“No! I'll handle this.” Torrent growled as he glanced around the room to make sure there were only people he could trust nearby.
“Shoot,” I whispered. “Sorry. I was so worried that I forgot.”
But Torrent was already focused on the snake. His eyes shifted as if he were reading something, then the snake crumbled into pink dust. Artemis took a deep breath and shuddered.
“I've got you, babe,” Torrent said as he pulled her into his arms. “It's all right.”
Hades shook his head as he watched them. “He may be the greatest power among us.”
“He would be,” Thor said. “If he started using that magic as a weapon. But Torrent would never do that.”
Torrent lifted his head and met Thor's gaze. “Yes, I would. If it meant protecting those I loved, I would use it in a heartbeat. I would unmake anything and anyone who tried to hurt us.”
“Good answer, Torr,” I said. “But for now, we keep that power under wraps.”
Torrent nodded.
“I'm sorry, but . . . what the fuck in the fuck room was that?” Morpheus asked. “She couldn't let go of that thing. Was it turning her vicious?”
“Like a viper?” Viper asked with a lifted brow.
I looked around and met only worried stares.
“This is beyond a prank,” Odin said.
“It's a game,” Re said.
Hades growled at Re, “Taking my dogs is a game?”
“Hades, maybe it's not the nicest thing to call Cerberus your dog,” I suggested.
Hades blinked. Thought about it. “No, he likes it. He calls himself the Hound of Hades.”
I just shook my head.
“Thisisa game,” Thor said. “They meant for us to find these things.” He looked at his father. “Dad, can you take a closer look at the wand?”
“Without touching it,” I added.
“Why don't I just look at it?” Torrent said. “I can tell you if it's enchanted.”
“Can you tell us what kind of enchantment?” Thor asked.
Torr squished up his face. “Only if I've seen something similar before.”
“My father knows magic,” Thor said. “Why don't you both take a look?”
Odin waved Torr ahead of him, back into Jesus's sex room. But first, Torrent had to check on his girlfriend.
“Are you all right, Artie?” Torrent asked, his platinum blond hair falling into his face as he lowered his head to look at her.
Artemis lifted her head and squared her shoulders. “I'm good. Go on.” She gave him a push. “We need to hunt.”
Torrent was the kind of guy to take people at their word. He didn't hover and keep asking if she was sure. He just nodded and went into the room with Odin.
They came out a few seconds later.
“It's not there,” Odin said.
