The Curse (Belador #3)(13)

“Perhaps the Svart was searching cemeteries for the Rías.”

Could that be? What would a troll want with a Rías when none had even existed—that VIPER knew of—until three weeks ago? Humans had shifted into beasts in a major Rías outbreak, just everyday citizens who’d been clueless that something in their DNA could be triggered by hostility … not just any hostility, but a sentient haze filled with supernatural malevolence that had swept across the city.

She snapped her fingers. “The outbreaks three weeks ago happened after those predisposed to be Rías entered the fog created by the Medb. That unnatural hostility triggered the Rías to start shifting and attack. This time we had one shift around us. Belador power, used in a hostile situation, might have caused it. Maybe the trolls are behind the gang battles—drawing in Belador power to push the Rías to shift.”

“But why in cemeteries?”

“I don’t know … but this guy doesn’t have any gang tats, so maybe he was here by accident or—” A flash of light and a power burst behind her interrupted Evalle’s brainstorming.

Quinn muttered, “It appears Sen has arrived.”

Oh, joy. She turned as six-feet-seven-inches of perpetual anger stomped up to where she and Quinn stood. Tzader stepped up to join them.

Sen’s straight black hair hung down his back in a queue and somewhere along his family lines he’d picked up slanted blue eyes that seemed out of place in his square face. He always had the same type of clothes—dark T-shirt, black jeans and sometimes a jacket or vest.

No one knew much about Sen beyond his being a royal pain in the butt. He served as liaison between VIPER agents and the Tribunal, which ruled the Coalition and also played judge and jury for Coalition members when necessary. Within that capacity, Sen displayed power at times that seemed almost god-level. But Evalle couldn’t see a god getting stuck overseeing VIPER, and Sen made it clear to everyone that he had not taken this position by choice.

Who had pushed Sen into a job he didn’t want?

Maybe the better question would be why?

Sen glared at the remnants of the battle, then zeroed in on Evalle. “Of all the gang battles in the past month, I constantly have to wipe human minds and dispose of the nonhumans only at the ones where you’re involved, Alterant. Why is that?”

Ending his phone call, Tzader crossed his arms and angled his body so he stood between Sen and Evalle. “Got an issue with anything here, or one of my Beladors, take it up with me.”

Evalle kept silent for once, rather than spouting off at Sen and making things worse. And right now he couldn’t touch her or he’d cross Macha.

But Macha had just drawn a line.

In less than two days, Evalle’s protection would be over. Unless she found—and delivered—Tristan before then.

Sen gave Evalle a look that promised the day her deal with Macha fell apart that he’d be waiting for her.

Turning to Tzader, Sen said, “Better find a way to stop these battles soon or the Tribunal may start wondering at the coincidence of an explosion of gang attacks that started after the Alterant was turned loose.” He lifted a hand over the Svart troll, asking, “Finished with this one?”

Tzader indicated yes.

Sen pointed a finger at the dead troll. The body vanished, then Sen headed off to wipe memories of unconscious or injured humans. Beladors working inside human law enforcement would deal with the poor headless dead guy.

Once Sen moved a good distance away, Quinn spoke softly to Tzader and Evalle. “We need to meet … and talk.”

Evalle jerked her attention back from Sen. That sounded like Quinn had something important to discuss. Could it be about Kizira? Having Quinn broach the subject first would be a relief, especially if he denied having given Kizira any information on Evalle. “Sure. When do you want to meet?”

“As soon as we leave here,” Quinn suggested.

Tzader shook his head. “Brina wants to see me, then I have to brief everyone at VIPER headquarters.” He paused, sorting through something in his mind. “Let’s meet around midnight.”

“If that’s the soonest,” Quinn said, his face closed down.

Whatever he wanted to discuss obviously bothered him.

We have that in common.

Tzader’s phone buzzed, pulling him away again while he answered.

She’d rather talk to Quinn sooner than later, like right after they left here. Before she could suggest she and Quinn grab something to eat, a voice came into her mind.

Evalle, this is your last chance to answer me.

Tristan? She almost shouted his name, but quietly answered, I’m here. Where are you?

I’ll tell you where to meet me, but if you tell anyone I’ve contacted you, I’ll find out about it and not show.

I won’t tell anyone. But how would Tristan know? Until she could answer that question, she’d keep this to herself.

Meet me at the Iron Casket in one hour.

She looked at her watch. That would make it just before eleven, but she didn’t have far to go. I’ll be there. Do not leave for any reason, Tristan.

Don’t give me a reason. Then he disappeared from her mind.

She had to get moving. And she had to eat. There’d been no time for food, thanks to Macha. With any luck, she’d get to the Iron Casket early and grab a bite while she waited on Tristan, but first she needed to clean the ick off of her from the exploding Rías.