“You’re interesting godling, but you are no god. And you don’t have the power to pull this off.” Pontus pointed to the packs in Canada. “How do you expect to reach here?”
I looked up to them. “That’s why I called to you.” They froze.
Uranus’s face tightened. “You called us here to use our power?” He stood up, but my hand shot out.
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll use my power.” I turned to Gaia. “And I hope you can allow me to pull from you as I have traded with you in the past.” She nodded once. “But I called to you because even though I have the power…I think. I don’t know if I have the reach.”
Pontus tilted his head, reminding me of the sea serpent I saw in the deep. “You want us to allow you to use us as a relay.” I nodded once.
My eyes danced around the three. “I am connected to the earth, sky, and sea. Selene and Hecate have said that from the beginning.” I looked down at the map. “But these packs are toospread out for my power to reach them. So if you three help me.” I looked up hopefully. “Allow my power to flow through you and your dominion, then possibly I can protect my kind from the humans conducting experiments on us.”
The three looked at each other and then back at me, but it was Gaia who pulled the men back to my side. “How are you going to gather the power to shield these packs?”
Pontus nodded. “I won’t feed your spell, but I will push it farther.”
I looked around the clearing. “This field is covered in death. The blood has soaked into the very ground. The sacrifice of our pack members filled this field. To protect our families, or friends and our kin. I’m going to use my power and their sacrifice to fuel the spell.” I looked back to the gods. “Please help me save my people.” I bent down, placing my forehead on the ground, worshiping them as of old. “You are the only hope we have.”
I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I pushed back up. Gaia leaned over and studied the map. “I will help you.”
Pontus’s finger trailed over the map and all the rivers that flowed through the land. “I will help you.”
Uranus stared at me for a second longer, searching my face for something, and then he nodded. “I will help you.” He leaned over. “But.” My eyes met his. “One of these days I might need a favor, and no matter what it is, you will have to agree.”
Pontus jumped to his feet. “Hey.” He looked at me. “That’s not fair.” He looked back at his mother. “I didn’t know we could ask for favors.”
I smiled. “If it is within my power, and it’s not downright evil, I would have done it anyway.” I pushed up, grabbing the map and handing it to my father. I turned back to the gods. “If any of you have need of me, I will agree as long as it follows those guidelines. Deal?”
Gaia smiled. “You don’t have to.”
I just smiled. “I know. Our line has worked with you for centuries., but this is extra.” She searched my face.
“Only if you are sure.” She clasped her hand in mine, and I felt the deal seal.
“I am.” I nodded once before she pulled me in and kissed my cheek.
“You have grown to be such a strong woman.” She hugged me to her chest. “I am so proud of you.” Her voice held some emotion I couldn’t place, but her words made me smile.
“Thank you for your guidance.” I pulled away, and she winked before she sank back down into the earth. The ground stopped moving, and it was like she was never there.
But her voice rang out. “Cast your spell and I will send it along the land to protect your kin.”
Pontus stepped in front of me with a grin. “My mother is more sentimental than I am, but you have become the strongest godling I have met in a long time. Stronger than even Hercules. Be proud.” He held out his hand.
I slid my hand against his cool wet palm. I jerked back, wiping the wetness on my pants, earning a laugh. “Ew.” I couldn’t stop the reaction.
But Pontus just laughed harder. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. It’s not every day we get to joke around with a mortal.”
Uranus rolled his eyes. “And every one of us is over his childish stunts.”
Pontus’ grin widened. “What can I say? The deep is lonely, so when I get to come up for air, I make the most of it.” He winked, and I felt my cheeks redden. He leaned over and pecked my lips, making me jump back. His laughter filled the air. “Cast your spell, wolf. I will spread it through my waters.” He turned away but before he left, he looked over his shoulder. “And if your mate fails you in this life as well. I’m not against giving a wolf a shot.”His fangs reflected the sunlight as Rowan growled, then his body dissolved through the ground in a splash of water.
I turned to Uranus. His storm-cloud eyes seemed to swirl with his power, but he just looked after his brother. “That’s a first.”
“What do you mean?” My question snapped him out of his stare.
“He’s never mated a human.” He looked at me. “Not even a godling.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just surprised he offered.” He coughed. “Are you sure about our agreement?”
I nodded. “As long as I can do it, and it’s not evil, I will agree to it.”
