"Still not seeing the downside."
That was Tzader, Quinn's friend all the way to the bloody end of the world. Quinn had to make him understand just how desperate the Beladors were if they left him as acting Maistir. He explained, "I caught a Medb warlock and intended to bring him in for questioning. I was going to charge him with having knowledge of who dropped the demons in Atlanta, plus I recognized him from a raid we did in Charleston."
"The one where those filthy warlocks were using that young girl's body to cook a Noirre aphrodisiac spell?"
"Yes."
"Fuck him then. Hope you killed him."
"I did, in a way. The arrest was going fine until he started yelling that it wasn't his fault. He'd been compelled."
Tzader slapped a hand over his eyes. "Ah, shit."
"That pretty much covers what happened. I heard that word and all I could see was Kizira dying in my arms because that whore Flaevynn had compelled her daughter not to use her own healing skills. I. Lost. It. I grabbed the warlock's mind and clutched it so hard with mine his brain literally exploded inside his head."
"I'm having a hard time digging up any remorse for a warlock. Compelled or not, that prick deserved to die."
"He wandered around in a circle while I tried to pull myself back under control. I looked up just as a MARTA bus hit him."
Tzader frowned and looked around.
"It wasn't here. It was over by Centennial Park. Had to call in Sen to clean it up and deal with anyone who saw it since there was no chance of getting someone with Atlanta PD who was Belador."
"What you did was ..."
"Unacceptable," Quinn finished for him. "Sen's furious. He keeps hearing how the Medb are dealing with the demons and the Beladors are crippled power-wise. He reminded me that as acting Maistir I'm supposed to contain a situation and he threatened to take me before the Tribunal if I caused another public scene like that."
Tzader studied Quinn for several seconds. "What'd you do?"
"I didn't try to kill Sen, if that's what you mean." Quinn gave him a half-serious smile. "I was actually starting to get a grip after I released that warlock. That might be the only thing that saved one of us." With the rumor mill purporting Sen to have powers akin to a god or demi-god, Quinn had a reasonable idea of who would have won that short battle.
"Man, I hate doing this to you," Tzader admitted.
"It's okay. I'm just disappointed in not performing better."
"Give me a break, Quinn. You just lost the woman you love and you haven't even had time to grieve her." Tzader paused. "Have you decided where to bury her yet?"
"No. I took Kizira to a friend of mine who deals with our kind and told him I'd be back soon. I ... wanted a little more time before I took that last step."
"I understand. Tell me when you're ready and I'll be there."
Quinn swallowed the thick lump in his throat. He wanted to tell Tzader about Phoedra now that Quinn could carry a decent conversation, but he didn't think he could say her name without breaking down. He said, "I know you'll be there when I ask. Now, is anything else going on with Treoir?"
"First, can you continue standing in for me?"
"Yes. I'm okay for now." That tasted like a lie, but Tzader needed to hear those words.
"Thanks. I hate asking this of you, but you're the only one I trust to be Maistir in my place. I'll take over as soon as I can, which might be sooner than I expected."
Quinn stood to face Tzader. "Why? Has something happened to Brina ... or Lanna?"
The weight bearing down on Tzader's shoulders showed in his face. "Not a word on either one yet, but I'm not leaving until we get them both back or ..."
"I understand. Just tell me what you need."
"That's why I projected my hologram to reach you. I don't know what all Evalle is doing, but I couldn't risk going to her and interrupting anything she had in the works that might lead to Storm. I need her to find him like yesterday, because our oldest druids have no idea what to do. We're running short on time."
"I thought she had two days left."
"That was an estimate based on how often a piece of the hologram disappeared. But parts are starting to vanish faster."
"Bloody hell. What can I do?"
Tzader's smile was sad and tired. "You're doing it, old friend, and I will never forget this, but I need you to have Trey locate Evalle since I don't think she has a cell phone unless you gave her one."
"No, my head was too far up my ass to think about anyone else when we got back to Atlanta," Quinn muttered. "I'll call Trey right away. How do I get word back to you?"
"It's not good news if I come back to Atlanta before Evalle and Storm arrive at Treoir. Just have Sen teleport those two as soon as you can. If Sen threatens you again-"
Quinn held up his hand. "I won't allow that to happen. I'll make nice with every Medb if that's what it takes to keep peace with Sen until Brina and Lanna are safe at the castle."
"Once that happens, the Belador power will be a force to reckon with once again and anyone who has taken advantage of this vulnerable time will pay dearly." Tzader's eyebrow lifted with a thought. "You know what, part of the problem you're having with your control may be due to Brina being out of the castle."
"I had considered that. I hope you're right."
"I need to go. I've never risked projecting my body unless I was locked in my car, and it's warded. Everyone should be outside protecting the castle, but that prick Allyn keeps coming by to check on the hologram."
"Do you really think Brina was going to marry him?"
"No." Tzader shook his head and made a sound of disgust. "That was all a ploy. Macha was behind it."
"Are you kidding me?"
"It was Macha's idea of motivating us to figure it out. Tell you more later."
"Very well. I hope not to see you again until you have news of their return."
Tzader disappeared.
Quinn used his cell phone to call Trey and gave him the message to pass along to Evalle.
Trey said, "I'll let you know as soon as I hear from her. It might take a few tries, but I should be able to connect to her mind. I was able to speak to her telepathically earlier and she was able to reply. She's impacted less than full-blooded Beladors."
"Very well. Keep me informed."
Quinn had closed his phone when he caught sight of two suspicious characters a block away. They were dressed as tourists in casual clothes, but didn't move with the easy strides of humans.
He might have dismissed that until one of them glanced around, giving Quinn a chance to see the yellow eyes of a Medb.
Had the Medb released the demons?
If so, the fastest way to find out who had dumped killers into the city would be through those warlocks. Either way, catching that pair would be quite useful if Quinn could show a little restraint this time.
Chapter 22
Evalle's heart thumped what sounded like a frantic SOS message.
Nadina moved into an open spot in the musty-smelling living room of the haunted house she'd invaded in Stone Mountain.
Adrianna remained several steps away in the dining room.
With arms raised out to each side, Nadina's voice turned husky with a guttural chant that sounded dark and twisted. She waited for Evalle to repeat it, which she did.
Nadina moved her hands in front of her, and power exploded in a high arch between Nadina's palms. She moved her hands forward and down, allowing the blazing yellow-orange arch to slide from her fingertips to the hardwood floor.
Giving Evalle a look of challenge, Nadina said, "This is your last chance to change your mind. Once we cross through this arch, we enter Mitnal. You may return without me, but you may not enjoy the passing."
What did that mean?
"Save your scary stories for Halloween," Evalle told her and waved a hand. "Lead the way."
Nadina's eyes lit with hidden thoughts, but she vanished through the archway before Evalle could question her.
Adrianna said, "You may or may not exit that bolthole here. If you come back here, the spirits will allow you to pass. I can't say the same for Nadina so don't stand too close to her when you return."
"Got it." Evalle blew out a breath and stepped through the blazing opening and into a frosty haze that surrounded her. In the next instant, she could feel the opening suck closed behind her.
Cold struck her skin and started wrapping around and around like a bandage of ice. It dredged up memories of artic training she'd gone through at eighteen as a new Belador warrior five years ago. But this was different than suffering the sub-freezing temps that would punish any exposed skin. A freezing paint coated her skin, but her insides had turned into a roaring furnace of heat.
One sensation should alleviate the discomfort of the other, but no. It just hurt from both directions.
While she had the feeling that she would not freeze to death or combust, the opposing temperatures were irritating the hell out of her within seconds.
What was it doing to demons kept here forever?
What's it doing to Storm?
Now she understood the vision she'd had back in Storm's bedroom. He'd been blue with cold in this realm of the dead. A bitter smell stung her nose. It could be incense if someone had decided to create one from a mix of sulfur and badly burned habaneros.
The haze cleared and she froze.
Demons surrounded her. She stood in the middle of the ones she'd seen when she visited Mitnal during her earlier out-of-body visit.
She'd had no idea how much nicer that was than an in-body experience.
Hundreds of demons covered surfaces in every direction. Some curled up on the ground and others draped over ledges. Was that all they did during the day? Rest?
That and attack Storm, because as she took in this horde of demons, none appeared battered and bruised as he had.
Now that she had a chance to take in the entire place from a standing position, she tilted her head back. This place could house a four-story building that covered a city block. Dark holes appeared at different levels. Were those recessed areas similar to the den where she'd found Storm?
Was he still in the same place?
In fact, where was Nadina?
Turning her head slowly even though the demons appeared oblivious to her presence, Evalle finally spotted the witch doctor leaning against a rock wall with arms crossed. Her cloaking fell over her from head to toe like sheer red netting.
Nadina arched a taunting eyebrow at her and smiled to emphasize that she was not required to help Evalle find her way through a sea of snoozing demons.
Keep thinking you're too sexy for your skin and I'll turn a Sterling witch loose on you again.
Evalle carefully turned the palm of her hand to face the floor and pushed down to see how far her kinetics would lift her.
Not an inch.
Mental note-no kinetics available in here.
Nadina had failed to explain that, but Evalle had been just as remiss in not asking if her powers would function in Mitnal. She was still hunting a way over to Nadina when someone bellowed, "Come to your master!"
Blood froze in Evalle's veins.
Demons stood and stretched.
Snarls and rumbling filled the air from behind Evalle, sounding like they came from deep inside some deadly animal. But the entire room glowed red from all the eyes opening.
Twisting around, Evalle found the source of the voice. It belonged to the bony guy she'd seen before.
Hanhau in all his glory.
His face was not shaped like any man's she'd ever seen. He had big round eyes filled with flames, a beaked nose and tiny ears pointing up from each side of his head. Shiny white skin clung to Hanhau's emaciated body, parts of it sunken in places, to appear as a skeleton.
If Nadina could be stunning as a woman, why was Hanhau content to be a cadaver with a giant owlish head sporting a unicorn horn?
Hair sprouted straight up on his head then more fell past his shoulders in thick braids. His bone necklace jangled when he moved to stand in front of his throne of skulls.
What kind of creep had that for a chair?
One who ruled a world of the damned.
Energy literally sizzled around his body, similar to how steam hissed off hot asphalt in Atlanta after a summer shower.
The demons herded toward their leader. More of them than she'd realized the first time.
Some still possessed a human-like shape and moved forward on two legs, while others were animals lumbering on all fours. Jackals, black wolves, one with the body of a bear and the head of a wild hog with tusks.
Her hand itched for her spelled blade that she'd had to leave behind.
None of the animals maintained any of their natural characteristics, if they'd ever had any. Oversized beasts with misshapen bodies crowded toward the throne. More poured out of the dark crevices above her and slithered along the walls or pounced to the cave floor with the agility of cats.
Time to find Storm and get him out of this place. She was not going to accept that he'd joined ranks with this bunch.
Once the demons were moving steadily, Evalle fell into step, taking every opening that appeared until she reached Nadina.
Hanhau began working himself into a froth with some crazy chanting and beating on his chest. The demons pounded the ground with their feet and paws.
A loud rattle sounded as a giant snake joined in.
All the noise covered Evalle's final steps out of the foot traffic and her words when she told Nadina, "You aren't holding your end of the deal if you disappear on me."
"I haven't gone anywhere. I waited for you. It's not my fault you made no plans for where you would enter Mitnal."
Don't kill the bitch. "Take me to Storm."
"As you wish."
Those words had sounded charming in The Princess Bride. Coming from Nadina they had the ring of dire threat. Hanhau's glowing speech of how he shared his power with his demons because they were his family echoed through the room, followed by rumbling noises from his rapt followers.
Hanhau kept on. "You are mine and you will see our greatness soon."
You can't have Storm, she silently answered.
Nadina flashed ahead of her, reaching a spot as far as one could get from Hanhau on the main floor. The witch doctor seemed to have her powers here, and could move faster than even Evalle was capable of with her Belador powers.
Wait a minute. How had Nadina managed that?
Dismissing the showoff for now, Evalle saw that Nadina stood at the entrance of an alcove. It was the placed Evalle recalled from her earlier trip to Mitnal.
Storm had been tucked deep inside the hollowed-out area.
She followed Nadina into the dark recess, glad to find that her Alterant night vision still worked in here. Staring through the filmy veil, the rocky walls glowed blue where they hadn't before.
Did that mean the walls were hot as a blue flame or frigid enough to glue skin to them?
Nadina slowed just before walking around a wall and stuck her head as far out as her skinny neck would allow, then whispered, "There he is."
When the witch doctor continued around the curve, Evalle mentally prepared herself to face Storm and convince him that they could escape. She also reminded herself that Storm was comfortable being naked even if Evalle had a hard time with any other woman seeing him that way.
Maybe she'd blindfold Nadina now that they'd found Storm.
But as Evalle entered the area that widened into a round room large enough to hold a small car, she faced a black jaguar rising quickly to stand eye-level with her chest.
He shouldn't be able to see Evalle or Nadina.
The jaguar cocked his head at noticing a disturbance in his area. His red gaze swept from the spot where Evalle stood to Nadina then back.
Nadina gave her a you-wanted-to-do-this look and said, "He will not hear you with this cloaking in place. To reveal yourself, put your hands together then move them apart as
if opening up a cloak."
Confirming what Nadina had said, Storm must not have heard a thing because his jaguar remained still, but deep throaty growls rumbled with each exhale.
The kind of sound you heard right before something vicious attacked.
Evalle did as Nadina had instructed and opened the cloak, pushing it back to reveal herself to Storm, whose gaze speared her with the single-mindedness of a predator.
His jaws unhinged and he roared loud enough to burst human eardrums. The sound was as unearthly as it was frightening. She'd heard Storm's roar when he attacked a troll.
This was far worse.
One look at Nadina and Evalle realized why the witch doctor was so happy.
Storm didn't recognize Evalle.
He closed his jaws and put his head down then took a step toward her.
Chapter 23
Out of pure survival instinct, Evalle shoved one hand up, palm out, even though she had no kinetics in Mitnal.
Storm ran into the invisible wall and jumped back.
Evalle lifted her hand to look at it, shocked that her power worked, then she eye Nadina. "You knew my powers would work here?"
The witch doctor shrugged and peeled back her cloaking. "Not while you're enclosed in the cloaking. Once you broke that barrier, I suspected your kinetics might, but I doubt telepathy will reach anyone from here."
Storm evidently didn't like Nadina any better because he growled in her direction. That gave Evalle hope of gaining an edge on Nadina until the witch doctor cast an indulgent glance at Storm as she informed Evalle, "Do not think he will attack me. He can not, even if Hanhau ordered him."
"Why would I want him to attack you when you're our guide out of here?"
"You were thinking it."
Evalle scoffed at her. "You can't read my mind."
"Perhaps not, but I can read your face."
"Tell Storm that we're going to leave here together."
"No. You did not specifically negotiate that."
Evalle held her temper because she might not like dealing with Nadina, but bringing Hanhau and those demons down on her head would be worse. "I did negotiate that because I said you would help us escape."