Blood Trinity (Belador #1)(53)
The world sucked out of sight and she was gone—heading straight for her worst nightmare.
FIFTEEN
She hated the smell of the past.
Almost as much as she hated Sen.
Peeking through her sunglasses, Evalle snuck a look at the Nether Realm where Tribunals convened, a neutral zone for all entities who supported the VIPER coalition.
A Tribunal was composed of three entities whose pantheons had no direct or indirect relationship to the situation surrounding the supernatural being in question.
Decisions could be made here without danger of retribution. Decisions about whether she remained free or not.
She kept her head down and held her body perfectly still as though she hadn’t regained her equilibrium yet, but with her insides shaking, that required supreme effort. The last time Sen had teleported her to a Tribunal meeting she’d come to and retched all over his boots. Must be why he’d left her kneeling on a pad of dense grass this time and stood several feet away, glowering at her.
He was no longer her major concern. Not here.
Power sang through the air from the two gods and one goddess standing on the raised platform of white marble streaked with veins of gold. The dais was set in the center of a circular tract of land the size of a city block where the world fell away at the edges and a starlit black sky overhead crossed from side to side.
Sort of like kneeling inside an unshaken snow globe at night.
Imposing on the time of powerful beings was never wise. However, her life, for some unknown reason, was in question, and she needed to quickly gather her wits.
She mustered humility. “Might I have a moment to recover my balance?”
“You may have a moment.” The Polynesian goddess Pele was incredibly beautiful and obviously the only one who was gracious. Surprising, since Pele was known for her temper as much as her exotic beauty. Black hair swept around her bare shoulders in stark contrast to the vibrant flowers woven into the material of her strapless gown.
Standing on Pele’s right was Ares, the Greek god of war, who might sympathize with Evalle’s struggle to retain her freedom, since he’d been held captive by two giants for thirteen months once. Might, if he wasn’t one gigantic, aggressive mass waiting to attack someone or something. He crossed arms that bulged with muscle on top of muscle. His legs were positioned in a wide war stance, his body battle-ready, with a bronze cuirass and greaves. Wavy blond hair fell to his shoulders and matched the well-trimmed beard around his terse mouth.
Loki rounded out Evalle’s supreme court of justice. The Norse god was a trickster at heart. Narrow horns as long as Evalle’s arm snaked out from his forehead and curved up until the tips pointed forward. He had demonic tendencies running through his veins, but she’d bet he wouldn’t go quietly into a cell either. His gaze traveled everywhere and back in seconds while he flipped a furry glowing orb back and forth from hand to hand.
Any other time, Evalle would consider Loki’s presence a plus, since he might see the trouble Alterants had caused as no different than things he’d done in the past. But putting him in the same space as Ares could turn lethal. Fast.
Probably why the two gods had been positioned on each side of Pele.
This whole deal was wrong.
Sen couldn’t take Evalle straight from suspicion to a Tribunal, not without irrefutable evidence that proved beyond a doubt that she was a threat to humanity.
“Alterant.” Sen growled deeper than an agitated lion.
She ignored him when she lifted her chin to let everyone know she was ready to proceed. “I come before you both humble and confused, as I don’t know of any infraction I am guilty of.”
Sen addressed the Tribunal. “It would appear that the Alterant has recovered from being teleported.”
Evalle held her composure, but one day she’d pay Sen back for every slight and indignity.
It was a day that couldn’t come soon enough.
Pele spoke first. “Do you call upon one to witness for you?”
Evalle had only faced the Tribunal once before, which was one time more than any other agent she’d ever heard of. The last time she’d been given this option she’d requested Tzader’s participation. Sen had treated her as though she was an imbecile for not realizing she could only ask for Brina or Macha to be called forth.
The Tribunal’s version of phone-a-friend. She’d passed on asking for Brina last time rather than be humiliated when the warrior queen failed to show for an Alterant.
But last time, Tzader had told Evalle she was being called in as part of an inquisition. This time Tzader had no idea she was here, and everything about this meeting felt threatening. She’d risk embarrassment and more to stay out of captivity.
Evalle kept her voice steady. “I wish to ask Brina of the Isle of Treoir to be present.” Not really, but she sure as the devil wasn’t going to bother Macha. Tzader kept telling her Brina would help any of the tribe who asked.
This would be a good time to test that theory.
Pele nodded at Evalle’s request and announced for all to hear, “As you wish. Brina of the Isle of Treoir, Warrior Queen of the Beladors, beholden to the goddess Macha, your presence has been requested. We will not proceed with this forum until you appear or send word that you refuse. Sen, you may leave until we call you back.”
“Yes, O Goddess.” Then Sen just vanished.