“If you guide us through hell, will that make us more of a target?” Myra asked.
“You’re not going,” Bathin said to her.
“You aren’t in the position to say if I go or not,” she replied.
“No,” I said, “but I am. You’re staying. I’m going with Bathin.”
“Nice try,” she said. “If you’re going, I’m going.”
“And I’m going,” Jean added.
“Babes,” Hogan breathed, his whole heart in that one word.
“Like I’d stay behind while my sisters go to hell to save Ryder,” Jean replied.
Hogan nodded, even though he looked a little sick. He pulled her closer, his arm over her shoulder. “Then I’m going too,” he said.
“No,” Bathin argued. “We can’t take everyone.”
“Sure,” Hogan agreed. “But I’m going.”
“Delaney,” Bathin sighed. “You need to talk sense into these people.”
I didn’t have time for this. Didn’t have time to argue. “We need a small group. Bathin, you’re coming because I need your directions. Myra, Jean, you’re staying.”
“The fuck I am,” Myra said.
“Bullshit,” Jean said.
“Which means,” I raised my voice, “Hogan stays too. Me, Bathin and…” I glanced at the gods gathered.
“Any of us will come with you,” Hera said. “You know that.”
“I’m going,” Crow announced.
“Only if you want to get them killed,” Odin said. “Demons and gods have warred before. Humans rarely survive.”
“This is a rescue mission, not a war,” Crow said. “They don’t walk into hell alone.”
“Perhaps,” Than said, “we should consider the most capable rescue party, not the most willing.”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
“The demon king has not remained in power by making idle threats,” Than said. “He has not remained in power by telling the truth. Who would he expect to follow Ryder Bailey? How would he expect Delaney to ‘surrender Ordinary?’”
I shook my head. “I can’t give anyone Ordinary. I don’t own it.”
“No,” Odin said, “but you are tied to it. You allow the coming and going. He wants that.”
“Which is why you shouldn’t go,” Myra said.
“If not me, then who, Myra? Do you think a god’s going to go down there and save Ryder? If they leave Ordinary, they’ll have to pick up their powers and won’t be allowed back into Ordinary for a year. No one’s going to volunteer for that.”
Hera made a sound, and Than shook his head.
“We don’t like leaving Ordinary,” Odin said. “But it doesn’t mean we won’t. For things like this. For life, for love, for battle or rescue, of course we’ll pick up our powers.”
“Accurate,” Than said. “But the question isshoulda god go into hell to find Ryder?”
