Trying to overpower him? Maeve told the wizard, "You have one minute to convince me not to send you to our dungeon, which would require a smidgeon of my majik."
Grendal opened his arms in a gesture of understanding. "I am here to offer you a way to gain the upper hand with the coalition once and for all, plus offer what you want from Vladimir Quinn at the same time."
This odd man intrigued her as much as he invited death by annoying her. "Why should I care what VIPER thinks?"
"As I understand it, your coven is allowed to enter the human world only in small numbers. It will take a long time to build your numbers there at this rate."
Cathbad sent Maeve his don't-rock-the-boat-until-we-know-everything look.
She shrugged and asked Grendal, "What is it you think I want from this Quinn?"
"The body of your priestess who died in the attack on Treoir."
Schooling her face to remain barely patient, Queen Maeve intentionally took her time answering. Any sign of interest would work in this wizard's favor. "What do you know of Kizira's body?"
"More than you would expect. I traveled from Ukraine to Atlanta to find someone who ran from me. The Beladors hide her. In searching for her, I've discovered things of value, such as the fact that Vladimir Quinn returned to Atlanta after an attack on Treoir. He carried Kizira's body home with him." Grendal paused then added, "And he has concealed it in Atlanta."
Why does everyone think they know more than I do? She made a production of sighing. "Tell me something I don't know."
"Her body is hidden in Oakland Cemetery."
"Still waiting."
Grendal seemed genuinely surprised at her lack of reaction. "If that body belonged to me, I would want it back. Perhaps I made this trip in error. Do you not want Kizira's body back?"
Maeve glanced away, thinking. Her gaze landed on Daegan, who gawked at her with his eyelids stuck wide open. Everyone tested her patience today.
She turned back to Grendal. Who was this wizard? "Let's say that I would like to have it returned."
Grendal's thin lips tilted up. "I know how you can gain the body, and avoid conflict with VIPER or the Beladors."
Maeve thought on all the ways she could torture what she wanted out of Grendal. He held himself in high regard, but he had no idea of the danger he toyed with at the moment.
Cathbad murmured, "Hmm ... tell us more, Grendal."
"I have said all I intend to share until we strike a deal."
It was time to stop dancing around. Queen Maeve asked, "What do you want?"
"The one thing that has brought me this far from home. I want Quinn's cousin by the name of Lanna Brasko delivered to me, alive. She is mine."
"Where is she right now?" Cathbad asked.
"That is what I have not been able to discern. As I mentioned, the Beladors hide her. I've gotten close twice when she's drawn on her majik, but she's managed to vanish just as quickly. I tire of this hunt, and am here proposing we help each other."
His offer of gaining Kizira's body with no fallout piqued her interest, but Maeve would not agree to produce someone out of thin air. "You want me to do what? Look into my scrying wall to find this Lanna?"
"No, I could do that myself, and have tried to locate her in similar ways. I want you to use your Scath Force to track her down. Once I realized you had an elite detail of warlocks secretly inserted into Atlanta, I found the answer to my quandary. I don't believe VIPER or the Beladors realize the extent of the covert force that moves among them."
The normally exuberant Cathbad had quieted considerably as Grendal continued to present his offer.
Maeve doubted the wizard realized that Cathbad would see Grendal as a loose end that had to be snipped. Cathbad would make it a clean cut across the neck, but not until they managed to squeeze all they needed from this unexpected source of information.
Grendal explained, "Once you deliver Lanna, I'll share with you how to gain Kizira's body without incident. You're fortunate in that Quinn chose to keep her body intact. If Macha finds out what he did, neither Quinn nor that body will last very long."
He'd put some effort into learning much about the Medb operations.
If they struck no deal, this wizard would find a way to inform Macha of Kizira's body without implicating himself. And he would not have come here without leaving a way to bring the coalition down on the heads of the Medb if he ended up in a dungeon.
Queen Maeve replayed his first words in her mind. "Why did you tell us about capturing white witches?"
Grendal snapped his fingers. "Ah! I have more to share. Once I have Lanna and you have Kizira, I'll leave the kidnapped council members--"
Cathbad broke in. "Members, as in more than one?"
"Not yet, but there will be soon. One must always have plenty of backup. As I was saying, once we both have what we want, I will leave those white witches to be found alive in a way that implicates a dark coven possessing Noirre, but unrelated to you. When that coven is discovered as the culprit for kidnapping the white witches, it will reflect badly on the white witch council for pointing a finger at you and on the Beladors for supporting them."
Cathbad asked, "How does this benefit our queen, since the presence of Noirre is not enough to prove we've taken anyone?"
Grendal gave them a sympathetic expression one normally reserved for the simpleminded. "That would be true, if not for the fact that evidence of Medb involvement does exist."
And now the truth struggled to the surface. She ordered, "Spit your words out clearly, wizard."
Showing no reaction to her acidic tongue, he calmly said, "If you fail to deliver Lanna to me, then I will leave the dead white witches in a way that clearly points to the two of you. You may not be concerned about going up against VIPER, but the Tribunals have become hostile toward this whole Belador and Medb conflict. If VIPER is turned against you, functioning in the human world will become nearly impossible, especially now that a witch in league with the Beladors controls Witchlock. She may lead them here, in fact."
Cathbad's icy tone could raise fear in the dead. "You dare to come here and threaten our queen?"
Grendal's frown-wrinkled skin sagged around his eyes. "Please, let's not turn this into a conflict, when that was not my reason for coming here. I have the white witches and currently one council member as insurance. Once the queen and I complete our deal, all will be fine."
"What is Queen Maeve's insurance?"
Spreading his arms once again, Grendal said, "What would you ask of me?"
Maeve allowed the hint of a smile to tilt the corner of her mouth. She swirled her finger about and a shallow dish three feet in diameter and ten inches deep hovered waist-high between her and the wizard. She wiggled her fingers over the empty vessel and water filled the bowl, then herbs rained down onto the water, causing ripples.
Grendal stared at the liquid with more curiosity than concern. His black eyes lifted to meet hers. "I'm listening."
"This will be a binding spell. Not for one to bind the other, but to be performed by both of us."
After considering that a moment, Grendal said, "I accept."
She explained, "You will give your oath first, then sprinkle your blood in the water. I will give mine next and do the same. Once the blood is blended, we will both be bound by our words."
Grendal slid his deep sleeve back to expose an arm scarred in vicious ways. He produced a T-handled boline and drew the sharp knife across his skin.
Cathbad said nothing, merely sending her a questioning arch of his eyebrow before returning his attention to Grendal.
The wizard's blood drizzled into the water.
"I, Grendal, from the House of Miron in Transylvania, give my word that, upon mutual execution of this agreement, I will not implicate Queen Maeve, Cathbad the Druid, or the Medb coven in the white witch kidnappings I have performed and will continue to perform, plus I will share how to gain Kizira's body without conflict with VIPER or the Beladors if Queen Maeve delivers Lann
a Brasko to me alive and without implicating me in Lanna's capture ... within three revolutions of Earth around the sun from this moment. If these terms are not met to the letter as sworn, this agreement is unbound, and I am free to take action as I choose."
"Three Earth days?" Cathbad questioned.
"All agreements need a time limit. That is mine. Do you accept?"
Maeve lifted her arm, which was as smooth and perfect as the rest of her skin. She used a long black fingernail to slice across her skin. Blood bubbled, then dripped straight down, pausing before it touched the water.
"I, Queen Maeve, ruler of the entire Medb coven, give my word to deliver Lanna Brasko to Grendal in three days, and in exchange, I will receive information at that time as to how I may gain Kizira's body per conditions of the agreement. Also, Grendal agrees to leave all who belong to the Medb coven, including Cathbad the Druid and me, blameless for any actions associated with white witch kidnappings currently underway in Atlanta. Additionally, for receipt of Lanna Brasko, Grendal will expose the kidnappings in such a way that VIPER is convinced the Beladors and white witches orchestrated the kidnappings to wrongly blame the Medb. If these terms are not met to the letter as sworn, this agreement is unbound, and I am free to take any action I choose." She held Grendal's gaze the entire time she spoke, and enjoyed a smug moment when he blinked at the way her blood waited for her command.
She released her blood. The water boiled and churned with her majik.
Grendal cocked his head, with concern this time, but he said nothing.
Once the bubbling water settled down, black smoke rose from the center and swirled in the air.
Maeve brushed a finger over her cut, and it closed immediately, leaving her skin as good as new.
Not to be outdone, Grendal blew softly on his arm and the cut sealed, but left a thin scar.
That should have shown Grendal who was the more powerful. She'd never had a doubt.
Daegan angled his head to stare at the wizard, and she stifled a chuckle at the way his eyes were practically bulging with the need to blink.
Cathbad cleared his throat. "Now that you two have reached an agreement, how will we locate you once we have Lanna?
Grendal slid one of many rings from his fingers. The one he chose was of a dark metal and carved with symbols the queen did not recognize. Grendal said, "This will work only if we are in the same realm. I will be in Atlanta for the time being. When you're ready, place this wherever you want to meet with me and call my name, then allow me one hour to reach that location."
Accepting the ring, Cathbad told Queen Maeve, "I'll be back in just a moment once I've returned Grendal to Atlanta."
Good to his word, Cathbad vanished with the wizard, then returned ten seconds later. He said, "That was an unexpected gift."
"Only time will tell if it's a gift or a curse."
Cathbad snorted with a smothered laugh until he took in Daegan's wide-eyed state. "What has this one done to provoke ya now?"
"Just being himself."
She thought back on the meeting and revisited something that still needled her. "We've been to the cemetery. Kizira's body is there. What has Grendal discovered about removing the body that we don't know?"
He sighed. "I've no idea, but I intend to find out. Remember, we've been reincarnated only two months. Grendal has been around the human world longer than we have. He knows more than we do about VIPER and the Beladors. He discovered we have our Scath Force there, and no one should know that. I want to find out what he knows, and how he got the information. If he tells it straight, we could turn the tables on Macha in a big way."
Queen Maeve tapped her thumb against her cheek. "Before we make any trade, I want to know what's so special about this woman. She must have a power that Grendal wants."
"Aye, that would be my guess. The man's skin is disgusting. He's misused dark majik more than a time or two. If I were to guess, I'd say he needs her to continue living. Death is his shadow right now."
She agreed with that assessment. "Have Ossian and our Scath Force find this Lanna and the missing white witches. Have them bring Lanna to me."
Cathbad's eyebrows lifted high. He grinned. "I do love how your mind works. You intend to remove his bargaining chip and turn the tables on him. Well done, my queen."
"Now, about Witchlock. It intrigues me."
Chapter 18
Tzader was spent, but the idea of sleep offered no sanctuary for him. He took a shower and meandered around, trying not to notice the empty echo that reminded him this house had been built for a family.
His eyes were gritty from being up so long. Maybe he'd grab a battle nap, where he wouldn't sink deeply enough into sleep to enter the dream realm.
Much as he would love to spend the time with Brina, he didn't want Ceartas coming around to ask what progress he was making.
An hour later, he had sucked down a nuked frozen meal and stretched out on the sofa. He set the alarm on his watch. Yes, he needed more sleep, and definitely deep sleep, but if he went under that far, the alarm on his watch might not wake him.
Tzader closed his eyes and started drifting off into a half-alert sleep state.
Energy tingled across his face and neck.
Someone was inside the house with him.
He cracked his eyelids just enough to see shadows, but didn't move another muscle. His heartbeat picked up even though his mind refused to believe anyone had been able to cross the ward he'd had an old druid put around this house.
Allowing his eyes to adjust, he slowly searched the immediate area.
"Tzader?" whispered very close to him.
No point in pretending to be asleep now.
Rolling his head to the left, he found Brina in glowing hologram form. "Brina!" He was on his feet and reaching for her when his brain reminded him he couldn't put his hands on her. "What are you doing here?"
"Are you not glad to be seein' me?"
His hands shook with the need to touch Brina. "I'm thrilled to see you, love. Being apart is killing me."
"Me, too. We need to talk without Macha around."
It dawned on Tzader that Brina had never been in his house. Their house. "How did you find me?"
"It was strange. I kept thinking that I had to leave and find you, but Macha pitches a fit if I dare to leave the castle now, even in hologram. I was rubbing this thing you gave me--"
That's when he noticed that she had her hands cupped against her chest. She wore a peach-colored gown with a billowy skirt. He'd seen her in gowns most of the time these past years, but they weren't the clothes she preferred. She wore them only to appease Macha.
"--and the next thing I knew, I was standin' here watchin' you sleep."
What kind of majik was in that dragon scale?
Or was she able to locate him through the bond of their majik?
He didn't want Brina stressed out, especially with her pregnant. "I told you I'd be back, muirnin. I don't want you to worry while I'm gone."
Her fists flew to her hips. She had the scale clutched in one hand. "I'm no fragile flower to be kept locked in that castle."
"No, you're a warrior queen, but we need you to be safe. I need you to be safe."
She waved her free hand around. "I know. I'm constantly reminded of the Belador power and my responsibilities. I've had more memories in the last few hours than in two months. I feel like myself again."
His heart jumped with joy at that.
"Then I put this thing down." She held the scale up. "All those memories started swimmin' away from my mind."
"Don't put it down," Tzader said, with more force than he'd intended.
The temper attached to all that beautiful red hair surfaced. "Do not be givin' me orders! I'm sick of people tellin' me what to do. I picked this up again right away and my memories returned."
Shoving both hands over his face, he gripped his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you."
"There ya go, actin' like I'm gonna break again."
He was damned no matter what he did. His Brina had always had attitude, but she'd never been quite so ... irritable. What had her snapping at him?
The baby.
He brightened. What he wouldn't give to have her in his life every day, snapping at him because her hormones were all out of whack. What drove most men crazy would be a blessing for him.
"You find this funny?"
Dropping his hands, he sighed. "No, this isn't funny. I just had a happy thought for a moment and it made me smile."
She got quiet, studying his face. "Was it about me?"
Her voice had gone from battle ready to vulnerable.
He shook with the need to hold her and reassure Brina that he would keep her and the baby safe. "Of course it was about you, muirnin. Just thinking about you lifts my spirits, and knowing we will be together keeps me fighting to have you at my side. I will not let you go, no matter who tries to stop me."
She cupped her hands in front of her, still clinging to the scale like the lifeline it was. "Macha is gettin' on my nerves."
"That's not new."
"I hadn't realized it so much until my memories returned with this thing." She waved the scale. "But I'm recallin' everythin' in sharp detail, like when she convinced me to pretend that I was ready to move on from us and to show an interest in Allyn."
Tzader growled at being reminded that Allyn was still around. "Once I learned the truth about what Macha has been trying to do, I warned that guard to keep his distance from you."
"He is, but I think Macha is tryin' to convince me to take a serious look at him again."
"How serious?"
"She wants me to invite him into my sunroom."
"Did you?"
"Not yet."
Tzader would prefer not to harm the guard, but he'd already made it clear to Allyn that Brina was off-limits. He said, "If he comes around uninvited, give him a message from me. Tell Allyn I thought he had a better sense of self-preservation."
Brina said, "Don't be gettin' huffy around my guard. He's done nothin' wrong. I'm the one who dragged him into this mess when Macha coerced me into her shenanigans."
"He isn't quite so innocent," Tzader argued. "I saw the way he looked at you. He had far more on his mind than just guarding your person. Keep your distance from him or he'll face my sword." What about if--when--the dragon scale's power ran out and Tzader had not returned to her?