“I promise to look after her,” Thor vowed. “I just want Vervain to make an appearance and scare whoever is behind this. The twins are already there, but they're more inclined to incite their people to war than peace.”
Thor and his friends had been fighting on behalf of humans for years. Two of his rebels were Navajo gods—a married couple—and they had twin sons that were what I'd term “chaotic good.” The twins weren't fighting for the humans as their parents were, but they weren't against them either. They simply held to their original contracts with humans; to protect and guide their followers in exchange for worship. A lot of Native Americans still believed in the old Gods, and the boys got by without having to resort to underhanded techniques. But Nayenezgani was the God of the Sun and War, and even though his brother, Tobadzistsini, was the God of Water and Darkness, Tobadzistsini followed Nayenezgani's lead. They would probably aggravate the situation; seeing an opportunity to lead their people to glory through battle. But they'd do it believing it was the right thing for the Navajo.
Most gods were like Odin had been; they found devious ways to get the sacrifice that used to be given to them freely. This often included manipulating humans into violent acts; the more deadly, the better. Because the goal was to get blood from humans; a lot of blood. Blood held the magic that fueled the Gods and extended their lives. I had fought against them once, and Thor told me he had even watched over me for awhile, but then Odin had found me, and my life had changed. I left the hunting behind and left Thor to handle the war. But every once in awhile, Thor came to me and asked for my help. I always said yes.
And Odin knew that.
“Odin, I'm not a goddess, not really,” I started my usual argument.
“No, Vervain!” Odin slashed his hand through the air. “I forbid it.”
“I'll wait for you in the tracing room,” Thor said to me; already knowing how this would end.
I waited for Thor to leave the room before I turned on my husband.
“You what?” I growled as I narrowed my stare at him. “What F-word did you just use?”
Odin sighed and rubbed a hand over his face; he knew that he'd lost the argument with that single word.
“Please don't go, Vervain,” he whispered. “I have a horrible feeling about it.”
“What do you mean?” I took his hand. “Is this about what Munin showed you?”
Odin swallowed roughly and nodded. “He showed me a vision of you romantically involved with other men; one of them was Tobadzistsini. I wouldn't have given it credence—it didn't have the clarity of something he'd actually seen—except now, Thor has come—”
“Asking me to help Tobadzistsini's people,” I finished. “It's a strange coincidence.”
“Indeed.”
“But that's all it is,” I said gently. “I'm pregnant with our child; I'm not about to run off with a Navajo god who I barely know.”
Odin laughed as if the ridiculousness had just occurred to him. “You're right; of course, you are. That vision just has me unsettled.”
“So, you're okay with me going?”
“No; I'm absolutely not.” Odin went grim. “Vision aside, you are still a pregnant woman who should not be going anywhere near a violent protest.”
“I'm a pregnant, immortal witch,” I corrected him. “I'll be fine, and you know it.”
“All right,” he ground out. “But I'm going with you.”
“The Allfather is going to help the Native Americans?” I asked in surprise.
“The Allfather is going to protect his bride and unborn child,” Odin corrected. “And woe betide any who dare venture too close to her.”
“All right, my sweet raven.” I leaned in to kiss him. “You can come to the protest.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
We got there too late to try for peace; the battle was already raging out of control. It looked as if the security hired by the oil company was actually a band of mercenaries—and yes, there are mercenaries working in America—and those men were firing into the protesters with real guns. The protesters were shooting back with bows and arrows; modern hunting bows and arrows, but still inadequate weapons against guns. Not to make light of their efficiency; the Navajo were doing their fair share of damage.
Thor, Odin, and I stood on a ridge that overlooked the battle. We could see Tsohanoai and Estsanatlehi—Thor's Navajo friends—with their twin sons; supporting their people as best they could. Tsohanoai brought the heat of the Sun down upon his enemies as his wife brought great slashes of rain. Their twins had similar powers—offshoots of their parents' magic—but since Water and Sun were already being utilized, Nayenezgani used his War magic to empower his people while his brother used Darkness to obscure them.
Then I saw something unexpected.
“Is that an angel?” I asked as I stared across the field from the Navajo.
“Gabriel, I think,” Odin said with a scowl. “Is he helping the mercenaries?”
