by Amy Sumida
Lesya whooped in joy and renewed her tray pounding.
“Why?” Trevor finished setting the coffee to brewing and took a seat on Lesya's other side.
“I have no idea,” Odin huffed. “But it lasted all of thirty minutes before the Vikings put a stop to it.”
“Do I even want to know how they stopped the fist pounding?” I asked.
“Let's just say that your dragon would approve.” Odin sighed.
“The Vikings cut off the newbies' feet and tossed them around like a game?” Trevor's eyes widened.
“No, not their feet.” Odin looked at Trevor pointedly.
“Their fists would make more sense,” I noted casually.
“As I said”—Odin waved a hand at me—“the dragon would approve. It makes sense to our wife.”
“Because they were using their fists,” I huffed. “It's not a far leap.”
“Nope, not when you have both feet,” Trevor said.
Odin and I stared at Trevor.
“No one cut their feet off; so they could still leap,” Trevor explained.
Odin and I groaned, which made Trevor and Lesya laugh.
“Maybe you should consign the new guys to household duty,” I suggested. “That would segregate them from the real Vikings and get the Vikings off the hook.”
“That's a brilliant idea, Vervain!” Odin beamed at me. “I'll implement it as soon as I return.”
“Well, your followers have been arrested,” Azrael declared as he strode in.
He'd been gone the night before as well—off on angel duty—which was one of the reasons I'd chosen to take last night for myself. There were fewer men to disappoint.
“My followers?” Odin asked in surprise.
“Do you know of anyone else in this room who has followers?” Azrael chuckled. “I certainly wasn't speaking to Lesya. Though, I am now. How are you, little one?” Azrael kissed Lesya's cheek, and she beamed up at him.
“Vervain may have some followers,” Odin pointed out snidely. “She influences people with her love magic all of the time.”
“I might have followers?” I gaped at the men, and Lesya burst out laughing. “You think that's funny, little girl?” I said as I put some cooled bacon and pancakes on her tray.
Lesya forgot all about me in light of the food. Typical lioness.
“Do you want to hear about those men or not?” Azrael asked.
“You said they were arrested.” Odin shrugged. “I assume it was for murder.”
“You got it.” Azrael nodded. “Though I believe it was termed 'manslaughter' due to the willingness of the victims. Vervain may approve of the individual's right to chose their religion, but you can't go around killing people, even willing people, no matter what religion you practice.”
“At least not in the US,” Trevor added. “You might be able to get away with it in Russia. As long as you slaughter gay men.”
We all gaped at Trevor in horror as Kirill made a timely entrance.
“Did you just insult Russia and homosexuals in same sentence?” Kirill asked.
“I was making a joke about the whole Putin being anti-gay thing,” Trevor huffed. “You guys need to watch the news.”
“Ve vatch news vith you,” Kirill reminded him. “Ve just don't make nasty jokes about it.”
“Too soon, man.” Azrael shook his head at Trevor. “Too soon.”
“Fine; you may be right. It's just that after we went and saved that man's daughter, it really pisses me off that he's such a douche bag.”
“Valid,” Azrael grimaced as he took a seat at the table and started helping himself to the platter of pancakes, bacon, and eggs that I had set down.
They were microwave pancakes. I know, that sounds horrible. But I can't cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon fast enough to satisfy my family, and sometimes it's a matter of life or death to get food on the table quickly. At least, it seems that way.
“You want some coffee, sweetheart?” I asked Az.
“Yes; I would. Thank you, Carus.” Azrael snatched up my hand and kissed it.
“I'd like some coffee too, Carus.” Trevor grabbed my hand as soon as Azrael let go of it, and laid a loud, smacking—and somehow mocking—kiss on it.
Lesya giggled and sprayed pancake crumbs everywhere.
“You're cleaning that up,” I said to Trevor as I gestured to the mess on Lesya's highchair, but then I went to get the men coffee.
“I'm fine with cleaning up after you,” Trevor said to Lesya. “Just keep laughing, sweetheart.”
I smiled to myself as I took mugs down from the cabinet and poured coffee for all of us. Lesya's laughter was indeed worth any mess she might make. I took the mugs to the table and then sighed down into my seat.
“So, they won't be holding another battle anytime soon,” I noted as I fixed my coffee with cream and sugar.
“I think they'll all be going to jail. They may be able to plea insanity or even religion, and get a few years off their sentences if they offer up the ringleaders,” Azrael said. “But that video is some damning evidence.”
“I thought it over last night,” Trevor added, “and I agree with Vervain now. I think those men should be able to practice their religion as they see fit, so long as all of the participants are willing.”
“Yeah, but I didn't take human law into consideration,” I murmured. “Even if these men claim it was a war for religious purposes, it's still a mass killing.”
“Like Jonestown,” Trevor said grimly.
“Don't drink ze Kool-Aid,” Kirill added with a grimace.
“The US Government doesn't like it when their citizens kill people without their consent,” Trevor went on.
“Hard lesson to learn.” Kirill shook his head as he put more pancake pieces on Lesya's tray.
“Harder for the dudes that died,” Trevor noted.
“You don't seem so broken up about it,” Azrael said to Odin.
“Because those dead guys are driving him crazy,” I blurted with a laugh. “And he doesn't want any more of them coming to Valhalla.”
Odin grimaced at me.
“Like I wasn't going to tell them,” I scoffed at Odin.
“The gods are crazy,” Azrael declared, “but only because humans drove us to it.”
“Here! Here!” Odin lifted his mug to Azrael.
Lesya laughed and began pounding her tray again. Odin grimaced and lowered his mug with a sigh.
“Perhaps not just the humans,” Odin muttered.
Chapter Twenty
Later that afternoon, Teharon and Karni Mata came to see us. My husbands, Re, Lesya, and I were in the pool, teaching Lesya to swim. The pool at Pride Palace was more like a lagoon. It appeared to be a natural feature, with massive boulders at one end to form a waterfall, and smaller rocks hemming in the irregular shape. A channel broke off from the pool and circled Pride Palace, forming a moat. The tiles on the bottom had figures of fish painted on them, making it appear as if they were swimming with us. It was serene; a perfect place to relax, with seats cut into the rock borders and a ledge behind the waterfall. Except today the sound of the tranquil flow was drowned out by the gleeful cries of my daughter and the laughter of my men.
“Vervain,” Teharon called out to me as he stopped beside the pool's edge with Karni beside him.
“Hey,” I said as I bobbed Lesya over to them. “Is everything all right?”
“Karni is worried about Sarasvati and Brahma,” Teharon said as he placed a reassuring hand on Karni's back.
“They haven't returned yet?” I asked as my belly clenched in concern.
“No,” Karni said; her own concern evident in her voice. “I would speak to Rudra on my own, but he is close to Yama, and the Death God and I are not on the best terms.”
“Right; I remember,” I murmured. “Will he let us into his territory?”
“I believe so,” Karni said. “Especially if you accompany us. Rudra is a very curious man. I'm certain that he would be interested in mee
ting the Godhunter; if for no other reason than to appease that curiosity.”
“Not because he might be interested in killing the Godhunter?” I asked, just to be safe.
“He does have honor,” she said.
“But we were investigating him for doing dishonorable things,” I countered.
“And I said that I didn't believe it was him,” she reminded me.
“Fair enough,” I agreed as I headed out of the pool.
Lesya shook her hair like it was fur and splattered me with water.
“Lesya,” I chided her gently. “You're not a dog.”
“Not that there's anything wrong with dogs,” Trevor added as he climbed out.
“So, you'll go with us?” Karni asked.
“Of course,” I blinked at her in surprise. “Our friends are missing; there's no question that I'll do whatever I can to find them.”
“Good,” she smiled, and it warmed up her entirely-black eyes. “I'll contact Rudra while you change.”
“While we all change,” Re said as he toweled off. “Should we call in the rest of the Squad too?”
“I think it would be better to go in a smaller group and appear less threatening,” Karni said.
“Okay; just us, then,” I agreed.
That still made eight of us; it should be enough god-power to get us out of any sticky situation we might find ourselves in.
We changed into some dry clothes and dropped off Lesya with Samantha, who was becoming her go-to babysitter. I promised to pay Samantha for her help, but she only rolled her eyes at me and pointed out that she lived in my home for free and her husband's entire existence depended on the magic I supplied him with. Sam figured that a little babysitting was the least she could do. I was happy to not only have a babysitter I could rely on but also have an excuse to keep Samantha out of harm's way. She had her own daughter to think about, but she was a lot like me and would sooner find someone to watch Zariel than stay out of a battle. This way, I could make sure she stayed home.
We met Teharon and Karni at the tracing room. Rudra had agreed to let us into his territory, and Karni knew the way. We linked hands, and Karni pulled us through the Aether. We stepped out of a spacious, pale stone, tracing room into a wide corridor where a handsome young man stood, waiting for us. His dark hair was braided back neatly, his ornate clothing was immaculate, and his smile was brilliant. He stepped forward with his hand extended to me.
“You are the Godhunter?” He asked.
“Call me Vervain,” I said as I shook his hand. “You're Prince Rudra?”
Karni had prepped me. Rudra had two titles: Prince or Lord of the Storm Gods. Of course, he preferred prince.
“I am.” His smile got even brighter. “I'm honored to welcome you into my home.” He turned to Karni Mata. “Karni Mata, it's a pleasure to see you.”
“And you, Prince Rudra.” Karni nodded graciously. “This is my consort, Teharon of the Mohawks.”
“Welcome,” Rudra said to Teharon, and then turned to my men. “All of you are welcome.”
“These are my husbands: Trevor, Kirill, Odin, and Azrael,” I introduced the men quickly. “And this is my boyfriend, the Sun God, Re.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rudra said. “Please, come in. I've had some refreshments prepared for us.”
Rudra led us through tall passages of white marble, and I glimpsed glamorous rooms through open doorways. The air felt crisp and smelled clean, but was a little thin; like standing on a mountaintop. Then Rudra went through a doorway, and we followed him across an arching, stone bridge guarded by statues of winged beasts on either end. The bridge was magnificent—polished stone carved intricately—but I was too distracted by the view to admire it. We meandered through misty clouds, and when they parted, the sky opened to us, and I caught a glimpse of the ground, far below.
“Um.” I cleared my throat. “Are we on a mountain, crossing from peak to peak, or are we...?”
“We are in the sky,” Rudra confirmed my suspicions. “This is my floating palace.”
“Wow,” I whispered as shivers filled my feet.
My toes couldn't decide on what they wanted to do: either cling to the bridge or push off it. My dragon preferred the latter option and tried to compel me forward. Oh, how grand it would be to fly over the Hindu territory, roaring and raining fire. The landscape below us varied from emerald fields, to smoky gray mountains, to the verdure of jungles. I could see amazing palaces sparkling amid the countryside, and each one looked magnificently different than its neighbor. It wouldn't be the first time I'd flown through Hindu skies, but it would be my first chance to enjoy it fully.
“Vervain?” Trevor asked with concern.
“Sorry.” I blinked and shook myself free of my dragon's influence. “Just had a bit of an internal disagreement.”
“Oh?” Rudra looked curious.
“Me and my dragon,” I explained. “We're the same, and yet not.”
“And your dragon wanted to...?”
“Fly,” I said simply.
“How magnificent,” Rudra whispered. “I can fly as well, and I would love to share the skies with you.”
“I'm a little distracted by my missing friends at the moment.” I smirked. “Or I'd be happy to take you up on your offer.”
“Missing friends?” Rudra asked innocently as he turned away and started leading us across the bridge again. “Which friends are those?”
“We're really going to play this game?” Odin asked wearily.
The further into the palace we went, the more modern the decor became. Ancient tapestries, hand-carved statues, and glass-enclosed artifacts gave way to framed paintings from living artists, manufactured furniture, and Swarovski light fixtures. The change was subtle at first, but it kept amping up until we entered a completely modern and masculine sitting room with leather couches, chrome side tables, and a giant chandelier that was part lighting and part art.
“Fine.” Rudra waved toward the couches. “I have your friends. Would you care for coffee or tea?” He indicated a massive leather ottoman in the center of the couches. Two elaborate beverage services laid on trays there.
“Tea, please,” I said sweetly.
My men frowned at me, but everyone followed my lead and graciously accepted Rudra's hospitality. One thing I'd learned from dealing with gods: if they offered you refreshments, you should take them, even if you knew you'd end up fighting later. Peace, no matter how long it lasts, is priceless.
Rudra filled our cups and handed them out for us to doctor with cream and sugar as we saw fit. After the niceties had been seen to, he sat back and sighed.
“I've heard some very interesting stories of your escapades, Vervain,” Rudra said. “I had hoped to hear about them directly from you, but I understand that you'd like to check on your friends first. So, I shall be utterly honest with you, in the hopes that you'll see this as the friendly gesture it's intended to be, and perhaps we may even become friends. In which case, you'll share your stories with me as friends do.”
“I can always use another friend,” I said evasively.
“Can't we all?” Rudra smirked. “All right; this is what occurred: Brahma and Sarasvati came to see me. They were arguing when they arrived, and the argument was over my affair with Sarasvati, which ended years ago. I tried to mediate, and Brahma got violent. I defended myself, but Brahma is an important god in my pantheon, and I have no wish to permanently hurt him. Instead, I imprisoned him, believing that he would eventually calm down and realize what a hypocrite he's being.”
“But he hasn't,” I concluded.
“He's become even more violent and unreasonable.” Rudra grimaced. “Your visit is a relief, truth be told. I have no idea how to handle him.”
“And where is Sara?” Re asked.
“She's been enjoying my hospitality as she waits for Brahma to relax,” Rudra said. “She was here of her own free will, I assure you. But I'm not sure if she stayed because she loves her husband, or becaus
e she's enjoying taunting him.”
“She's taunting him?” Azrael asked. “That can't be good.”
“She was here of her own free will?” I added. “Meaning; she's not anymore?”
“They didn't resolve their issues. I mistakenly thought that if Sarasvati remained here, she could speak to Brahma while they were safely separated from each other.” Rudra rolled his eyes. “Instead, she's used it as an opportunity to make insinuations about our affair and rile Brahma up further. I finally had to confine her to her rooms.”
“You've made a fine mess of things.” Karni shook her head.
“They brought their mess to me,” Rudra huffed. “I only did what I had to do to protect my home and my person. If you can take them out of here without any harm being done, then I am happy to allow it.”
“We'll handle it,” I said immediately. “But, one more thing; did either of them mention why they were really here?”
“There was a reason besides infidelity?” Rudra's eyes widened.
“There have been some attacks on Earth,” I said, carefully watching Rudra's reaction. “Power outages linked to storms. Have you heard anything about them?”
“What do you mean; power outages?” His confusion looked genuine.
“Power plants; the source of human-made energy, provide cities with the electricity to illuminate lamps, run machines, and so forth. They've been targeted recently by a storm god,” I explained. “When cities lose power, horrible things can happen, including death. Usually, backup generators help in instances like this, but even those machines were broken in the attacks.”
“A god is denying humans electricity so that they will die?” Rudra blinked in surprise. “That's a rather roundabout way of doing things. And would such deaths even count as a sacrifice, or would they simply be murder?”
“Who knows?” I lied.
If Rudra was innocent, I didn't want him getting any ideas from me. Just because he was innocent today, it didn't mean he'd be innocent tomorrow.
“Interesting,” he murmured. “I assume that you were looking into me as a suspect?”
I nodded.
