Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(13)

Imogenia’s eyes narrowed behind the mask. “What makes you think I know anything about those?”

“I don’t think. I know you do.”

Comprehension flooded Imogenia’s angry gaze. “That’s why you came tonight.”

Not a question, but Evalle answered, “Part of the reason. Make a decision. I have another commitment tonight.”

“Deal.”

Evalle waited as Imogenia told the Domjon she’d reached an agreement to spare her fighter. The Domjon reminded Imogenia she would not be free to leave the fight zone until Evalle gave him thumbs-up that the deal was satisfied.

Evalle called over to Storm. “Let the Alterant live.”

The crowd booed, but from the looks of this crowd there’d be more blood spilled before long.

All was moving along nicely until Storm turned demon-yellow eyes to Evalle. She had a disconcerting moment as he hesitated to step off Bernie. Was Storm caught up in a moment of bloodlust? Would she have to walk out there to stop him?

Did a sponsor do that?

He finally jumped off the Alterant and walked over to his jeans, where he shifted back into human form on all fours.

Evalle’s lungs relaxed. Storm had just been putting on a show for the crowd.

Imogenia called out to Bernie, but she spoke in a language Evalle couldn’t identify. After several moments of sluggish movements, the Alterant shifted back into his body, panting by the time he was done. He pushed to his feet, but with no clothes to put on he huddled into himself as he crossed the open ground to Imogenia.

She tilted her head at a spot behind her near the outer perimeter of the event area and ordered Bernie, “Wait for me by that tree.”

Once Storm had his jeans on, he swaggered back across the ring to Evalle.

He deserved to swagger after that win.

When he stepped out of the ring and turned to lift his shirt, Evalle gritted her teeth at the blood leaking from slashed skin on his back. Storm had some majik and preternatural ability that allowed him to heal faster than a human, but she hated seeing him hurt.

Imogenia watched Evalle’s every move, so Evalle made a show of passing a clinical assessment over his body before she gave a dismissive shrug and turned her attention back to Imogenia. “Let’s find a secure place to talk.”

Leading the way, Imogenia picked a spot beneath several towering pine trees and gave Storm a pointed look when she asked, “What about your fighter?”

Dressed again, Storm took up his place next to Evalle and crossed his arms, a silent sentry. Evalle said, “He stays.”

“Very well.” Imogenia lifted her arms, whispering as she turned in a circle. When she stopped, she said, “I’ve used a spell to guard the others from observing us or hearing our words.”

Evalle turned to the witch. “What do you know about Tristan?”

“He’s an Alterant working for the Medb.”

So the Medb were feeding that lie into the rumor mills, huh? Evalle shook her head and scoffed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Imogenia toyed with a silvery-white strand of hair. “He’s building an Alterant team of fighters.”

Could that be true? “Alterants are harder to find than a trustworthy deity.”

“Tell me about it. Why are you looking for Tristan?”

Evalle could have shut down the witch by refusing to answer, but it was better to give her the information Evalle wanted repeated instead of leaving her to speculate. “I’m going to be generous and answer your question in spite of owning both fighters right now.”

Tension stiffened Imogenia’s posture, but she kept her tongue still, waiting on Evalle’s answer.

“Tristan left in a hurry the last time I saw him, slipped away before he paid a debt I intend to collect.” Evalle cast a look over Bernie’s dejected form. “Where’d you find your Alterant?”

“Not far from here, but I don’t have to tell you where, since that wasn’t part of the deal.”

“In that case, let’s get back to what I want. Is there a way into T?μr Medb undetected?”

Imogenia snickered. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Looks like we’re done then.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t, I said I couldn’t.”

Evalle turned to Storm. “Is she telling the truth?”

He gave it a second, then nodded.

Imogenia leaned forward, staring at Storm. “You want me to believe he can detect a lie?”

“Believe what you want, but lie to me one time and I’m walking away with your Alterant.” Evalle regretted having to leave Bernie with Imogenia, but Storm had taken this risk to get information she needed. She wouldn’t waste it. She’d search for Bernie later, once she got Tristan back.

At this rate, she’d need business cards soon for Evalle’s Alterant Rescue.

She continued her interrogation. “I heard you planned to trade your Alterant to the Medb.”

Inside the eye slits of her mask, Imogenia’s gaze narrowed with menace. “Who told you about that?”

That had been a guess. “Let’s revisit the fact that I’m not the one answering questions. How’d you intend to meet with the Medb if you don’t know where T?μr Medb is?”

“Same way as everyone else looking to cut a deal,” Imogenia said with a wave of her hands, indicating this was common knowledge. “At the ABC.”