Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(44)

Another round of stares swept up at Evalle. She kept her gaze locked on the stage.

Sen answered, “Any rogue Alterant found after this event will be considered dangerous and a threat due to the possibility of their becoming immortal.” Snickers of disbelief erupted. “Regardless,” Sen said, quieting the room. “Once the ABC is over, these beasts are to be apprehended or terminated. Agents have autonomy to make that call.”

That bastard. No thought of trying to rescue any Alterants being forced to fight against their will, like poor Bernie.

Sen’s motto ran along the lines of the only good Alterant is a disintegrated one.

When rumbling percolated through the room, Tzader took a step forward on the stage, and every Belador in the audience snapped to attention. That quieted the rest. He said, “Finding whoever is behind this infection problem is our priority. I will contact you immediately by text if there is any breakthrough or change in this situation. Until then, telepathic communication risks a pandemic problem. Everyone is dismissed.”

Evalle stood on wobbly legs, then made her way downstairs against the throng of agents heading upstairs to exit. She managed not to lash out at suspicious glances and whispers, pushing past the last group, when she came face-to-face with Sen.

Without any preamble, he handed out a dictate. “Tell Storm he either comes back now to help, or he’s persona non grata with VIPER.”

Did he think he could just dump that on her as if she controlled what Storm did or did not do? She snapped, “What makes you think I’ll see him?”

Sen’s eyes turned to cold steel but he didn’t lash out, which worried her more than his usual temper. He said, “Tell him or don’t. Either way, he’s got until Monday to come in and declare his status with VIPER. His leave is over.”

Of all the people she’d been concerned about attacking in this place, Sen had topped her list. Why the sudden lack of aggression? She should be glad, but all she felt was suspicion.

Evalle looked over at Tzader, who was talking to Horace. Tzader’s gaze drifted to Evalle. When he noticed she was standing with Sen, Tzader ended his conversation with Horace.

Walking up to Evalle and Sen, Tzader asked, “What’s up?”

“It would be in everyone’s best interest to put the Alterant in protective custody.”

What? “I’m not a threat.”

Tzader gave a resounding, “No. And you know her name. Use it.”

As usual, Sen ignored anything to do with showing Evalle respect. He tried to put the yoke on her conscience. “You should do the right thing and offer to stay here. If you’re captured and forced to fight in the ABC, you’ll either be killed or end up being hunted if the Medb take you into their coven. And once you do that, you can’t return to the Beladors without putting them in conflict with VIPER.”

Evalle had to hand it to Sen. When he cornered his prey, he made sure the only way out of hot water led into the fire. But she would not plead any defense to him.

Tzader lifted his hand. “Evalle’s not fighting in the beast championship, so this is a moot point. Neither is she going into protective custody. Beladors can protect their own.”

Sen shrugged as if he really didn’t care. “Don’t say I didn’t offer.” He strolled off.

He’d given up too easily. Evalle had a hinky feeling that he’d just set another part of a trap in place. Or was she running on high-test paranoia today?

After that conversation, she couldn’t tell Tzader about the ABC.

Once Sen and everyone else had vacated the hall, Tzader spoke softly. “Before you say a word, I’m bound to give the Tribunal any report of Alterants around the beast championship. Even if Macha is behind some plan to capture Alterants.”

Evalle’s last ember of hope died with his words.

She just stared at him. Her stomach dropped to her feet.

Tzader cursed and turned away, cupping his hand over his eyes. “She can’t do this.”

“She isn’t.”

He lowered his hand and turned to her. “Neither can you.”

“I hear you.”

“Evalle.”

She held up her hand to stop him. Tzader would step over the line and put himself at risk for her or Quinn, but she wouldn’t let him. “The less said the better.”

“I know you won’t fight in the ABC, but she better back whatever she has you doing.”

No, Macha was not backing her, but telling Tzader that would only add to the worry feeding that bleak look in his brown eyes. He’d been her only hope for unloading this Volonte. The emotional toll the artifact had taken during the meeting left her feeling wrung dry of energy. But she was stuck with it for now.

All her options had just vaporized. Instead of admitting she was rolling solo on this one, Evalle changed the subject. “I do need something.”

“What?”

“An SUV warded against the sun so I don’t lose daylight hours. You need everyone hunting for whoever brought in the infection.” She hated implying that was why she needed the vehicle when in fact she needed something big enough to carry several Alterants if she managed to get some out of the ABC.

“I’ll have Sen ward an Expedition. Where’s Storm?”

She hadn’t expected that question from Tzader. “At his house.”