Tzader’s sigh carried a world of troubles. “Where did you hear that?”
“When Tristan was around Kizira and the Kujoo, he heard enough to believe the Medb know something important about our background that they can use to their advantage. You have to find him and try to help him so he’ll help the Beladors.”
“Why would you believe him, Evalle?”
“I think I could have talked him into coming with me to face the Tribunal, but Isak Nyght showed up.”
Tzader’s cocoa-brown skin lost two shades of color. He slapped his hand to his forehead. “Ah, hell.”
“What?”
“Quinn probed Conlan O’Meary’s mind—”
“Why?”
“Because Brina wanted proof of Conlan either being the traitor helping the Medb or not.” Tzader made a disgusted noise. “When Quinn was inside Conlan’s mind, he encountered Kizira and learned of plans to do just as you said—use Alterants to breach Treoir Castle. The Tribunal learned about Tristan’s escape and handed Sen orders to kill any Alterant without question.”
“I know.”
Pausing, Tzader’s chest rose and fell with a sigh of deep regret when he said, “I had no idea where you were, and Quinn had heard your name mentioned when he entered a vision in Conlan’s mind. I wanted you found as quickly as possible, so I contacted Isak for help.”
Did he think after all he’d done for her that she’d hold that against him? “What happened is not your fault, Z. Isak knew I was in Atlanta. I ran into him while I was searching for Tristan. When he saw glowing green eyes standing with me, he sighted down on a target. Could have happened no matter what.”
Tzader accepted that with his usual stoic quiet, but she knew he wouldn’t forgive himself for bringing Isak into the mix.
She needed to tell him something else. “You’ve piqued Isak’s interest. He may go digging around on you.”
“I’m not worried about Nyght.”
She was. “Please be careful and watch your back.”
“I will.” His throat muscles flexed with a swallow. “I have to leave soon, but I’ll make them let me come back.”
Sen had said one visit meant one visit.
Even Tzader might not be able to bully his way back in.
Panic scurried through her with sharp rat claws. “Do me a couple favors just in case . . . it takes a while.”
“Anything.”
“Storm was with me when Sen came for me. Sen hit him with some kind of power that might have, um—” She took a breath. She could not say the words she didn’t want to hear spoken. “I was in Decatur—”
“I know. Trey’s team must have shown up right after you left. Isak’s men were standing around looking confused.”
Her heart leaped with hope. “Did he find a—” She stopped before asking Tzader if anyone had found a dead animal at the scene. She’d told Storm she wouldn’t share that he could shift into a jaguar. She wouldn’t betray that trust even now.
“Storm must be fine.”
“Why?”
“Sen told me Storm quit. I’ve had people trying to find Storm since you were brought in, but he’s gone.”
Gone or dead? Had Storm survived that attack after all, or had Sen removed the body and made up the story about Storm quitting?
Tzader said, “About Storm—”
“He’s a good man, Z. I know you’re not sure about him because Sen brought him in, but he’s an ally.”
