by Dianna Love
Loki gave an exaggerated sigh. “That’s it? Queen Maeve is no longer part of VIPER. Macha has pulled out as well. Problem solved.”
“Problem not solved. When we were losing children to Medb warlocks and trolls, you did nothing.”
Justitia asked, “Is that why you are here?”
“No. I’m merely making it clear that the Tribunal owes the Beladors. I have a simple request.”
Loki barked out, “No. You do not come in here and insult a Tribunal, then ask for our help.”
Hermes paused in strumming his instrument, cast a curious glance over everyone, then continued playing.
Storm wished now that he’d asked Daegan for more details of his idea so Storm could help get them back on track.
Daegan said, “You will not keep the humans in the dark forever. As they learn that we exist, you will need the Belador force more than ever, especially since we have people blended into every line of work and in the human governments. You have no other allies of VIPER who can boast the same.” He took a deep breath, during which no one countered his comment. “We can all work together and survive, or we can fight each other and see who has the biggest sword.”
Justitia said, “Your point is valid. We have worked with preternaturals who are not preying on humans and we will continue to do so as long as it meets our needs.”
Looking over at her, Loki said, “Speak for yourself, Justitia.”
“I was doing just that, Loki. If you wish to go to war with a dragon whose mother is an unknown power, that is your choice as well. I intend to build alliances.”
Daegan encouraged her by saying, “A wise woman. What about you, Loki? Are we going to share resources or do I withdraw my Beladors and allow the rest of you to figure out the human issues on your own?”
Crossing his arms, Loki ignored the question and instead said, “My patience is running out. State what you want and we’ll decide if we will award your request.”
Storm almost rolled his eyes at the irritating god. No wonder Evalle hated the bastard.
Daegan said, “I again request that you call in both Queen Maeve and Macha so I can question them.”
That quieted the trio on the dais.
They turned to speak quietly. When Loki turned back, he said, “You do realize both of those goddesses have already refused that request and want to kill you, right?”
“Yes.”
“We can’t guarantee that we can stop them if they join forces.”
“I’ll worry about that.” Daegan sent a look at Storm that said to hang in there.
“What reason do I give them for coming here?”
“Tell them I will give them one chance to clear their names. If they are guilty of kidnapping Evalle Kincaid, I will bring an army to their realms and I will not leave until everyone is destroyed ... even if it requires calling in my mother.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Storm caught Sen’s jaw drop.
Laughing, Loki asked, “You would threaten those two for an Alterant?”
Daegan murmured, “Not yet,” to Storm.
That’s when Storm realized he’d been growling under his breath.
Instead of replying to Loki’s question, Daegan asked, “If you are losing patience, Loki, why are you dragging this out?”
“You will get what you asked for, dragon,” Loki said, with a load of warning boosting his voice. Then he was silent and still for a long moment. When his eyes moved again, he said, “I’ve informed both goddesses of your threat and guaranteed they will not be harmed by anyone while in this Tribunal meeting.”
Daegan’s eyes took on a dangerous glint. “I see. You’ve given them the opportunity to attack me with no recourse from the Tribunal, but that does not protect them from me. If I am attacked, be prepared to suffer the consequences since you will be standing too close to them and I can’t guarantee your safety either, at that point.”
The surly Loki returned.
Energy flushed through the room on a rogue wind.
Macha appeared on the left side of the dais and Queen Maeve took form on the right side.
Both swung furious gazes at Daegan, affecting the dragon king not one bit.
Macha started, “I did not come here out of any concern about you showing up in my realm. I’m here only because Loki agreed to not stop me from ending your miserable life, dragon.”
Daegan moved his attention from her to Queen Maeve, who looked rough for a goddess, in Storm’s opinion. He’d heard that the queen had lost her shit the last time she attended a Tribunal and her body had warped out of shape.
“Miss me, Daegan?” Queen Maeve asked the dragon king, as one would taunt a tortured prisoner. “I will have you back where you belong.”
Macha glanced over at her codefendant. “You’re an idiot for keeping him so long. You could have killed him in your realm, but no, you had to play wicked queen.”
Queen Maeve’s head grew and twisted.
Ugh. Storm might never wipe that image from his mind.
Loki warned, “Maeve.”
She seemed to catch herself and shrank back to normal size.
Justitia said, “Ask your questions, dragon.”
Daegan started with, “Which one of you has kidnapped Evalle Kincaid?”
The queen gave him a dumbfounded look and rolled her eyes without replying.
Macha smiled. “Still haven’t found your Alterant?”
Daegan said, “Answer the question.”
Her head now back to normal size, Maeve said, “If I had Evalle, do you think I’d be stupid enough to come here?”
Macha piped up, “Of course. You were stupid enough to let that dragon live.”
Justitia said, “Macha, please do not create additional conflict here.”
“I don’t have your Alterant, Daegan,” Maeve snapped. “If you can’t keep up with your livestock, that’s your problem.”
Storm went from furious to insane in two seconds.
All five deities stared at him.
Daegan softly said, “Your eyes are red, Storm. I need your control.”
Closing his eyes, Storm drew in a deep breath and pulled his demon back down.
Daegan asked the Medb queen, “What about Cathbad? Would he have her?”
“No. I just saw him and mentioned this. In fact he was quite put out, thinking I had something to do with any kidnapping, which I don’t.”
The dragon king turned to Storm. “Truth?”
“Yes.”
Justitia gave Daegan a confused look. “Anyone who lies here will light up red, dragon.”
“I know that, but I also know it’s possible to shade the truth and not trigger that consequence.”
The goddess of justice didn’t care for that truth.
Storm thought back over all the problems they’d had with Queen Maeve. He suggested, “Let me ask a question.”
Daegan said, “Storm wishes to aid me in questioning the goddesses.” He hadn’t asked, but posed that as a statement.
The deities must either be enjoying this interrogation or wanting to hurry it up, because no one denied Storm.
He asked the queen, “Do you know of anyone who might be involved in Evalle’s kidnapping or anyone who would be presently setting a trap for Daegan?”
Maeve lost her humor. She stared at Storm as if she could shoot blades from her eyes and stab him, but she had not been given permission to attack Storm.
Storm felt Daegan’s energy spin up. The dragon must sense that Storm was on to something.
Queen Maeve said, “I am done with questions.”
Daegan suggested, “I will not attack you or your realm if you have someone to hand over, Maeve. Is that person worth a battle in TÅμr Medb with my mother?”
Tense silence reigned for seconds, then Maeve raised her hand and whipped it in a fast circle.
A man appeared wearing his boxer shorts and bedhead. “What ... what’s going on
, Maeve?”
“This is a Tribunal, Perth.”
“Really.” Then he twisted to look up at Loki and the other deities. “Oh, shit. How could you bring me here?”
Daegan asked the new guy, “Are you currently working on a way to kill or capture me?”
Perth had total confusion written all over his face. “No, where’d you get that idea?”
Groaning, Queen Maeve said, “You shouldn’t ... ” She quit talking as Perth’s body turned bright red.
Justitia finished Maeve’s sentence. “You should not lie here or you will turn red.”
Perth yelled, “Hey, this is bullshit. What are you all up to?”
Daegan ignored Perth’s frantic outburst and pressed on. “Did you kidnap Evalle Kincaid?”
“No!”
Storm hated to admit it, but he said, “Truth.”
Daegan jerked around to face him. “It is?”
“Yes. Also, he does not have the skin tone Reese described.”
Turning back to Maeve, he said, “Is that the only person in your group who is actively working on killing me?”
“Of course not. Every warlock out there would bring me your head to please me.” She pushed a disgusted look at Perth. “This one is no longer of value to me. Do with him as you wish.”
Evidently realizing he stood to lose his life, Perth turned a furious face to the queen. “You bitch! I had a brilliant plan going. I paid the trolls to show off to humans and I was giving humans access to one preternatural event after another. They’re tagging the videos with the word Belador. I had teams ready to back me up when the dragon showed. I ... you have no idea what you screwed up by exposing me.”
Loki boomed, “You are intentionally exposing preternaturals to humans?”
Queen Maeve looked up at Loki and quickly clarified, “I had nothing to do with his planning. He offends me with this tirade.”
Loki pointed at Perth and Maeve’s servant exploded into a miniature, body-shaped fire that lasted only seconds, then left a pile of ashes. The god waved a hand without looking and the ashes vanished.
Maeve grinned like the lunatic she was.
Daegan turned to Macha, “One down, one to go. Yes or no, Macha. Do you have Evalle?”
“I wish I did have her. I would enjoy watching your face as I stand here protected. No, I don’t have your little half-breed. Are we done?”
Loki had perked up after killing Perth. Evidently he just needed to murder someone.
Storm’s insides were churning with the lack of information forthcoming.
Daegan boomed one more question. “Do either of you know someone who goes by the name La Cuchilla or uses that for a code when dealing in intelligence gathering?”
Queen Maeve laughed. “No. You are pathetic.”
Storm realized Daegan had not moved a muscle. That man’s gaze was locked on Macha, who had also gone completely motionless.
The whole room quieted.
Storm normally controlled his pulse around preternaturals, but his jaguar sensed a hunt. His nostrils flared.
“What about you, Macha?” Daegan prodded. “Are you harboring the man we’re hunting?”
All three Tribunal members on the dais turned to Macha, even the musician.
That bitch goddess knew who had Evalle.
Storm clenched and unclenched his hands to force his jaguar to sit tight.
Macha finally said, “I know who La Cuchilla is. What proof do you have of his committing a crime?”
Daegan declared, “I will show you and this Tribunal my proof once you bring him here.”
Storm considered all that the team had found out. Neither he nor Daegan had any tangible proof.
When Macha showed no sign of bringing the kidnapper to the meeting, Daegan continued, “If you refuse to deliver this man, then I can only assume you are willing to accept responsibility for what he has done. That would be strange when you’ve proven you are not one to fight battles for others, particularly if you are not directly responsible for the kidnapping. Before you choose to fight this battle, know that I am at wit’s end with my people being attacked. I intend to make those responsible for harming and capturing Evalle wish they had never drawn their first breaths.”
Storm wouldn’t have put what he had in mind for the kidnapper in such civil terms.
“How much could someone harm an Alterant while kidnapping her?” Macha argued.
Storm couldn’t take this any more. “Evalle is my mate. She had a chakra stone fused to her chest by majik. The monster who kidnapped her first crashed her body into a building, then dug the emerald stone out with a claw, which wouldn’t have left so much blood at the crash site if she’d been able to heal. He mutilated her body to remove the one sure way I could track her, but I will find her and everyone involved is going to pay.”
Justitia turned to Macha and said, “You surprise me, Macha, to associate with such a disgusting animal.”
Daegan said, “Storm tells the truth, as you can see. I do as well. What will it be, Macha? Who will stand beside you if we go to war?”
She was trapped.
Her face said she hated being in this position and, in that instant, it was clear that this La Cuchilla had screwed his deal with her.
Lifting her arms, she called out, “La Cuchilla, come to me!”
In a flash of energy and light, a man appeared, but not in a robe. He wore black cargo pants, a gray long-sleeved knit shirt, boots and a bandanna around his neck. His curly black hair was damp and his cocoa-brown skin covered in perspiration.
He blinked and looked at Macha. “I was busy. Why would you ... ” He finally noticed the rest of the room. “What the hell?”
Daegan muttered, “He does not appear to be Celtic, but his skin matches.”
“I don’t care,” Storm said then took a deep inhale. He told Daegan, “The scent we have been hunting is his.”
“Who is this man?” Daegan asked.
Storm spoke to La Cuchilla. “Oh, wait. I know you. You’re Dakkar. You run the bounty hunters.”
“So?” But Dakkar’s gaze jumped all over the place then went back to Macha. “What’s going on, Macha?”
She wouldn’t acknowledge him.
Loki asked, “Are you also known as La Cuchilla?”
Dakkar jerked his head around to snarl at Macha. “How could you share that?”
Shifting her eyes slowly, she met his gaze with a stony one. “Do not speak to me in that tone.”
That was the look of a man kicked squarely in the nuts, which had to hurt more when a goddess did it. Storm couldn’t wish that misery on a more deserving person, but Dakkar would suffer far worse before this was over.
Daegan asked, “Did you use pure Noirre to kidnap Evalle?”
Macha eyed Dakkar with revulsion. She said, “You deal in Noirre? Why can’t I smell it?”
Storm volunteered, “He’s a mage who can mask odors. He went to Ireland for the specific purpose of taking pure Noirre from where it originates.”
Queen Maeve interjected, “How did he gain pure Noirre and live to use it?” The longer she looked at him, the more amazed her face became.
What color had been in Dakkar’s face flushed away. “What ... what are you talking about?”
Still confused, Macha said to Dakkar, “You are Moor, not Celtic.”
Now appearing intrigued, Loki said, “You have to answer the questions, Dakkar. All of them.”
The bounty hunter swallowed and kept his eyes on Daegan, but asked the Tribunal deities, “Are you going to let that dragon kill me?”
Daegan shrugged and replied before Loki could. “I am only looking for Evalle. I have no plans to kill you.”
Storm allowed that since he and Daegan had an agreement. The person who had hurt Evalle belonged to Storm. He’d give Dakkar a fighting chance and it might not go his way, but Storm could not walk away from this with Dakkar still breathing.
“Dakkar seems overwhelmed,” Justitia said, stating the obvious. “It is very simple, Dakkar. The dragon king accuses you of kidnapping Evalle Kincaid, the Alterant. I think most of us would like to know how you managed to gain the pure Noirre since the dragon king claims you used this dark majik in capturing Evalle. Wielding any form of Noirre is forbidden.”
Queen Maeve scoffed at that and Justitia swung her laser gaze at the crazy goddess, who composed herself.
“What proof do you have?” Dakkar shot back at Daegan.
“Only your answers.”
Macha twisted up her mouth, just realizing she’d walked Dakkar into a trap.
Justitia persisted, “Time to answer, Dakkar. Do you have Evalle?”
“No.” Nothing happened to Dakkar.
Storm snarled, “Truth, but he still lies. He kidnapped her for someone else.”
Daegan asked Dakkar, “Did you kidnap Evalle and hand her to someone else?”
“No.” Dakkar’s body turned sunburned red. That made the whites of his rounded eyes stand out even more.
Justitia turned her blindfolded face to Dakkar. “Back to this pure Noirre, which I understand grows in a cave in Ireland and is deadly to retrieve. How did you gain the Noirre?”
Sweat pebbled Dakkar’s forehead and streamed down his face. His wild gaze flicked around in search of any help. There was none. Turning to Justitia, he said, “My ancestor was a woman whose child died in that cave while trying to escape the Vikings that attacked their village. The child’s mother was captured and later escaped, then married a Moor. Noirre plants grew from my ancestor cursing the Vikings for the death of her daughter. When I went for the Noirre, that child’s spirit allowed me to live only because I was a relative. She gifted me a plant.”
Daegan clarified, “That child’s spirit gave you her hand, which turned into a plant and cannot be replaced.”
Macha’s jaw dropped more. “You are disgusting. I have never allowed Noirre around me.”
Storm shook his head mentally at her. Of course, that bitch was only concerned about Noirre around her and not the little spirit who lost a hand.
Ready to get moving, Storm asked Dakkar, “Who did you give Evalle to and did you use a bolthole?”
Dakkar started shaking his head as if he feared replying.