Blood Trinity (Belador #1)(106)

“That’s where this gets worse, the part I think Tristan is leaving out. He said the Medb and Kujoo will wipe the Beladors from the earth, even their ancestors, but he didn’t say how they would accomplish that. I don’t understand how they could kill every Belador, but I don’t want to risk that the Medb could be successful.”

“He could be bluffing.”

“True, but I’ve had someone else tell me the lives of the Beladors depend on what I decide to do and that the Kujoo hold the future of the Belador tribe in their hands. That sounds like what Tristan is saying.”

“I don’t get why you aren’t telling Tzader and Quinn. Thought you three were good friends.”

She swallowed. “We are. The best, but I’m afraid if I tell Tzader and Quinn everything they’ll believe me. When Tzader tries to prevent Brina from going after Tristan she’ll think I’ve convinced him to protect Alterants. I don’t want him facing a Tribunal as a result, especially if I’m wrong about any of this. On the other hand, if I tell the Beladors everything, I know they’ll think they can defeat the Kujoo and go into battle. No matter what I do, there’s no good choice.”

“What else aren’t you telling me?” Storm’s low voice rumbled with exasperation. “You’re keeping something to yourself.”

She walked quietly for a moment. “I can save the Beladors if I don’t tell them about Tristan. He gave me a way.”

“I’m not liking the sound of that.”

Me either, but I never seem to get a vote when it comes to my future no matter who I deal with. She muttered, “I didn’t say I’d do it.”

“What did he offer?”

If she told Storm, she was pretty sure he’d interfere. “I want to wait until we find the rock to say more, because my options narrow if we don’t find the rock first. The sooner we find out what the Medb and Kujoo are up to, the sooner the Beladors will know what to do and I may not have to make any choice.”

“Why would you believe Tristan?”

“I didn’t until I went to see a gifted friend of mine today who confirmed what he was saying, but in a different way.” Fear welled up in her throat at the possibility of making a mistake and costing lives. “She indicated I could find what I look for.”

When they reached the concrete steps that descended to the wide-open lawn area in the park, Storm stopped, eyes scanning the area. A handful of people jogged along the paths or walked dogs. “Won’t Brina be angry when she finds out you didn’t tell her about Tristan escaping?”

“I’m hoping that once she realizes I did it to protect the tribe, she’ll understand I put the Beladors first. Doesn’t matter. I’m not willing to risk Tzader and Quinn or any other Belador just to protect myself.” She wrapped her arms around herself and stared over the open space, wishing the right answer would come to her.

His fingers touched her shoulder, sliding forward until his hand cupped the curve at the top of her arm. A small connection that let her know he was there. She let his hand rest there, testing how it felt. He had a way of knowing how much she’d allow, kept nipping away at her resistance with deft touches.

He had no idea he was chipping at a mountain with a toy hammer.

When Storm spoke, his voice was matter-of-fact. “Then we better get busy finding Tristan.”

“That’s not who I think we’re supposed to track.”

“Who then?”

“The woman with the rock.”

“Already told you I can’t follow a teleport.”

“I know.” Evalle unwrapped her arms from her chest and chewed on the corner of her thumb. “I just know that’s the answer to locating the rock. You up for giving it another try?”

“Sure.”

She moved away, letting his hand fall free. When they reached the area where she’d faced off with Tristan the previous evening, they found a couple walking a pair of dogs. Their sneakers glowed against the black night with each step.

Evalle waited until a group of teens with muffled music playing from their iPods passed them before she spoke. “Well? How does tracking work?”

“If it’s majik, I can sense it on my skin and just continue moving in the direction the energy feels the strongest, but there’s nothing new here besides the two trails I told you about.”

“Vyan would be the one whose trail disappeared after he teleported with her. Tristan’s was the one that vanished at the street.” Evalle sat down cross-legged on the ground. “If you aren’t picking up any energy signature, I don’t know who would.”

He sat down next to her companionably. “Now what?”

She started to shrug but stilled at the sight of an elderly man walking a mutt on a leash. That reminded her of the woman’s mutt from this morning. “The woman with the rock had a dog.” Evalle turned to Storm. “Can you track the dog’s scent?”

This time he hesitated to answer.

He couldn’t hold back on her now. “Storm?”

“Yes. I can track it.”

When he didn’t move, she said, “Well? Let’s try it.”

“I can’t do it in … this form.”

“What do you mean?”

He’d drawn his legs up and propped his arms on them, staring straight ahead. “I can’t track as well in human form as I can in animal form.”