Storm marveled at Daegan, who hadn’t hesitated to enter a realm where he was at his most vulnerable for a woman he had only recently met. Storm had originally agreed to be one of Daegan’s circle of seven advisors for no other reason than it allowed him to be available to watch Evalle’s back.
But after this, Storm had a whole different sense of his role with Daegan.
He would stand with this dragon shifter in any battle. No other powerful being had ever gone to bat for Evalle. Most of them had misused her or treated her and the other gryphons as livestock.
Sen stood to one side, glowering as usual while they all waited.
Storm whispered to Daegan, “I just remembered one place I know I’ve smelled the kidnapper’s scent.”
“Oh? Where?”
“The night we battled Lorwerth and his bunch.”
“They all died.”
Storm said, “That’s right, which means the person behind that attack had been there, but was not present when we showed up.”
“Interesting.”
In dragon talk, that probably meant Daegan was even more anxious to find the kidnapper.
Justitia, Hermes and Loki took shape on the raised dais.
Evalle had told Storm how every time she got stuck dealing with Loki he spent the entire time playing with some majikal gadget or poking fun at someone at his victim’s expense.
This wasn’t the jovial prankster god facing them now.
Loki spoke in a dark tone. “Interesting seeing you again, Daegan, and especially now. I thought the Beladors and Medb had figured out how to get along. Evidently not because I’ve been informed that humans have recorded evidence of preternatural activity in Atlanta. Media is having quite a time with it. Have you come up with a plan for fixing that?”
“I didn’t create that problem, so no, that is not why I am here. I want the Tribunal to mediate an issue.”
“Perhaps you haven’t realized that this is not a good time to joke.”
Daegan’s voice boomed. “Do I sound as though I’m joking?”
“Dare you raise your voice to me?” Loki said in a savage tone.
Shit. Storm hoped Daegan’s plan had some safety valves.
Daegan had a staring match with Loki, then said, “Oh, I do dare. I am furious. My people are being attacked. Part of the fault lies with you and the rest of the Tribunal deities.”
Storm managed to hold a blank face, but it was an effort when he wanted to yank Daegan aside to remind him they needed the Tribunal’s help ... right?
Wasn’t that why they were here?
The dragon king getting zapped by three deities would not further his goal.
In the tense silence that followed as Daegan and Loki did battle with their eyes, Justitia asked, “What is your grievance, dragon?”
When Daegan moved his gaze to her, he was more respectful. “When you allowed the Medb to join VIPER and to begin sending their warlocks to the human world, in spite of all the Belador deaths they have caused for centuries, our people had the additional duty of watching our own backs while still trying to protect humans. I’ve heard the stories, so I’m sure you know them.”
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.
Macha snarled at Dakkar, “This is what you were doing when you said you wanted to earn your place with me? I gave you a bolthole so you could come and go in my realm. Not for your whims. You expected immortality for this debacle?”
“I only wanted to be with you.”
His body turned brighter and brighter red until he looked like a neon tomato.
She shook her head and looked away in disgust.
Justitia asked Macha, “You gave him a bolthole that would access a Celtic realm and offered him immortality?”
Storm realized the Tribunal goddess was calling out Macha for breaking some kind of entity rule.
Really unhappy now, Macha said, “Yes, he had a bolthole, but specifically for visiting my realm. No, I was not going to make him immortal.”
Macha did not change color, but Storm murmured to Daegan, “She’s jading the truth a bit.”
Daegan nodded his understanding.
Loki snarled, “How dare you give him access to the realm of any Celtic deity?”
Whipping her head around to face Loki, Macha ranted, “Do not make it sound as if he could go anywhere. He could only use the bolthole to enter my realm. The only way he could enter another realm was if ... ” Her voice faltered.
Justitia finished the sentence for her. “If he was of Celtic descent, which Dakkar is. Bad mistake, Macha. One that could bring many in your pantheon down on your head.”
Dakkar had been staring in horror. He roared at her. “You lied to me! You said you would make me immortal!”
Macha told him, “Oh, please. I do not answer to you or anyone else. For that matter, do not think to make my lie worse than yours.”
Daegan said, “I am not finished questioning this man.”
“I’ve got nothing else to say to you,” Dakkar shot back.
Sounding as if he found this entirely too entertaining, Loki said, “Listen up, Dakkar. Unfortunately, once you lie in here, you must reply to all questions and answer truthfully. To lie again will result in your losing a body part each time. Refusal to reply is the same as lying. It’s quite sad to watch when a man’s most prized part is the first to go.”
Tears leaked from Dakkar’s eyes. “No, please. I can’t. I gave a blood pact.”
Loki said, “That doesn’t matter in here. A blood pact agreed to outside this realm can’t harm you in this realm.”
“Okay, okay.” Dakkar started mumbling to himself.
Storm mentally shook his head at this slime. Dakkar had to be too panicked to realize that while the broken pact might not affect him in here, it would come calling the moment Dakkar left the Tribunal.
Luckily for Dakkar, Storm had no intention of letting that man leave here alive. He asked the bounty hunter, “Who did you give my mate to?”
“I, uh ... I gave her to Germanus.”
Daegan dropped his crossed arms and asked in a voice filled with disbelief. “Germanus? The man who was my father’s steward?”
“That one.”
“How is he still alive? He was not immortal.”
Dakkar’s face turned a deep red, much like a thumb slammed with a hammer. “You know of Abandinu?”
“Yes. He was a god tossed out of the Celtic pantheon.”
Shuddering through each breath, Dakkar said, “Abandinu created a realm where Germanus could live forever.”
Storm didn’t need his empathic gift to know this Germanus guy being alive was a major issue for Daegan.
“What does he want with Evalle?” Daegan asked in a voice so deep it sounded similar to his dragon voice.
Storm hadn’t been the only one to pick up on Daegan edging closer to shifting.
All five of the other deities stared at him. Hermes stopped playing and ordered in a shaky voice, “Answer the dragon!”
Dakkar choked out the words. “Germanus is using her as bait, waiting for you.”
Daegan asked, “Why would he think I even knew he was alive?”
“I ... I told him you were hunting your hoard. He’s got your father’s treasure and doesn’t want to give it up.”
Storm saw red, literally. He had no doubt his eyes were glowing just as bright as Dakkar’s body.
Somebody was hurting Evalle for money? Grady had been right. He’d just had the wrong person when he thought this had happened because of the dragon king hunting his hoard.
Past the point of showing any of this group beyond Daegan respect, Storm said, “Why would you do this and put my mate in the middle of it?”
When Dakkar hesitated again, Loki said, “You should answer.”
Dakkar looked over at Macha with pleading in his eyes, but she ignored him with cold determination.
With a worried glance at his crotch, Dakkar faced Daegan and Storm. Resignation pulsed through his misery. “Regardless of what she admits, I promised Macha I’d bring her the dragon’s head in exchange for immortality and the ability to teleport.”
Macha had shown little emotion until that point, but her head swiveled to face Dakkar’s glowing body. “You are a liar.”
“No, Macha, he did not lie,” Loki corrected. “He would have lost a body part right away. You are not glowing because you technically did not say that his words were a lie. You should take care what you say next.”
Macha lifted an icy gaze to Loki. “I would warn you not to cross me. I do not have to be here.”
“This is true, but it sounds as if you were going to grant someone immortality in exchange for killing a VIPER ally in addition to giving him the ability to move around with a bolthole.” Loki’s tone had shifted to one of censure with no indication that her warning fazed him in the least.
“I will not be held accountable for what a minion chose to do on his own.”
Daegan asked, “Dakkar, did she offer you immortality if you arranged for my death?”
Macha’s eyes slashed a look of hate at Daegan. “Do not challenge me in a realm where you are at risk.”
Justitia admonished, “This is the Tribunal realm, Macha. You do not hold the power here.”
“Oh? Who do you think helped create this realm? I was one of the original three Tribunal members. I and the other two hold the greatest power here.”
Storm held his breath. This bunch had better not have a throwdown until he and Daegan got all the information they needed.
Justitia instructed Dakkar, “Answer the last question.”
Dakkar tried to stand up straighter, probably sensing the turning tide against Macha. “Yes, she did offer me those things.”
There it was—absolute evidence of Macha attacking Daegan.
Tension pushed air from the room.
Loki observed everyone for a moment and suggested, “It is in no one’s best interest for you to war with Daegan, Macha.”
“I am not starting a war.”
“You did the minute you supported anything Dakkar did against me and my people,” Daegan argued. “You gave him the ability to enter a Celtic realm, which was how he got into Abandinu’s.” Daegan shifted his attention to Dakkar, “Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
Daegan asked Macha, “What do you think Abandinu will do when he finds out what you’ve done? You can deny it all you want, but one deity will always hold another guilty of anything their followers do that they consider an act of aggression.”
Storm wanted to support Daegan, but he’d rather not get busy with a war any time soon. He whispered to Daegan, “I’m with you if there is a war, but is there a way to settle this so we don’t have to fight one right now?”
Daegan had been locked in fury while he spoke, but when he turned to Storm his dark face eased. He nodded, “I have an idea for preventing a war.”
“I’m all for it,” Storm said.
Crossing his arms, Daegan said, “I would ask the Tribunal for a chance to make peace with Macha.”
The trio on the dais turned shocked faces to Daegan.
Macha’s face registered suspicion.
Dakkar said, “Can I—”
Loki snapped his fingers and the bounty hunter turned mute. The prankster god asked Daegan, “What would appease you, since you were the one she intended to kill?”
Storm pondered this strange interaction. Why would Loki care if Daegan died or not?
Daegan said, “I understand that Queen Maeve called in Dlí Fola, the rule of the Blood Law, to demand the return of Kizira’s body.”
Macha’s face locked down to show nothing beyond contempt when she countered, “So? From what I understand, Maeve did not receive the body.”
Queen Maeve hissed and Justitia shushed her.
“That’s beside the point,” Daegan said. “I’m calling in the same rule of Blood Law.”
“For what?” she asked, almost laughing.
Daegan’s deep voice boomed. “My sister’s body. She was left in your safeguard, then you went to war with my king. I demand the return of my sister’s body.”
Macha took her time replying and exposed a sly smile. “Is she dead?”
Storm had never heard about Daegan’s family. This had to be vitally important to Daegan for him to use that as a bargaining chip.
All and good as long as Storm and Daegan left here with Evalle’s location.
Daegan said, “If my sister is not dead, then where is she?”
Macha taunted Daegan. “You’re the one who called up the Blood Law, which references only a dead body. It is not a living law. I don’t have to answer if she’s living, do I, Loki?”
Exuberant at the exchange, Loki said, “No, you don’t.”
Daegan pressed on. “But if my sister is dead, you do have to hand over the body. Is that not correct, Loki?”
Looking serious for a tiny moment, Loki said, “That is also true.”
Everyone stared at each other until Loki asked, “Macha? Do you have a body to hand over?”
Surprisingly, she looked disappointed to say, “No.”
Storm felt hope rush off Daegan in a wave, but then it dissipated, replaced by disappointment. Why?
“I believe we have all we need,” Daegan announced in a deadly quiet voice.
Storm said, “Wait, what about ... ” The question died on his lips when Daegan looked over and shook his head. Storm had trusted the dragon to this point and couldn’t stop halfway.
Daegan must know how to find Evalle, so Storm would wait until they released Dakkar.
That bounty hunter had to die. Painfully.
Loki looked over at Dakkar and shook his head. He snapped his fingers again.
Dakkar’s body trembled violently. He could barely speak. “I answered all the questions. Can I go now?” he pleaded, pointing the question at Loki.
Loki asked Macha, “Would you prefer to stay or leave?”
Lifting her arms, Macha said, “I am done with this.” With that action, light burst from her in a radiant glow and winked out when she teleported away.
“Macha!” Dakkar shouted. “No, come back.”
Queen Maeve laughed wildly and vanished before anyone could address her. That goddess was certifiable.
Dakkar focused on Daegan. “You said you wouldn’t kill me.”
The dragon observed Dakkar with the same distaste as encountering a nasty pile of human waste. He told the bounty hunter, “I spoke to your ancestors in Dunmore cave.”
“Wh-what?”
“They know you broke your vow. I don’t think you need to worry about the blood oath you gave Germanus,” Daegan said.
Loki mused, “He has a point, Dakkar. Dying is not going to be fun for you.”
“Wait.” Dakkar’s frantic gaze went to Loki. “Isn’t what Daegan says in here like law or something?”
Striking a thoughtful pose, Loki said, “You are correct.”
Storm growled low, preparing to unleash his jaguar.
Sounding slightly relieved, Dakkar remind Loki, “Well, Daegan said he wouldn’t kill me.”
Loki nodded with understanding. “True. But I never said I wouldn’t.”
Dakkar’s mouth fell open. “No! I’ll be stuck in Dunmore Cave forever. Don’t do this.”
“You should thank me. That will be the next best thing to immortality, which was your goal, evidently,” Loki quipped and pointed at Dakkar.
The bounty hunter’s body exploded into a fireball so strong Storm and Daegan took a step back and shielded their faces. It was over as quickly as it started. When the fire ended, nothing was left but a pile of ashes.
Addressing Daegan, Loki said, “I hope you remember that we did aid you today.”
Lowering his arm from his face, Daegan said, “I’ll remember. I hope you keep in mind that Dakkar wanted to be an immortal and he had the makings of a serial killer. That means I helped you remove a danger to all preternaturals today as well.”
He got a smirk from Loki in reply. “What do you plan to do about Germanus and Abandinu?”
“Make a statement for all who dare to do this in the future.”
“You would enter a hostile realm to fight where you are vulnerable to attack?”
Daegan offered, “Why would that matter to you? If I fail, it will solve many of your problems.”
“True, but it would not reveal who your mother is,” Loki pointed out. “Will she offer aid with Abandinu?”
Offering all three deities of the Tribunal a confident expression, Daegan said, “I don’t need her help for this.”
That quieted even Loki.
Storm only hoped that exchange meant Daegan absolutely knew where they were headed next.
Daegan turned to Storm. “Can you live with that justice for Dakkar’s part in this?”
Storm wouldn’t lose another second going after vengeance when he had a far greater goal. “Yes. I just want to find Evalle. You do know where she is, right?”
Daegan said, “Yes.”
Storm was ready to tackle Germanus and Abandinu. He and the dragon had survived this Tribunal. Storm would destroy anything left standing in his way and Daegan would teleport Evalle home.
Finally, this nightmare was coming to an end. He couldn’t wait to see his mate.