Not a lot inside this box to distract me, but whatever.
“Only a deity can approach the Tribunal regarding the viable status of a race. As such, I will open a dialogue with the Tribunal to formally decree that you have given me cause to believe Belador Alterants should be recognized as a viable race. That once the Alterant origin is clearly established and proof of their loyalty to my pantheon has been delivered to the Tribunal their race will be established and protected under the laws of our world.”
Evalle’s jaw hung slack.
“Do close your mouth.” Macha paused, then continued. “In the interim of establishing this race, I will offer amnesty to any Alterant who comes forward willingly to swear allegiance to me and does not harm a coalition member, a Belador or a human while the origins are being researched.”
Evalle cut her eyes around the room, searching for this to be a trick.
“Are you paying attention?” Macha snapped at her. “I will not return again if we do not come to an agreement.”
“I’m paying very close attention, but what about Brina? Saving her comes first.” Evalle nodded to double stamp her words. Hope and reservation struggled for equal space in her heart.
“Brina will be freed once this clears the Tribunal.”
Evalle had learned hard lessons about the devious ways of gods and goddesses, which spurred her to pin Macha down more precisely. “I have the feeling what you’re talking about involves me doing something, but I’m not going to be a lot of help in this cell.”
“Tzader led me to believe you were bright. Did you think I came here to exchange fashion tips?” Macha sniffed at Evalle’s ragged clothes.
Didn’t get a chance to pack for this trip.
“Once I open the charter for a new race with the Tribunal, that decision supersedes their judgment, as you will then become responsible solely to me and my laws.”
There was a loophole in Tribunal rulings?
Macha angled her head and pursed her lips as though she’d heard that thought. Then she continued, “I am designating you as my coordinator for this undertaking with the Alterants. You will be released under my custody and responsible to me while the Alterant race status is being documented. You will continue to serve as a Belador agent for VIPER and will be protected from anyone in the VIPER alliance harming you.”
Did that mean Sen couldn’t screw with her again?
Part of Evalle wanted to demand that Macha show her where to sign on the dotted line, but another part—the one tired of being used as a pawn in everyone’s personal games—had her hesitating to jump up and shout.
Macha said, “If you need some time to think about it, go ahead. You have the rest of your life to ponder while I’m gone.” She lifted her hands.
Evalle feared she would teleport away. “Wait. Please.”
“Does that mean you’ve come to a decision?”
Deals with a god or goddess were irrevocable. Evalle didn’t want to lose this chance or spend the rest of her life away from all that mattered to her—Tzader, Quinn, Grady, Nicole . . .
What about Storm? No one would search for the truth behind his disappearance if she didn’t.
Feenix’s face swam through her mind, sealing the decision.
Evalle would face much worse than the fine print in a goddess’s contract to hold Feenix again. “I’ll do it.”
“Big surprise,” Macha said under her breath, then went on instructing her. “Do not speak of this to anyone, and do not fail me, Evalle. Brina is far more forgiving than I am.”
Macha lifted her hands in a swoosh of movement, vanishing.
End of meeting.
What now?
Evalle would like to think she’d just gotten a reprieve, but she had a strange feeling that she might have only stuck both feet into quicksand.
Once Macha departed, Evalle paid attention to her empathic senses, which had been busy deciphering the meeting. She fingered what had been nudging her to take notice at the very end.
Macha had given off a potent emotion. Exhilaration.
