Rogue Belador: Belador book 7 (24 page)

Kardos cut in. “Shut up.”

His brother turned to him. “Evalle is not going to tell anyone.” They both looked at Storm, who said, “I won’t share your secret either, and everyone in the conference room is on their phones.”

Kardos looked ready to slink away.

His brother said, “I think Kardos has taphephobia.”

Taph-huh? Evalle asked, “What’s that?”

“Fear of being buried alive, which doesn’t exactly fit fear of living underground, but it’s the closest I could figure out.”

Crap. Now what was she going to do with them?

Storm cleared his throat, catching her attention. He said, “We have a two-bedroom apartment available here.”

Looking embarrassed, Kardos put a hand on his brother’s chest. He clearly didn’t want anyone speaking for him. When he did reply to Storm, Kardos sounded more mature than when he’d left. “Thanks, but we don’t have any money, and we’re not going to mooch off of you and Evalle.”

Evalle held her thoughts, allowing Storm to say what was on his mind.

Storm hooked his hands on his hips. “No mooching involved. Everyone here pulls his or her weight. We’ll need someone on hand to do odd jobs and to help when we start showing the offices down here, then managing them. You two could share that position in trade for the apartment, plus we’ll pay a stipend for food and such.”

The twins looked at Storm as if they’d just learned they had a fairy godfather. “Really?” they chorused.

Evalle’s heart squeezed at the longing in their voices. It was times like this that she couldn’t believe how fortunate she was to have found Storm. Or more like he’d found her.

Storm nodded at the twins. “Yes, but it means respecting the agreement. As you pointed out, you’re both adults. You’re old enough to make your own decisions. I’ll treat you like the men I believe you can be, and you’ll give us the same respect in return.”

With that one short speech, Storm had put them on notice that they were in charge of their destinies and screwing up came with a price.

Dual nods followed.

“The apartment has basic furnishings. When the decorator returns to finish other work, you can give her a list of anything additional you need. Everything we buy for the apartment belongs to the apartment. Your apartment is 2B. All floors above that are off limits unless one of us invites you up. No one unauthorized is allowed in this building at any time.”

Evalle smiled. These two boys had to love knowing they wouldn’t be attacked by someone trying to steal their bedding in the middle of the night.

“Holy sh—”

Kellman elbowed Kardos in the ribs. “You’d better not let Kit hear you.”

“She’s not here.” Kardos rubbed his ribs.

“We just made a deal based on acting like adults. So act like one.”

Kardos said, “Okay, okay. I agree, but ... race you to the apartment!” He shot up the stairs.

Kellman hesitated, looking at the stairs then at Evalle.

She said, “Go and keep him under control.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He dashed away.

“Ma’am?” Evalle looked at Storm, who found that funny.

When they returned to the conference room, Quinn furiously thumbed keys on his phone. Adrianna swished her finger over hers, scrolling something, and Tzader paced across the end of the room opposite Oskar’s bed.

Quinn shoved his phone in his inside jacket pocket. “Were those the twins I heard?”

“Yes.” Evalle refilled her coffee mug. “Storm has hired them.”

Tzader stopped walking. Quinn said, “Considerate of you, Storm.”

“It was that, or watch Evalle race around trying to keep them out of trouble. This way they’ll have something to do in exchange for room and board.”

“A fine arrangement.” Quinn sat down, paused, then shot right back up. “Are they staying on the same floor as Lanna?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Evalle could not deal with one more drama. “Quinn, she’s an adult and—”

“Doesn’t matter. She’s not safe.”

Adrianna stopped scrolling and spoke with impatience that hadn’t abated. “Is this the Lanna who saved the boys and others when she used her majik to fight Svart Trolls? Wait, no. Let me just go ahead and answer that. Yes, it is, which means she’s got a load of power, far more than those two hellions put together. You should be more worried about the boys. If either of them steps out of line, she’s liable to roast them.”

Oh boy. Adrianna was in some kind of mood.

Evalle knew that look on Quinn’s face. She’d seen it often on Storm’s when he had to stay out of her way and let her handle her own battles. Evalle added, “On top of that, Quinn, they’re good boys. You can’t stop Lanna from growing up.”

Tzader said, “Are we ready to get moving or not?”

Quinn sat, then Evalle took her place at the end of the table near Oskar again, but she doubted anyone would try to invade his space. Storm sat between her and the witch.

Adrianna put her phone down and lifted her tea, looking past Evalle to the corner. “Is that the familiar?”

“Yes.” Evalle told her what had happened with Lanna and asked, “Think you can touch it and find Mattie?”

“No. I heard what happened earlier. Sounds like he is not fond of men, and he’s already given me the evil eye, which leaves you as sole caretaker.”

Tzader still hadn’t stopped moving. He stood at the end. “We need to clue Adrianna in. I’ll let Evalle do it.”

Good thing. He needed to sit before he crashed.

Evalle stood, pointed at a seat, and told Tzader, “Sit. I have the floor.”

He didn’t want to, but he pulled the chair out and plopped down.

“We have a couple situations,” Evalle began. She outlined the missing witches, then went on to explain Ceartas and what was happening in Treoir. “To sum it up, Tzader has been banished from the realm. Macha expects me to walk away from my life, regardless of my being mated. In fact, she’s made it clear I don’t have her approval, and gaining it no longer matters to me. We’ve made our decision to go after the dragon throne, but we need help.”

Adrianna put her mug down softly. “I’m listening.”

“The dream walker representing the dragon claims that the Medb are currently sending in a highly skilled force disguised as nothing more than resident witches and warlocks. It’s called
Scáth
Force. He says the former queen, Flaevynn, was nothing compared to Queen Maeve, which is a scary thought since Flaevynn came close to gaining Treoir Island. If she had, there would be no Belador force to protect this world.”

With his elbows propped on the table, Tzader had been using one hand to support his head. He lifted his head and began filling in more details. “I’m starting to think there’s a lot we haven’t been told by Macha. Either way, that’s a different issue. I don’t want anyone involved besides me, but these hardheads refuse to stay out of it. I don’t want to ask you to get involved and put you in danger if we end up surrounded by an army of warlocks and witches.”

Adrianna’s half smile finally showed up.  She evidently found that amusing.

Tzader paused at her reaction then continued, “However, based on what Evalle told me, Queen Maeve might be the only real threat to you, and we won’t leave until Quinn has Queen Maeve and Cathbad in a Tribunal meeting. The truth is that we need your help for several things, but you need to know the stakes up front, and now is the time to say no if you don’t want to be involved.”

Adrianna considered her tea for a long, silent moment. Lifting her head, she took in everyone with one studied glance. “I was going to contact Rowan next after dropping off the boys, but clearly she’s busy. I’ve been attending council meetings.”

That was news to Evalle. “I know Rowan’s glad, but why are you getting involved with white witch politics?”

“I’m having dreams about battles with nonhumans.”

Evalle snorted. “That’s business as usual in our world.”

Adrianna didn’t crack even her half smile. Placing her hands on the table, she said. “I’m talking intense battles. War. One that we won’t keep from the humans if it breaks out.”

“Who, precisely, is in this war?” Quinn asked.

“I don’t know exactly,” Adrianna admitted. “I’m not sure of all the players on the field yet. That’s the main reason I’m going to these damn council meetings. I wanted to get to know Rowan and some of the elders better. If things had worked out today, I was going to mention my dreams and see if anyone knows something they haven’t been sharing with those outside of the white covens.”

Storm asked the witch, “Do these dreams have any sort of time marker?”

“No. My sister had visions while awake, but my visions always come through dreams. Or they did in the past, and I’m not sure if that’s going to change at any point. I’m sure you will understand when I say the clearest of visions is often vague at best when it comes to pinpointing a timeline and specifics.”

“You’re right.” Storm sat back, waiting with the rest of them to find out where Adrianna was going with this.

She asked Tzader, “Do you have any idea what color this dragon is?”

“I’m guessing he’s red, since the scale the dream walker gave me turns red when the light hits it a certain way.”

“I see,” Adrianna said, with the precision of taking each word and shaping it before she gave it life. “The dreams were disturbing before, but learning what I have just now about Tzader’s experience, I’m wondering if my dreams and his quest are connected.” She paused, as if gathering her thoughts. “In my dreams, a giant red dragon threatens to kill everyone in his path. He flies like a jet fighter, blowing fire across everything. Are you
sure
you want to free this one?”

Chapter 21

Tzader had been fighting exhaustion until Adrianna shared that she’d dreamed of a dragon threatening to kill everyone.

A red freaking dragon.

He sat up sharply, taking in Quinn, Evalle, and Storm’s shocked expressions, then asked Adrianna, “Are you sure it’s the same dragon I’m talking about? The one I’m after was cursed to be Queen Maeve’s throne.”

Adrianna gave a small shake of her head. “No. I have no idea if it is or isn’t the same one. I’m just saying the timing of my dreams and your dream walking experience leads me to believe they could be connected.”

Evalle tapped her finger. “Could the dreams be somehow connected to Veronika?”

“I don’t know.” Adrianna’s forehead crinkled at a silent thought. “The only way I could say for sure is by being in the same room with her. That might help me determine who the dragon is or belongs to, because after I took possession of Witchlock, I lifted a thought from Veronika about her wanting a dragon from TÅμr Medb.”

“I told them,” Evalle said. “But you never figured out exactly what Veronika thought to do with the dragon.”

“No.” Cocking her head at Tzader, Adrianna asked, “You’ll need cloaking, correct?”

Tzader answered, “Yes.”

“What else?”

“We either have to break the curse on the dragon to free his form there, or bring him back and do it here. Evalle believes you’re our best chance at breaking it.”

She stared at the table for a moment, then said, “Depending on where he was cursed and how he was cursed, you may kill him if you try to teleport him across realms as a throne.” She had more to say, but was not in a rush. “I may or may not be able to break his curse. I would say absolutely not if I didn’t have Witchlock, but since I do, and it’s very old, there’s a chance. It depends on what the dragon recalls about the curse placed upon him.”

Tzader pushed up to pace again. The longer he sat, the more his body felt like it was turning to lead and wanted to lie down. “I think he’ll know the curse word for word, based on what the dream walker said about the dragon being the only one who knew the exact Noirre spell used on Brina.”

Evalle interjected, “I know this screws us, but knowing what we do about our enemy, Queen Maeve would love to get her hands on Witchlock, which we can’t allow to happen.”

“True,” Tzader agreed, then eyed the witch. “You really shouldn’t go with us. I can’t stop Storm, because Evalle’s determined to do this. Maybe you can tell Storm how to break it.”

Adrianna shifted her attention to Storm, her silence questioning his thoughts on Tzader’s suggestion.

Storm snorted. “I’ve got witch blood in me, but compared to Adrianna it’s a drop in the ocean. I’m a more powerful demon than I am a witch.”

Evalle made a noise of irritation.

Storm covered her hand. “They all know it’s true, sweetheart.”

Drawing herself up, Adrianna said, “Thank you, Storm, for not making me toot my own horn, but you’re right.” She shifted her attention to the others. “I’m not sure I can break the curse, but we have no other witches with my power now, and in particular, none with a dark witch pedigree.”

Tzader admired the way Adrianna stated facts without stroking her own ego. She was simply putting all the information on the table.

The witch glanced around the room, taking in all four faces. “Here’s my proposal. I will help you. You say you have a plan to pull Queen Maeve and Cathbad from their tower while we go in, correct?”

“Yes, we do,” Quinn confirmed. “But why make yourself a target for the Medb?”

“Are you questioning if she’s sincere, Quinn?” Evalle said with a slap of censure.

“No. I understand the motivation for everyone else in this room. I want to know hers.”

That’s fine, Evalle.” Adrianna smothered a chuckle that held no mirth. “It’s not a matter of if, but
when
Maeve comes hunting for me. I’m a threat to her power.  I have no desire to hide in a hole for the rest of my life. I’ll look for your support in return when I have to go up against her. I’ve been the target of every dark coven in existence from the moment I was born. That’s why my sister was sacrificed. If they’d realized that we had nearly the same level of power, they’d have traded me just as quickly. If freeing that dragon will aid the Beladors, then it’s in my best interest to join with you. You may not agree, but I believe VIPER is showing signs of imploding. Sen has never been dedicated to the coalition. He doesn’t care if any of us survive.” She asked Evalle, “Has the Tribunal voted on the Alterant-gryphon right to be a free race?”

“No.”

“If they haven’t yet, I doubt that they will.” Adrianna had started this thread of conversation, and continued, “I’ve heard rumblings about the Tribunals becoming more difficult to organize. If there’s a power play, I don’t see those deities sticking together. If they do, it won’t be in our best interests. They can barely manage to pass judgment lately without attacking each other.”

Quinn washed a hand over his face. “I will admit I’ve begun to wonder if the Tribunal is fracturing as well.” He let his hand slip down. He’d pulled himself together for the sake of his responsibilities, and yeah, he’d cracked a joke or two. But his eyes had a hollow look that hadn’t left him since Kizira died. He asked Adrianna, “Your dreams showed the humans exposed to our world? To us?”

Nodding, she said, “I second what Tzader’s dream walker said, but I’d put it more bluntly. A war is coming. I’m not sure what exactly is going to happen, but I’ll have to choose a side. I’ll never be allowed to live in peace. There’s strength in numbers. If I stay here when you go for the dragon, and you fail to free him, then he may escape later to kill all the Beladors for letting him down. If I help you free him, I can only hope he’ll make good on the vow the dream walker gave Tzader, claiming to protect those who come to his aid.

Adrianna paused, taking in the room.  “Until Evalle and Storm stepped in to help me with my sister, I’d fought alone for a long time. I honestly think we’re all facing the end of life as we know it if we stand back and do nothing. After I took possession of Witchlock, I believed we were safe, but that’s not the case.”

Storm quipped, “We’re only as safe as we are strong.”

“True,” Adrianna said, then looked to Quinn. “I’ll need access to Veronika to see if being near her firms up any of my visions, and to trick her into telling me what she knows about the dragon.”

Quinn leaned back, arms crossed. “Tzader can’t get you in without being reinstated as Maistir—”

“Which Macha is not going to do at this point,” Tzader said. “In fact, I have concerns about how long she’ll allow Quinn to continue, because of his association with me.”

“Especially when I don’t deliver Evalle so that Sen can ship her to Macha,” Quinn added.

“That’s not happening,” Storm muttered.

“Understood.” Quinn’s grim turned a shade darker. “I can escort Adrianna to Veronika’s cell. I’ll tell VIPER that she is consulting with us about contracts we believe Veronika left in place to attack the Medb. Sen’s on their side these days.” He cut his eyes at Storm. “That won’t be a problem as long as you’re not there to call out the lie.”

“I’ll be here with Evalle making preparations. If I’m called in, I’ll find a way to be delayed without raising suspicion.”

When Quinn nodded in agreement, Tzader pushed on. “Okay. We have cloaking, and hopefully a way to break the curse. We’ll need teleportation.” He caught an exchange of looks between Evalle and Storm.

“Let’s come up with a list,” Quinn suggested.

Tzader counted the fingers on one hand. “Sen—”

A chorus of “No!” followed.

Tzader shot a censuring look across the room. “I know that. I’m just naming everyone I know who teleports.” Then he said, “Deek.”

Evalle said, “No. I owe him a favor as it is, and he can’t be trusted with sensitive information.”

Storm sat forward and Tzader saw Evalle give him a let’s-discuss-this-later glance as she continued talking.

“If we get lucky, we’ll get in and out without Queen Maeve knowing who stole her dragon.”

Tzader nodded, “Now for teleporting. Didn’t you say you had someone, Evalle?”

Evalle fidgeted. “Yes.”

“Who?”

When she hesitated, Tzader pressed, “Is it someone hostile?”

“No, but this person’s identity needs to be protected.”

Tzader was not splitting hairs at this point. “Done. What have you got?”

“Tristan might be able to teleport a group.”

Disbelief pinched Quinn’s face. “He can teleport from this realm to another one?”

“Yes. He linked with others, and it boosted his power.”

“What makes you think he can teleport an entire group, even if we can get him out of Treoir?” Tzader asked.

“Because Tristan already has and he’s ... here now. I saw him earlier this morning.”

Macha would go ballistic the minute she found out, but that was nothing compared to how she’d react to Beladors breaking into Tŵr Medb to commit theft.

This was not the time to nitpick or vacillate. Tzader said, “Let’s do this.”

Adrianna stood. “I’m ready to go to Veronika when you are, Quinn.”

Quinn carried his mug to the side bar and asked, “Do we have a tentative time for this mission to go wheels up?”

Tzader considered that and what everyone had to do. “The power of the scale to hold Brina’s memories lasts only twenty-four hours. After that ... she may have no way to recall anything, if the dream walker is right about the timeline and the Noirre finishes what it started. The scale will be of no use by ten tonight. I’d like to go there, get the dragon, and return by nine at the latest. The insertion team will meet back here at six.”

Quinn said, “If you want to leave by then, I’ll need to start now to put things in motion for a Tribunal meeting with Queen Maeve and Cathbad. We’ll coordinate the timing. I’ll have Adrianna returned here in time, even if I have to call in a driver to transport her.”

“That works,” Tzader acknowledged.

Storm called out, “Quinn, give me a minute to check on something upstairs, and I’ll clear the alarm for the garage door.”

“Will do.”

Evalle flashed Storm a quick smile. “Want to be my driver?”

“Where to?”

“Pick up Tristan. I had to give him a ride this morning.”

“I assume that’s why I smelled him in the truck.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thanks for not yelling about that.”

Storm said nothing, just taking in a deep breath and letting it out. “Let’s pick him up. It’ll give me a chance to make sure he understands the ground rules going in.”

“We need him, Storm.”

“And he needs both of his legs. There should be no problem reaching an agreement.”

Evalle rolled her eyes. Clearly ignoring her mate’s overprotectiveness, she told Tzader, “Storm has this building warded so everyone staying here is safe, but since you really can’t do anything right now, would you hang around and keep an eye on the place?”

“Sure, but what are you going to do with that critter?” Tzader nodded toward Oskar.

Storm said, “We have a place for him.”

Evalle didn’t look as confident, but she pretended to know what Storm meant and told Tzader, “You really need some rest, Z.”

“I’ll use this down time to rest.” He needed more than the brief nap he’d gotten at home, but he’d worry about sleep once Brina was safe.

Tzader brought up one last thing. “We can link with Tristan, but he’ll have to teleport two non-Beladors one way, and three coming back.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought about that. Let me talk to Tristan.” She picked up Oskar and left.

He hated to hear the doubt in Evalle’s voice, and if Tristan couldn’t teleport them, Tzader needed a plan B.

Let me think. There is no Plan B.

Once Evalle wrote Deek off as a security risk, even that avenue was off the table.

Tzader jerked awake when Evalle and Storm walked right back into the room. He glanced at the giant clock on the far wall. Actually they
hadn’t
come right back. He’d lost ten minutes to nodding off.

“You want to stretch out in one of the apartments upstairs, Z?” She walked over to stand next to him. “You have to sleep. We can’t do this without you at a hundred percent.”

“I’m good down here.” If he let his body fall into something soft, he might not be able to force it back into motion again. “What’d you do with the beast?”

“His
name
is Oskar,” Evalle chided. “Storm had the idea to put him in with Feenix, which I thought was nuts, but it seems to work. Storm made a shielding spell that allows Oskar to stay in one corner of Feenix’s playroom. My little gargoyle flew over, took a look, and went back to what he was doing.”

Adrianna shouted from the garage, “While I’m still young, Evalle!”

“Crabby witch.” Evalle and Storm hurried out.

Tzader dropped his head back against the chair, feeling every minute of stress he’d been enduring for months. He considered their plan, and Evalle was right. There was nothing he could do but wait, and damn he hated to sit still.