Odin didn't answer. I assumed he was tracing since, a few moments later, he was knocking on Austin's front door.
“You didn't find him,” I concluded as soon as I saw Odin's face. The lack of Viper behind him sort of clinched it.
“I'm sorry, Vervain. I can't track like you. I followed what I believed to be Viper's trail but lost it when he surfaced in Elgin.”
“Where's that?”
“Just outside Austin,” Austin answered for Odin.
“The tunnels branched up to the town but once I was above ground, I couldn't find Viper's scent. I think I need to take you back there so you can give it a try.”
“Oh, sugar puffs,” I whispered. “You're worried.”
Odin just stared at me sympathetically.
“Let me give the Elgin Police Department a call before you go,” Austin offered. “See if they got any reports of large snakes in the area or other unusual incidents.”
I nodded and started pacing as I went inward, trying once again to reach my wayward lover.
Viper? This has gone too far. If you can hear me, you need to say something. We're about to launch a full-out manhunt for you. Viper?
But once again, there was no response.
“I'm going to goCommandoon his ass,” I growled.
“As in no underwear?” Re asked hopefully.
I stopped pacing and stared at Re, taking a few seconds to process what he said. Understanding dawned. “No,Commandois a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger and a very young Alyssa Milano.”
“Oh.” Re deflated.
“That's an old reference,” Trevor noted.
“Now I'm old?” I nearly shrieked.
“Vervain, take a breath.” Azrael grabbed my hands. “You have been spiraling since Viper left. No, since he rebelled.”
“Rebelled?” I whispered.
“Yes. I'm sorry, but you did treat him a little like a rebellious child. And you did it in front of people he respects.”
“Thanks a lot, Az,” I huffed and pulled away. “I didn't need you to tell me that, I've been thinking it myself.”
“Carus, I'm not saying that Viper behaved any better. Just that both of you said awful things you didn't mean. Things you took the wrong way. Maybe you should remember that when we find him.”
“And wewillfind him,” Re assured me. Then he frowned in thought. “Hold on, you can locate the Intare through your link as their goddess. Can't you do that with Viper?”
“Viper isn't a demigod,” I said forlornly. “I made him his own god so I didn't have to be the source of his magic. I made him independent and now he thinks that I want him to be reliant on me.”
“That's not what he thinks,” Trevor growled. “Damn it, Vervain, stop pouting. You're a fucking goddess! Start acting like one.”
My face fell but in a good way—in epiphany. Trevor had just given me a mental slap and told me to snap out of it.Imagining what someone else is feeling can give you the power to influence their actions,my words came back to mock me. I needed to listen to my own advice... and my lover.
“Thanks for the mental bitch-slap, Cher.” I snorted. “I'm good now.”
Trevor chuckled. “There you are. I was wondering how long you were going to mope.”
“Hey, so the Elgin...” Austin came into the room speaking but trailed off when he saw our faces. “What just happened?”
