Chapter Thirty-Five

The non-scent started a discussion that lasted past the sun rising in Texas. Slainidh came by with Alexander to check on Machar, who had fallen asleep in his chair. The citadel staff brought us breakfast, and we took a small break to eat, Machar dining with his family. But then they went home, and we got back to it. There wasnt anything we could do without a trail to follow or another lead, and a non-scent is nearly impossible to track through the Aether. But everyone was upset. If a gods magic could be siphoned out of their weapon or tool or whatever they used a lot, even after they were dead, this boded ill for all of us. We could only hope that the trickster didnt share their knowledge and that we caught them before they did any lasting damage.

“Maybe thats why they kept the tablets,” I said.

“What was that, Vervain?” Thor asked.

“I said, maybe the trickster kept Jerrys stone tablets to siphon his magic out of those as well.”

Everyone looked at Jesus.

“The Light is right where it needs to be.” Jesus patted his chest. “If they got any of the Mans magic, it was only a smidgen. Just whatever he put into those tablets.”

“Maybe a smidgen is all thats needed.” I looked at Az. “Text your dad and have him check the pitchfork. See if it feels different to him. Less powerful.”

Azrael nodded and pulled out his phone.

“This would indeed explain why the trickster has been taking weapons but not using them,” Odin said. “The game is just a cover for their true crime.”

“But why take me?” Viper asked. Then his expression went slack. “Do you think they took a piece of my soul?”

“No,” Odin said. “It would be all or nothing. Very few gods can divvy up their souls, and then, its only to willingly share their own souls, not take part of someone elses.” He jerked his chin at Trevor. “Like the Froekn do.”

“Then why take me at all?” Viper asked.

“Or my son?” Machar added.

“To keep us from digging too deep,” Horus said. “This is a complicated game. Theyve been leading us around by our noses.” He looked at me before adding, “Literally. And theyve thrown so much at us that we cant be sure what clues to follow. There have been visual breadcrumbs and magical ones. The spells cast on the items left. The abducted gods. That stolen dog. Half of it must be meaningless. I mean, why take a Pomeranian? If youre going to steal an animal, wouldnt you take one of Odins ravens while theyre out scouting?”

“They wouldnt be able to catch my ravens,” Odin said. “And they roost in Pride Territory along with my wolves.”

“Have you seen Geri and Freki lately?” I asked. “I think I saw them a couple of weeks ago.”

Odins wolves and ravens loved me almost as much as they loved him, but they were wild things, and they also loved their freedom. We had brought them from Asgard to Pride Palace to live, and they did occasionally come into the palace itself, but not often. They preferred open spaces. Open spaces without a tabby cat named Nicholas prowling them. And the ravens were special. They could cross through the Aether alone. All we had to do was open the wards to them. We didnt even have to open the tracing room door. Their magic did it for them.

“I see them every morning,” Odin said. “Usually while youre taking care of the children.”

“Oh, good.” I didnt feel bad about not knowing what my husband did while I took care of the children. On the contrary, I was glad he had them to keep him busy.

“So what do we do?” Morpheus asked.

I looked at Morpheus. He had incredible magic too. He could go into someones dream and drain them until they died. He couldnt do it to gods, that whole magic recognizing its like thing held him back. But he could find gods in their dreams and mess with them. Or talk to them. He had come to me a couple of times when Id been captured by an enemy. Damn, I had a lot of enemies. But Azrael had even more.

I could enter the Dream Realm without Morpheus. The realm was made by the Fey, so I was more powerful there than he was. But I couldnt find someone I didnt know. I had no idea what the trickster looked like or smelled like. All I had was that non-scent that was on their ninja suit. And that wouldnt work in the Dream Realm. So, what to do, indeed.

“I think those of us who have them should check on our treasures and make sure theyre secure,” Odin said with a small frown. “I need to check on Gungnir.”

The God Squad went still. We hadnt considered that if Heaven, Hell, the Greek Underworld, and the Faerie Realm could be infiltrated, then all territories were vulnerable to invasion.

“My blade,” Anubis whispered.

I went still. Anubis had once struck me with his dagger and infected me with his magic. He took control of me through it, forcing me to go to him and submit to all the stuff that made my husbands hate him.

“I locked it up after—” Anubis glanced at me.

“That dagger is dangerous,” Odin growled.

“Which is why I put it somewhere secure, Allfather,” Anubis said. “But I think whats of note here, in this particular situation, is that its main purpose is to siphon souls.”

“Shit,” Gello hissed. “You have a soul stealer in our home?”

“Its not specifically a Demon soul stealer, love,” Anubis said. “And I believed it to be secure.”

“We all have items of power,” Thor said. “Perhaps we should keep them close.”

“I dont,” Viper said.

I blinked.

“I dont either,” Torrent said to Viper. “Its okay. Were still gods.”

“You dont need a weapon of power. You are a weapon of power,” Viper said to Torr.

“Thanks! Youre pretty powerful too, with that star stuff.”

“Thanks.”

“If only gods had gods to pray to, I would beseech one to kill me now,” Horus drawled.

I would have laughed at that, but I was stuck on what Viper said. “He took the weak ones,” I said.

“Hey!” Viper said.

“Sorry, babe. Im not saying youre weak. But to this person, you would be seen as one of the weaker members of the Squad.”

“The fucking coward,” Hades said.

I didnt say anything about his language. No one had brought their kids to the meeting. Frankly, I had a few curse words bubbling up my throat as well.

“Yes, yes,” Horus said. “They took the weak. Thats not necessarily cowardice. Lions do it, dont they, Vervain?”

“Fair enough,” I said.

“My point is, in this case, I believe its a simple matter of tactics. They needed people they could use to distract us. It was easiest to take those who wouldnt put up much of a fight.”

“But the only reason we didnt fight is that we were dazed by their magic,” Viper said.

“Which only proves my point,” Horus said. “If they can daze gods, they could have taken anyone.”

“But they chose dogs, minor gods, and a child,” Persephone said.

“Were wasting time,” Anubis said as he stood up. “I need to check on the dagger. Text me if you discover anything new.”

“And text us if you discover anything missing,” Odin said. “That goes for all of you.”

“Wait. We arent hunting?” Machar asked.

“Do you know how to find them?” Arach drawled.

Machar grimaced.

“Then dont make useless comments. Know when to be silent and listen.”

“Arach!” I hissed. “Hes a father protecting his child. Imagine how youd feel if our children were at risk.”

Arach grimaced. Then he shot to his feet and shouted, “They are at risk! That son of a bitch got into the Faerie Realm!”

I stood up and laid a hand on his arm. “And now, Faerie is watching the realm.”

“Faerie works through us. She cant stop the trickster from taking our children.”

“But she can alert our soldiers.”

“Vervain, the trickster put an entire unit of Red Caps into a daze in seconds.”

“What?” Machar snarled. “Not possible.”

“Have you not been paying attention?” Arach growled at him.

“Arach!” I snapped.

“No! I have no time to suffer fools! Our children are my greatest treasure.” He paused to add, “After you, of course, A Thaisce.” He turned and strode away.

“Where are you going?”

“To do as Odin suggested and gather my treasures close.”

“You have to use your ring to go back.”

“But then I cant return with them. Ill lose a couple of days, thats all. They have their guardians.”

“But we didnt prepare them for you being gone!”

“You will return to the moment you left. You can prepare them.”

“Arach!” I ran after him and grabbed his arm to stop him. “Think this through. If you bring the kids here now, after theyve interacted with future me, youll be taking a chance that I havent told them anything about what happens. If I have, they will have to keep that secret. And children and not good at keeping secrets.”

Arach, his chest heaving and eyes flashing with magic, ground his teeth.

“They are safest there, Arach,” Odin said gently. “And even if they were taken, the trickster isnt interested in hurting children.”

“So far,” Arach said. “But they change the game at their whim.”

“Then go home,” I said gently.

Arach went still. “What?”

“Go home and protect our children. You can go back to the moment you left, ensuring that you are there to guard them before the trickster has a chance to return, and I will use my ring to return shortly after you. Youll know in seconds how this plays out and will be certain of our safety.”

“And if you dont return in seconds?”

“Then you come right back here,” Odin said. “You come straight back and warn us. Because if thats the case, well need all the help we can get.”

Arach let out a long breath and nodded. “Very well. Sometimes the smartest tactic is retreat.”

“Its not retreat,” Kirill said. “You are protecting your children. Zat is honorable.”

Arach looked from Kirill to me. “I love you, A Thaisce. Come back to me.”

“I will.” I hugged him, then kissed his cheek. “I love you too, Dragon. Protect our children.”

“That is a certainty.” Then Arach used his Ring of Remembrance and vanished before our eyes.