Loki spoke up. “I call Brina of Treoir.”
No! Evalle tried to reach the warrior queen telepathically.Don’t come to the Tribunal meeting, Brina.
But Brina’s holographic image took shape between Evalle and the dais. Brina said to Evalle,I must come when summoned.
I failed big time.Those words cut her heart with the sharpness of a razor against raw skin.
I know. I heard about Tristan escaping.
That was an accident,Evalle pled.Tristan has information on the Alterants that might sway the Tribunal if they’ll just let me explain, but they’re blaming me with the fog because I used my last gift to make it go away permanently.
You shouldn’t have been able to do that when VIPER deities could not influence the fog.
I have no idea why it worked. Maybe it was the power of all three of these in the gifts or the fact that I was in the fog when I called on the gift, or maybe Kizira just lied about being responsible for the fog . . . I don’t know, but I swear I’m not with the Medb, Brina.
Brina nodded, then spoke to the Tribunal. “I ask that you allow Evalle a chance to explain—”
“That wasnotour agreement, Warrior Queen,” Ares charged. “You accepted the terms, and I see no Alterants or the one known as Tristan, freed at her hands.”
The dark heavens surrounding them shook and rumbled with the force of his declaration.
Pele agreed. “No deity among the VIPER coalition has been able to stop the fog from spreading. Yet your Alterant destroyed somethingshenow tells us was created by the Medb. Based upon her own testimony, she is aligned with your enemy and yet you defend her?”
Brina answered, “No one has proof of who was behind the fog. The Medb could have been lying to her.”
Pele’s impatience was evident in her refusal to debate the fog issue further. “Regardless, this one”—she pointed at Evalle—“has answered beyond any doubt that her loyalty lies with seeing her fellow Alterants remain free.”
The goddess directed her attention to Evalle. “Is that not so?”
Not the way Pele stated it.
Evalle would not stand here and have her loyalty called into question. “I amnotinvolved with the Medb. I am loyal to the Beladors. I have no idea why the gift worked, but even with what you’re accusing me of I would use it again to protect humans across this continent.”
“As well as Alterants?” Loki challenged softly.
Evalle considered all that had transpired and figured this would be her last chance to speak up for Alterants. “Would I like to see all Alterants who’ve done nothing wrong be free? I never said those specific words, but as one myself, I can only answer that question as yes. We should have the right of every other free being. I left here with the goal of bringing those three escapees back to face judgment that Ithoughtwould be fair.”
Evalle paused to consider her next words. When no one on the dais stabbed her with a lightning bolt, she added, “I told the other Alterants that I believed a fair and just Tribunal would have given each of them the chance to plead his case to remain free. And Tristan has information that sheds light on the origin of Alterants and will answer many questions.”
Brina turned halfway around at that declaration, gave Evalle a questioning look, then resumed her quiet pose.
Evalle went on. “He believes he can show that we are not anomalies of nature but a race to be recognized.”
“We would hear this Tristan, but”—Loki made a show of looking around the room—“he is not here.” A sarcastic laugh feathered his taunt.
Ares spoke with the power of a gun blast. “We have heard enough. The task was not performed. Judgment is due.”
Brina spoke up. “Can Macha not—”
“Macha?” Loki chided. “What more would you ask of your goddess when she has been generous to offer sanctuary to this Alterant until now? There is no challenge to this judgment when the Alterants are not a recognized race and have not been accepted into a pantheon . . . unless you wish to inform this Tribunal of such a change in their status?” He angled his head in question. “No? I thought not.”
Evalle stared at the back of Brina’s quiet hologram with horror.
Pele nodded as though a silent discussion had just ended between her and the two gods. Her lyrical voice rang out with unquestioned authority. “Brina of Treoir, you are held accountable for this failure.”
Evalle shouted, “No! That’s not fair.”
Ares pointed at Evalle’s feet, and the lightning bolt she’d been worried about struck the ground an inch from her toes. Energy stung her skin. Ares said, “Speak another unsolicited word and the next one will go through your heart.”
