“It's a good thing that you have a guardian angel then.” Az kissed my forehead tenderly.
“Better even than owls,” I vowed.
Chapter Forty
Azrael returned with the Hellbrew first, then went back for Austin. They walked in on a bunch of celebrating gods, deep in their cups.
“What in tarnation is going on here?” Austin asked as he stared around the room in shock. “I didn't think y'all could get drunk?”
“Not usually,” I slurred. “But when underwear makes winos, we can.”
“Is that some kinda weird god wisdom?” He cocked his head at me.
“I believe she was trying to say, when underworlds make wine,” Az translated for me. “Hellbrew and wine from Duat can get most gods drunk. Have a seat and I'll get you something to drink. Do not, and I repeat, donotdrink any of that.” He waved at the bottles of Hellbrew. “It's made in Hell.”
Austin jerked back as if Satan himself might pop out of a bottle. “Copy that.”
Az went to find Austin a drink that wouldn't kill him while Austin stepped up to the table.
“I want to sincerely thank all of you for what you did for Texas. I know this is kinda your thing, and I'm not sure how much of this you'll remember.” He shook his head as a couple of Intare roared and cheered simultaneously. “But it's the first time I've seen y'all in action. Well, I didn't seeallof the action, and honestly, I'm grateful for that, but you know what I mean. Just, thank you.”
“No problemo,” I murmured into the table, then pushed myself up with Herculean effort and gave Austin a thumb's up.
“Vervain?”
“Huh?”
“What are you wearing?”
I leaned back in my chair to look at myself. I had a black T-shirt on; it was part of the pilfered clothing that Azrael had brought Viper and me. There was an upside-down pig on my shirt. No, wait, the pig was right side up, I was justlookingat it upside-down. There were words too, but I couldn't read them.
“What does my stirt shay?” I asked Re.
Re frowned at the writing, then burst out laughing.
“What?” I pulled at the shirt, trying to twist it enough that I could read it.
“No, please, let me say it,” Re begged.
“Then shay it already,” I growled.
“Itsays”—he had to pause to chuckle—“rub my butt then you can pull my pork.” Re wagged his brows at me.
I gave a wheezing, drunken laugh.
“I had to find them clothing fast,” Azrael explained to Austin. “I just grabbed some things off a wash line and pinned a twenty-dollar bill in their place.”
“I see,” Austin drawled, then chortled.
“What are you imbeciles doing?” Horus asked disdainfully as he entered the room with Hekate.
Hekate had cleaned her face and had on one of Sam's dresses. Horus had his jacket off and his button-down shirt unbuttoned to nearly the waist. In short, they looked nothing like themselves. They also had a post-coital glow.
“Horus!” I tried to stand up but promptly fell back onto my butt. “Hekate! What happened to yous—you twoses—you two? Katie, you look like a mommy.”
“Take that back!” Katie said but without much heat. “Besides, I'm going to be a mommy.”
“Congratulations, Miss Hekate,” Austin said as he lifted his non-Hellbrew-beer. “And to you, Horus.”
