Covath’s dark gaze didn’t move from her face. There was a pause as he considered her. “Perhaps.”
No perhaps about it. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. Still, she didn’t argue with him.
“We need to work together if we want to address this threat,” Shea said.
Covath made a sound of disagreement, as if the very thought of cooperating with humans offended him. Shea struggled with her frustration, the events of the day making her short temper even shorter.
“We both agree bad things will ensue should Griffin give the Lux to what waits at the heart. You’re either going to work with me or not. Stop wasting my time pussyfooting around.” Shea glared at him in the dark. She meant every word. If this was a fool’s errand doomed to failure, she could go right back down that mountain to where Fallon fought for his life.
“You risk much, human,” Covath growled. Trenton and Buck edged forward at the sound.
She gave a growl of her own. It might have lacked the deep gravelly base of his, but it got her point across. “Yes, yes, I do. I had people who died today. Some still wage that battle.”
“You’re not the only one who has felt loss during this day,” Covath rumbled.
That brought Shea up short. It was enough to make her think.
“The mythologicals among the beasts—some of them were yours.” It was a statement, not a question.
Trenton stilled, his posture turning menacing. She shook her head at him, reminding him that he’d agreed to follow her lead.
Covath didn’t answer, the silence itself telling her all she needed to know.
Shea made an angry sound. She should never have come here. Hoping to forge an alliance with Covath and his ilk would not end well. Especially since she now knew some of his people had been responsible for spilling Trateri blood.
“That’s just great.” Defeat was a sour taste in her mouth.
“It was not our choice,” Covath said, his voice oddly defensive.
Shea didn’t answer immediately, his words making her think.
She’d come all this way. Covath’s presence here meant perhaps not all was lost.
“You want something; otherwise you wouldn’t be here,” Shea said, not looking at him. “What is it you’re hoping to achieve?”
“Your mate has fallen.” Covath evaded the question.
Shea’s head twisted toward the mythological, a bestial expression on her face. He would not bring Fallon into this.
Buck made a sound of surprise.
“Your enemy played a hand in his fate,” Covath said, his tone silken and persuasive.
“Lies,” Trenton said, advancing across the clearing.
Covath gave him a dismissive look, not responding to the accusation.
Shea stilled. Impossible. There was no way. The Trateri didn’t trust outsiders. They certainly wouldn’t have betrayed their warlord at one’s behest.
Covath sensed her denial. “The betrayer has been watching you for some time. Learning. Scheming. Seeking to divide you from those close to you. His words are full of promise, capable of beguiling those open to greed. He planted the seeds that turned your mate’s allies against him.”
Shea didn’t want to believe, but Covath’s words struck a chord of truth inside her—one that she wanted to yank out even as it begged her to listen.
“Trenton, is that possible?” Shea asked, her voice wobbled just slightly.
His silence was uncertain. “I don’t know.”
“If you don’t strike him down, he will continue to divide you from those you once counted friends,” Covath pressed. “It is because of the heart that his words contain such power. They seduce, luring those with even the smallest of doubts into becoming his willing tools.”
