Rise of the Gryphon (Belador)

by Kenyon, Sherrilyn

  Better to keep her out of the loop on this one.

  “Leth go.” Feenix tugged Evalle’s hand, then turned his smile on Lanna. “Like Nicole.”

  No one could resist Feenix, not even Lanna, who finally gave up and grinned at him. “I am sure I will.”

  Evalle managed to hustle her group into the elevator and up to Nicole’s floor without incident.

  Sometimes the world turned in her favor.

  When Nicole’s door opened, she rolled her wheelchair back out of the way to allow everyone to enter. With exotic brown eyes, slender nose, sculpted cheeks and smooth mocha skin, she could smoke most models with her beauty, and she didn’t have a vain bone in her body. Whoever she got those eyes from probably also gave her the straight, light brown hair that normally fell to her shoulders, but she’d twisted the locks up on her head today.

  Evalle introduced Lanna, who stepped aside shyly, which seemed so unlike the outgoing girl. Lanna was going to kill Evalle with guilt.

  Nicole offered her hand and Lanna took it. “Nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to having company. My partner is out of town this week.”

  “Thank you for invitation.” Lanna gave Nicole a polite smile, released her hand and backed away.

  Evalle said a silent thank-you that Red, Nicole’s life partner, was a transportation engineer who traveled for work on occasion, which took her out of the picture right now. Standing just as tall as Evalle and the alpha female in this pair, Red would not be happy about Evalle bringing her gargoyle and Lanna to stay with Nicole, even though Nicole was a powerful witch.

  Feenix bounced back and forth from one fat foot to the other. Nicole opened her arms for him. “Come on, sweetie.”

  Batlike wings flapping, he made happy chortling noises all the way to her lap. She hugged him and petted his leathery greenish skin. “I think you’ve gotten an inch bigger.”

  Feenix looked over at Evalle with shock. “What ith inch?”

  Evalle held her index finger and thumb apart to show him. “A lot.”

  Nicole patted his head between his little horns. “If you’ll play for a bit so I can talk to Evalle, we’ll watch television later.”

  Feenix clapped his hands, wings flapping to lift him off her lap. “Nathcar! Nathcar! Danica!”

  “I’m sure I can find a race tonight.” Nicole turned to Lanna. “I’ve got a couple whirligig type toys he’ll chase around once I cast a spell for them to fly. Would you get them out of that chest against the wall?”

  Lanna retrieved a spiral piece of plastic that fit in the palm of her hand. She whispered something and the toy came alive, spinning up in the air, changing colors as it flew.

  Feenix took off after the toy as Lanna sent three more airborne.

  Nicole nodded in admiration. “Nicely done. Thank you.”

  Turning around, Lanna said, “Watch this.” Then she disappeared.

  Nicole shot a look of concern at Evalle, who waved a hand. “Don’t worry. She explained to me that she’s learning how to cloak herself.”

  When Lanna came back into view, Nicole asked, “How long can you stay cloaked?”

  “Twenty, maybe thirty minutes.” Lanna rubbed her head. “Sometimes hurts. Or I’m tired.”

  Pointing across the room, Nicole said, “Go ahead and get settled in the guest bedroom. Lie down if you want.”

  “Thank you.” Lanna gave Evalle a look. “Do not feel bad about this. I understand, and someday I will ask you to understand for me.”

  “Fair enough.” Evalle thought about giving her a hug, but she’d never been one to hug much. “Either I’ll be in touch in a few days or Quinn will, and if not, you and Nicole both have Tzader’s number to call.”

  The minute Lanna stepped into the guest room, Evalle sat down on the end of the sofa that had an open space next to it where Nicole could park her wheelchair. Evalle always felt at home here and was never quite sure if it was due to the comforting autumn colors in the room or some spell Nicole cast to infuse tranquility.

  “Lanna is powerful,” Nicole stated. “More than a witch.”

  “She’s Quinn’s cousin, and he doesn’t know what she is. Says she doesn’t either. Long story, but basically her mother disappeared nineteen years ago for I don’t know, like a month, and showed up again with no idea where she’d been or how she’d gotten pregnant.”

  “I’m fine with it, but I’m concerned that she’ll get past my wards on the apartment.”

  Evalle shook her head. “I don’t think so. She’s never trained with anyone. I’ve gotten used to her disappearing around the apartment and in the truck today. I think she enjoys having that control. Thanks for doing this.”

  “I’m happy to help, but why am I doing this?”

  Keeping her voice down, Evalle told her, “Quinn asked me to take Lanna while he’s gone to help the Beladors with a problem. A wizard is after Lanna, but I drove around with her and Feenix for a while to see if there was any chance we were being followed. I’ve got an SUV that’s warded against sunlight and unauthorized access, and I’m sure I had no tail today. Your place is warded, but if Lanna starts getting bad headaches, call Tzader or one of these Belador numbers and have her taken to headquarters.”

  Evalle handed over a slip of paper, adding, “I would never bring danger to your doorstep.”

  “I know that.”

  “But don’t answer the door to anyone you don’t personally know or anyone besides Tzader or Quinn who says they’re here to see me or Lanna.” Evalle leaned forward, gripping the plush sofa arm. “If I’m not back in two days, please call Tzader and tell him you have Lanna. I don’t want you keeping her longer than that no matter what.”

  Nicole reached over and put her hand on Evalle’s forearm. “Your gold aura is dark, almost a tarnished color. What’s going on?” Before Evalle could answer, Nicole’s grip tightened, then she lifted Evalle’s arm and used her other hand to slide the sleeve back, exposing the armband. “What is that?”

  “That is a Volonte and part of the problem.” Evalle gave Nicole a brief rundown on what had happened since she’d entered the Beast Club in the mountains last night. “That’s why I need your help. I have to leave soon so that I can reach St. Marys tonight ahead of Storm. It’s six and a half hours down there. If I leave by noon, I’ll arrive just before dark so I can scout out all the docks to find the one taking fighters to Cumberland Island.” That would give her a four-hour head start on Storm.

  Nicole asked, “Is that what you need the potion for?”

  “Yes. You have it, right?”

  Nicole released her and leaned back, worry ringing her eyes. “Yes, but you need Storm at this event.”

  “No, I don’t. I can actually get in for free as an Alterant.”

  “But they’ll expect you to fight.”

  Evalle pointed at the armband. “I’m hoping I can make a trade with this to just watch the battles if I keep my Alterant status secret. Once I get in, I’ll find a way to get to Tristan and convince him to drink the potion. It’s not a great plan, but it’s one I think will work.”

  Nicole handed Evalle a silver flask small enough to hide in her fisted hand. It had a sun and bird engraved on the side. “Thank you, Nicole.”

  Nicole closed her eyes and leaned back. Her lips barely moved with silent words.

  In the past, Evalle had seen Nicole use her skill at foretelling, and she waited for her friend to share what she saw. Finally, Nicole opened her eyes. “I can’t see what happens inside this event, but I feel that you can’t go in there alone.”

  Evalle stood up. “Thanks for the warning, but I can’t tell VIPER, and I’m not risking Storm’s life.”

  “You should discuss it with him.”

  “There is no discussing anything with him when it comes to me. He’s becoming as overprotective as Tzader and Quinn, maybe worse.”

  A knowing smile lifted Nicole’s lips. “So it’s like that between the two of you?”

  “Yes and no.” Evalle cross
ed her arms to keep from fidgeting. “He’s been so patient with me, I may have missed my window of opportunity with him, so to speak.”

  Because she might not make it back alive.

  “Did you tell him . . . about your past?”

  Evalle had never told anyone about that night, not even Nicole, Tzader or Quinn, but trying to keep something like that from Nicole was futile. “No, but he’s empathic, so, like you, he has a pretty good idea that I’m screwed up when it comes to a relationship.”

  “I haven’t spent much time with Storm, but that one time I was around him I sensed the heart of a good man.”

  Shaking her head, Evalle swallowed her regret. “The sad thing is that I’m ready to try for more with him, but I may not get a chance. If I don’t make it back, I’m hoping he’ll come to you to find out where I am. If he does, don’t show him where I am. Don’t show anyone.”

  “You can’t do this alone, Evalle.”

  “I have to.” She pinched her eyes and struggled to get a grip on her control. Evalle had to prevent her emotions from rocketing out of control for just a little longer. She couldn’t wait to hand this bone over to someone at the beast fights.

  But right now, the pain of lying to Storm, even by omission, and possibly never seeing him again, was stomping her heart.

  She flexed her hand, took a breath and said, “If he does come looking for me after tomorrow, please give him a message. Tell him that he was the one, the only one I’ve ever wanted, and I’m sorry I missed my chance with him. But that he should not come after me.”

  Nicole held a finger against her lips, looking as if she’d been asked to write Evalle’s eulogy.

  Evalle really didn’t do touching, but Storm had influenced her too much with his touch. She couldn’t not bend down and hug Nicole to thank her. It was brief, but when she stood up, Evalle was glad for the contact. Nicole had become more than a friend over the time they’d known each other. She was a sister of the heart. Or what Evalle would envision a sister to be.

  “Please come back to us,” Nicole said as if issuing an enchanted wish.

  “Going to do my best.” Walking over to the foyer, Evalle lifted the tote of lug nuts from where she’d dropped the bag.

  Nicole took the tote. “Are you going to say good-bye to Feenix?”

  Throat thick, Evalle said, “No. I already told him this was a sleepover. If I talk to him now, he’ll know something’s wrong. I want him happy as long as possible. I’m sorry to impose on you, but if I don’t come back . . .”

  “I will always care for Feenix,” Nicole said quickly, then added in a quiet tone, “But you have to take Storm in the games with you. I . . . I need to tell you what I saw.”

  Leaving the door open, Evalle stepped back over to her friend’s chair and leaned down. “What?”

  “If you don’t take Storm, you won’t leave those beast games alive.”

  Giving Nicole’s hand a squeeze, Evalle nodded and walked out, closing the door softly. She hadn’t needed Nicole’s special ability to know she was going to die. She’d felt it in her heart all day.

  TWENTY

  Someone was following her.

  Evalle had felt a presence all the way to this sleepy coastal town in southeast Georgia.

  Lifting halfway up from a squat, she made a slow visual sweep of the dark woods behind her that hid her and her SUV. It was an hour after sunset, and nothing moved in the black void. Every breath of salt air invigorated her after six and a half hours of driving.

  Bending her knees, she resumed her position behind a thick pine tree to watch yet another dock, the same position she’d held since arriving in St. Marys ninety minutes ago.

  Eight o’clock and she still hadn’t found the dock. That feeling of someone close by clung to her edgy psyche, poking at her that someone was tailing her.

  Storm couldn’t have gotten here yet. Not this soon. Could he?

  No. If he had, he’d have shown his face if for no other reason than to finish letting her know how much she’d pissed him off. She’d sent him texts all afternoon, touching base as if she’d still been in Atlanta when she’d been driving southeast instead. He’d answered, his last text saying he’d found the Langaus in Atlanta and Tzader’s team had managed to capture one, which the healers were using to create an antidote.

  And that he was on his way to meet her outside her apartment. In Atlanta, where she was supposed to be. The phone call to tell him that she wasn’t there had been worse than she’d expected, which was saying something.

  She’d seen Storm furious before, but he’d hit rage level when he’d found out she had a four-hour head start on him. She wasn’t even sure he’d heard her “I’m sorry,” right before she’d crushed her mobile phone to prevent anyone tracking her electronically.

  He would never forgive her, but he’d be alive.

  Balmy night air swirled softly. Please let this be the right public dock. She had to get on one of the private boats ferrying nonhumans to Cumberland Island.

  The other boat docks had been too public for transporting beasts, and even though she could pass for a human visitor, she wouldn’t trust Sen not to have someone watching for her at the public ferry.

  A high-end private tour bus pulled into the empty parking area between her and the water. Two figures emerged. Hard to tell much about them from a hundred feet away, but one walked as if he or she wore ankle cuffs. That pair moved toward the dock but stayed in the shadows.

  The docks on each side of the boat ramp were barely visible beneath single lights on tall poles. The figure in ankle cuffs shuffled up under the light and Evalle saw a tail dragging on the ground behind him.

  She let out a pent-up breath.

  This had to be the place.

  Headlights shone over the parking lot as a fairly new white convertible BMW 650i spun in to park and a late-model silver Dodge pickup truck parked several car lengths away.

  A woman with long white hair and a shining gold mask emerged from the sports car.

  Imogenia had arrived. She tugged a chain, dragging along her Alterant, Bernie, like an unwanted child. No sack covered his head.

  Doors snapped open and shut on the parked truck. One of the people who climbed out had to stand seven feet tall, appeared to be male and wore a collar that glowed neon red.

  If that giant was an Alterant, how big would he be once he shifted?

  Imogenia called over to the guy who had to be the giant’s sponsor. “Alterant?”

  “Yes.”

  Bernie whimpered, twisting a knot in Evalle’s stomach.

  “Where’s the boat?” Imogenia asked everyone in general.

  Before anyone could answer, a troll emerged from the water, walking up the boat launch ramp. Water ran from his horned head and down his ten-foot-tall body that was covered in mud-matted hair.

  No one said a word as he thumped over to the light pole and lifted a hand with claws to wave between the light and the water. He did it twice, paused, then twice more.

  A boat motor rumbled as a sleek, thirty-foot-long speedboat approached from the darkness beyond the launch ramps. The craft stayed only long enough for the new arrivals to board, then it slid away, disappearing into the night.

  She had to get on the next boat, but as she started to take a step toward the parking lot a twig snapped behind her. Calling up her dagger from her boot to her hand as she turned, Evalle whipped around ready for the attack.

  Nothing there.

  “What are you waiting for?” Evalle challenged. “A better opportunity to attack me isn’t going to happen.”

  Nothing. No movement, no sound, just the sense that she was right. She didn’t have time to bother with someone playing games.

  The island was maybe a half hour away, but she had no idea how long it would take to find her way to the beast championship once she got off the boat.

  That ping of being watched kept bumping her.

  She opened her empathic senses and reached out toward the area of
the last noise.

  Fear hit her first, then desperation.

  Could it just be a curious creature? But what kind?

  Backing out of the coverage, Evalle warned, “I won’t harm you if you don’t give me reason to.” Just as she started to swing around, her gaze caught on her SUV where the rear hatch was open. Hadn’t she locked that? She sent a gentle kinetic push and closed it, then locked the truck with her key fob and swung around.

  Heading for the dock, she’d made it halfway across the parking lot when the whomp, whomp, whomp of an arriving helicopter filled the air. It was coming in fast.

  Guess even wealthy sponsors had to travel to the island by the designated ferry, too.

  Wind blustered about as the helicopter landed, then a man leaped out and headed her way with a stride that was both fluid and powerful.

  Her mouth gaped open. “How did you . . .”

  The brunt of Storm’s fury reached her first. He headed for her with his head down like a pissed-off bull.

  This was going to get ugly. She lifted the dagger, pointing the business end at him. “You can just go right back—”

  He stopped with a couple of feet left between them, heaving deep breaths, when she knew he wasn’t winded. “You really thought I’d let you go there alone?”

  “Let me? It’s not your choice.”

  “You want to do this, then I’m fighting. Not you. Besides, you need me to go in.”

  Pointing to her arm, she said, “I don’t need you. I can get in with the armband and not fight.” She hoped.

  “You don’t understand how these fights work, particularly this one, since it’s all about Alterants. You might know if you hadn’t lied to me and waited for us to drive here together.”

  She flinched at the “lied to me” but stood her ground. “I tried to tell you I didn’t want you here.”

  “And that makes coming here alone okay when you knew I wouldn’t stand by and do nothing?”

  Her gaze drifted to where the helicopter sat with its blades turning slowly. “I’m sorry you did whatever you did to get here, and I know you’re angry—”