She muttered, “We know how you spentyourthree hours.”
A smile teased his lips. “It didn’t take three hours.”
Evalle lifted her hand. “I don’t need details.”
He caught her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed her palm. “Adrianna and I have a purely business arrangement.”
Pulling her hand back, she ignored the tingle that climbed up her arm and spread across her chest at his touch. “You made a deal with a Sterling witch?”
“Ever know one to give up information for free?”
“Not them. What’d you have to give her?”
“Told her I’d return the favor when she asked for it.”
Evalle cringed at that idea. “I’llpay her back, since you asked her for me.”
“Let’s not quibble now.” Storm turned his head, as if listening for a train, then turned back. “She’s still with VIPER.”
“Why? I thought they only brought her in to help with finding the Ngak Stone.”
“I don’t know why she’s still here and didn’t ask, but it probably has to do with the Alterants turning into beasts and the fog. Adrianna said VIPER has a hunt-to-kill order out on all Alterants.”
Had Grady been right? She asked, “You mean the Alterants who are shifting and killing, right?”
“No, I mean you and Tristan, too.”
“Why would they do that . . . wait. You said Tristan, too?”
Storm’s jaw hardened. “The Tribunal found out Tristan escaped. They think you helped him.”
“How did they find out Tristan was out?”
“Adrianna thinks someone spotted him in Atlanta on a MARTA security camera. She said he is nearby and she thinks Tristan is down underground in this area, so that fits with the Maze of Death intel you got. He has plans for the Alterants.”
While Evalle appreciated the information, she could have used better news. “I figured out Tristan had other plans than mine when he left me standing in the jungle.”
“That’s not what I mean. Tristan might not hand over the Alterants to the Tribunal foranyreason. He isn’t going to work with you.” He stopped and cocked his head to listen. “A train’s coming.”
“What do you mean? What exactly did she tell you about Tristan?”
“We’ve only got a minute to hide before the train reaches us.”
She gave up and scouted ahead until she found an indentation in the wall two feet deep. Backing in, she called out to Storm, “Where are you?”
He appeared in front of her. “Looking for another spot.”
The train clatter grew louder, and the engine headlight lit the edges of his clothes.
She could do this. “You can . . . share this spot.”
“You sure? I don’t want to end up drop-kicked into a MARTA train.”
Lifting a sharp gaze at him, she snapped, “Then keep your hands out of trouble. Get in here before you’re spotted.”
He stepped forward and swallowed all the space.
She breathed in and out, in and out. This would work. She would be fine. No reason to go mental on him just because she couldn’t see past his body to freedom.
