Than, I realized absently, had frozen in place, halfway to the squad car, but turned toward me.
No. Correction. Turned toward Tala.
I wanted to ask him what his problem was, but I had a new god on my hands. Even though she came across as serene and gentle, her powers were just as potent as any other god.
“I came to you as you requested. Am I in error?” She didn’t move toward me, so I closed the distance.
“No. This is good,” I said. “I’ll need you to accompany me so we can store your powers. Do you understand the contract means that you must follow all of Ordinary’s rules?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. Welcome to Ordinary. Let me give you a ride out to Frigg’s place.” I started toward the station, but paused. She was not following me.
As a matter of fact, she hadn’t moved at all. She was still standing there, a vision of beauty and light. Soft sunbeams fell green and gold through the leaves spilling around her like dawn’s breath.
Than hadn’t moved either. His breathing had gone deep and steady and even.
“Hello, Thanatos,” Tala said.
Hearing his name seemed to break the spell holding him. He straightened just slightly, his hands coming behind his back to clasp loosely there, as if reminding himself that he should not reach out. He should not touch.
I threw a look at Myra. She looked gobsmacked, her eyes darting from Than to Tala to Than to me.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure what I was seeing either.
Could it be that there was bad blood between them? Or was it something else? Was it what it looked like—Than startled to see her? Startled and pleased and oh so awkward about the whole thing.
Did they have a different kind of history together? Something more romantic?
If his body language was anything to go by, or that long, soft look she was giving him, the odds were good.
This. Was. Awesome.
“Hello, Tala.” His voice was smooth and cool. More indifferent than I’d heard him in a long time. Nervous? Over-compensating much?
Tala did not looked fooled in the least.
“I asked Delaney if you were vacationing here.”
“Oh?” He threw me a look I couldn’t quite read. Exasperation? Panic?
“She told me you were here. You, and many others.”
“It is a destination open to many. At the Reed family’s grace, of course.”
“Of course,” she said. Her gaze finally moved from his face, slowly taking in all of him—his body, his stance—before returning to his eyes. “Grace looks good on you,” she said quietly.
Than’s head came back, just a fraction. “Yes. Well.”
“Boring!” Xtelle yelled. She’d rolled down the passenger side window of the cruiser. “Kiss her or stab her ordosomething!”
Tala’s gaze fell to me. “The demon is still bothering you?”
“She signed the contract. So far, she’s only broken one law. Three chances,” I answered before she asked. “The other demon is new here. Newer,” I corrected. “He’s been arrested once already. He’s down to two chances.”
Her small smile carried a lot more mischief than I expected. “Well, it appears your grace is quite generous.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” I made big eyes and nodded slightly toward Than. “So, let’s get this show on the road. Tala, you and I will find Frigg…”
