by Amy Sumida
“What?” I gaped at Odin.
“I haven't seen him for years,” Odin added with a shrug. “But not because of any sort of antagonism; we've remained friends.”
“Odin, why didn't you say something?” I asked softly.
“I didn't want you to think that I was biased.”
“But you can accuse me of being so.” I gave him an annoyed look. “I understand friendship, Odin. There's nothing wrong with being biased where people you care about are concerned.”
“Yes, you're right,” he agreed readily. “I'm sorry, Vervain.”
“It's okay. Just tell me next time.”
“Very well.” Odin looked embarrassed.
“There's one more thing,” I added.
“What's that?”
“Qaus and Thallo aren't the only gods I smell.”
Chapter Sixteen
The third scent signature was definitely a god; it had the metallic undertone of magic to it. Plus, it swirled with Qaus and Thallo's scents. I think that made it fair to conclude that this scent belonged to someone who was involved in whatever happened there. I stored it away in my scent vault until I could connect it to a name. Unfortunately, all of the trails were too old to follow through the Aether so I couldn't determine exactly where Thallo had gone—or been taken—after she traced away from the Gardens reeking of fear.
Az, Odin, and I didn't come across any other evidence on our way to the Umami Cafe but those scents were all we needed. I might not be able to track Thallo down such an old trail, but I knew exactly where Qaus had been recently.
Arach had found Atis' scent but its trail was too old track through the Aether as well. However, he scented another god there so we all went back to the location so I could give it a whirl. The other scent twisted with Atis' was the third one that was with Thallo and Qaus. I frowned at that; I'd expected Qaus' scent to be there. But it didn't matter; we had two crime scenes with the third, unknown scent and one with Qaus. The Weather God had to be involved with the disappearances.
That left us with one course of action.
“You want to go back to Sampo?” Re asked as he looked pointedly up at the sunny sky. “I don't think it will be open yet.”
“I don't need to go inside,” I pointed out. “I doubt Qaus would have tried to trace inside the club.”
“All we have to do is find his trail outside,” Arach agreed. “The Finns don't even need to know we've been there.”
“Then we should try to stay out of the line of their cameras,” Azrael added.
“Probably best. But first, I need something to eat.” I motioned to the Cafe. “Shifter mommies need to refuel often.”
The Japanese Garden's Umami Cafe consists of a narrow room with pale wood making up the floors, counters, and a few angled, stripes of panels on the ceiling. The ceiling panels were layered, with the top ones backlit, softening the rice paper triangle that hovered at one end of the room. Very modern Asian. The furniture was sleek and simple, with tiny, two-seater tables poised in neat rows down the rectangular room and a long counter that provided more seating. The counter also formed a barrier between the kitchen and the dining area. More tables had been set outside, along a wrap-around deck, but the view of the gardens was just as good inside since most of the walls were glass.
Our group was so large that we had to push three tables together and then add a seat on the end for me. The waitresses didn't mind at all. In fact, they insisted on helping us even though it was only some slight rearrangement with very light furniture. Then they insisted on bringing us complimentary mochi to snack on while we waited for our tea and fried rice. The ladies were all atwitter; fumbling about the kitchen as they tried to prepare the most beautiful arrangement of food they had ever made.
I just chuckled softly to myself.
“They're so nice here,” Toby said in complete innocence. “Is all of Oregon like this?”
I laughed louder.
“What?” Toby frowned at me.
“He doesn't know,” Re said to me.
“Not a clue,” I agreed.
Re leaned across the table to whisper to Toby, “It's because I'm so attractive. Women fawn over me.” Re shrugged as if it couldn't be helped.
“Oh.” Toby blinked and frowned.
“Re!” I huffed and smacked him.
“What?” Re looked just as baffled as Toby did. “I thought he'd want to know.”
“I'm sorry to tell you this, Evil Queen, but you're not the fairest one of all. You're gorgeous, no doubt, but there five other men here who are just as attractive as you are.” I kissed his cheek to soften the blow. “They're fawning over you all.” I transferred my look to Toby to add, “Including you, Mr. Obliviously Hot.”
Before either Toby or Re could protest, the waitresses returned and one of them paused as she deposited Toby's little black tray with tea and fried rice before him.
With her hand on Toby's shoulder, she breathlessly asked, “What tribe are you from?”
Toby flushed as I lifted a hand to hide my smile.
“I'm Navajo,” he glanced quickly at the woman's adoring stare and then away.
“Oh.” She sighed. “You have beautiful hair. You too.” She transferred her look to Kirill. Then she babbled on as if she couldn't stop herself, “I've never seen such healthy, long hair on men before. Normally, when men grow out their hair, they don't care for it like women do and it ends up looking ragged and frizzy. But you two have glossy hair that I'd kill for.”
“Zank you,” Kirill said since Toby was too embarrassed to speak. “My vife looks after it for me.” Kirill winked at me.
“Oh, he's your husband?” She exclaimed. “You lucky lady!”
“More lucky than you know.” I grinned and exchanged a warm look with Kirill.
“Are you all actors?” Another waitress asked.
“No; they're just... blessed,” I answered for the men; my smile going mischievous.
“Well, you're not exactly chopped liver yourself,” one of the women said kindly as she gave my shoulder a pat.
They wandered off as my smile turned into a grimace. I would have preferred that she kept silent rather than give me that last minute scrap of a compliment; the sort you toss at the homely girl who hangs out with a bunch of beautiful women.
“What was wrong with what she said?” Toby asked, still confused. “She gave you a compliment.”
“She was being polite. She even patted my shoulder in commiseration,” I explained. “Sitting with you six doesn't exactly allow a girl to shine.”
“Nonsense!” Arach declared. “You outshine us all, A Thaisce.”
“You're biased, Dragon,” I said lovingly. “I appreciate it, but you're wrong.”
The other men started to make their protests—bless their sweet, ignorant hearts—but I stopped them.
“It doesn't matter. I'm happy and also hungry. Save the romance for when we're alone.”
Odin chuckled as the others grimaced. “Don't you all know by now that you can't convince Vervain that she's beautiful. That's part of her appeal. It's absolutely adorable, actually.”
The men nodded knowingly, and I ended up being the one with pink cheeks.
Chapter Seventeen
Sampo looked perfectly normal in daylight. Harmless. An enormous building that resembled a temple more than a club. Someplace sacred and safe. But I wasn't fooled. Something was up with that place. I admit that Qaus looked guilty, but I didn't think that made the Finnish Gods innocent. Just looking at the soaring edifice reminded me of the feeling of losing control to my base urges. It had been as bad as the time I'd gone into heat during my pregnancy with Lesya. Mindless need. I can't even imagine what it was like for humans.
“Vervain?” Arach asked in concern.
“I'm okay,” I assured him. “Give me a second to find the trail.”
Arach's hand went to the nape of my neck and started massaging me gently. It was the perfect thing for him to do; to physically let me know
he was there, watching over me and supporting me without being overly intrusive. I sighed and relaxed, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes. Qaus' scent burst to life inside my brain; stimulating my dragon senses. My dragon then altered the scent into something visual so I could follow it easier.
I opened my eyes and saw the trail as a deep magenta swath. I moved forward to where it ended abruptly, disappearing into the Aether, and focused my sight further; beyond Earth and into that other realm. Qaus had taken a quick trip, barely in and out, and returned to the Human Realm.
“I think he's still in the state,” I murmured as I held my hands out for my men. “In fact, I think he's still in Portland.”
They joined hands with each other and me, and then I traced us to the location where Qaus had exited the Aether. We stepped out of the Aether and into the living room of a modest home. Qaus' scent was everywhere and there were layers to it; scent left at earlier times. I assumed he was staying there; it wasn't just a stopping point.
We spread out and quietly searched the house, hoping to catch Qaus unaware. The place was empty. After our quick walk-through to clear the premises, we went back for a more thorough inspection. Not only was Qaus absent, but there was also no sign of Thallo or the Muses or the other two missing gods. Not even a lingering scent trail.
“He didn't bring them here,” I concluded.
“I agree.” Arach took a deep breath and looked around. “I don't smell any of them here.”
“The mere fact that he's living in this area is suspicious,” Azrael noted. “Doesn't he have a god territory?”
“Not all Gods do.” Odin shook his head. “Disani, Gish, and Qaus were living in Kabul together; perhaps none of them had their own territories.”
“It vould be greater motivation for seeking power.” Kirill stared around the little house thoughtfully. “But zis place seems transient; no art, no personal items beyond necessities.”
“Perhaps he just moved in.” I shrugged.
“He may have, but there aren't any boxes of unpacked things either.” Odin nodded at Kirill. “You're right. This has the feel of a hotel room; someplace you stay but don't live in.”
I went to the window and peered up and down the quiet street. Houses crowded together—everything from Craftsman to Victorian—with trees pressed in among them; shadowing the street. Cheerful paint adorned the homes and charming gardens overflowed with bright blooms. I took a few pictures with my cellphone in case I decided to send some Intare back to watch for Qaus.
“Well, there's nothing here, but we can still follow his trail to his next stop,” I said.
“Which trail?” Arach asked as his gaze went distant. “There are two that are still traceable.”
I grimaced; Arach wasn't going to like my next suggestion. “Both of them.”
Arach refocused on me. “Both of them? All right. Which shall we follow first?”
“I think we should split into two teams to do this faster.”
Arach started to glower.
“I'll be fine,” I assured him. “I'll take three men with me, and you can take two, okay?”
“I'll go with you,” Odin said to Arach. “We trace over, investigate, and then trace back here to regroup with Vervain and the others.”
Arach sighed and gave in.
“I'll go with you too,” Toby offered.
That left me with Kirill, Re, and Az.
“Okay.” I grabbed Kirill and Azrael's hands, and they closed our circle with Re. “We're following the most recent trail. Bye!”
I traced us away before Arach could argue; the sounds of an angry dragon chasing us through the Aether.
Chapter Eighteen
Kirill, Re, Azrael, and I came out of the Aether onto a beach. Don't ask me what beach it was or where; I have no idea. I simply followed the trail. I do know that it was far away from Portland; the weather had warmed significantly and the humidity had increased as well. I squinted my eyes in the glare of sunlight that glinted off crystalline, blue water. Gentle waves sighed onto the shore like storm-tossed sailors; relieved to have made it to land. The cream-colored sand soaked up the heat and spilled into my Crocs to torment my feet. A wide swath of the pesky grains undulated along a verdant field that ambled back into a thick treeline. The beach was nearly empty; only three other people were there besides us. Two of those three were not dressed for the Tropics.
One of those poorly dressed gods was Qaus.
All three of them stared at us in shock. One of the gods was actually a goddess. Dark, long, curly hair framed her slim body and her equally dark eyes were wide with fear and shock. She had an odd ensemble going on; a bikini, a sheer sarong, and manacles around her wrists. The final god in the trio was blond and very attractive, with fair skin and brown eyes. He had his hand on the woman's upper arm, but it fell away as he gaped at us. We used their distraction to run forward and attack. I grabbed the woman and hurried her away while Kirill, Re, and Az pummeled the men. Yep, they used their fists. Kirill doesn't have an offensive god magic and the other two didn't want to catch me in the crossfire.
I would have joined in to help my husbands, but Qaus suddenly coldcocked Kirill, leapt at the blond god, grabbed him by the arm, and traced away with him. As he left, Qaus waved his arm out and a rainbow surrounded them. A second later, I rushed forward into the space the men had occupied and tried to track them through the Aether. That rainbow was giving me a bad feeling; my dragon had immediately cringed away from it. When I tried to pick up their scent, I found out why.
“Mr. Snuffleupagus!” I shouted.
Azrael, Re, and Kirill joined me and just waited for me to calm down and explain.
“That rainbow blocked his trail.” I shook my head. “Or wiped it away. Or burned it away. Cleaned it with color? I'm not sure what it did exactly, but I can't track them past it.”
“I deeply appreciate the rescue,” the goddess in chains said. “You may not have caught them, but you saved me. Thank you, Godhunter.”
“You know who I am?” I asked in surprise.
“I'm Ananke,” she said by way of explanation. When I didn't react, she went on, “I'm a Greek goddess; a member of your pantheon.”
“Oh, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you.”
“There are a lot of us.” She shrugged.
“And a lot of you disappearing,” I added. “Didn't you hear about the missing Greeks? Athena wants everyone to stay on Olympus.”
“No; I've been here awhile.” She blinked in shock. “There are missing gods? Were they taken like those men tried to take me?”
“We believe so.” Re went over to the woman and broke apart the manacles as if they were paper.
“Thank you.” Ananke sighed. “Those were magic-suppressing.”
“I figured,” Re said with a grim smile. “You'd best trace straight to Olympus.”
“Wait,” I said before she left. “Did you know those gods?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I was just walking down the beach when one of them appeared. Then the other one traced in and joined him. They were arguing about some goddess.”
“Did zey mention her name?” Kirill asked eagerly.
“No; they spoke as if they each knew who she was.” Ananke shook her head. “The dark-haired one told the blond that the Goddess wanted him to bring me to her. The blond argued that she hadn't mentioned that to him, and then all of you appeared.”
“Thank you, you've helped.” I gave her arm a reassuring pat. “Go ahead and trace home now and don't leave Olympus until Athena says it's safe.”
“Believe me; I won't. Thank you again; all of you.” Ananke traced away.
“So, Qaus lied to me,” I concluded. “Not only does he know the goddess who's after me, but he also appears to be working with her.”
“Is it really that surprising?” Azrael asked gently.
“Yeah, actually; it is. I believed him,” I muttered as I kicked the evil, heat-soaking sand and ended up getting more of it in my sh
oes. “Let's get out of here and see what the others found.”
Chapter Nineteen
We met the others back at Qaus' house. Qaus hadn't returned; big surprise.
“What happened?” Arach growled as soon as he saw my furious face.
“First; Qaus was on a beach,” I snapped as I stamped sand out of my shoes and all over Qaus' floor; I hoped that lying bastard had a bitch of a time cleaning it up.
Odin chuckled; all of my men knew of my distaste for beaches.
