Storm.
VIPER needed the name of the person who’d be offering the trade at the games, the person who would spend eternity locked away for dealing Noirre majik. “Who’s negotiating on behalf of the Medb for the five Alterants at the end of the ABC?”
“Tristan. He’s in charge of all Alterants for the Medb.”
Tristan? “You held that back.”
“I did not. Thought you knew that. It’s common knowledge.”
“How will anyone believe him?”
Imogenia muttered something to herself. “Do I look like your tour guide?”
Evalle took a menacing step toward her and said, “Do I look like someone with patience?”
Imogenia didn’t cower, but she did back down in a silent standoff.
“I didn’t agree not to warn Daniella that you’re coming for her,” Evalle pointed out. “You tell me why anyone would accept the Medb’s word and how I find the ABC location, Daniella’s all yours.”
That got through to Imogenia. “The Medb are sponsoring this championship and have given a blood oath to back their offer. Plus, the Medb are sending a woman with Tristan and she’ll be ordered to state the agreement the Medb have made under a truth test. If she fails the test, she’ll die on the spot, but the host is not saying any more than that so there’s no way to prepare for the truth test.”
“And access to Cumberland?”
Imogenia muttered to herself about dragging this out. “The host will arrange for boats that carry nonhumans, and those boats will know where to go. I don’t know the pickup point yet, but the source who told me about this Beast Club is finding out for me, so ask your source.”
Evalle didn’t have a source except Grady. If he’d known any more, he’d have told her.
Not waiting for another comment from Evalle, Imogenia waved at the Domjon to get his attention.
When his gaze shot to Evalle, she lifted her thumb up, signaling they’d reached an agreement. How was she going to find out the pickup point?
The witch strode off in a huff.
Evalle turned to Storm. “Tristan wouldn’t work for the Medb.”
Storm’s attention stayed on the witch, who slowed long enough to drag poor, naked Bernie to his feet, then exited the fight camp. “She was telling the truth, but even I’m surprised at Tristan helping the Medb. Maybe he’s suffering from Stockholm syndrome.”
“Or Tristan may be compelled, but without any wayof proving it, he’ll be as guilty as the Medb once he does this.”
She had the sudden urge to hunt down Kizira, the Medb priestess who’d captured Tristan, and choke her until she released him. What had Quinn ever seen in Kizira? As Quinn’s best friend, Evalle tried to be open-minded about Quinn’s mysterious history with the Medb priestess, but he was a Belador who deserved a woman worthy of him. He shouldn’t be friends with the enemy, and Evalle would tell him the next time she saw him.
The Medb were a bunch of murdering witches and warlocks who deserved to die slowly. Fury blazed through her, demanding justice. Now.
“Evalle?” Storm asked softly. “What’s wrong?”
At the sound of his voice, she blinked, surprised she’d forgotten he was standing there, or where she was for that matter. She never lost touch, especially in a dangerous environment. It grated on her that she had this time, which came through her voice when she answered with a sharp, “Nothing’s wrong.”
Storm studied her with concern. “Did you forget that you can’t lie to me?”
Well, yes.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, confused at the burst of anger. Storm was right earlier when he said she needed sleep. “Sorry. Just worried about Tristan. And his sister. And his two friends captured with him.” She looked around. “Can we leave now that you’ve fought someone?”
Storm studied her an extra second, then said, “We’re done once we tell the Domjon we’ll forfeit so Zymon’s beast can win my category.”
“Let’s get out of here. I need to figure out some things.”
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