This time, Loki did not pause to share his thoughts with the other two on the dais before speaking. “What do you want, Quinn?”
Finally, an olive branch.
Quinn said, “Time. Give me another day to bring Daegan to you. He will be more willing to come in if you do not kill our people.”
“And if we do terminate those infected?” Hermes asked, drawing a surprised glance from Loki.
The pause Quinn took before answering was intended to insure close attention to his next words spoken with precision. “If you do choose to kill even one Belador, then I suggest you call in every ally you have on speed dial. Daegan is furious about his people being in danger from Imortiks as it is right now through no fault of their own. I can only imagine his reaction to having three innocent Beladors executed.”
Justitia flinched at that last comment. Good.
Loki became very still. A bad sign for an animated god who expected to be continually entertained. He spoke softly, but the sound could carry for a mile. “I must not be making myself clear. I do not allow anyone to threaten me or the rest of this Tribunal.”
“I would never threaten any of you, Loki,” Quinn qualified. “I have always held the highest respect for every god and goddess who participate in these Tribunals. I am merely trying to de-escalate this issue by pointing out how it could erupt with apocalyptic results. We have an opportunity to work together and protect all nonhumans who are aligned with VIPER as well as the humans. When I spoke of Daegan’s reaction to losing any of his people, it was for you to consider the benefit of simply giving Daegan time to return so he can speak for himself.”
Quinn drew a slow breath, allowing a pause for any negative reaction. When none occurred, he continued. “If once Daegan stands before this Tribunal, you take umbrage to anything he says, then I have nothing more to offer. It will be up to you and him to either come to an agreement for the good of all or ... not. If you execute our people without giving Daegan a chance to address the lost grimoire volume, then later find out all I’ve told you is true, will you not regret a hasty decision?”
Justitia stated, “If Daegan is captured, he may never return.”
That was a truly frightening thought. “I am under the impression Tzader has an idea where Daegan might be and is going through diplomatic channels to bring him back to avoid any additional issues in the human world. An extension of time would allow you to call in others such as Queen Maeve, Macha, and Cathbad.” Justitia’s statement gave Quinn hope she would wait for Daegan to return if he could convince her to give him time. Quinn added, “If you extend the deadline for a day to allow our people time to bring Daegan home, I assure you bringing Daegan here will be my top priority.”
Loki stared down at Quinn with cold eyes. “If it is possible to free Daegan through diplomatic channels, that should take no more than twelve hours in the human world.”
Maintaining a composed expression when Quinn wanted to curse Loki for that god’s determination to turn every situation into a battle pushed him one step too close to the end of his rope. “In that case, once you teleport me outside the VIPER mountain, I will inform Trey, Tzader, and others immediately so I may facilitate this more quickly.”
No one on the dais spoke.
Quinn’s body didn’t so much as twitch. Shit. Loki was not teleporting him.
With a flick of Loki’s hand, Evalle appeared facing Quinn and with her back to the Tribunal. Hands shoved out as if using kinetic power, hair wild, she was posed to battle someone or something.
She shook her head as if to clear her confusion. “What’s going on, Quinn?”
Loki’s deep voice boomed, “Turn around, Alterant!”
Evalle’s surprise fell away to worry for a second, but by the time she turned to face the Tribunal, she had her hard-ass look in place. “Yes?”
“What time is it in Atlanta right now?”
She frowned. “I can’t say exactly, but I think we’re close to eleven at night there.”
“Take a message to Trey, Tzader, or anyone else who needs to know. The deadline for permitting the three Beladors turned into Imortiks to remain in our holding cells has been extended.”
Her chest moved with the release of air.
Quinn wanted to send her a telepathic message that this would not be good news, but using unauthorized telepathy in a Tribunal meeting was unwise.
Loki smiled.
That wiped away whatever encouragement Evalle had felt. She asked, “What’s the punch line?”
“Daegan has until eleven tomorrow morning in Atlanta to appear before this Tribunal. Until that happens, Quinn will remain here. If Daegan does not show up in time, we will teleport Quinn into a holding cell with all three Imortik Beladors to keep him company. At that point, Daegan can take his time arranging a meeting with this Tribunal.”
Quinn’s lips parted in disbelief. What if they didn’t find Daegan by tomorrow?
Evalle turned to Quinn with a terrified look. “No! You can’t do—”
She vanished.
Loki lowered his hand from teleporting her away. He gave a genuine smile so fitting for a homicidal lunatic who found this amusing. “If anything happens to those three Beladors once you are in their presence, Daegan will have no one to blame but himself.”
Chapter 4
Daegan had reached his breaking point. He blew a stream of fire out the opening of the ripped bag on his misshapen head.
The nonhuman who still looked human disappeared.
That show of power had taken a load of effort. Daegan struggled to breathe evenly. His body ached from the coating growing harder across the back of his legs and arms. Venom continued to burn his insides. From his shoulders to the small of his back felt as if he wore a shell glued to his body and it was shrinking.
“That was impressive.” The stranger popped back into view. He quickly added, “I ask for a truce until you hear me out.”
“Then speak.”
“If I do not get you into the holding cell soon, someone will check the monitor and question why you are not there. If they send a large team, I will not be able to stop them from taking over again. That will prevent any hope of escape.”
Should he believe this stranger?
Just hearing the word escape shook Daegan’s insides. If he could escape, he could get to Casidhe and his people.
“Please. I am not your enemy.”
Ruadh rumbled at that, but said nothing.
Daegan had to live to escape. He hated going into any dungeon. Being locked up underground anywhere equaled a dungeon. Or a queen’s throne room.
“You have less than a minute left to make it the last twenty feet,” the stranger stated, clearly aware of Daegan’s limited ability to move his legs.
Daegan walked forward the distance of one foot length at a time. Not to comply with this unknown being, but for those depending upon him. When he reached the cell, he continued moving on legs unwilling to stretch or bend. When he started to turn around, the stranger said, “Stop.”
He stiffened. Hearing another order grated his soul. With the exception of King Gruffyn, his father, he had never taken orders from another being. If he had any other option right now, he would take it.
What was left of the bag on his head floated to the floor as his head shrank back to normal size when he pulled his energy back in.