“Already have the extra halters and lead lines in the back of the car.”
“Of course you do.”
She gave me a wink. “Want me to see if I can find someone to adopt Amy?”
“Adopt?” his head swung, and he lifted his nose, nostrils flaring. “I am not a child.”
“No, but you’re apparently a cow of some kind,” Myra said. “Cows are owned around here, kept outside for most of the day, and sleep in barns.”
“Bull.”
“No, it’s true,” Myra said, purposely misunderstanding him.
“No, I am. A bull.”
“The living conditions are barbaric,” Xtelle said. I couldn’t tell if that was horror or glee in her tone.
“Who is your adopter, my Queen?” Amy said.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Jean,” I corrected. “For now, Jean is in charge of her. You know that, Xtelle.”
“What? Where is that annoying sound coming from?” She turned a tight circle staring at the ceiling.
“That’s it.” I strode to the door and opened it. “Everyone out.”
The entire parade marched through the door—Myra, the goat, the pony, the bull, Jean and Ryder, and finally, Than.
“Than,” I said before he was more than a step outside the building.
“Yes, Reed Daughter?”
“Thank you.”
“For which thing?” he asked.
“Breaking the spell.”
“Ah,” he said. “Yes.” He inclined his head and strolled off.
He made it about six steps before he froze.
A song of silver and pastels strummed through me. God power. A god was in Ordinary. A new god.
“Delaney Reed,” a gentle voice said.
I knew who it was, even before she stepped into visibility from between two trees.
“Hello, Tala.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I letthe door swing shut behind me. The magical jail disappeared before the lock clicked shut. I strolled over to the goddess.
“Deities usually meet me on the edge of town,” I said.
Myra had managed to shove the pony, the miniature bull, and the goat into the back seat of her squad car, and she was already on her way back to me.
