Rise of the Gryphon (Belador #4)(83)

Toward the access hall for the holding area and this battle dome.

Would the guards let him come in?

Give her one chance to say good-bye?

Shouting echoed down the long walkway beyond Gate One, but the disturbance came no closer.

Moments later, a guard entered the battle dome carrying Dame Lynn’s head. The Domjon addressed Kizira. “Our commitment has been satisfied.”

Kizira sent an appraising look over her group of Alterants. “Agreed.”

“We’ve had an issue that requires locking down the premises until it’s handled.”

“In that case, we shall vacate the premises immediately.”

What had happened for Kol to lock down the event site?

The room lost shape in the next instant, swirling with a blur of colors, and the air whistled around her. Evalle’s stomach went into spin cycle.

That was the last she saw of the Achilles Beast Championship.

Maybe the last time she’d see Storm. And Lanna. She trusted him to take care of Lanna and get the girl home safely.

Someone clutched Evalle’s legs.

If it was Bernie, he’d be sorry as soon as they landed. She wouldn’t make it far without throwing up.

When the spinning ended, Evalle stumbled to her right and ran into a wall. Her stomach wasn’t happy, but no volcanic eruption so far. She blinked at the dark room, dizzy and straining to see where she’d landed.

Even in pitch black, she had sharp night vision.

Gradually, very low light filled the room.

Evalle removed her glasses. She’d been dumped in a bedroom with a tall king-size bed covered in a gold-, black-and ruby-colored comforter with piles of pillows to match. Cushy contemporary sofa and chair in gold against one wall, with a Tiffany-style lamp on a glass table where the furniture met at a right angle. Strange mix of old and new.

Kizira appeared.

Evalle shoved the sunglasses back in place and crossed her arms. She leaned against the wall to appear at ease, but in truth it was to keep from losing her balance. “Where am I?”

“T?μr Medb. Wasn’t that your goal in entering the beast games?”

No, her goal had been to free Tristan, not get captured, too. “I’m not going to work for the Medb.”

“Your stay here will be short, and it can be pleasant if you so choose. It can also be painfully unpleasant.”

“So you play good cop, bad cop all by yourself?” Evalle taunted.

“Careful. You’re not the only one who will suffer if you fail to comply.”

What was she talking about? Evalle had no one. She’d vanished in front of Storm without a word, and the Beladors would disown her immediately.

Evalle shrugged, as if she didn’t care about anyone. “What else can you do to Tristan? He’s already a zombie slave.” The best way she could help Tristan, and maybe herself, was by pretending she believed he’d drunk the Kool-Aid.

“I wasn’t talking about Tristan.” Kizira floated across the room and spoke very softly, as if they were conspiring on something. “You may think your friend shows bad judgment to associate with a Medb, but I would challenge that he shows far worse judgment by trusting you with his family. I suggest you rest and eat. You’ll need your strength for the next forty-eight hours once we start tomorrow.”

“Who’re you talking about?”

“If you’re as bright as you’ve been touted, you’ll figure it out. Just make sure no one leaves this room but you. I changed the sofa to a sleeper, which should accommodate your needs.”

With that, Kizira vanished.

Evalle studied on her words. You may think your friend shows bad judgment to associate with a Medb, but I would challenge that he shows far worse judgment by trusting you with his family. She eyed the sofa bed.

Had Kizira been talking about Quinn and referencing Evalle’s poor job of taking care of Lanna?

If that was the case, then when Kizira said Evalle wouldn’t be the only one to suffer, she meant . . .

“Show your face, Lanna.”

Quinn’s cousin took solid form beside the bed.

Evalle hadn’t thought this could get any worse, but Lanna had just proved her wrong. “What are you doing here?”

“I am sorry. Grendal saw me again! I got away before he could touch me, but . . .” Her eyes shifted down with guilt.

“All you had to do was stay put and leave with Storm.”

“I could not go to Storm,” Lanna said meekly, raising pitiful eyes to her.

Evalle felt a chill ride across her skin at the fear in Lanna’s voice. “What happened?”

“I wait near holding area for you, and Storm came running up. Then guards surround Storm.”

“Why?”

“Grendal said Storm snuck spy inside beast fights. That Storm was reason VIPER waited outside. Grendal described me. Said I was spy and I would tell VIPER about Noirre majik trades.”

Evalle grabbed her head, feeling it might explode at any minute. “Unfreakinbelievable.”

“That is why I follow guard with Dame Lynn head to where Alterants held. Only place Grendal could not enter. I thought if no one find me, then no one can prove Storm did anything wrong.”

For a teenager, she had good survival skills. Evalle had to give her credit in the logic department, too. Lanna was right. Kol might be a lunatic demigod, but punishing someone without proof would undermine his next event.