"Fantastic New Urban Fantasy Series by Experts in the Genre"
Reviewed by Diana Troldahl
Posted October 12, 2010
Fantasy Urban
Evalle Kincaid was a loner, until she found saving her own
life depended on trusting two Belador strangers. Now they
are partnered in Atlanta, agents for VIPER, a group
of Paranormal defenders protecting the mundane world
from the truth. Her position as a Belador is precarious, as
she is an Alterant; the only one of her kind still walking
free. All others were unable to control their internal
beasts and were imprisoned by the Belador goddess, Bertine. The Head of VIPER, Sen, is waiting for any small mistake
Evalle might make, so she can be imprisoned as well.
Now someone is conjuring demons, and instructing them to
leave kills that look like an Alterant has been at work.
Then news comes that the Ngak stone is coming to life,
seeking a holder so that it's powers may be unleashed in
three days time. Seeking the stone for themselves, the Kujoo
(ancient enemies of the Belador) have found an escape from
their stygian prison to threaten the entire race. Time is
fast running out for Evalle... and the world. BLOOD TRINITY is a fantastic start to a new Urban Fantasy
series. The VIPER organization and the world built by Kenyon
and Love are intriguing, but the characters populating that
world are irresistible. Evalle's struggles to overcome past
events and trust others, the pet gargoyle (Feenix),and the
other paranormal characters (both good and evil) are a rich
source of story fodder. I am finding it difficult to wait
for the next book to find out what happens next in their lives.
SUMMARY
Atlanta has become the battlefield between human and demon.
All her life, Evalle Kincaid has walked the line between the
two. Her origins unknown, she’s on a quest to learn more
about her past and her future. But when a demon claims a human and there’s no one else to
blame, Evalle comes under fire. It’s no longer a question of
learning about herself, it’s a question of survival. Through
the underground of an alternate Atlanta where nothing is as
it seems to the battleground of where her VIPER allies have
become the force that is now hunting her, Evalle must prove
her innocence or pay the ultimate price. But proving her innocence is the least of her problems if
she doesn’t stop the coming apocalypse. The clock is ticking
and it’s about to become a lot hotter in Atlanta.
ExcerptUphold my vows and die.Or break my vows and die? Evalle Kincaid had faced death more than once in the past
five years, but never with these odds. If she had a one
percent chance, it would be a miracle. A citric odor burned her lungs, confirming that Medb majik
shrouded the rock walls, high ceiling and dirt floor of her
underground prison. It was the stench of her worst enemies. She still couldn’t believe that one of her own, a Belador,
had betrayed her. Not just her. Anger over the betrayal and being tricked into falling for
this chewed at her insides. But she pushed it down, knowing
it wouldn't do anything except weaken her more. And right
now, she needed her full sense and bearings. Peeking carefully from beneath lowered eyelashes so that no
one would know she was awake, she took in the other two
captives--male Beladors--also held upright by invisible
constraints. A human would be blind in this black hole, but her vision
thrived on total darkness. Natural nightvision that allowed
her to see in a range of monochromatic blue-grays. One rare
perk of being an Alterant, a half-breed Belador, unlike
those two pure bloods with their backs against the
glistening red-orange stone wall. Did those men know each other? Did she really care? They were either allies or enemies.
And until she knew more about them, they were definitely
enemies. Similar in height and size, they were different as night
and day in skin color and the way they dressed. The one
with nothing on but jeans had been conscious when she'd
regained her wits twenty minutes ago. Completely still, he
hadn’t made a sound since then--like a snake lying low
until it saw an opportunity to strike. Arms outstretched
and legs spread apart, his gaze now cut sideways at a
rustle of movement. The fair-haired guy on his left struggled to reach
lucidity. Being imprisoned with two Beladors would normally fill her
with hope for escape, because of their ability to link with
each other and combine their powers. When that happened,
Beladors fighting together were a force only the upper
echelon of preternatural creatures could touch. They were
damn near invincible. But linking required unquestioned trust. And right now, she
couldn’t offer trust so easily. Not after a Belador’s
telepathic call for help had lured her into this hole--into
the hands of Medb warlocks. Her tribe had fought this bunch
for two thousand years. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice...
Die with pain. Even so, could she refuse to help these two warriors--
members of her tribe--if there was a chance to save them?
Beladors were a secret race of Celtic people connected by
powerful genetics and living in all parts of the world.
She’d only met a few. Never these two. But every member of the tribe had sworn an oath to uphold a
code of honor, to protect the innocent and any other
Belador who needed help. If a warrior broke that vow every family member faced the
same penalty as the warrior, even the penalty of death. Evalle had no one who would be affected by her decisions.
The only person she’d had was an aunt who’d died that
Evalle didn’t mourn. Not after what that woman had done to
her. But even without having someone to worry about she’d upheld
her vows since the day she’d turned eighteen. Not because
she had to, but because she wanted to. And--until now--
she'd always supported her tribe without question. If only she knew which side of the lake those two across
from her swam on. Hers or the Medb? She had one chance to answer that question correctly. Live or die... What else was new? “Anyone know who called for this delightful little
meeting?” the fair-haired male grumbled in a smooth voice
born of enhanced genetics and a hint of British influence.
The sound matched the urbane angles of his European face,
which could be Slovak or Russian. He straightened his
shoulders as if that would smooth the creases in his
overpriced suit, obviously tailored to fit that
athletically-cut body that James Bond would envy. She’d put
him in his early thirties and at close to six-foot-three. Bad, black and wicked next to him might be an inch shorter,
but he balanced out the difference with a pound or two of
extra kick-your-ass muscle. “Introductions appear necessary...unless you two know each
other.” The blond guy looked in her direction then at the
other male, but she doubted he could see a thing in this
blackness. Then again, who knew what powers he had as a Belador? That
thought sent another chill down her spine. Evalle fought a smirk over pretty boy’s dry tone and well
honed nonchalance. She’d never met a Belador male who
wasn’t alpha to the core. But she had no intention of
jumping in first to answer after deceit had landed her
here. One of these two could very easily be a Medb surveillance
plant. Tonight’s betrayal had put a serious damper on her “team”
mentality and it burned raw inside her. “I suppose I shall have to open,” pretty boy continued,
undeterred by the rude silence. “I’m Quinn.” The other prisoner still hadn’t twitched since being hauled
into the cave by four Medb warlocks and slammed against the
wall. He’d been the last one captured. Blood that had
trickled earlier from gashes in his exposed chest had
dried...and the gashes were gone. Rumors had surfaced that
a few of the more powerful Belador warriors could self-heal
some wounds overnight, but she’d never heard of one healing
so quickly. Odd. His head was completely bald, which added a lethal edge to
his face. Ripped muscles curved along his arms. All that
body flowed down to the narrow waist of his jeans. He
cleared his throat and even that sounded dangerous. “I’m
Tzader.” “The Maistir?” Quinn’s gaze walked up and down the other
warrior, sizing him up. “Yes.” Truth or lie? Evalle had never met Tzader Burke,
commander of all the North American Beladors. If he was
Maistir that might explain why he was here. He would
be a coup in any Medb's career. She slashed a look at the self-appointed cave host, waiting
on Quinn to make the next move. He shifted his head in Evalle’s direction. “I can see
another faint aura glowing across from us. A woman I
presume from the look of it.” How come other Beladors could see auras, but not her? What
had she done to tick off the aura fairy? When she didn’t pick up the conversation thread, Quinn
asked, “You would be?” “Pissed off.” Evalle opened her eyes all the way. He smirked. "Love the name, darling. Should I refer to
you as simply Pissed?" She ignored his sarcasm. “No offense, I'm going to need a
little more information before I’m ready to buddy up to
anyone. Especially two who could be lying to me.” First again to keep the ball rolling, Quinn nodded. “I had
assumed only Beladors answered the call, but your aura is--” “--not Belador,” Tzader interjected. Quinn’s moment of hesitation spoke louder than his
words. “I see.” Snubbed again. What else was new? Even though she’d heard
the traitor’s call for help telepathically just like this
pair of full bloods had and felt the sizzle of their
tribe’s connection on her skin, they still didn’t consider
her one of them. Raw fury roiled through her veins. What would she have to
do to be considered one of the group? Too bad their hazing
wasn’t as simple as eating a few live goldfish. But then
why was she surprised or even hurt? Her own family had
wanted nothing to do with her. Why should anyone else? Still, she refused to be discounted so easily. “You two may
be able to see auras, but I doubt that either of you
see anything else in this pitch dark. Not like I
can.” “That explains it.” There was no missing the disgust in
Tzader’s tone. “What precisely does that explain?” Quinn allowed his
annoyance to come through that time. Not the happy cave
host after all. “She’s an Alterant.” Tzader stared her way, studying on
something. “The only one not in VIPER protective
custody.” Evalle released a sharp stream of air from between clenched
teeth. “Right. Protective custody sounds so much
more civilized than being jailed, which is what
really happened to the other four Alterants. I’m not there
because I don’t deserve to be there and I refuse to live in
a cage--just like you would if you were me. So deal with
it.” She'd been there, done that and burned the T-shirt
reminder, and it would take more than the entire Belador
race to put her back in one. And she had no doubt how he’d vote if she shifted into a
beast in front of him. Thumbs down. Hang the Alterant. Yeah, the pendulum was buried on the side of them being her
enemies. Tzader frowned. “You work for VIPER?” VIPER--Vigilante International Protectors Elite Regiment--
was a multinational coalition of all types of unusual
beings and powerful entities created to protect the world
from supernatural predators. Beladors made up the majority
of VIPER’s force, and if that really was Tzader Burke
across from her, he’d know that the only free Alterant
worked with VIPER. Might as well cop to it. “I’m in the
southwestern region.” Quinn cleared his throat. “I’m with VIPER as well and was
on my way to investigate a Birrn demon sighting in Salt
Lake City when I heard the call. What about you two?” “Meeting an informant in Wendover,” Tzader replied,
mentioning the small gaming town at the Utah-Nevada
border. “What were you doing in this area tonight,
Alterant?” Following a lead I have no intention of sharing with
you... dickhead. When she didn’t answer, Tzader chuckled in a humorless way
that brushed a ripple of unease across her skin. “Listen,
sweetheart. We might have another couple hours, or we might
only have a couple minutes. The Medb don’t ransom. They
trap, plunder minds, use bodies in hideous ways and toss
the carcasses into a fire pit. I could reach Brina even
this far below ground, but I can’t get through the spell
coating these walls. So there’s not going to be a Belador
cavalry charging in to save us. You either join up and help
us find a way to escape, or prepare for the worst death you
can imagine.” As if she didn’t know the stakes... And hadn't already lived through a fate worse than death.
They had no idea who and what they were dealing with. “I quite agree, love,” Quinn added. “I can understand your
resistance to trusting anyone after being caught in this
trap. I, too, want that traitorous Belador’s head as a hood
ornament on my Bentley, but none of us will have any chance
to discover his identity if we don’t survive, and that
endangers all our people.” Evalle would give him that, but hanging here manacled to a
rock wall by majik didn’t exactly instill a sense of
camaraderie in her. More like, it brought back memories
that made her seethe. She held the key to possibly overpowering the Medb--a
physical ability to shift into a more powerful form that
might afford the three of them the combined energy to fight
their way out of here. But using that ability would expose
the secret she’d shielded for five years and give the
Tribunal, the ruling body of VIPER, all the reason they’d
need to lock her up. Adult Alterants did not get a second chance for any
infraction. The four male Alterants with unnaturally pale
green eyes like Evalle’s had shifted into hideous beasts
over the past six years and killed humans--and Beladors--
before being imprisoned. When she'd turned eighteen and an old druid had appeared
and informed Evalle of her destiny to be a Belador warrior,
Evalle had explained how the dark sunglasses she wore
constantly protected her ultrasensitive eyes. By the time
the Beladors had realized her eyes were the pale green of
an Alterant, she hadn’t shifted or posed a danger. For that
reason alone, the Belador warrior queen Brina had asked the
Tribunal to allow her warriors to train Evalle with the
understanding by all parties of what would happen if Evalle
shifted. They would cage the beast if it ever made its presence
known. These two Beladors in the cave with her had taken a vow to
uphold the Belador Code of protecting humanity--which also
meant reporting any Alterant who shifted. Evalle had almost changed into a beast once. Almost. Even now, she didn’t know if she could do it and maintain
control. Which meant she could shift and the Medb could
still kill her. So her only real option for escape depended on trusting
these two men enough to link so the three of them could use
their cumulative natural abilities to defeat the Medb. If not... Casket time. Her choices narrowed by the heartbeat, and Quinn had a
valid point. She couldn’t find the one who had betrayed her
and make him pay if she died in this underground prison. “I’m Evalle. My reason for being in this area tonight is
personal.” She shot her attention to the one who would
clearly lead a charge against the Medb. “Got a plan, Master
T?” “Working on it. They must have used water from Loch Ryve to
coat the walls and hold the spell. That’s the only
substance I’ve ever known of that can drain Belador powers.
I don’t know how long we’ve been down here, but it’s
probably been working on us for awhile--” “Not my powers,” she corrected, enjoying a moment of
satisfaction over another unexpected difference between her
and the pure bloods. “I’m at full strength.” Tzader paused for a moment, then nodded. “Good. That’s one
plus for us, but we’re losing power, right, Quinn?” “Correct. I’m probably at half strength, which is why we
must strike soon while we’re still capable of battling.” Evalle looked across at both men. “Either of you have an
idea how many we have to fight to get out?” “Best I could tell, there were five Medb warlocks and the
one traitorous Belador.” Tzader’s deep voice hardened on
the last word. He was either just as pissed off as her or a
very convincing liar. “Didn’t get a good look at the fifth
Medb, but he wasn’t big and wore a priest’s robe. This is a
war party of hunters. If they were taking us to someone
higher, we’d be gone. They plan to torture information out
of us or maybe use us to bait another trap. I want blood
from that traitor, too, but I won’t let the Medb hurt
another Belador regardless of what that bastard did.” Tzader’s immediate concern for his tribe struck a note of
guilt in Evalle, making her realize she’d been more worried
about getting out of here alive than protecting her tribe.
She’d fought alongside Beladors until she was bloody and
spent to defend the tribe... And to prove she was worthy. Refusing to help another Belador now would destroy what
trust she’d gained from some and give voice to the ones
murmuring that she was little better than a trained animal. Quinn shifted. “I agree with Tzader.” Before she had a chance to say yea or nay, Tzader started
strategizing. “Let’s do a quick check of resources. Since
she’s wary of us, I’ll start. I’ve got kinetic, telepathic
and energy forc, plus two sentient blades they stripped
from me with my body armor. If I can get out of here, I’ll
call them to me.” Quinn went next. “Ditto on the kinetic, telepathic and
energy force, plus I can mind lock.” Evalle had no idea what he was talking about. “What do you
mean by mind lock?” “I can reach into another mind remotely, lock into their
brain waves and see through their eyes. I can guide them as
well...if they don’t realize I’ve invaded their mind and
resist. Then I’d have a battle on my hands.” “I thought the spell coating the walls was blocking us from
reaching anyone. How can you access someone’s mind from
here?” She hadn’t lived this long by accepting anything at
face value. “I can’t reach beyond this facility, but I feel air
movement. The Medb must have air passages running between
the caverns or we’d have already died of asphyxiation. I
can access anyone in another space connected to this one by
even a thin gap in the rocks.” Tzader perked up at that last bit. “Can you destroy their
mind while you’re inside a person’s head?” Where his question had been asked purely for battle
strategy, Evalle wanted to hear the answer for another
reason. Could Quinn tamper with her mind if they linked?
She didn’t like the thought of that at all. Quinn’s pause indicated he’d given Tzader’s question some
thought. “Yes, but I won’t. Not without our warrior queen’s
approval.” On the other hand, Evalle had hoped he’d share something no
one knew about him, a secret that would make Quinn as
vulnerable as she was if she had to shift. Fat chance either of these two men would make that mistake. “Are you...dressed, Evalle?” Quinn asked that with sincere
concern that surprised her. He thought they’d stripped her? “Yes. I’m in jeans and a shirt.” The dark brown cotton
shirt hanging open over her tshirt was one of the two
changes of clothes she owned- she preferred to live her
life unencumbered by anything, even wardrobe. She’d twisted
her shoulder-length hair up beneath a frayed ball cap to
spend a night of surveillance in Wendover. Lost the cap
when she was captured. “What about your powers, Evalle?” Tzader clearly wanted all
the weapons laid out so they could make a solid plan. “I have exceptional vision, similar to infrared illuminated
night-vision optics. I have kinetics, telepathy, energy
force...and the Medb failed to remove my boots, which
conceal blades.” And I might be empathic, but that was a
recent surprise and unimportant right now. Quinn gave a low laugh. “Can’t wait to get a look at you.” “Your optics are another plus.” Tzader’s eyes stared her
way. “The next step’s gonna take some trust. You willing to
link with us so we’ll have your full power and night-
vision?” Not if Quinn could overpower her mind. “Evalle, I sense hesitation on your part after learning I
have the capability to take control of your mind.” Quinn’s
voice was smooth, as though he’d lifted her thoughts. Could
he? “But do realize that I could have already done so and
locked onto your vision if I’d so chosen.” He was right. She considered her dwindling options and had no choice but
to relent. “Linking is our only chance, but first I want an
agreement from both of you.” “On what?” Suspicion filtered into Tzader’s commanding
voice. “That no matter what we have to do to get out of here you
vow that we keep any secrets shared between us. You swear
on the life of our goddess Macha.” “You get a head injury when they caught you, woman?” Quinn
lashed back, not sounding quite so cultured as if he hid a
less-than-polished background behind that suave
voice. “Swearing on Macha’s life’s a good way to see the
last of yours.” “You think that’s any crazier than me making a leap of
faith with you two after one of our tribe tricked me?” “Our tribe?” Quinn asked. “Yes.” Evalle was tired of always being doubted. “I swore
the same oath you did. I’ve put my life on the line many
times for other Beladors, even though--” She bit off her
last words, stopping before she finished with even
though I’m treated like some mutt with tainted blood.
Never let them know how much their biased stares and
constant spying slid under her defenses. Beladors might tolerate an Alterant, but any trust she’d
received in the past had been an uneasy alliance in tense
times. She’d admit that the tribe had reason to be
suspicious of Alterants after the last male who’d shifted
two months ago had killed nine Beladors trying to contain
him. But she’d proven herself for five hard years and
deserved respect. Too bad they didn't see things the way she did. “No deal.” Tzader’s unmerciful gaze arrowed through the
dark in her direction with the intensity of a lightning
bolt. “I think not as well,” Quinn concurred. Now what was she going to do? The stretch of curved wall on her left that ran between her
and Tzader began to fade. Evalle tensed. She had no offensive edge. Not until she
either linked with the two men or was released from the
shackles so that she could shift. Both options twisted her
stomach into a sick knot of terror. When the rock disappeared, leaving a hole big enough to
drive a small automobile through, a diminutive Medb figure
wearing a pale gray robe entered. Light glowed from inside
the hood. Where were the four brutes who had hauled Tzader
into this chamber? “You shouldn’t be here.” Quinn’s soft voice was full of
tender feelings. Evalle glanced at him. Was he talking to that warlock? The person in the robe moved toward Quinn as though
floating across the floor. Evalle debated the risk of
linking with Quinn and had just about talked herself into
helping him when the hood fell away from the Medb’s head.
Not a warlock but a stunning witch, with hair so bright it
had to be the color of a flame in natural lighting. Angling her chin at him, the witch stood a head shorter
than Quinn. Without saying a word first, she lifted up on
her toes and cupped his face with her hands, then kissed
him sweetly on the mouth. Quinn didn’t just let her kiss
him, he joined in until she finally pulled away. “When my
men described the three Beladors they’d caught I didn’t
want to believe what I heard. I had to see for myself. What
are you doing here?” “Protecting my tribe.” Quinn’s heavy sigh bulged with
regret. “Leave before your men find you here.” “I don’t know how to help you,” she whispered desperately. “You can’t. If you do, they’ll kill you for treason,
regardless of your being a priestess.” “You shouldn’t have been caught in this trap,” she
whispered. “They weren’t looking for you--” “Who do they want?” Quinn’s tone sharpened. The witch shook her head. “They’ll take you last. I’ll come
up with a way to free you. I have to go.” She turned to
leave. “Kizira.” When the witch turned around, Quinn softened his tone
again. “Don’t try to save me. I’m bound to my tribe and
will die with these two if they can’t also be saved.” “Ever the fool.” She shook her head. “You should not have
protected me that day.” “I must uphold my oath of honor in all situations.” Quinn’s reply renewed Evalle’s hope at gaining an ally in
keeping secrets. If she had to shift to escape, would
either of these two be willing to say she’d done so with
honorable intent? The Medb witch visiting Quinn lifted her hood back into
place and started to leave, then hesitated. “Your time
nears.” She vanished, and the wall was solid again. The tight muscles in Evalle’s chest relaxed after that
bizarre scene. Quinn was friends--more than friends--with a
Medb priestess. Not kosher in the Belador world, but she
couldn’t fault him if he’d acted out of honor and spared an
enemy rather than kill without thought as their
bloodthirsty ancestors had. Their goddess would respect
that, but Quinn had a secret to protect as vigorously as
Evalle shielded hers. Now, if only Tzader had something to hide. But he was a warrior who would die before exposing any
vulnerability. She’d bet he hadn’t shared all his powers
either. “Want to explain that visit, Quinn?” Tzader asked. “Sorry, chap. Rather not.” Evalle smiled. “Maybe you should both reconsider my offer
to hold each other’s confidence in order to escape.” Quinn gave a quick shake of his head. “I won’t ask either
of you to put yourself in jeopardy with Brina or Macha. Not
for me.” Damn. Damn. Damn. What was with these two? Why couldn’t
they bend an inch? Evalle wouldn’t admit defeat, but
winning their freedom wasn’t looking too promising either.
The witch had said they were running out of time. Quinn narrowed his eyes. “I’m roving mentally through the
tunnels for a mind.” Evalle was starting to like this guy in spite of his being
cozy with a Medb. He knew his ass was in a sling if word of
his association with a Medb made it to Brina, but he was
still determined to help. Maybe she could trust him. Tzader, on the other hand, had yet to get her vote. “Got one...don’t think he’s the leader.” Quinn’s voice
changed to a monotone. “He’s listening to one of the other
warlocks...they can’t wait on the spell to drain the
Beladors...Kizira arguing they should wait...Beladors
dangerous even one at a time...leader says...” Quinn’s head
jerked back. His shocked eyes swung toward her. “You’re the
one they want, Evalle, and you don’t want to know what they
plan to do to you.” “Bring it,” she said with more arrogance than she felt
capable of backing at the moment. Quinn’s eyebrows tightened, his eyes staring at nothing as
he concentrated. He sucked in a breath. “I hope you can
take on four warlocks alone, because that’s what’s coming
for you... Right now.” The warning in his voice spiked chill bumps along her arms. “Link with us, Evalle. Now!” Tzader’s tone brooked no
argument or questions. She had seconds to make up her mind. Tzader and Quinn
couldn’t link unless she lowered her mental shields. “How
do I know you aren’t lying just to trick me into linking?” “You don’t.” Quinn shrugged. “Just like I don’t know what
I’m in for when I link with an Alterant, but I’m willing to
trust you for a chance to escape.” The wall to her left started fading again, slowly widening
as though to accommodate more people this time. Grace be to Macha, it was time to decide if she’d live or
die. As the cave wall disintegrated under Medb majik, Evalle
realized she only had to answer one question. Could she let
even one Belador die after vowing to protect her tribe? The answer was an unfortunate one for her...
What do you think about this review?
Comments
No comments posted.
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
|