Witchlock

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  One of the deities zapping you into the ether. "The Medb are accusing the Beladors of killing their coven members without provocation."

  He pulled her to the edge of the sidewalk, away from three guys huddled together against a building they passed.

  She lifted her eyebrows at him. "They were human."

  He huffed a noise of irritation, but he did it in jest. "You're gonna have to get used to it, sweetheart. It's a natural reaction for a man to protect a woman, even if she can take down Godzilla with a flick of her kinetic fingers." He grinned at her.

  She shook her head at his teasing. She'd missed that during the six days he was gone.

  He must have noticed how close they were to Woodruff Park, because he turned serious again. "Is there any chance a Belador would just kill a Medb without reason?"

  "Only someone suicidal." She spoke quickly so they could finish before Sen saw them and popped in to ruin her moment alone with Storm. "We swear an oath to Macha that includes a code of honor with stiff penalties. And if we wrongly take a life or act without honor, everyone connected to that Belador, be it husband, wife, or any other family will suffer the same consequences, even death."

  "Seriously?"

  "Oh, yes. That's why Tzader needs help proving the Beladors are not killing warlocks or witches in the Medb coven, but above all you must tell the truth."

  "What if I scent something that points at a Belador?"

  "Doesn't matter. If you lie in a Tribunal, you'll light up as red as a signal flare and they'll hand you over to Sen--if they don't vaporize you on the spot. But handing anyone over to Sen would be as bad."

  When Storm didn't reply, Evalle said, "Tzader and Macha want the truth. They'll deal with the fallout, but no one will blame you. I know Tzader. He'll request this be a closed meeting and that Sen be forbidden from sharing a word about it. If a Belador is at fault, they won't be able to retaliate against you or me."

  He squeezed her hand as they crossed an intersection of five roads, which was the reason this area of downtown Atlanta was called Five Points.

  The city had remodeled parts of Woodruff Park, adding planters along the short wall between the sidewalk and the park. With the temperature dropping into the forties, Evalle noted only two people meandering down the street away from the park.

  Good thing, since the minute her foot touched the corner near the bronze sculpture of a woman releasing a bird, titled Phoenix Rising From The Ashes, Sen appeared.

  Storm stepped up beside her and without a word of greeting, her world spun into a blur of colors.

  Sen had some crazy abilities. Even if there were few people around, he still had to shield their blinking out of sight from Five Points. She had no idea how he managed that and didn't care.

  Two trips to two different realms in a short span of time were playing worse havoc than normal with Evalle. Her stomach was doing a great imitation of a washing machine on spin cycle.

  Storm's arms came around her from the back and the blurred colors receded. She inhaled deep breaths, fighting her nausea, and his scent flowed over her. When her feet touched down again, she couldn't have been more relaxed if she'd been in a spa on the way here.

  If Sen had realized that Storm prevented her usual vertigo reaction, he'd have sent them separately.

  A mist surrounding her and Storm dissipated, revealing just what she'd described to Storm. This Tribunal was mixed. The goddess wore a blindfold and held scales. Evalle guessed her to be Justitia. Then there was some guy wearing a wreath on his head and strumming a golden instrument. A lyre? Could that be Orpheus? Was he even a deity or had he been dragged in for entertainment and to show how little respect the deities had for Belador and Medb issues?

  She recognized the last god immediately and held back her groan.

  Loki. She'd thought he was on her side the first time she'd faced him in a Tribunal meeting, but she'd learned first hand how he'd earned one of his nicknames. Trickster. She'd landed in a South American jungle in the middle of an invisible, spelled cage that held another Alterant who wanted to kill her.

  Good times.

  Tzader stood four feet away and said under his breath, "Don't use telepathy."

  She nodded. She'd used it with Brina during another Tribunal meeting, but everything felt tense here. Maybe Tzader wasn't allowed that leeway. She hoped like hell that Storm didn't pick up a Belador scent on whatever the Medb produced.

  Sen appeared on the other side of Tzader and stood, looking bored, but he sent a cold look her way, then he smiled.

  Her skin puckered with chill bumps. Good thing she'd picked a long-sleeved shirt so he couldn't see her reaction to his appearing happy. Sen happy could only equal bad news for her in this meeting.

  The deities were speaking among themselves and glancing around every so often, which had Evalle thinking someone else was coming to this party.

  Energy charged the air between Evalle's group and the dais.

  A man materialized and announced, "I am here to represent the Medb."

  Who was that?

  Loki boomed, "Welcome Cathbad the Druid, representing the Medb."

  Evalle glanced at Tzader for a sign that this was nothing unusual. The gut-punched look he sent her dashed those hopes.

  Chapter 25

  Evalle didn't show any reaction to Cathbad's presence, but she had no doubt Storm had picked up on her spike of anxiety.

  She sent Storm a quick smile she hoped would convey that everything was okay so he'd think her emotional fluxuation was normal for facing a Tribunal. There was some truth to that, but she sensed the Medb had something up their sleeves that Tzader was not expecting, and that concerned her.

  Loki stepped forward, playing with a feather. "We are here to settle grievances the Medb bring against the Beladors. Tzader Burke, Belador Maistir, will speak for the Beladors and should note that this Tribunal is displeased that Brina of Treoir is not present as expected."

  Tzader spoke up loud and clear. "Our warrior queen is recovering from the ill affects of a Noirre attack. Macha appreciates the Tribunal's understanding."

  Evalle mentally clapped at how smoothly Tzader pointed to Brina's absence being the fault of the Medb.

  Loki ignored Tzader's subtle accusation and spoke to the man standing closer to the raised stage. "Cathbad the Druid, step to the side so that we may all face one another." Loki pointed to his right.

  When Cathbad turned to place himself in full view of everyone, Evalle got her first look at the man who had supposedly been reincarnated along with Queen Maeve. Tall as Storm and with thick, dark, wavy hair, he was definitely not the Cathbad that Evalle had dealt with when she'd been taken to TAmr Medb before the attack on Treoir. As deadly as that druid had been, this one had a look in his eyes that said he had indeed been around for more than one lifetime and he would not be outmaneuvered.

  Orpheus strummed a lovely melody on his lyre, playing gentle background music and smiling like an idiot. Would someone serve hors d'oeuvres next?

  Loki announced, "Let it be known that all the Tribunal groups are at the end of their collective patience with this constant conflict. We want it to cease. We agreed to do our part when the need arose, but this borders on frivolous use of our time."

  Frivolous? Clearly a bloody war that had raged for eons was not worth their time. If a Tribunal hadn't accepted the Medb into the VIPER coalition, none of this would be happening, but good luck telling three powerful beings that they were the ones at fault.

  Loki turned to Cathbad. "State your grievances and we will resolve them one at a time." Loki turned to Tzader and said, "Agreed?"

  "Agreed."

  Cathbad launched into his first issue. "Before we deal with the evidence of a Belador murdering a Medb--"

  Evalle couldn't look at Tzader, who had to be seething.

  "--I wish to revisit the fact that the Medb have delivered a reasonable offer on the gryphons and Macha has failed to accept it or make a counter offer. Why should she be keepin
' them when 'tis common knowledge that these gryphons possess as much Medb blood as they do Belador blood?"

  Evalle fought the urge to shout at him for all the wrongs the Medb had committed, but she would not speak until directed to do so by Tzader.

  Loki sounded bored beyond tears. "What say you, Beladors?"

  Tzader uncrossed his arms. "Macha submitted a petition that the Alterants, which evolve into gryphons, be recognized as a race and no Tribunal has acted upon that yet. She's provided sanctuary for the current gryphons until all Alterants and gryphons are granted the right to make their own choices. Macha has offered all Alterants and gryphons a chance to join her pantheon. Once a judgment on their petition is rendered, they'll be able to choose between remaining on Treoir or returning to this world where they'll be on their own."

  Cathbad argued in a fierce voice, "The Medb are due half of the gryphons. Half that number of stock should be delivered immediately and the Medb will give them sanctuary until the petition is acted upon."

  Evalle whispered, "Let me talk."

  Tzader nodded and addressed the Tribunal. "I ask that Evalle Kincaid be allowed to speak."

  Loki nodded and rolled his hand, telling her to get moving and say what she had to say.

  She faced Cathbad who had a too-confident look in his eyes. The wrong people were happy right now. "Gryphons are not stock to be shared like cattle. We don't want to be in the middle of a tug-of-war any more than this Tribunal wants to hear about it. We are people, who should be granted the same rights as everyone else."

  She felt Storm's admiration touch her and had to force herself not to smile.

  Cathbad asked, "Ya aren't sayin' these beasts are people with families in the human world, are ya?"

  His sarcastic tone grated on Evalle's frayed nerves. All the Alterants who had traveled to TAmr Medb and been forced to fight for the Medb came to mind. Tristan and his sister. Bernie, who had a girlfriend in the human world. The list went on and on, including Evalle, who wanted a life with Storm.

  She replied, "Yes, many of the gryphons have friends and family. We should be allowed to choose where we want to live and with whom we wish to associate." She hoped Macha had been treating the gryphons well on Treoir, in preparation for when the day to choose arrived.

  Cathbad acted as if he hung on her every word. "I see. So, maybe you can tell me why these people are not livin' with their families and friends in the human world now?"

  Loki grinned at the clever maneuver by Cathbad.

  The druid had put Evalle on the spot.

  If she didn't support bringing the gryphons back to the human world, it would look as though they were being held on Treoir against their will. If gryphons were sent to the human world before an agreement was reached on the petition, they would be vulnerable with no pantheon to support them. The Medb would come after them, regardless of what VIPER thought. If one of the Alterants shifted into a gryphon in the human realm, even for defense, he or she would face trial by a Tribunal.

  She wanted full citizenship for those like her.

  In fact, she wanted them to be free of any pantheon to make their own decisions, but until that happened, the gryphons were better off on Treoir where they played a role in the island and castle security in exchange for Macha's protection.

  Everyone waited on Evalle to say something. "I agree that gryphons should be allowed to live with their families and friends. I am willing to ask each gryphon, and determine which ones, if any, wish to visit Taur Medb."

  "No, it's half or nothing," Cathbad demanded.

  Tzader said, "Evalle has made a reasonable offer. Where's the Medb's counter offer?" He'd thrown Cathbad's words back at the druid.

  She loved that, but she was so tired of hearing yet one more person determined to run her life. She said, "Just once, I'd like to make a decision about my life. I've lived by my oath to the Beladors first and according to the laws of VIPER second. Beladors are held to a higher accountability than any other group. That alone should allow me some autonomy."

  Loki actually grinned at her outburst, crazy deity that he was, and looked at the druid.

  Cathbad stewed a moment then said, "We propose that Evalle put this offer to the gryphons if she accepts the role of liaison and swears to perform that duty to this Tribunal so we can trust her actions."

  Tzader said, "No. Macha has already addressed this issue."

  Evalle breathed out her relief.

  Thank you, Macha. The goddess had saved Evalle from being stuck between Beladors and Medb, or even worse--having to visit TAmr Medb to settle disputes. She never wanted to go back there.

  Evalle told Cathbad, "I've been with the Beladors my entire adult life. I am sworn to serve Macha. That makes it difficult for me to be impartial."

  "Your answer is no? Who's not being reasonable now, Belador?" Cathbad snarled.

  Stars glowed brightly and lightning ripped across the black sky from side to side.

  Loki shouted, "Silence." He sent his thunderous gaze at Evalle and said, "You admit ruling the gryphons. Ownership of these beasts is a thorn in our side. We will not rule on the petition until there is peace between Medb and the Beladors or the gryphons will continue to be a constant issue."

  I'm not a damn beast. She remained silent, because Loki was going somewhere with this. He didn't make them wait long.

  Eyes speared at Evalle, Loki said in the most magnanimous voice, "I will grant your wish to make a decision."

  That sounded really similar to the last time Loki had set her up to fail.

  Loki continued addressing Evalle. "Neither Macha nor Maeve may speak for you at this moment, yet a choice must be made. You decide if you will accept the liaison position or not, but be forewarned that refusing it means this Tribunal will decide the best place for the gryphons to be held until everything is resolved, which will very likely be in protective custody beneath the VIPER headquarters mountain."

  She felt eyes on her and looked to see a twinkle in Sen's gaze. He'd known this was coming.

  "You wanted a choice. Make your decision, leader of the gryphons," Loki said with a supreme look of pleasure in his face.

  He'd done it to her again.

  Chapter 26

  Tzader couldn't believe how easily Cathbad had turned the tables on the Beladors.

  Evalle hadn't responded to Loki's demands yet.

  Her throat moved with a hard swallow and he wanted to kill someone, but from the look on Storm's face Tzader would have to stand in line behind the Skinwalker. If Storm went caveman in here, the Tribunal would lower the boom on both Evalle and Storm.

  Evalle said, "I'd like a moment to speak with my Maistir as I am still a Belador and have sworn my oath to them." She finished that statement in Cathbad's direction.

  The son of a bitch druid had a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

  Thunder rolled, then Loki spoke. "Granted. One minute."

  Evalle swung to Tzader as he turned to her and Storm joined them in the huddle. Tzader started, "I'm sorry--"

  Evalle stopped him. "I know you and Macha tried to keep me out of this, but I am not going into protective custody."

  "I'll take you somewhere safe," Storm interjected.

  "You can't."

  "You have no idea how many resources I have and I'll tap every one of them."

  Tzader lifted an eyebrow at that, but wanted to let Evalle say what she had in mind before time was up.

  She told Storm, "You're right, I don't know who you know, but it doesn't matter. The minute I refuse to give them a solution, they'll tell Sen to take me away. And not even Macha can stop that." Evalle looked to Tzader. "Can she?"

  "Unfortunately, no. We need a plan for now that insures you leave here, then we'll fix this mess later." He shifted his attention to Storm. "We'll all make sure she isn't screwed on this deal."

  Storm clearly didn't like it, but nodded. "What's next?"

  Evalle said, "I accept the position of liaison to keep peace for now."

/>   Loki called, "Time's up."

  They broke the huddle and Evalle faced the dais with her shoulders squared. "I accept the position of liaison between the Beladors and the Medb."

  "Well then," Cathbad announced. "I say we put you to work."

  Tzader had been waiting for Cathbad to get down to the real reason for this Tribunal.

  The goddess Justitia spoke up, lifting her ornately carved scales of justice. A gold blindfold kept her wavy brown hair off of what was an ordinary face for a goddess. Her simple gray gown wrapped around her feet and gave her the appearance of a living statue. She spoke with a rich vibrato that left no question as to her authority.

  "The Medb have brought an accusation of murder against the Beladors."

  Tzader stiffened at her opening foray, but silence worked better with this bunch.

  Justitia stated, "During the last rotation of Earth, the Medb were ordered to deliver clear evidence of this or face sanctions. The Beladors will be given the same time to deliver their counter argument and proof of this being a false claim, if that is the case, or deliver the guilty party."

  Tzader's palms never sweated, but the Medb would be fools to take that risk of sanctions without clear evidence. Cathbad and Queen Maeve did not sound like fools.

  Tzader asked, "I request a chance to review the evidence."

  "Granted," Justitia replied. "Sen, liaison of VIPER, deliver the evidence."

  Sen stepped forward and lifted a hand, which he then lowered and pointed at the ground, adding to the drama.

  A body took shape in the form of a man with his clothes half torn off. Gray skin covered the corpse's face and arms that had been ravaged from an attack or while in a battle, which could mean the death had occurred during self-defense.

  There was no denying one piece of evidence.

  Evalle's spelled blade had been buried in the man's forhead.

  Cathbad launched into addressing the jury of deities. "Our warlocks have put their lives in danger for weeks to protect humans under the new rule of Queen Maeve. They've killed demons and caused no harm to others. But this poor warlock who had very little training only wanted a place to live and belong. He was no threat to someone as powerful as a Belador. His body was found in Stone Mountain Park the night she-" Cathbad pointed at Evalle and Storm's fury surged.

  Thankfully, Evalle put a hand out, silently asking Storm to overlook a druid pointing a finger that could be considered a weapon. Immortal or not, Cathbad wouldn't survive an attack on her in a Tribunal.