“Maybe we should focus on facts before we jump to conclusions,” Hekate, dressed in her usual Goth-getup—toned down ever since she married Horus—suggested as she played with a purple strand of hair. “We know that we're dealing with a snake-shifter who is likely from Central America. That makes the Aztec and Mayan Gods the obvious culprits.”
“Maya,” Torrent said.
“What?” Hekate looked over at him.
“The word is Maya, not Mayan,” he explained. “Common mistake. People use the wordMayanandMayasall the time but both are usually incorrect. There is only one instance in which Mayan is the acceptable term and that's when you refer to the family of thirty languages spoken by the Maya people. But one of those thirty is called Maya too so—”
“Okay, we get it,” Finn cut off Torrent with a roll of his green eyes—a shade darker than Torrent's.
“I just wanted her to know the correct word,” Torrent huffed. “Words are important, especially when they're names.”
“It's okay, babe,” Artemis said to Torr. “They know. They're gods, they understand the power of names.”
“Anyway.” Mrs. E cleared her throat. “Shall we look into these gods?”
“I will speak to Quetzalcoatl,” Blue offered grudgingly. “He knows all of the snake gods and will be able to tell me if any of them could be behind this.”
“Will he even speak with you?” Eztli asked.
“He will if I bring the Godhunter.” Blue set a challenging stare on me.
“Why me?” I asked as my men tensed.
“There used to be only one thing that Quetzalcoatl and I disagreed on,” Blue said. “Humans. He saw himself as a protector of humans and—”
A snort from Eztli cut him off.
“My love, he was doing what he thought was best for his people,” Blue said gently. “He saw you as a threat.”
Eztli sighed and nodded, but her expression remained resentful.
“As I was saying,” Blue started again. “Quetzalcoatl saw himself as a protector and hated the fact that I manipulated humans into war. He understood but hated it. When I joined you, he rejoiced and often mentioned his admiration for you.”
“Why haven't you brought him to a meeting?” I asked. “We can use all the help we can get.”
“Because he doesn't want to join us.” Blue shrugged.
“He won't join because of me,” Eztli said dryly. “And, honestly, I would never return if you allowed him into the group.”
Blue let out another sigh. “At first, Quetzalcoatl wanted me to test the waters, as it were. Then, I was reunited with Eztli and learned of their... issues. I haven't spoken to him since.”
“Whoa, dude,” Ryan, one of the Intare, murmured. “Not cool to drop a friend like that.”
“She's my wife,” Blue said sternly to Ryan. “She comes first.”
“And now, you want to takemywife with you as a buffer?” Re asked, leaning forward on lean forearms to set his golden stare on Blue.
“Yes,” Blue said simply. “If you want to hear what Quetzalcoatl has to say about the Aztec snake gods, this is the only way.”
“Then I'm going with you,” Re declared.
“All of us will,” Odin added.
“It will be bad enough to bring one guest with me, I can't bring your whole family,” Blue protested. He looked at my resolute men and settled on Viper. “You can come. You're a snake; he'll appreciate that.”
Viper grinned. “Sweet! I get to meet another snake god.”
“If this snake-shifter stays true to form, we'll have until nightfall in Texas before we have to start worrying about another attack and it's just getting to be morning there,” Odin said. “That should give you plenty of time to speak with Quetzalcoatl and return.”
