“It didn't occur to you?” Samael lifted a brow at Odin.
“We've been busy playing the trickster's game,” Az said before Odin could reply. “They replaced the items in the Ark with clues for us to follow.”
“Clues enchanted with spells to mess with us,” I added.
“And then?” Samael rolled a hand in a get-on-with-it motion.
“They took Cerberus and Princess,” I said. “Princess is Persephone's dog. Shortly after that, they stole Luke's pitchfork. The clues they left in the Ark led us to Hell where we found Cerberus and Princess, the latter strung up over Aaron's rod which was disguised to look like the pitchfork.”
“Hades . . . another underworld king.”
“Jesus is not an underworld king,” Az said.
“Yes, I know. But your father is, and I'm looking for connections.”
“We think they might be after Azrael,” Arach said. “Everyone targeted has been close to him. The last person taken was a Wild Magic child living in the neighborhood outside the Golden Citadel.”
“Could be Azrael. He certainly has ruffled some feathers.” Samael nodded. “Or this person could want you to think it's Azrael. The theft of the Hound of Hades and Persephone's puppy is strange. If they were tormenting Azrael, there are others who would make better victims. The trickster may simply be moving from one random target to the next based on proximity and ease.”
“Then where do you fit in?” I asked.
“Now, that is a good question.” Samael crossed his arms. “You say they haven't used bleach lately?”
“Yes.”
“Lilith and I have been in the South of France for the last week. I'm not sure when exactly the Pasha was taken. As you know, the bleach scent is not overpowering. Lilith didn't notice it at all.”
“Right,” I said. “We didn't consider how long it would take for that scent to dissipate.”
“You think they stole the Pasha first,” Az said.
“I think the theft may have occurred while you were running around, chasing clues.”
“So the Ark was a distraction to get the Pasha?” I asked. “But you were gone. They didn't need a distraction.”
Samael shrugged. “They wouldn't have known we were in the Human Realm.”
“Or maybe they did,” Trevor said. “They seem to know a lot.”
“Howdo they know a lot? That is the question,” Arach said.
“Indeed,” Odin muttered.
“Show me where the Pasha was kept,” I said.
Samael led us through his shiny hallways, the floors done in green marble so dark, it was almost black. Then down we went into the subterranean levels of the mansion.
“I wouldn't have even known the Pasha was gone if I hadn't smelled that bleach,” Samael said. “I came down here immediately to check my safe rooms and found one of them open.”
“You have a safe room?” Viper asked. “Get scared a lot, do you?”
Samael frowned at Viper while Lilith laughed.
“He thinks you mean one of those secure rooms that humans lock themselves in when someone invades their home,” Lilith said.
Samael grimaced at his wife, then transferred the look to Viper. “I do not.” He continued down the corridor. “I have rooms to keep my treasures safe.” He waved his hands to either side as we passed steel doors that thrummed with magic. “Thistrickster must be powerful indeed. Not only did they invade my home without my knowledge, but they also got past this warded door without breaking the ward.” He stopped before a room and opened the door by placing his palm on it.
The door swung inward, and Samael waved us inside.
