That gave Evalle no chance to speak with Storm first. She waved a hand, telling him she'd be over in a minute to talk.
He nodded, though clearly not happy to wait.
Now would be her only chance to find out if Tristan was really on the Medb team or not.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Alterants filed into Evalle's battle dome from both Gate One and Gate Two. Adding Tristan and his sister to the other Alterants, Evalle would have eight to convince to leave, nine if Boomer could be swayed.
Alterants eyed each other with wariness, all ready to attack at the first provocation. Silence fell across the dome as if someone had sucked the air from the room.
Evalle walked over to where Storm stood on the other side of the warded dome. "Can you hear me?"
Reading her lips, Storm shook his head.
She could use this soundproofing to her advantage. Lifting a finger to ask for a minute, she walked back to the others mingling around and keeping their distance from each other.
Since Tristan had been in captivity for the past week, he shouldn't have the infection going around in Atlanta. Evalle reached out to him telepathically.
The call echoed back at her as if someone had backhanded it.
She couldn't waste what little time she had before Kizira appeared. She walked into the middle of the Alterants and started her pitch. "The Medb offer is a trick."
Several turned to her. Boomer coughed again. He might heal quickly, but his throat had to still be raw. "You got a better offer than immortality?"
"Not exactly."
"Then shut up."
She'd have to fight Boomer again, but with words this time, not her weapon of choice. "Sorry I had to stab you, but I was trying to not kill you."
"You couldn't kill me."
"Wrong. If I hadn't pulled out my dagger, it would have stayed until you bled out. But let's talk about options. The Medb will use you to do their dirty work. Once that's done, you'll be of no use to them."
Boomer came back with, "What's a little dirty work if we're immortal?"
"There's a catch to that offer. Has to be." She looked around, gratified to find everyone listening. Bernie had moved close. Evalle had heard about Imogenia getting caught. If Bernie was here, Kol had traded him to the Medb. And Bernie had a girlfriend.
Evalle believed he'd be her first recruit. "The goddess Macha has offered protection inside her pantheon for Alterants. She's submitted a charter that will give us status as an accepted race." Just as soon as Evalle showed up with Tristan's information on the origins of Alterants and five Alterants willing to claim loyalty to Macha. No point in cluttering her speech with a lot of detail right now.
"But no immortality?"
Boomer would not let that go. "No, and you're a fool to believe you'll get that from the Medb. Whatever they do, they'll turn you into their slaves. Wouldn't you rather be free?"
"I'm practically invincible," Boomer bragged. "Give me immortality and no one will dare try to enslave me."
She gave up on Boomer and turned to Bernie. "Doesn't that sound good to you?"
Bernie had his arms wrapped around his chest, shoulders hunched. "But we've been traded to the Medb."
Black Satin piped up. "He's right. I haven't seen an Alterant sponsor who isn't a dark witch, mage or wizard. They're all cutting deals to hand us over for Noirre majik right now."
"You're sure?" Evalle asked.
Black Satin's head bobbed up and down. "Heard them."
Evalle had another card to play, but it was a gamble. "If you will testify at a Tribunal meeting that you were traded for Noirre majik, and"--Evalle looked around the room--"if the rest of you'll agree to go with me, I have a way to get us out of here safely regardless of any deal." She doubted she had enough of the potion for all of them, but Evalle would risk contacting Tzader.
If he'd answer a telepathic call, she could depend on him to send in Beladors to bust the other Alterants out of here.
Bernie asked, "Will someone help me get my girlfriend away from Imogenia?"
Evalle told him, "If you leave with me, I'll personally help you."
As more Alterants asked similar questions, Evalle gave more assurances, telling them all they'd have the full force of the Beladors to support them if they joined Macha's pantheon.
"Why should we believe you?" Boomer asked. "The Medb passed a test to prove they weren't lying."
Energy sparked and Tristan appeared in the battle dome, which meant he had use of his teleporting ability inside here. He ordered the room, "Everyone line up between the gates."
The others immediately shuffled into a wobbly line.
Evalle crossed over to Tristan and kept her voice soft. "I've been trying to find a way into TAmr Medb to help you, your sister and your two Rias friends escape. This was the only way I could--"
"Get in line, Evalle."
"Listen to me, Tristan. One of the Alterants has evidence of the Noirre majik deals. I can call in the Beladors if you'll help me get these Alterants out. If you're worried about your sister being safe, I have a potion that will turn her invisible. Storm's here and he's keeping it for me. We'll go after your two friends, too."
Tristan let her finish. "The only place I can go from here is TAmr Medb. Get in line."
"Have you really swapped sides?"
He caught her by the throat and lifted her.
She grabbed his arm, squeezing to break bone.
Clenching his teeth, he brought her to his face and whispered, "I'm compelled, dammit. I can't do anything to help you or any other Alterant. Kizira will be here soon. If I show you any leeway, she'll kill me and my sister. She only brought Petrina here to dangle her life in front of me if I show any sign of not being under her power."
Evalle caught on quickly that he was covering their chance to talk by manhandling her, but Storm would be livid.
Tristan's grip loosened, but he kept a deadly glare pasted on his face. She struggled against his hold to make their confrontation look believable and whispered, "I don't want to leave here without you and your sister."
"You're not leaving and neither will any of the others. Kizira won't allow it. You want to help us, come to TAmr Medb."
"I can't. VIPER and the Beladors will think I've gone rogue."
"Sen's waiting outside for you."
"What?"
Tristan murmured, "Kizira's coming," and shoved Evalle away. "Get. In. Line. Now."
She got up, dusted her pants and stepped over to the end of the line . . . next to Boomer.
Storm watched it all from outside the dome. Evalle gave a small shake of her head, telling him not to try anything. His jaw was set with determination that worried her about just what he might do.
Purple haze swirled, spinning a moment, then ending with Kizira, priestess of the Medb, in skintight black pants and a snug top. "Congratulations on surviving your fights and to those of you who won your Elite matches in the Achilles Beast Championship."
Kizira continued, "Negotiations have been completed. You now belong to the Medb."
"I don't have a sponsor, so I speak for myself," Evalle said. "I don't believe you can make good on your offer."
Kizira turned on her. "Oh? Then why did you enter the beast championship?"
Evalle had been expecting that. "To tell these Alterants that they have another option."
"If they didn't belong to me, that might be true," Kizira countered, then addressed everyone. "But why would any of you turn down the opportunity we've offered that would allow you to protect yourself and those you care about?"
Rumblings of approval rolled through the group.
Boomer leaned over and told Evalle, "I'll be a free man as soon as I become immortal, and when I do, you're the first one I'm going to kill. The next one's going to be your pretty healer." Then he shouted at Kizira, "Take me first."
Several more made noises of agreement. Even Bernie wouldn't meet Evalle's gaze. This was a dismal failure. Evalle told Kizira, "They may not
know better, but I do."
"You mean you'd rather leave and have your healer face Kol to answer for helping during your match with Sandspur?"
Evalle looked at Storm then back at Kizira. "He didn't."
"He'll have to prove it, because a wizard by the name of Grendal claims you were helped and that he can prove it."
Evalle couldn't give up Lanna.
Neither could she let Storm face Kol.
With no comeback from Evalle, Kizira kept selling her program to the entire group. "You are all offered a chance to become warriors who can defeat death, but I do not want any who are not willing to prove themselves worthy. Step forward if you wish to join us in TAmr Medb, where as warriors you will be treated well and trained fully. If you do not step forward, you become the property of Kol D'Alimonte." Kizira's gaze landed on Evalle when she added, "And as I understand it, VIPER has a contingency of agents waiting to apprehend any Alterant caught leaving here."
This was the reason Sen had been so accommodating when she'd asked for the warded SUV. Just a piece of cheese for his trap, because he'd assumed she would come for the chance at immortality. It wouldn't matter that she'd come for the right reasons, she was still going to be facing a Tribunal if he took her in.
Evalle watched every Alterant in the dome take a step forward. All but her.
None of this bunch would give up the opportunity Kizira outlined.
Leaving this beast championship after being seen by plenty of people who would sell Evalle out in a minute would end with her facing the Tribunal. Macha would not come to her defense once she found out no Alterants returned with Evalle.
If Evalle refused Kizira, Storm would be at Kol's mercy. If she accepted the Medb offer, she'd have to walk away from the Beladors, and Storm, forever.
TWENTY-NINE
Evalle's eyes met Storm's. He hadn't moved from watching the battle dome activity, but he couldn't hear what was going on either.
Her heart hadn't beaten this hard when she was fighting Boomer. She lifted a finger and touched the emerald, mouthing the words My choice.
Then she stepped forward to complete the line of Alterants accepting Kizira's Medb deal.
Storm's mouth dropped open. He started shaking his head and yelled a string of words she didn't need her hearing to know were curses. Then he took off to his left.
Toward the access hall for the holding area and this battle dome.
Would the guards let him come in?
Give her one chance to say good-bye?
Shouting echoed down the long walkway beyond Gate One, but the disturbance came no closer.
Moments later, a guard entered the battle dome carrying Dame Lynn's head. The Domjon addressed Kizira. "Our commitment has been satisfied."
Kizira sent an appraising look over her group of Alterants. "Agreed."
"We've had an issue that requires locking down the premises until it's handled."
"In that case, we shall vacate the premises immediately."
What had happened for Kol to lock down the event site?
The room lost shape in the next instant, swirling with a blur of colors, and the air whistled around her. Evalle's stomach went into spin cycle.
That was the last she saw of the Achilles Beast Championship.
Maybe the last time she'd see Storm. And Lanna. She trusted him to take care of Lanna and get the girl home safely.
Someone clutched Evalle's legs.
If it was Bernie, he'd be sorry as soon as they landed. She wouldn't make it far without throwing up.
When the spinning ended, Evalle stumbled to her right and ran into a wall. Her stomach wasn't happy, but no volcanic eruption so far. She blinked at the dark room, dizzy and straining to see where she'd landed.
Even in pitch black, she had sharp night vision.
Gradually, very low light filled the room.
Evalle removed her glasses. She'd been dumped in a bedroom with a tall king-size bed covered in a gold-, black-and ruby-colored comforter with piles of pillows to match. Cushy contemporary sofa and chair in gold against one wall, with a Tiffany-style lamp on a glass table where the furniture met at a right angle. Strange mix of old and new.
Kizira appeared.
Evalle shoved the sunglasses back in place and crossed her arms. She leaned against the wall to appear at ease, but in truth it was to keep from losing her balance. "Where am I?"
"TAmr Medb. Wasn't that your goal in entering the beast games?"
No, her goal had been to free Tristan, not get captured, too. "I'm not going to work for the Medb."
"Your stay here will be short, and it can be pleasant if you so choose. It can also be painfully unpleasant."
"So you play good cop, bad cop all by yourself?" Evalle taunted.
"Careful. You're not the only one who will suffer if you fail to comply."
What was she talking about? Evalle had no one. She'd vanished in front of Storm without a word, and the Beladors would disown her immediately.
Evalle shrugged, as if she didn't care about anyone. "What else can you do to Tristan? He's already a zombie slave." The best way she could help Tristan, and maybe herself, was by pretending she believed he'd drunk the Kool-Aid.
"I wasn't talking about Tristan." Kizira floated across the room and spoke very softly, as if they were conspiring on something. "You may think your friend shows bad judgment to associate with a Medb, but I would challenge that he shows far worse judgment by trusting you with his family. I suggest you rest and eat. You'll need your strength for the next forty-eight hours once we start tomorrow."
"Who're you talking about?"
"If you're as bright as you've been touted, you'll figure it out. Just make sure no one leaves this room but you. I changed the sofa to a sleeper, which should accommodate your needs."
With that, Kizira vanished.
Evalle studied on her words. You may think your friend shows bad judgment to associate with a Medb, but I would challenge that he shows far worse judgment by trusting you with his family. She eyed the sofa bed.
Had Kizira been talking about Quinn and referencing Evalle's poor job of taking care of Lanna?
If that was the case, then when Kizira said Evalle wouldn't be the only one to suffer, she meant . . .
"Show your face, Lanna."
Quinn's cousin took solid form beside the bed.
Evalle hadn't thought this could get any worse, but Lanna had just proved her wrong. "What are you doing here?"
"I am sorry. Grendal saw me again! I got away before he could touch me, but . . ." Her eyes shifted down with guilt.
"All you had to do was stay put and leave with Storm."
"I could not go to Storm," Lanna said meekly, raising pitiful eyes to her.
Evalle felt a chill ride across her skin at the fear in Lanna's voice. "What happened?"
"I wait near holding area for you, and Storm came running up. Then guards surround Storm."
"Why?"
"Grendal said Storm snuck spy inside beast fights. That Storm was reason VIPER waited outside. Grendal described me. Said I was spy and I would tell VIPER about Noirre majik trades."
Evalle grabbed her head, feeling it might explode at any minute. "Unfreakinbelievable."
"That is why I follow guard with Dame Lynn head to where Alterants held. Only place Grendal could not enter. I thought if no one find me, then no one can prove Storm did anything wrong."
For a teenager, she had good survival skills. Evalle had to give her credit in the logic department, too. Lanna was right. Kol might be a lunatic demigod, but punishing someone without proof would undermine his next event.
Please tell me Storm got away without harm.
But if VIPER waited outside the event, what had happened then?
Evalle didn't know. She could only hope that maybe Storm used the potion, even though she doubted he would, then shifted into his jaguar form so he could disappear into the night.
Cumberland had miles and miles of undisturbed for
est.
And Storm had resources. He had the invisibility potion and would have had a plan in place to get her off the island. But now she had Lanna to contend with and keep safe. "You can't leave this room, Lanna."
"Ever?"
"I have a good and bad feeling that this is a short visit based on what Kizira said, but she knows you're with me and I don't have any idea what the Medb have planned."
"I heard what she said. Why does she let me stay?"
Evalle debated on how much to tell Lanna, but the truth might be her best choice considering where they were and what Lanna could hear before leaving. "Quinn has known Kizira a long time. I don't think Kizira wants to harm anyone related to Quinn."
Lanna frowned, thinking hard, then glared at Evalle. "You would accuse my cousin of befriending the enemy?"
"I'm not accusing Quinn of anything, but he does know her. You can ask him about it when you see him again, but please don't repeat that to anyone here or back home." Evalle hoped that she and Lanna would see Quinn sooner rather than later. "In the meantime, don't make this any more difficult than it already is. If they come for me, cloak yourself until I'm gone and do not leave this room, no matter what."
"I understand."
"Yeah, well, that whole 'I understand' won't work. Quinn believes you're good for your word, so I want you to say you will not leave this room unless I tell you."
Some teens might pout, but not Lanna. Her jaw was rigid with annoyance. She didn't like being outmaneuvered. "I give my word. I will not leave this room unless you tell me."
"Thank you."
"But you will lose our best chance for information if you do not use me. I can stay cloaked for half hour now and I am working on other abilities."
For a fleeting moment, Evalle considered allowing Lanna to move around invisible for intel, but she just as quickly dismissed the idea as stupid. "Do your practicing in here and keep it quiet when you do."
"You should help me."
Do I look like a majik trainer? "I doubt any of your tricks can help us here. We're in Medb central, the hub of dark majik like nothing you've ever seen. Even Grendal couldn't get us out of here."
"That is because Grendal cannot do something that I can."
Evalle walked over and dropped to the sofa, sinking deep in the soft cushions. Her body had healed, but she was beat. On a drawn-out sigh, she asked, "What are you practicing that a powerful wizard can't do?"
"Teleporting."