He sipped tea again, waiting.
“Have you seen anyone with a stolen traffic light?”
One eyebrow twitched “No. If I had, I would have apprehended them, since I am still a reserve officer.”
“I know. Well, there’s a light missing, so keep your eyes out. Also, I was just talking to Frigg. She’s ready to transfer the powers to the next god to take over guarding duties. We’ve been through the rotation of gods in town. Next up on the list is you.”
“I see.”
“You can refuse, but if you do, I’ll expect you to do it next year. Unless you leave town, there will be no getting out of it.”
“I see.”
“You’ll need some kind of vessel to keep them in. Crow uses the old glassblowing furnace. Odin has a growler. Frigg keeps them in her grove.”
“I see.”
I gave him a few moments to say something else or to ask questions. When he remained silent, I pushed on. “If you pick up the job, we’ll need to get together with Frigg tomorrow before noon. Will that be enough time for you to decide on your storage vessel?”
His eyes cut sideways to the secretary desk, then returned to me. “Yes.”
“Are you agreeing to guard the powers?”
He drew himself up, squaring his shoulders and raising his chin so he could look down his nose at me. I had to admit he looked very regal and imposing. Too bad there was a giant flower-shaped kite on the shelf behind him. The yellow petals fanned out behind his head and spiked down his shoulders like an Elvis impersonator’s cape.
“Of course.”
Just like that:of course.
“Good,” I said. “Do you need any help setting up the vessel?”
“I shall need to use a small portion of my power to create it.”
I nodded. “That’s the one time gods are allowed to use their powers while on vacation. Make the vessel, and make sure it will last until the next time you’ll be asked to guard the powers. When you leave Ordinary, you’ll want it to go into stasis until you return. No matter how many hundreds of years that might be.”
“I understand. I have read all of Ordinary’s rules and regulations. You insisted on it.”
“Okay then.” I gulped down the rest of the cooling tea. “That’s decided. See you tomorrow, late morning.” I started toward the interior of the shop but heard him moving behind me.
“Are you sure that is all, Reed Daughter?”
Ever since I’d first met him in the casino coffee shop, he’d called me by that name. Ever since then, I’d been telling him that Delaney was fine. More than fine; preferred.
But as the months went by, I realized I kind of liked it. Liked being reminded of my bloodline, my family history.
The Reed family alone had been chosen by the gods to keep Ordinary safe. It was an amazing honor and something that humbled me. It was also something that defined me, just as it had defined my father and our ancestors before us.
Could I leave this place behind, even for a much-needed vacation?
“Ryder wants to get out of town,” I said, my back still toward him, as if not facing him would somehow help me get this off my chest.
He just made a softhmmmsound.
“I know it makes sense. To get away. To take a break. My job here is…” I held up my hands, trying to encompass it all. “My job is my life. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted to be. It’s everything I want to do. But it is full time. More than. And things have been more difficult since Dad died.
“But if I leave….” I scrubbed at my forehead, then let my hands drop.
“If you leave?” Than repeated.
