The Curse (Beladors) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Author:Sherrilyn Kenyon [Kenyon, Sherrilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-18T04:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

“… preventing my bounty hunter from performing his duty, which in turn has cost me not just the bounty but a client—”

Tired of Dakkar’s nonstop drivel on how he’d been wronged and was due justice, Macha shifted her simmering anger toward the Slavic god Varpulis, the entity called in as arbitrator over this Tribunal meeting. Varpulis wore only bright yellow shorts and ran in place. Skinny, pale and no muscle.

A god of wind or some such.

She’d had enough. “Dakkar is not a member of the Coalition and, therefore, is owed no compensation for any loss not committed as an act of intentional aggression by a member of my pantheon.”

“I may not be a member, but the Coalition calls upon me when they have a need that requires my resources.” Dakkar paused, his face reflecting undisturbed emotions. He had the chiseled lines, blunt nose and smooth, nut-brown skin of a man born under the rule of Genghis Khan. He’d been addressing Varpulis as if Dakkar actually cared about the Tribunal arbitrator’s opinion in this discussion.

And this certainly ranked no higher than a discussion.

Macha appeared here only out of respect to the other gods and goddesses who supported the Coalition, but she would not tolerate another minute listening to Dakkar’s ridiculous grievances.

As if he really cared about losing a bounty hunter? To Dakkar, that was merely a cost of doing business in his field.

His kohl-black eyes shifted from Varpulis to her. “As I understand it, Goddess, you have filed a charter for Alterants to be accepted as a recognized race … though it appears an unwise move on your part.”

She’d grind the little peon into the dirt. “You are not much of a judge of what is unwise if you dare to criticize any choice I make. If you have nothing new to add, I suggest we dismiss this meeting and stop wasting the time of deities.” She’d come up against this mage more than once over the decades and had no intention of repeating a mistake she’d made the last time they’d met.

Undeterred, Dakkar pressed on. “I don’t repeat what’s known to merely hear myself speak. I bring up the charter you’ve filed for a specific reason. You have offered sanctuary to Alterants. They are not hunted as the dangerous beasts they are known to be, now that you’ve opened the charter, which would indicate a certain level of responsibility.”

Macha answered carefully. “Only for those who come forth and swear their loyalty to me. Make your point while we’re still in this millennium, Dakkar.”

“My point is simple. An eye for an eye.”

He wants Evalle? “I am not handing over my Alterant.”

Dakkar held his arms out, palms up in a gesture of we’re-at-an-impasse. “You refuse to compensate me. I’m penalized every time one of my people has to enter the southeastern region of North America. I am offered nothing in return. Not even a beast.”

She ignored the poke about Evalle being only a beast, something that could be handed off as easily as cattle.

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