The Curse (Belador #3)(96)

Brina noticed and announced, “I was preparin’ to send Evalle back to Atlanta.”

Acknowledging her comment with a tilt of her head, Macha said, “Go ahead.” She took in Tzader next and stated, “We have outsiders in Treoir.”

“If you’ll allow me to complete what I have to do out here first, I’ll give you a full report about that and the Svart trolls before I leave.”

“Do you require my assistance out there?”

Tzader looked over his shoulder, then back at the goddess. “No. Thank you, Goddess. We have this handled.”

“Have Brina call me when you’re ready to talk.” Macha turned to Brina. “Is the castle secure?”

“All is fine now.”

Macha vanished.

Evalle would normally wait to return with the team, but she couldn’t face Storm. He hadn’t come near her since she’d shifted back to her human form. Why would he?

What man would want anything to do with a hideous monster? Storm would never look at her again as a woman after seeing her beast today.

She could suffer any wound except seeing the revulsion he wouldn’t be able to hide. But she couldn’t leave without asking Tzader, “Will Macha do anything to Storm?”

“No, I’ll explain that he helped us. Just go heal yourself.” He added, “I need you back to full speed before you return. Take the time you need to completely heal.”

When Tzader hesitated as though he had something else to say about Storm, Evalle’s stomach dropped at the worry coming off Tzader. He had seen her shame before she turned away and would try to fix that, but as Maistir he had enough burden on his shoulders today.

Her smile lacked any power when she told him, “I’ll be fine.”

“Where do you wish to be sent, Evalle?” Brina asked.

“I need to get back to my motorcycle.”

Quinn released a sigh full of frustration. “You’re in no shape to ride that thing. I had a car sent for Lanna before we left the building. Take that home and pick up your bike tomorrow. No one can steal your Gixxer or harm it. But give me a minute with Lanna, then you two can go.”

Numb to her soul, Evalle didn’t argue. She couldn’t find the energy to care about anything right now.

She missed Storm already. The desire to turn around and search for him was so strong she shook from it. But she might see more than shock this time. She might see disgust and couldn’t face that.

He’d never touch her again.

Quinn pulled Lanna aside, speaking to her in a hushed tone.

Tzader stood next to Evalle, staring at Brina, who moved closer to the very inside edge of the threshold. He’d told Evalle that Brina was duty bound to stay inside the castle to protect the Belador power.

The Belador warrior queen looked miserable, and Tzader not much better. Brina whispered to him, “I feared for your life.”

Tzader took a step toward Brina as if her words drew him, but he paused when someone in uniform appeared behind her. A guard. The young man’s face tightened with fierce determination over something.

Tzader spoke to the guard. “Where were you, Allyn?”

“Covering her back in case a troll found another way inside the castle. She was never out of my sight.”

Evalle believed only the three of them were privy to whatever played between Brina, the guard and Tzader.

Cool disdain swept across Tzader’s features. He took a step back.

Brina’s face fell beneath an onslaught of emotion. “Tzader?” Her pleading voice sounded like the young woman she should be and not a warrior queen who carried the weight of so many lives on her shoulders.

The harsh line of Tzader’s grim mouth softened with tenderness when he said, “I will always stand between you and danger.” He turned and walked away.

Lanna grasped Evalle’s hand, tugging down to get her attention. “We will go now.”

Confused over what had just happened between Tzader and Brina, Evalle just nodded at Lanna and said, “We’re ready, Brina.”

Caught watching Tzader, Brina shook herself and blinked at Evalle. “What?”

“To go back to Atlanta. You were going to send us.”

Brina drew in a shaky breath, then seemed to remember who she was and squared her shoulders. This time, her voice came out crisp and confident. “Envision exactly where you intend to arrive, and if you close your eyes, Evalle, the goin’ will not make you so sick.”

Why hadn’t anyone told me that before? Or would that only work when Brina teleported her?

Evalle nodded and closed her eyes.

She still suffered the sensation of being out of control and swirling around, but she didn’t throw up when she and Lanna reached the parking lot behind the old Sears Building. Light seeped along the eastern horizon, but she had enough time for a speed-limit drive home.

Casper appeared out of the dark shadows and strolled up to her with the Nyght weapon hanging in the crook of his arm. He surveyed her clothing and cocked an eyebrow. “Everything okay, Evalle?”

Nothing would ever be okay again, but Casper had been talking about Treoir. “We stopped the Svarts. How about here?”

“Before all of you hauled ass out of here, Quinn told me the Lieutenant troll knew of eleven more in the city. I got ’em all but one,” Casper said, sounding like someone who could spin a six-shooter and drop it in his holster. “Sen took care of the last one. He’s about done here.”