The Curse (Belador #3)(44)

“She’s on her way, but there’s no reason to wait for her.” Flaevynn floated away from the massive wall where water rolled down a dazzlin’ array of diamonds, emeralds, rubies … every precious stone imaginable piled high an’ catchin’ the light of hundreds of candles flickerin’ in her private quarters.

He asked, “What happened with the myst ya released?”

Flaevynn settled on her elaborate throne carved in the shape of a gold dragon with its head curved over the top of hers, protective an’ forbidding. Green dragon eyes glowed and shifted to face Cathbad when Flaeyvnn scowled. “That female Alterant with the Beladors destroyed the myst. Wiped it off the face of the earth.”

That surprised him. “Evalle? How could she ha done so?”

“Kizira said the VIPER Tribunal gave her three gifts for hunting Tristan and his cohorts. Evalle used one of the gifts to destroy the myst forever.”

“Ah. Quite the wise one.” He tapped his chin.

“Don’t be impressed. She got lucky, and luck will only take you so far.”

He would disagree that it ha been mere luck, but appeasin’ Flaevynn suited his purpose more at the moment than antagonizin’ her. “You did no ha to release the fog so early.”

Turnin’ a furious gaze on him, she snarled, “It would have worked if that Alterant hadn’t been given the power of three deities. The sentient fog was flush with violence, making Rías change, so Alterants would have, too. With a little more time, we’d have found all five green-eyed Alterants.”

“’Tis no what I mean when I said you no ha to release it yet. Those Alterants will be drawn to the home of this Evalle.”

“Why?” Flaevynn sat up, face alert with curiosity, remindin’ him of the gorgeous creature he’d been enthralled by as a young fool.

But her eyes turned deep violet with smug knowledge. He’d bet she already knew Alterants were bein’ drawn to Evalle.

“I ha unwoven a twist in the … curse,” he explained. “’Twas written that the green-eyed Alterants will be drawn ta the home of a female Alterant who stands alone with the Beladors. Some will join her an’ some will fight her.”

“I had an idea that might be the case.”

This time, he pretended surprise. “Why would you be knowin’ that?”

“Don’t like it when someone else is a step ahead of you?” She laughed, and the sound echoed with the sharp caw of a crow. “We observed two Alterants who have fought the urge to go to Atlanta when they weren’t conscious of their actions.”

Cathbad gave an admirin’ nod, maskin’ his pleasure at confirmin’ how little she really knew. Time ta gain Flaevynn’s respect so she’ll keep her word an’ work with me.

“’Tis good, Flaevynn. This female Alterant Evalle is evolvin’ faster than the other Alterants even though she may no realize it until her gifts are tested. When the other Alterants shift into beasts, they may challenge her at first before they end up followin’ her … if she does no ha ta kill them. You may no want ta hear this, but we must be patient ta find all five.”

Flaevynn smiled, her face aglow with arrogant pleasure. “While you sat around reading, I have been productive. Those two I mentioned that feel drawn to Atlanta? I captured those Alterants and Evalle.”

He remained calm to keep his power from shakin’ the room. The fool ha captured the female Alterant? The magnet needed ta draw the other four? “Holdin’ Evalle will no help us.”

“I know that. Kizira set up a ruse to convince Evalle that she had to find the other Alterants before we did, then had our warlocks attack so that Evalle thinks she escaped. She is now back in Atlanta overseeing the hunt for the Alterants.”

He had to give her credit. No a bad plan. “Well done, Flaevynn.”

“Of course.” She preened.

Since she’d had the female Alterant in hand, she should be able to answer another question for him. “What did this Evalle’s aura look like?”

Flaevynn stared off for a moment, thinkin’. “Kizira mentioned it was bright gold. Said she thought that odd.”

“No silver?”

“No. Why?”

“That means she’s begun evolvin’.”

“Into what?”

Oh, he would no tell her that yet. “I do no ha all that figured out yet, but will soon. If ya still ha the female Alterant in hand, I might ha been able ta study her. But for now ’tis best you leave her be so she will draw in the other four we need.”

“We’ll have her back soon. Once she finds two more green-eyed Alterants, we’ll recapture Evalle with them.”

He hid his smile. Just two more? Could Flaevynn really have two of the five? He nodded. “Time’s a wastin’. I need ta see these other two ya ha captured.”

Movin’ back to her waterfall, Flaevynn lifted her hands an’ closed her eyes. She swayed in a trance in front of the wall of water she used for scrying. When she opened her eyes and said, “There you go,” the image of a blond-haired man and a young woman with kinky, brown hair appeared, each in a separate room.

Cathbad studied them silently.

Flaevynn finally turned to him. “Well?”

“I applaud your ingenuity in capturin’ them, but neither of those two is one of the five Alterants we need for the curse.”