“You are so mean,” I said but grinned. “Okay.”
We found Austin waiting impatiently in his truck, his stare scanning the street and moving right over us. His expression was both grim and annoyed, his shoulders tense, and one hand tapped the steering wheel. I squeezed Kirill's hand as we silently stepped up to Austin's open window. He took the hint and let go of his glamour with me.
“Whatchu lookin' at?” I asked in that abrupt tone children employ to startle people.
Austin shouted wordlessly and jerked back in his seat as Kirill and I burst into laughter.
“Very funny. I thought Viper was supposed to be the one still maturing?” Austin growled.
We laughed harder.
“Get into the damn truck before people start investigating my shout with shotguns.”
“I zink it vas scream, not shout,” Kirill teased him but he did it as we hurried around to the other side of the truck.
“It was a shout,” Austin insisted. “I don't scream.”
As soon as we were in, Austin pulled away from the curb and while he drove away, lights started to come on in nearby homes.
“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Austin glared at Kirill and me. “You go and startle me while we're huntin' a killer? On a public street? Well after midnight?”
“Sorry.” I continued to chuckle. “We couldn't resist.”
“Damn Gods,” he grumbled. “What's the news on the snake guy?”
“Viper's chasing him through the tunnels,” I reported. “He says there's a whole network of them beneath the town.”
“There's a network of snake tunnels beneath my town?” Austin looked aghast. “Great. Just fuckin' great.”
I frowned as something occurred to me.
Yes, that occurred to me too,Odin's voice startled me, and I jumped.
“What just spooked you?” Austin scanned the street.
“Odin. Sorry. He spoke into my mind when I wasn't expecting it.”
I'm sorry, Vervain,Odin said.I thought you knew I was still with you.
It's okay, honey.
“Not so fun, is it?” Austin asked smugly.
“I don't mind a little shiver once in awhile,” I countered with a brow waggle.
Austin rolled his eyes.
“Odin and I were wondering something,” I went on. “The snake didn't trace. Once he was free of our grip, the smartest thing for him to do would have been to trace away. But he didn't. He ran, or slithered, for his tunnel. Why?”
“Can all of you trace?” Austin asked.
“As far as I know.” I looked to Kirill for help.
Kirill shrugged.
All Gods can trace, Odin supplied the answer.There's no reason for him to take the tunnel.
“No reason,” I whispered, and then my blood went cold.
