He frowned.
“The snake people,” I clarified. “What happened when you went after them? You know, the night you told us to let you handle it.” Then I waved the question away. “You know what? I don't care. You didn't kill them and that's all I need to know. You want to help? Fine, we're not going to turn down help, but if you get all stuffy again or if you get in my way, I'm going to break your beak off. Got it?”
Shaw nodded stiffly.
“And what's with the name? Shouldn't it be something Native American? Aren't those your people?” I grumbled. “Where's your cultural pride?”
“We are of all tribes,” he trailed off when he spotted the Native American gods with us. “Teharon of the Mohawks, it's an honor to meet you.”
“The honor's mine.” Teharon hurried forward and offered his hand to Shaw. “Thank you for coming to assist us.”
“I thought I spotted you from the air but wasn't sure. I'm relieved that you are a part of this team.”
“I've been fighting beside the Godhunter for many years now. My grandparents are with us as well.” Teharon motioned Mr. T and Mrs. E forward. “Tsohaonai and Estsanatlehi of the Navajo.”
Shaw bowed deeply to them. The owls gave a clicking cry and my friends inclined their heads as if accepting tribute.
“We will keep watch from above,” Shaw offered. “When you reach the dark one, we will descend and join your ranks.”
With that, Shaw shifted back into a massive owl, his clothes turning into a collar once more, and launched into the air—no wing shield needed this time. The rest of the Itakupe followed him and the birds started circling overhead.
“If they poop on us, I'm having roasted owl for dinner,” I muttered.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The trail led us to a wooded area; it looked like a park. The boy's scent hadn't kept to the sidewalks but often wandered off, leaving me to assume a couple of things: that the Adroanzi didn't have a vehicle and they couldn't hide the kid. The terrain got rough and I was glad I'd worn my boots. Above us, the owls continued to fly, several scouting ahead before circling back. It was probably driving them crazy to have to go at our pace. It would have annoyed me too if I'd been up there with them. I could have been, and I probably would have been able to follow the scent from there as well. But I could end up missing something from that height and this was not the time for mistakes—nine young lives were on the line.
“A cave?” I stared at the shadowy passage, just large enough for Odin to get through if he hunched.
“It's isolated, muffles sound, and is made of earth,” Odin pointed out. “I'm not surprised.”
The Itakupe landed around us, then went into the trees for some privacy to transform. The God Squad, myself included, was still staring at the entrance when they returned—a group of attractive Native Americans dressed in modern clothing. All of them wore stern expressions and leather jackets that went well with their high cheekbones and long noses. Most had long hair—men and women both—but had braided it back for battle.
“We will go in first,” Shaw declared.
I chuckled.
He lifted an eyebrow.
“Don't let me stop you.” I waved him forward. “I just have one word of advice.”
Shaw cocked his head so far to the side that he looked as if his neck might break.
“Trust your gizzard,” I managed to say it with a straight face.
There were some snickers from the Squad, but the owls were not amused. Especially not Shaw.
He straightened his head and pointed out, “That is more than one word.”
“It's an expression.” I rolled my eyes. It was like dealing with Arach. “And a quote. How have you never seen the greatest owl movie of all time?”
“Which of the Harry Potter films do you refer to?” Shaw asked dryly.
I burst out laughing. “None of them, but points for knowing Harry Potter. I'm talking about the movie whose main characters are owls—Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.”
“That is a very long title for a movie.”
“I agree. They should have shortened it to Guardians of Ga'Hoole, it would have better alliteration that way as well.”
