Silence filled her head. Tzader had a way of making loud statements without a word.Do you really think I’d risk ticking off a Tribunal?
Not intentionally.The wry chuckle in his voice softened his dig.What do you need?
Freedom and peace of mind, but someone else had gotten that fate. Two people cared what happened to her, Tzader and Quinn. Well, three, if you counted Feenix.
And what about Storm?
That was complicated. She knew he cared, but she didn’t know why.
She told Tzader,I’m walking past a lot of agitated Night-stalkers in the lower parking deck near my apartment. Something’s up.
Don’t slow down over there.
She caught the warning in his voice, which had more to do with her safety than being late.I’m not exactly defenseless, Z.
Quinn and I wish you’d realize you’re not exactly indestructible either. I’ll check out the Nightstalkers after you get to the park.
What if it’s important?
It’ll wait until I know you’re at the Tribunal meeting.
No point in arguing with Tzader when he clearly had his mind made up.I need you to do me a favor and return the amulet I have to Nicole.
Tzader grumbled something low and dangerous, then said,You making out a will, too? You are coming home after this meeting. Brina will be there for you and she’ll make this right.
I know.Not really. Evalle had her doubts about their Belador warrior queen convincing the Tribunal to leave even one Alterant free to roam the streets. Rather than address that, Evalle told Tzader,Taking the amulet off my hands would make facing them easier if I’m not thinking about anything else.
The amulet warmed against her skin. She glanced down to see it glowing in the shadowy darkness.
What was up with that?
Another Nightstalker wavered in and out of form, trying to waylay her. What threat had entered the city?
Tzader relented with,Fine. Just get here.
I’ll be there soon, but what if . . .
What if what?
This Nightstalker activity has to do with an Alterant attack, like the ones on the West Coast?
I was going to tell you about that when you got here. Where’d you hear?
She hesitated at the idea of punking out Storm, but then she remembered where he’d gotten the intel.Storm told me. He heard the news from VIPER. Think the Night-stalkers are worked up over another Alterant in the city?
We’ve got everyone on alert and no one has heard of any Alterants shifting here yet.
Okay. I’m on the way.
One more thing, Evalle, since we won’t have much time when you get here. Do us both a favor and don’t give Sen any grief tonight, okay? It won’t help your case.
I hear you. I’ll be the perfect little prisoner.
She could have sworn she’d heard Tzader sigh, but she didn’t need a reminder tonight.
If she wasn’t standing in that park when Sen showed up to escort her to the meeting, she was toast. As the VIPER liaison, Sen would teleport her from Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta to the Nether Realm, a parallel universe where the Tribunal convened. He’d like nothing better than for her to step into the park five seconds past midnight.
He hated her.
