“I didn't turn my back on you,” Blue grumbled, sounding less refined than usual. “I married a woman you once hunted. I couldn't continue our relationship without betraying her.”
“I was asked by our people to chase her away,” Quetzalcoatl said stiffly. “You know this. You also know that the reason they asked me to drive her off is thatyoumade her into a creature they feared. How could I refuse them? I didn't hurt her, just scared her a little.”
“I know.” Blue hung his head. “But she still fears you and I'm stuck in the middle.”
“What has changed your mind? Why do you come here now?”
“I asked him to contact you because we need your help,” I stepped in. “Or your insight, rather.”
“Oh?” Quetzalcoatl lifted a bright brow. “The Godhunter requires my assistance?”
“I do, but first, let me introduce you to Viper. He's a—”
“Snake,” Quetzalcoatl finished for me as he held his hand out to Viper. “Very nice to meet you, Brother.” He cocked his head at Viper and added with some surprise, “You are a young god.Veryyoung.”
“Vervain brought me from the Void and made this body for me,” Viper said proudly. “I'm almost a year old.”
“That's right; our birthdays are close,” I murmured.
“Are they?” Viper asked. “How come I don't know yours?”
“You never asked.” I laughed. “It's okay, we haven't had time to talk about the little things.”
“Did you say that shemadeyour body?” Quetzalcoatl asked Viper, then looked at me for confirmation.
“I was a different person then,” I admitted. “I was infected by evil and the magic inside me was out of control—without limits. I don't think I could do it again.”
“Well, you had better not,” Viper huffed. “You have enough men as it is.”
“Yes, I've heard about your family.” Quetzalcoatl glanced at Blue, then back at me. “Lioness magic, yes?”
“That's right. But we've come to ask aboutyourfamily. The snake gods, in particular.”
“Oh? Why are you interested in my kin? You're not hunting them, are you?”
“I honestly don't know and that's why we're here. There have been snake attacks in Texas and the snakes appear to have migrated up from Mexico.”
“And you think an Aztec god is behind these attacks?” His face settled into grim lines—the gentleman gone, consumed by the predator.
“The evidence literally points at them,” I said apologetically. “But we're here to get your opinion. Blue has vouched for you. He says that we can trust you and that you would know if your fellow gods were behind the attacks.”
“They're not.” Quetzalcoatl lifted his firm jaw adamantly.
“You're certain?” I pressed.
“Cihuacoatl hasn't left her territory in the God Realm in centuries, Chicomecoatl only goes forth to help her people grow corn—she's a farmer at heart, Coatlicue is wrapped up with her new lover, and my father came for a visit last night. He exhibited no unusual behavior.”
“How late did he stay?” Blue asked.
“He's still here. Why?”
“There was an attack just a few hours ago,” Blue explained, then gave me a pointed look. “I believe that exonerates him, Vervain.”
I nodded. “And we're looking for a man so that leaves out the three goddesses. The Aztecs are cleared.” I frowned pensively, then asked Quetzalcoatl, “What about the Maya serpent gods? Can you tell me anything about them?”
“The Maya can be trickier,” Quetzalcoatl admitted. “If I had to choose one of them, Hapikern, the World Serpent, would be the most likely to do something like this. He's the most foul-tempered of the bunch but he, like Chihuacoatl, hasn't left this realm in many years. He doesn't like the Human Realm or its inhabitants.”
“What about the other serpent gods?” Viper asked.
