  THIRTY-NINE

  A stiff breeze cut across the top of a thirty-story building that towered over Peachtree Street. Tzader had stood here long enough for the sun to set and turn downtown Atlanta into a sparkling jewel.

  Evalle had been in that hole since this morning.

  He wanted justice, but he would settle for satisfaction.

  When energy charged through the air he didn't turn to welcome the presence that arrived.

  That might appear as though he were pleased to see her.

  "Are you not happy to see me, Tzader?"

  Swinging around, he leaned against the waist-high parapet wall, then crossed his arms and his legs. "Depends."

  "I've kept my part of the bargain. Evalle has been released from her cell and Brina's hologram is free."

  He'd have enjoyed the relief those words gave him if not for the nasty taste of having had to bargain for what Macha should freely give. But he'd sworn loyalty to Macha as a child and owed her a level of respect. "Thank you."

  His father had once told him that few might understand Macha, but she made no decision about the Beladors that was not honorable and in the interest of protecting the tribe. He'd warned Tzader not to judge her too quickly, because time played a role in understanding many of her decisions.

  No matter how many times Tzader told himself that, it didn't change the fact that he couldn't see the reason behind the corner Macha had forced him into.

  She smiled, her eyes changing from silvery blue to the color of sunlight striking blue-green Caribbean water. Her radiant red hair never seemed to remain still or even the same color, always busy finding a more flattering shape.

  "What did you tell Evalle?" he asked.

  "Just what we'd agreed upon. She's to become my coordinator of Alterant research and pursue locating the missing Alterants." Macha became impatient, tapping her foot. "I could have sent someone to find Tristan instead of freeing Evalle."

  "And risk Evalle falling into Medb hands?"

  "We both know the chances of Evalle escaping were zilch."

  Tzader had considered several possible ways to have Evalle freed, but every option had put him and Quinn fighting VIPER, Macha and the Beladors.

  That would have left him no way to protect Brina.

  If not the best choice, this had been the only one that protected all he held dear from danger.

  Macha sighed heavily. "Even with Evalle free, we must be vigilant to protect Brina. I'm not entirely certain we can stop the Medb from finding a way to breach the castle as long as Alterants are running around loose."

  "I will always protect Brina. You know that." He could only stomach so much of this, but he had to keep his end of this bargain or Macha would take away everything she'd given. But he didn't have to stand here acting as though she really had his best interest at heart. "That's not what you're here to discuss."

  "You're right. You share a certain amount of responsibility in what happened to Brina. She trusted Evalle based upon your ties to the Alterant."

  He'd conceded that point when he'd almost lost his mind upon learning that Brina's hologram form had been captured.

  But he wondered how much of this happenstance Macha had orchestrated. He'd known the goddess a long time and had never trusted her as completely as his father and Brina's father had.

  Look where that trust had gotten their fathers. Killed.

  And Brina stuck in a castle until she produced an heir. "What about Brina? Does she get a say?"

  Macha said, "The last time I saw Brina, she broached the subject of it being time for her to produce an heir."

  Okay, that surprised him based on the reception he'd gotten from Brina. She wanted to have a baby now . . . with someone else? All he could get out was, "I see."

  "She recognizes the need more than ever to have a child and protect the future of the Beladors, especially in the face of all that has just happened."

  "Then remove my immortality so I can marry her."

  "I can't go back on the oath I gave to your father. You speak of marriage? Must I remind you to give me your vow as your part of our bargain? Or shall I return Evalle to the cell in VIPER and prevent Brina's hologram from leaving the castle?"

  No. He'd relive this moment a million times over from here on out. The words stuck in his throat, but he had negotiated in good faith and had no choice but to do his part. "I vow to not pursue Brina's hand in marriage anymore and to do nothing to prevent her from marrying another."

  The muscles in his fingers tightened into balled fists inside his crossed arms. How could he stay in this world and allow another man to touch Brina?

  Macha waved her hand in exasperation. "You make it sound like I've given you a death sentence. Are you so selfish as to make Brina wait forever for something that is impossible?"

  He'd never hold Brina back from having a life with someone else if she wanted another man, but letting her go was ripping him apart inside. "Of course I want her to be happy. I told you I wouldn't pursue her. Are we done here?"

  "Not quite. You agreed not only to let this relationship go but also to convince Brina that she is free so she can move on without guilt. She was very upset after your last meeting and doesn't know what to say without hurting your feelings."

  Hurt his feelings?

  What a ridiculous description of losing the most important person in his world. "I'll convince her."

  FORTY

  Evalle strode along the last hallway to her underground apartment, bruised from head to toe, heart to soul. Sen had teleported her to where she'd left her motorcycle in Decatur.

  He hadn't said a word, but there'd been no way to mute the raw hatred in his eyes.

  And no way he would have given her a straight answer about Storm, so she hadn't wasted time asking. She didn't need him to find answers. Tzader had said he'd let her know when anyone heard from Storm.

  She opened the door of her apartment and stepped inside. "Feenix . . . I'm home."

  Where was he?

  Thump, thump, thump . . . then the flap of wings.

  Her heart caught in her throat when he came flying at her. She normally stepped aside so he could land in the beanbag and slide across the floor for his NASCAR finish.

  She just stood there.

  His orange eyes blazed in surprise. He angled away, circled the room and came back to her open arms, tucking his wings as he landed.

  She pulled him in close, hugging him, hurting and happy at the same time.

  Feenix p
atted her face and pressed his nose into the curve of her throat.

  She shook with the effort of holding back a sob that she couldn't let free. Her insides were shredding with hurt. Storm had to be alive.

  If he was, where was he?

  He'd found her in South America.

  He'd found her near where she lived.

  Feenix said, "Mine."

  Her heart was sandwiched between misery and joy. "You're mine, too, baby."

  Her gargoyle lifted his head and chortled with delight. "Mith me?"

  "More than you'll ever know." She gave him a kiss on his scaly forehead and lowered him to the floor. "Let me grab a shower and we'll watch reruns."

  Anything that felt normal.

  The shower helped, and so did fresh clothes. She put Storm's windbreaker back on before climbing into bed with a bowl of popcorn for her and a handful of lug nuts for Feenix.

  Feenix puttered around the room, flapping his wings every time he reached the count of ten. He even counted in order, ending with nine and then ten once she explained he could count either horn as nine or ten.

  She opened her laptop and booted up her email. The minute she started tapping on keys, Feenix flapped his wings rapidly, lifting up in the air.

  He flew over the end of the bed and settled next to her, where he'd left his pet alligator earlier. "Nathcar!" He gave her a toothy smile worth any deal she'd had to make with Macha.

  She tweaked his toe and got the deepest giggling sound she'd ever heard. "We'll watch the NASCAR rerun as soon as I finish a couple emails. Okay?"

  He clapped his hands. "Ithe cream."

  That counted as yes from Feenix.

  Turning back to her laptop, she scanned through the usual notices from VIPER before she found the ones that mattered. Her email service was protected by some uber-security operation run through www.Beladors.com, which meant no spam. She opened the first one from Quinn that had come in yesterday: The morgue believes you are on a leave of

  absence. You may return at your leisure.