Dragon King of Treoir

  "How much of a deterrent could it have been for them to go ahead and steal the damn thing?" Tristan scoffed.

  Quinn said, "The first use of majik to dislodge the base would have destroyed someone's eyes, past the point of blinding them. There would be no orbs left in the sockets."

  Everyone flinched.

  "At that point, whoever attempted to then break the spell would have had to use significant power to separate that tomb from the land. I had an identical tomb built to replace the original historical one I happened to know was empty. The one I had built was bonded to the land with the spell. Taking it from the land was akin to ripping a limb away from a body. Everyone involved in extracting it would have felt pain as though they'd had their own limb ripped off. Those of lesser power may have, in fact, lost limbs."

  Daegan sized up Quinn. Though he was sorely disappointed the man had held onto an immortal witch's body, he could tell the decision had not been an easy one to make and one reason might have been to save something a person of dark powers could use for locating his child. That would not be honorable, but Daegan wouldn't criticize the man since Daegan would do that, or worse, to find his kin.

  Tristan had grown more serious throughout the meeting. "What happens when they do try to open the tomb?"

  Quinn shook his head. "If someone cracks the outer wall, they'll suffer a power lash that would cause the equivalent of a severe headache for a preternatural. But to actually open that tomb for access would be quite deadly. Even if they could, which they can't, they would die in the process. I'm the only one who can open it safely. If someone did manage to survive opening it, they'd have to break a ward placed on the body by someone half as old as Daegan. If the ward is broken, the body will erupt into flames."

  "No worries then, right?" Tristan asked, addressing everyone with that comment.

  Evalle asked Tristan, "If you wanted that body and went to the trouble to take the tomb, realizing that you couldn't open it, what would you do?"

  Tristan's forehead creased. "Shit."

  "Exactly. You'd take something or someone and hold it hostage to trade for opening the tomb."

  Daegan stood. He needed his council to prioritize the problems. "First, what will happen if we tell this VIPER and Tribunal bunch the truth, that we believe someone has turned a number of our warriors against us? What will they do, Evalle?"

  "They won't believe us. The Tribunal has dealt with conflicts between the Medb and Beladors for too many years, and those have been escalating lately. The deities have gotten short-tempered and go for the simplest answer that demands as little time on their part as possible."

  Brina offered, "We wouldn't be havin' these escalatin' problems if the Tribunal had not accepted Queen Maeve and Cathbad the Druid into the coalition. We've been fighting each other nonstop since VIPER allowed Medb warlocks and witches to enter the human world to infiltrate our communities. You probably know about that since you were in Taur Medb when that decree was passed, Daegan."

  Nodding that he did, Daegan said, "That was a stupid mistake on VIPER's part."

  "Agreed," Evalle said, picking up the thread. "It's an ongoing situation that is only getting worse. The minute we hint that a Belador might be behind these killings, the Medb will take advantage of that and point fingers at us over every infraction. Then VIPER will drag our people in to face Tribunals where justice is not always served."

  Daegan pondered this. "Power residue is the only evidence of Beladors at the killing locations?"

  "Yes," Storm said. "When I picked up Belador scents at each one, I hoped it meant your people had been on the human police investigations, but the areas where I found the scents bothered me. I picked up a demon scent near each one, which didn't appear connected until I heard about tonight's attack." He held his hands open in resignation. "Unfortunately, if I was forced to testify at a Tribunal, I'd have to say the Belador scent was at every crime scene."

  Brina snapped her fingers. "About those demons. Tzader told me one was with the group you stopped tonight. Why would they have demons if they can kill with the ability of a Belador?"

  Evalle studied the table a moment, then said, "I don't know. That's a good question we need to answer. We also need to find out how they're powering their cloaking device. Adrianna didn't mention whether she noticed anything, but we cut our meeting short to come to Treoir. I'll ask her about that."

  Tzader pointed out, "Whether or not the Medb are behind the attacks in the southeast, if the only evidence is Belador power residue, we can't hide that if they bring in another tracker. If that happens, VIPER will start bringing in our people anyhow. We're pretty much damned if we do and damned if we don't, and that means we're on our own with this and need to get answers yesterday."

  "It's unacceptable for our people to be persecuted." Daegan held up saying more when Quinn spoke.

  "While in the cemetery, I found a Nightstalker and shook hands for intel."

  "Nightstalker?" Daegan glanced around the table. He'd missed much during his time imprisoned. "I heard the term used in TAmr Medb, but have no idea what it is."

  Tristan explained, "We have ghoul informants in the human world who have no loyalty to any group. If someone with power shakes hands with them, they'll share intel on the preternatural world and in exchange they receive ten minutes of corporeal form."

  "What do they do while in solid form?"

  "Drink rotgut, usually. They're homeless people who died during weather disasters."

  Interesting. Daegan returned everyone's attention to the intel. "Go on, Quinn."

  "I just recalled something the Nightstalker said, which didn't register at the time because the only information he'd been able to share was that two people had visited Kizira's tomb earlier in the day and they wore hooded robes."

  Tristan quipped, "That could be anyone. It's like saying someone drove a white pickup truck."

  "Exactly," Quinn agreed. "The Nightstalker hadn't been around the tomb during the theft. I was distracted, trying to figure out if Queen Maeve was behind this so I didn't pay close attention when he said, 'they want Alterants.' Thinking back now, he may have meant those two in the hooded robes who visited the tomb. The thing is that no human would have gone near the tomb, because of the repellent I put around the outside."

  Evalle sent a pointed glance at Storm as she said, "Before everyone gets lathered up about these people hunting Alterants, I am not going into hiding. I'll be sure to work with a partner."

  Storm only grunted, clearly not happy about her being at risk, but it was obvious that Evalle would not tolerate being left out. Daegan felt more and more certain that he'd chosen well with this circle of warriors as advisors.

  He asked Tristan, "Have you informed them of your new assignment?"

  "No."

  "Why not?"

  "I share nothing that you say without your permission."

  Damn good answer. Daegan said, "This may help bring us answers sooner. You may share our strategy now."

  Tristan explained about the plan to send Ixxter to Atlanta soon, and that Tristan would tail him. Ixxter would be a prime candidate to draw attention as a Belador and as an Alterant, especially one who wanted out of the gryphon pack.

  Evalle leaned forward. "Is he bait for them to take or bait to draw them out or what?"

  "We're thinking they'll go the easier route and try to recruit him first, before they try to grab him. It's easier to control someone who holds a grudge against his own people. If they do flip him to their side, I can discover who is behind this and determine whether Ixxter is going to be loyal or not."

  Tzader asked, "Do I detect a large amount of doubt?"

  "Yes."

  Evalle said, "Ixxter's a hothead, but he's been stuck here a long time. I wouldn't judge him based on the past few months."

  "Why not?" Tristan sat forward. "He's not the only person who has been stuck here for months, but he's the troublemaker, and the most belligerent of the gryphon pack. He'll have a chance to
show his true colors. He's either with us or against us."

  "Point taken."

  "Speaking of the gryphons," Daegan said, butting in. "You've both done your best by them and I understand Evalle took the lead position when she killed one of the others."

  "Not just one of the others," Storm said, pride rolling through his words. "She killed the baddest one in the pack at that time."

  He placed his hand over hers on the table.

  She smiled at her mate and explained to Daegan, "It was situational. Not by choice. When the Alterants were forced to evolve into gryphons in TAmr Medb, they had to be mortally wounded to complete the process. That's when we were informed we could regenerate up to three times."

  "I recall parts of that time."

  "Well, I'm done. I used up my third regeneration here on Treoir when I won the battle against a gryphon trying to kill Brina. Tristan, on the other hand, is still good for two, which means that if he does have to regenerate, he'll only get stronger each time."

  Daegan hid his amusement. The woman was determined that Tristan receive his due, and now Daegan understood where she was going with that line of thought. "I'm glad to know that, Evalle, because as part of Tristan's responsibility as Ri Dtus he will rule the gryphons unless you're unwilling to cede your position."

  Tristan stared, obviously unable to speak.

  That allowed Evalle enough time to say, "It's his. I'm all for him leading the pack."

  "Good. We have a lot of work to do." Daegan directed his next comments to Storm and Evalle. "Storm, I'd like you to visit the cemetery and see if you can stir up any scent or power signature."

  "I'll do that," Storm answered.

  "Excellent. Evalle, you continue investigating and back up Tristan when he requests it."

  Evalle grinned. "No problem."

  Storm growled softly.

  Daegan said, "Tristan will let you know when he needs backup tracking Ixxter in case nothing happens in the first day. None of you will be useful if you run yourselves into the ground, so be wise about resting even for short periods and sharing the load. If this eventually leads to war, it will not be a sprint but a marathon."

  "Got it," Tristan acknowledged, still glowering at Evalle.

  She tried to mollify Tristan with, "It only makes sense for you to lead the gryphon pack with me gone so much."

  Storm's lips twitched. He found Tristan's reaction amusing? Must be history there of some sort.

  Daegan had to get everyone moving so he could take care of his own problem. "Quinn, you will take the lead on locating that tomb. You know all the players. Are ghouls your only resource for now?"

  "No, I have my own network of intelligence gatherers as well."

  Evalle offered, "We have Isak Nyght's resources, too."

  Daegan frowned. "Who is he?"

  Quinn shot Evalle a warning look that had no effect on her answering Daegan. "Isak is one of the few humans who know we exist. He's a black ops soldier with a team trained to fight nonhumans and an intelligence network that rivals the human national security groups. His people know how to find our kind sometimes."

  Quinn argued, "He also specifically targets nonhumans who he believes don't belong in his world."

  "He doesn't hate Beladors. He's helped us before and he'll help again, especially when it comes to using his demon blasters," she argued.

  Daegan ended the discussion. "Find out what this human with the demon blaster requires for payment and use him."

  "Will do."

  Evalle added, "We also have a female witness from the fight tonight."

  "A human?"

  Quinn answered, "No, but we're not sure what she is yet. She carries an energy she says is a demon magnet. Her appearance at the scene made no sense. Our people were there, the killers were there, then our witness showed up out of the blue and killed the demon. She doesn't fit anywhere in all of this yet, and claims she just happened upon the conflict. We were called here before we could finish the interrogation, but Storm has her contained."

  "Can you use that mind lock on her?" Daegan noted the hesitation on Quinn's part.

  Quinn said, "I don't unless the situation is dire, but Storm is our walking lie detector."

  Daegan turned to Storm with new respect. "That's a handy gift to have."

  Storm answered with a subtle lift of one eyebrow.

  Daegan told Quinn, "I'll leave it up to you to decide how to extract information." Moving on, Daegan said, "When we find out who has the tomb, we're going after it. And as soon as we know who is using Beladors as puppets, we're going to cut those strings."

  Tzader spoke up. "What am I doing?"

  Quinn interjected, "Unfortunately, the position of Maistir is open again, Z. I'm thinking he'll need you to take over. I'm sorry for not giving you more time with Brina."

  "Where do you think you're going?" Tzader asked.

  Pushing his gaze from Tzader, around the table to each of his friends, then to Daegan, Quinn said, "While I was buying time for our people to pull you out of Taur Medb, I was given an unexpected order. When Queen Maeve and Cathbad showed up in the Tribunal meeting, Maeve demanded Kizira's body. The Tribunal agreed and gave me a deadline."

  Evalle snapped, "By what right? Kizira hated them."

  "I know, but they called Dli Fola, known as Blood Law, which allows the leaders in war to claim bodies of their family members. It held up. The Tribunal expects me to appear with Kizira's body intact to hand over to the queen. I was given five days, which will run out by four in the morning tomorrow."

  "Unbelievable," Evalle muttered. "When were you going to tell us?"

  "I'd actually planned to tie up our problems in Atlanta, tell all of you to declare me an enemy of the Beladors, then vanish with her body before the Tribunal."

  "Oh, Quinn ... I'd hurt you if you did that." She gave him a sad smile.

  "That's not happening," Daegan declared, drawing everyone's gaze his way. "Which means Tzader will have plenty of time with Brina, because he's not leaving the island while she's pregnant."

  Tzader didn't even try to hide his shock. "Don't get me wrong, because I'm here for her no matter what and I hate giving up any time I can share with Brina, but you need someone with my experience helping with this mess."

  "I do," Daegan agreed. "But I will be the one leaving the island before you do. Even with all the work our people are doing to shore up our defenses, the Medb have gotten onto this island before."

  "That shouldn't happen again since Kizira was the only Medb who had the coordinates and she's dead," Evalle said.

  "But her body is not secure."

  "Oh, yeah. There's another reason we have to find that body."

  Daegan told Quinn, "You have not been relieved of your duties as Maistir. No one has the authority to make that change but me. Understood?"

  "If that's what you wish," Quinn said in a guarded tone.

  "It is. Evalle, Storm and Quinn, prepare to return to Atlanta."

  Once Daegan had teleported them back, he turned to Tzader. "I need to know Brina is guarded at all times. Other than me, there is no better person to watch over Treoir and Brina, than you."

  Tzader stood and pulled her chair back. "I hear you, and seeing it from your point of view, I agree."

  Brina muttered, "It would be nice if everyone stopped fawnin' over me. I'm not a bairn." She ruined her protest by yawning.

  "Time to rest, muirnin," Tzader said, kissing her head and excusing them.

  With everyone gone except Tristan and Daegan, Tristan sat back with his hands clasped on the table.

  Daegan sighed. "What is botherin' you?"

  "I haven't known you long, but I've known you long enough to realize you're worried about something and it's nothing we discussed at this table today. Not entirely. If I'm going to be your right-hand man, which by the way I'm not sure I'm the best choice for, but ... seems I'm it for now. I can't be much help to you if you don't trust me."

  "First of all, you are not i
t for now. You are it, period. Second, I do trust you. It's just that ..."

  "What, Daegan?" Tristan leaned forward, putting his hands flat on the table. "You said any conversation at this table is protected. What are you trying to fix by yourself?"

  Gaining trust only happens when it is given in return. Daegan leaned in. "I'm hunting the body of my sister who originally lived here. She wears a ring that carries the protection of a god. The ring is visible only to another Treoir and can be removed only by someone with Treoir blood. Once I have it on, it will protect my descendants as long as they are on this island. It will also shield me to some degree if I end up having to enter another realm that is hostile to me. Not guaranteed to keep me alive, but I would be stronger. I must be able to protect my family, my people and myself."

  "You're sure Brina doesn't have it?"

  "Yes. It would have shielded her from the Noirre majik attack, but I did ask if she had any of her mother's jewelry, just to be sure. She showed me a necklace, that's all."

  "If no one can see the ring or steal it, that means we have to find your sister's body." Tristan glanced up. "That's why you're flying so much."

  "Exactly. If I have to enter the Tribunal realm, Queen Maeve will know I'm at my weakest there. There is much I don't know about this new era, the politics and the players. If she gives those deities reason to kill me and they choose to, I will not be able to stop them."

  "Damn. That's screwed up."

  "I would die today if that would protect Brina and her family for the future, but my death will only put them at more risk. Now you know why I'm preparing for war."

  "Queen Maeve and Macha know you're most vulnerable right now."

  "That is it. In their shoes, I would gather my army and attack. It won't be as straightforward as marching on a city, as it was in my day, but this will be war just the same."

  Tristan sat up and fisted his hands. "Send Ixxter wherever he wants to go in Atlanta, then I'll teleport a few minutes after him so I can follow. He won't trust us not to spy on him right off the bat, but once he gets comfortable, he'll be cocky. I'll come back as soon as I figure out where he stands. Do you want any of the gryphons to help you hunt? Other than Evalle, I have two I'd trust with my life. One of them is my sister."

  Daegan had a made a good choice in Tristan. "I would take you up on it, but they can't find what I'm after. I'm the only one who can recognize the power that rises from her body. It's subtle, but I can sense it."