“Accurate,” Horus murmured. “Huitzilopochtli has been giving us hell for years. We actually tried to prevent that war, but Huitzilopochtli is tenacious and keeps finding new ways to infiltrate and infuriate the Russian Government.”
“That's deplorable,” I whispered.
“And that's why my friends and I fight gods like him,” Horus said. “There are still gods who stay true to the agreement we made with humans; to guide and guard them in exchange for their worship. We refuse to abandon them despite the fact that they've forgotten us.”
“So, you fight other gods?” I asked.
“Yes, and sometimes they win.” Horus shifted his gaze to Re. “Hades still hasn't come out of the Underworld.”
“Persephone's husband?” I asked Re, and he nodded. I turned to Horus to ask, “Was she one of your human-supporters?”
“Yes; her and Hades both,” Horus said sadly. “Persephone was lovely; a pure soul. That anyone would even think about killing her is incomprehensible to me.”
“I'm so sorry,” I said as sadness overcame me. “I didn't know her, but I feel her loss.”
Re looked down at me with a pensive frown and then up at Horus.
“This is what I've been trying to explain.” Re waved a hand at me. “We both have these feelings that we shouldn't have. I don't believe it's a spell; at least not one that was cast on us, specifically.”
“What do you mean?” Horus asked warily.
“I think someone may have taken our memories.” Re shook his head. “I'm not sure yet, but whatever has happened, it had a widespread effect.”
“Even you look familiar to me,” I said to Horus as I frowned. “Do you have a tattoo on your upper arm? A tattoo of a bird?”
Horus gaped at me as Re chuckled.
“Go on,” Re said. “Show her.”
Horus slowly pulled up his sleeve to reveal the tattoo I'd seen in my mind; a falcon in flight. It looked far too real to be normal ink.
“How could you have known that?” Horus asked in amazement.
“I'm telling you; we know each other,” Re said. “And Vervain knows our world.”
“Then maybe you could help us,” Horus said shrewdly. “A human on our side may be just what we need to turn the tide.”
“Now, hold on,” Re huffed. “I don't want Vervain involved in that violent business.”
“So, you'd rather me sit back and let others fight for my race?” I asked Re.
Horus smirked. “I'm liking her more.”
“I just proposed to you,” Re said softly. “I don't want you running off to fight in the God War before we're even married.”
“But I can go after we're married?” I countered.
“Vervain,” Re growled, “you don't know what you're asking. This is a god war; the battles are fought with magic.”
“I have magic,” I said.
“You havehumanmagic,” Re corrected. “Human magic requires preparation; herbs and tools to go with the chants. God magic is instant and very effective.”
“You don't have to make a decision right this second,” Horus said. “Why don't you and Re come by Bilskinir later; that's Thor's home. We'll be meeting to discuss a situation tonight; it's Huitzilopochtli again. You can get a feel for what we do, meet everyone, and get their opinions on what you could add to our resistance.”
“I'd like that.” I looked up at Re. “What do you think?”
“If you wish to meet them, I will take you,” Re gave in. “But I'm not happy about it.”
