“She’s on her way,” Myra said.
I grinned. “Thanks. We’ll get your power properly stored so you can remain here, and then I’ll go over a few details.”
“Details?” she asked.
“Things like you’ll need a place to stay. We have a few houses and apartments available for new arrivals. You need to choose a name for us to call you, and you’ll need a job or volunteer work in the community. If you like volunteering, Bertie’s the woman you want to talk to.”
I noticed Ryder and Jean had leaned in toward each other and were talking in hurried whispers. I wondered what they were up to.
“Acceptable,” she said. Then, without looking away from me, said, “It is, however quite a lot to take in. I am wondering if you might recommend a guide to me? Until I am acclimated.”
I saw exactly what she was doing. It was obvious she wanted me to pair her up with Than. Have him show her around town.
Than was my friend. I mean, he was the god of death, there was no doubting that, but he was also my friend. I knew there was something between him and Tala. It might not be friendly, but my gut said itmightbe friendly, and maybe a little more than that.
Tala was the goddess of the morning and evening star. Legend said she used her light to ferry men to safety. If that legend was true, then Tala had spent a lot of time caring for others. I could see why she wanted a vacation.
And I could see how she might just be patient enough to want something else. Might be patient enough to follow him across the heavens, or maybe across the Earth, to a little place called Ordinary.
Than was staring calmly at the mossy branch of a tree in the distance, acting as if he couldn’t hear a word we were saying.
I certainly didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. Didn’t want to make him feel awkward or put him in a bind.
Oh, who was I kidding? I couldn’t think of a better way to thank him for breaking the spell than throwing his maybe-possibly-ex-girlfriend/unrequited crush at him.
“Than,” I said, all boss in my tone while I struggled to smother a smile. “Are you free for the next week or two?”
One eyebrow arched. “You are my boss. I believe my schedule is in your hands?”
“Yes, for your reserve officer duties. But the kite shop? Are you working all week?” This was it. His chance to let me know he didn’t want to be with Tala. His chance to say he was just too busy to show her around.
I mean, I might want to see him squirm a little, but I did not want to actually put him in a position he’d find personally distasteful.
“I will attend my shop,” he hedged.
“Kites?” Tala said. “Do you fly them?” She sounded…happy.
His eyes narrowed. The look he gave me was one that would wake me up in the middle of the night, if I hadn’t grown up around gods.
I gave him my biggest, brightest shit-eating grin.
“I do,” he said turning to Tala. “I am also the proprietor of the shop.”
She smiled. And oh, how the world around her brightened.
Goddesses were a thing of beauty and strength and power. When all of that was focused in a smile and aimed at one very dour vacationing reaper, it was pretty amazing the air between them didn’t sizzle and catch fire.
“Would you be my guide, Thanatos?” It was like she was asking him to the prom. Very sweet and a little teasing.
Myra cleared her throat. Than shot a fast look her way. I wasn’t sure what he read in the look my sister gave him, but the two of them had developed their own language. If I had to guess, I’d say she was telling him not to be a dumbass. She was telling him to say yes.
“Here,” he said, stepping forward and offering Tala his arm, “it’s just Than.”
She blinked, then smiled again, softer this time. She walked out from between the trees to stand beside him and placed her hand on the crook of his elbow.
“Than,” she said with a nod, as if they were just now meeting for the first time in their very long lives.
“And you are?” he asked.
