Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(47)

“But what? Have I ever not come to help when our family needed me?”

“No, and that is problem.”

“I don’t understand.”

“If I tell you what happened, you would go to Transylvania.”

Quinn sat up, hands on his knees, fingers tensed. “Did someone hurt you, Lanna?”

“Yes, but not how you think.” She took a breath. “I have not been hurt by a boy. I was captured by wizard who wants to use my powers.”

Quinn shot to his feet again, raking his hands through his hair. “I’ll kill the bastard.”

“See? That is problem.”

He turned his fierce warrior gaze on her, the one she’d seen make big men tremble, but her cousin did not frighten her even when he demanded, “Who is it, Lanna?”

“I will tell you his name if you calm down.”

“You will tell me his name. Period. And where I can find him.”

“This is why I have not told you. This wizard is dangerous. He has many in his castle. You cannot fight him without army of warriors like you.”

“I can call up an army of Beladors.”

“Not now, with threat on Treoir and your warrior queen.”

Quinn paced to the dining room area. He stopped at the end of the table and turned, arms crossed, gaze demanding. “Tell me everything.”

Now was the time for all truth. “His name is Grendal.”

“Tell me about him. Who is he? What did he do?”

“Grendal struts much like peacock. Has hook-shaped nose that belongs on vulture.” She snorted. “If bird was born with ugly yellow skin. Bright yellow hair that is short.” And empty eyes that promise death to anyone who refuses Grendal. “He is terrible person, Cousin. He poured potion down my throat to make me do what he says, but my majik did not like it. I . . . blow up one end of castle. That is how I escape. Also, that is why my majik has problems. Sometimes it does as I wish and sometimes not. My power grows and weakens.”

Quinn stood quiet as a statue, thinking. “Does he know you’re here?”

“He does now.”

“What does that mean?”

She admitted, “I was careful to only use majik in small ways, not enough for Grendal to notice, but when I called on elements to stop Svart trolls from killing everyone in warehouse last week I showed Grendal where I was. He was watching for me to make mistake.”

“Good God,” Quinn muttered, then his eyes brightened with understanding. “That’s why you concealed yourself and held on to Evalle when our group was teleported to Treoir from the warehouse.”

“Yes. I was afraid.”

Warmth and admiration shone in Quinn’s eyes when he said softly, “Afraid, but you still saved all those captives knowing this wizard would find you.”

She shrugged. “No choice. People would die if I did not.” Her new friends, the twin boys Kardos and Kellman, would have died.

A double knock at the door made her jump. A second double knock followed, as in some secret code.

Quinn lifted his hand for her to wait, then he walked to the door. “I got a text on the way here, so I know who it is.”

When Quinn checked the peephole and then opened the door, Evalle strutted into the living room. Lanna wished to be Evalle in her next life, with long legs to look badass wearing jeans and black boots with hidden blades. She liked Evalle’s vintage shirt.

Hard to be thought badass when short. Lanna sighed, resigned to a life as nothing but sexy Brasko female.

Evalle smiled at her. “Hey, Lanna Banana. Like that red sweater and the black jeans. You planning a night out in Atlanta?”

“No. I am prisoner.” Lanna sent her cousin a prim look of challenge.

Cousin Quinn rolled his eyes. He did that often around her.

Evalle pretended not to notice. “How are you, Lanna?”

“Good. Happy to see you.”

“Same here.” Then Evalle reached around and pulled a fat white envelope from her back pocket and handed it to Quinn. “Tzader said to give this to you and for you to call him after you get it. Probably about Treoir. He mentioned needing you back there to oversee security so he can be here to deal with the infection.”

“What infection?” Lanna asked.

Quinn murmured to Evalle, “You tell her while I read this.”

Evalle explained about a strange infection being passed by Nightstalkers. Until the sickness was stopped from spreading, no telepathy was allowed between any Beladors or agents.

This was bad news. Even more reason for her cousin to send her home.

Folding the papers, Quinn looked at Lanna. “You can stay for a while.”

Her heart jumped around in her chest, happy. “Truly, Cousin?”

“Yes.”

“How can this be when you said they would not let me?”

Evalle’s gaze bounced between the two. “Yeah, how’d you pull that off? I’m thrilled for Lanna, but amazed VIPER cut anyone slack.”

Lifting the papers in one hand, Quinn explained, “This is temporary guardianship for Lanna I asked Sen to have expedited, but with him—”

“You had no idea if he deep-sixed it,” Evalle finished.

“Precisely.” Quinn gave Lanna a pointed look. “I told VIPER you were seventeen, not eighteen. Don’t forget that if you’re asked.”