Why had she been so excited over this agreement?
Or had all this been nothing more than a cruel way to punish Evalle for getting Brina into trouble by coming in here to offer Evalle what she most wanted?
Then disappearing and never coming back.
Honor might be a lonely cellmate, but hope was a vicious mistress that would kill her over and over every minute she believed she would be freed.
“Faith is not a learned skill . . . but the blossom on the vine of hope,” the soft female voice whispered in the silent room.
Evalle asked, “Why won’t you tell me who you are?”
No one answered.
THIRTY-SEVEN
We need to talk, Tristan.
The telepathic contact broke Tristan’s concentrating on where to take his band of Alterants tomorrow. After facing off with that black-ops group and walking away from Evalle, he had no doubt Tzader Burke would unleash the fury of the Beladors on him.
Tristan’s only regret in all of this was leaving Evalle to face the Tribunal. When the black-ops team had burst on the scene, all Tristan had been able to think was that she had betrayed him.
In hindsight, he began to have his doubts.
At least he’d taught her how to survive in whatever place the Tribunal would send her so she wouldn’t die of an animal attack or snakebite.
You need my help,the male voice said again.
Really?Tristan leaned back in the hotel room office chair and looked out the glass at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.What makes you think I need anyone’s help?
Because you’re on the run from the Beladors and VIPER. I can offer you refuge.
If you’re speaking to me telepathically, then you’re one of the Beladors.
Yes, I am. Or at least I was until they decided to treatme like a criminal. You can’t run far enough to protect your sister.
Tristan’s eyes shot to the second bed in the room where Petrina slept. Exhausted, but safe. He relaxed back into the chair.If I believe what you say, then the Beladors are after you, too.
True. There’s only one place safe enough to hide, and I’m in that spot with full protection.
That sounded tempting. Tristan had his doubts about his ability to keep Petrina and the other two Alterants safe. He couldn’t link with Webster and Aaron in a fight, and he didn’t want Petrina in a risky situation.
The voice said,Don’t panic at what I’m about to tell you.
Tristan laughed.I doubt you could say anything that would panic me.
Excellent. I have people waiting outside your hotel, watching the same airplanes take off and land.
That drove Tristan to his feet. He searched the ground below his window but saw nothing.Where are they?
Close enough to keep watch over you. Wait a moment . . . I understand you’ve changed clothes and are wearing a pale yellow button-down shirt.
Tristan touched his shirt as if the damned thing had told on him.Who are you?
We can meet in person to allow you to decide for yourself. My people will not bother you. They’ll make sure no Belador or VIPER agent comes near you, but they will let you depart the hotel only upon my authority.
Should he trust this guy to meet him?
The airport was still jammed from all the damage caused during the fog. He couldn’t fight a team of powerful beings alone if this guy had people in place to prevent him from leaving. Tristan said,I’m not agreeing to anything, but I’ll meet you.
