“Bleach is like shifter kryptonite,” Trevor explained through a pained expression. “It overpowers our senses and basically makes us nose blind for awhile.”
“Whoever it was your friend shot, they really didn't want their blood found,” Azrael concluded.
“Or zey didn't vant to be tracked,” Kirill argued.
“By humans?” Azrael scoffed.
“Humans have dogs,” Trevor reminded him.
“True,” Az conceded. “And bleach would do the same to a dog.”
“Let's go, it's starting to make me lightheaded.” I climbed back in the truck.
If only we had Tlaloc's goggles. A goddess named Marzana had stolen them awhile back. Yes, the same goddess who Kirill killed and whose power he appropriated. Volos, her brother, had offered to search her home for the goggles but so far, he'd come up empty-handed.
We drove back to Austin's house and had another meeting. While we were discussing possible snake-shifters, Austin received a phone call. He went into the dining room to take it and when he came back, his expression was grave.
“Austin's got 'em too,” Austin announced.
“Snake attacks?” I asked.
Austin nodded as he resumed his seat. “Not only them. They said there have been attacks in San Antonio, Laredo, and several towns on the outskirts of those cities. They're scratchin' their heads like us. Snake attacks are rare in the cities—beyond rare—and they've had over twenty reported attacks last month. But get this, the attacks petered off and they haven't had any since.”
“Since you started getting them?” Viper asked.
“A couple weeks before us.” Austin shook his head. “But the towns between us have been hit.”
“They're moving,” Azrael noted.
“You got a map of Texas?” I asked him.
“I got a cellphone.” Austin pulled his cellphone out and started typing. He laid it on the trunk/coffee table between us. “What are you lookin' for?”
“You said that Austin, San Antonio, Laredo, and their surrounding towns have been attacked,” I murmured as I looked over the map. Then I grimaced and held the phone out to Austin. “What do you see, Lieutenant?”
Austin frowned at it, then blinked. “It's a trail.”
“Yes, and if we follow that trail backward?” I prompted.
“Mexico,” he concluded. “They came up from Mexico.”
“Does Mexico have green snakes?” I asked him.
He snatched up the cellphone and started tapping on it again. “I don't know but I'm fixin' to find out.” He flicked a finger upward as he read, then leaned back in his seat with a heavy exhale and looked at my boyfriend. “Vipers. They got all kinds of colorful pit vipers.”
“Hey!” Viper held up his hands in surrender. “I can't help the way I was made. It ain't easy being green, you know. I think there's even a song about it.”
“The man your friend saw, what did he look like?” I couldn't believe I hadn't asked the question earlier. I mean, duh.
Austin scowled. “You know what? I didn't ask him. I was so focused on the snake thing. Hold on.” He dialed, then held the phone to his ear. “Yeah, Vince, it's me. Sorry if I woke ya.” A pause. “No, not yet. Hey, what did that guy look like? Yeah, the naked one.” He grimaced, then snorted. “Yeah, I know, but do you—” His face fell. “Show 'nuff. I'll call ya.” He ended the call and met my stare. “Vince said the guy was Mexican.”
“Time to call in the Squad,” I declared. “There's one man, in particular, who I think can help us.”
“Torrent,” Viper concluded.
I shook my head and shared a look with my husbands.
“Blue,” Trevor growled.
