Alterant (Belador #2)(36)

Tristan cut his eyes at her, which she ignored, because she was not sharing why she’d lived in terror for three years.

“—but I had this moment of knowing for sure that old druid was no danger to me. I told him I’d go anywhere to get out of there but I couldn’t be exposed to sunlight. He smiled and said to hold his hand and close my eyes. Next thing I knew, I was in Alaska, wearing animal skins and heavy boots with a group of new Belador recruits being trained.

“We lived in a barn with little heat during the shortest days of the year, which worked for me. We had to fend for ourselves and learn how to live off the land in a frigid climate, but for the first time in my life I was free to go outside whenever I wanted.”

Tristan said nothing, just stared straight ahead.

She searched her mind for a way to find common ground with him. The more she learned about him and how they were possibly connected as Alterants, the better chance she had of proving Alterants were more than a bunch of mutant mutts.

That we deserve to be a recognized race.

She asked, “How did you know you had Belador blood if you didn’t meet a druid?”

His smirk tilted arrogantly when he shook his head, refusing to answer her. He spit out bitterly, “I don’t think having Belador blood counts for shit.”

“It might if you’d help me figure out what else plays a part in our genetics. You told me in Atlanta you had an idea what had bred with a Belador to make an Alterant and what we have in common with the other three Alterants.” Her stomach growled loudly.

Tristan arched an eyebrow at her.

She hadn’t realized she was hungry until he’d started eating, and her mouth had watered at the smell of fresh bananas.

Breaking off a banana, he held this one toward her in offering, but not close enough for the fruit or his hand to pass through the barrier.

She’d passed through once, so she should be able to put her hand back through.

Evalle reached over and took the banana. “Thanks.”

He grabbed her forearm.

Every muscle in her body tensed, ready to fight.

She stayed very still, watching the fingers of his free hand slide down to curl around her wrist snug as a handcuff. He turned her arm toward him and gently lifted a leaf-shaped bug off her skin, placing the critter safely on the ground.

Then he released her arm.

She expelled a breath she’d caught in her throat and started peeling the banana. Act calm, as if nothing has changed. “You were going to tell me what else you were besides Belador.”

“No, I wasn’t. I’m not sharing anything I know about our origin as long as I’m stuck in here.”

Who could fault him for holding back? In his place, she’d have done the same, which meant she had to offer him something he might be willing to trade for.

A chance to fight for his freedom.

Evalle weighed everything and believed Brina could hold her own if what Evalle suggested came to pass. “I got the Tribunal to agree to let the three missing Alterants plead their cases.”

His eyes flicked with surprise, but he only said, “If you find them.”

She sighed and moved on. “You said you were unfairly caged. I won’t make promises I can’t keep, like saying I can get you out of here, but if you’ll help me I will promise to ask the Tribunal to let you plead your case directly to them, too.”

First, she’d have to get Brina to ask Macha to allow Tristan to be released, but one step at a time.

He polished off another banana, asking, “Why would you try to convince Brina to do that?”

“I took an oath of honor, and I consider that an honorable choice. If Brina had good reason for having you sent away—which I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt about as well—then she’ll have no problem explaining her actions. I’m going to let truth play out.” And hope like the devil Brina did have a sound reason for locking Tristan away.

“But you said you couldn’t ask Brina about the location of the Alterants.”

“If we can hand Brina the origin of Alterants, I think she’ll talk to Macha about giving the Alterants who have their beast under control a chance to join VIPER, and maybe the Beladors.”

“I don’t know.” Tristan scratched his shoulder.

“VIPER and the Beladors need us right now. Alterants are shifting all of a sudden everywhere.”

Tristan cracked a smile. “No kidding?”

“Not funny. People are dying.”

He rubbed a hand over his chin, losing his smile. “Let’s say I consider what you’re suggesting. What did the Tribunal offer in return if you brought in the three missing Alterants?”

He wasn’t going to like her answer, but then neither did she. “My freedom.”

“Guess you didn’t come with a conscience, huh?”

Guilt hammered at her soul every time she considered taking those three back with her, because she didn’t trust the Tribunal. But she believed in Brina, who had promised that those Alterants would get a fair hearing while being held under Macha’s protection in the meantime.

“Of course I have a conscience. Did you not hear me when I told you I got a deal for each of them to prove their innocence? If those three can stand in a Tribunal meeting and truthfully say they did not murder anyone, then I believe the Tribunal will release them to work with VIPER, like I’m doing. I have Brina’s word that they’ll be safe until they meet with the Tribunal.”