Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(17)

Imogenia continued her directives. “When you’re ready to hand off the Volonte, do the same thing I did. Just tell the bone that you’re giving it as a gift, then order it to release and put the armband on the arm of the new owner.”

Storm stared at Evalle’s arm, then warned Imogenia in a low voice, “If that bone harms her, expect to see me again.”

“If she does what I told her, she’ll be fine.”

He wasn’t sold. “Did you give her that armband to harm her in any way?”

“No.”

“How will it affect her?”

“Unless she uses it in the dark arts, this bone’s power will only enhance her desire for whatever she wants.” Imogenia shoved her attention back to Evalle. “Now, you owe me a name.”

How could enhancing be harmful? Other than that one moment, Evalle still didn’t feel anything playing around with her Belador powers, so she told Imogenia, “The traitor is Daniella.”

“That evil, backstabbing bitch.” Imogenia waved her hands and muttered a string of words, then turned to Evalle. “I’ve cleared the shielding spell. We’re done.”

When the witch took a step to leave, Evalle said, “One more thing.”

“What????” Imogenia snarled, hair whipping around when she spun to face Evalle and Storm.

VIPER needed the name of the person who’d be offering the trade at the games, the person who would spend eternity locked away for dealing Noirre majik. “Who’s negotiating on behalf of the Medb for the five Alterants at the end of the ABC?”

“Tristan. He’s in charge of all Alterants for the Medb.”

Tristan? “You held that back.”

“I did not. Thought you knew that. It’s common knowledge.”

“How will anyone believe him?”

Imogenia muttered something to herself. “Do I look like your tour guide?”

Evalle took a menacing step toward her and said, “Do I look like someone with patience?”

Imogenia didn’t cower, but she did back down in a silent standoff.

“I didn’t agree not to warn Daniella that you’re coming for her,” Evalle pointed out. “You tell me why anyone would accept the Medb’s word and how I find the ABC location, Daniella’s all yours.”

That got through to Imogenia. “The Medb are sponsoring this championship and have given a blood oath to back their offer. Plus, the Medb are sending a woman with Tristan and she’ll be ordered to state the agreement the Medb have made under a truth test. If she fails the test, she’ll die on the spot, but the host is not saying any more than that so there’s no way to prepare for the truth test.”

“And access to Cumberland?”

Imogenia muttered to herself about dragging this out. “The host will arrange for boats that carry nonhumans, and those boats will know where to go. I don’t know the pickup point yet, but the source who told me about this Beast Club is finding out for me, so ask your source.”

Evalle didn’t have a source except Grady. If he’d known any more, he’d have told her.

Not waiting for another comment from Evalle, Imogenia waved at the Domjon to get his attention.

When his gaze shot to Evalle, she lifted her thumb up, signaling they’d reached an agreement. How was she going to find out the pickup point?

The witch strode off in a huff.

Evalle turned to Storm. “Tristan wouldn’t work for the Medb.”

Storm’s attention stayed on the witch, who slowed long enough to drag poor, naked Bernie to his feet, then exited the fight camp. “She was telling the truth, but even I’m surprised at Tristan helping the Medb. Maybe he’s suffering from Stockholm syndrome.”

“Or Tristan may be compelled, but without any way of proving it, he’ll be as guilty as the Medb once he does this.”

She had the sudden urge to hunt down Kizira, the Medb priestess who’d captured Tristan, and choke her until she released him. What had Quinn ever seen in Kizira? As Quinn’s best friend, Evalle tried to be open-minded about Quinn’s mysterious history with the Medb priestess, but he was a Belador who deserved a woman worthy of him. He shouldn’t be friends with the enemy, and Evalle would tell him the next time she saw him.

The Medb were a bunch of murdering witches and warlocks who deserved to die slowly. Fury blazed through her, demanding justice. Now.

“Evalle?” Storm asked softly. “What’s wrong?”

At the sound of his voice, she blinked, surprised she’d forgotten he was standing there, or where she was for that matter. She never lost touch, especially in a dangerous environment. It grated on her that she had this time, which came through her voice when she answered with a sharp, “Nothing’s wrong.”

Storm studied her with concern. “Did you forget that you can’t lie to me?”

Well, yes.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, confused at the burst of anger. Storm was right earlier when he said she needed sleep. “Sorry. Just worried about Tristan. And his sister. And his two friends captured with him.” She looked around. “Can we leave now that you’ve fought someone?”

Storm studied her an extra second, then said, “We’re done once we tell the Domjon we’ll forfeit so Zymon’s beast can win my category.”