Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(103)

Evalle held herself still, purposely showing no reaction to news that the traitor was actually on the island. At least she’d been able to leave Tzader and Quinn a message.

Hands clasped behind his back and walking around the room, Cathbad continued speaking with the confidence of a general headed into battle with superior forces. “Once our army arrives on the island, our warlocks will engage the enemy, occupying them while the gryphons enter.”

“Only the five,” Flaevynn interjected.

“Yes.”

Evalle’s heart sank. How could she get Tristan out of here if he couldn’t fly with them?

Kizira said, “I want to take all ten.”

Cathbad paused in pacing. “Why?”

“You gleaned the additional information about the destiny of the five powerful gryphons from old bards’ tales. That once they invaded Treoir, gryphons would roam the island forever. If that’s the case, why not use all of them and ensure victory?”

Evalle wanted to cheer at a chance to get Tristan and his sister out of here, and at the same time, groan at the idea of an even greater force of gryphons attacking Treoir.

Cathbad grinned. “?’Tis not a bad thought, Flaevynn.”

“Fine. Take them all.” The queen gave a dismissive wave of her hand, then sent a pointed look at Cathbad. “Did you tell her?”

Kizira turned to Cathbad. “Tell me what?”

Watching this scene play out between the three Medb gave Evalle an insight into Kizira’s life all these years in the Medb Coven. For the first time, Evalle actually pitied Kizira.

When Cathbad stepped up to Kizira, his eyes flashed with compassion, then turned ruthless. “The minute Brina is dead, you are compelled to stand upon the steps of the castle and wait for Flaevynn to arrive.”

Cathbad’s position blocked Kizira’s face from Flaevynn’s view, but Evalle caught the flicker of disbelief . . . or hurt in Kizira’s face.

But that didn’t stop Cathbad. “If you do not walk out on those steps within one minute after Brina’s death, or if you touch the immortal river before Flaevynn does, your skin will begin to peel from your body.”

“I thought I was bringing the water to Flaevynn.” Horror spread across Kizira’s face. “Why would you—”

“Once Brina is dead and you control the castle, Flaevynn and I will be free to leave this tower.” Cathbad spoke as though no emotion flowed through his veins, but Evalle saw regret tinge his eyes when he added softly, “?’Tis the only way I could convince Flaevynn you would do as told.”

Evalle had opened her empathic senses, and she got swamped by the rage and regret pulsing off of Cathbad.

Silence built into a living thing between Kizira and Cathbad until the queen added her bit. “I’ll be watching from here, Kizira. Do not fail me.”

Struggling to pull herself together, Kizira blinked away moisture building in her eyes and stared with hatred at Cathbad. “When do I leave?”

Cathbad answered, “The six hundred and sixty-sixth anniversary of Flaevynn’s birth will arrive in three hours. Our contact on Treoir is expecting you and the gryphons to arrive one hour before that.”





FORTY





Tzader shoved a kinetic blast at the front door of Storm’s house. At least he hoped it was Storm’s house. This was where Nicole had sent him.

He made short work of searching the house, where a full carafe of coffee was still warm.

No mugs. No dishes.

What was that smoky smell? Licorice?

Native American incense?

Tzader lifted a piece of paper that had fallen on the kitchen floor. A note from Storm to Sweetheart. Evalle?

So Storm expected Evalle to come here?

Hunting further, Tzader found the bedroom and immediately identified the smell of sex lingering on the rumpled bedsheets. Had Evalle been here? Even the towel on the floor was damp. Quinn kept telling Tzader not to smother Evalle with being overprotective, that Storm cared about her.

Evalle wouldn’t have opened herself up like this unless she trusted Storm with her life.

Where could Storm and Evalle have gone?

But she wasn’t with Storm if he’d left a note for her.

Tzader scratched his neck, circling the bedroom once more before he spied another piece of paper on the nightstand. Blank. Out of habit of being thorough, he snatched it up and flipped it over, where he found Evalle’s handwriting. Why had these two written each other notes? He started reading, confused until he slowed down to read the words a second time.

Ah, hell.

What had the Medb done to Evalle? What kind of pet? A dangerous one.

The paper shook in his trembling hand. How was he going to explain this to Quinn?

His belly hurt, as if he’d taken a sword to the gut. First he had to inform Macha and Brina about this.

Then he had to prepare Quinn, and himself, to kill Evalle.





FORTY-ONE





You should join the Beladors,” Evalle suggested. “They might not like you, but they wouldn’t torture you the way the Medb do.”

Kizira had taken Evalle to the private study with the warded walls. The priestess hadn’t zipped away as usual. Head down, she seemed to need a moment to regroup. She raised eyes so dark with desperation that Evalle knew she had to be in pain. “You can believe me or not, but I have worked very hard to see the end of the war between the Medb and the Beladors.”