The Curse (Belador #3)(33)

Tzader cut in, “If not for that bastard Tristan, Kizira wouldn’t have had a shot at Evalle.”

“That’s not entirely true.”

“Why not?”

“I’m the one who told Kizira she would find Evalle with Tristan. At least, I think that’s what I told her. I spent much of the time I was gone dredging through my memories to determine how much damage I might have done before leaving.” Quinn had spent long nights ferreting out pieces of information and even longer nights trying to come to terms with his guilt.

Tzader hadn’t shown any reaction to that news, but the Belador Maistir seldom allowed his emotions to surface. “Go ahead and get it all out, Quinn.”

“I convinced myself I had to leave immediately to keep from endangering you, Evalle, Brina and the Beladors. Looking back, I don’t see myself in quite so altruistic a way.” Quinn had been afraid of what he might do involuntarily if Kizira tried to control his mind, but escaping without a word still felt cowardly. “As I healed and my mind strengthened, I managed to piece together what I believe truly happened. Kizira was in the hotel room with me, we did make love and she did convince me to tell her that Evalle was with Tristan.”

“I hear ya, Quinn, but know this. No real harm done as far as Evalle is concerned, because she outsmarted Kizira in the Maze of Death, but it does bother me that Kizira can get to you in a room you’ve warded. How’d that happen?”

“I think she was able to teleport into the room because she accessed my mind and found a way to move the Triquetras by using my kinetics.”

“Can she still do that?”

“No, at least not the part about getting through my security. I had someone different ward new Triquetras and told him to ward them in a way that the blades can only be moved by my hand, no kinetics.”

“Good.”

“That protects me … but not everyone else.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kizira is still inside my mental walls. I can feel where she’s been and that the pathway is open.” He wouldn’t admit that a part of him enjoyed having a sense of her being near. What kind of person was he to feel that way about an enemy of the Beladors?

A fool.

Tzader asked, “Has she come back into your mind?”

“Not since that night. I would know immediately now if she tried.” He’d expected her to try again but hadn’t felt a thing in three weeks, maybe because of where he’d been while healing. “Doesn’t matter. I’m still a security risk. That’s why I stopped you from telling me anything about what was discussed at headquarters or with Brina.”

“You said you’d know if Kizira entered your mind again?” Tzader continued, stuck on that for some reason.

“Yes.”

“Then this isn’t as bad as it sounds. Evalle will understand about what happened. You know she’d never hold that slip against you.”

“No, she wouldn’t. I do feel strong enough to keep Kizira from taking control of my mental abilities again, but that doesn’t change the fact that she still may be able to slide inside unexpectedly. There’s too much at risk to …” Quinn paused. “Allow her this level of access to the Beladors.”

It took about ten seconds for Tzader to understand what Quinn meant. “You expect me to have you executed?”

“I expect you to do whatever is necessary for the safety of Brina, Evalle and the Beladors. My mind has been one of the most powerful weapons in our tribe since I learned how to control it. Now I fear that weapon might be used against everything I’ve spent my life protecting.”

Contemplative would be a good way to describe Tzader, which Quinn had expected. He never anticipated Tzader’s next words.

“We can use this to our advantage.”

“Come on, Tzader. You’re only delaying that which is inevitable.”

“I’m not delaying a damn thing.” Tzader could boom his voice without raising it loud enough to be heard in the next room. “I. Will. Not. Kill. You.”

I would never ask that of you, my friend. “You won’t have to make that decision. I intend to turn myself in to VIPER, and the Tribunal will hand me over to Macha.”

Tzader pushed to his feet, moving across the room, his brow creased with heavy thinking. He turned back and crossed his arms in a way that meant he would not be swayed from some decision. “I need you and your mind to fight what’s coming. These Svart trolls are most likely a sign of the Medb stepping up their game, but I don’t know how. You’re right about one thing. Your mind is one of our most powerful Belador weapons. Brina can’t afford to lose you. I can’t afford to lose you, and neither can Evalle.”

The desire to survive was a strange bedmate for honor when faced with duty.

Quinn had spent the past twenty-four hours getting prepared to face the Tribunal and Macha. He’d been sure everyone who mattered to him would be safer from the Medb with him out of the picture. Tzader made Quinn’s sacrificial death sound as though he would be turning his back on everyone.

Enticing, but Quinn still had one deadly problem. “What about Kizira?”

“Can you vow to me that you will put Brina and the Beladors before Kizira, even if it means Kizira’s death?”

The insult Quinn felt must have shown on his face, but Tzader owed him no apology for asking the blunt question. Quinn said, “Without hesitation after what Kizira did to me and Evalle.”