“I think those of us who have them should check on our treasures and make sure they're secure,” Odin said with a small frown. “I need to check on Gungnir.”
The God Squad went still. We hadn't considered that if Heaven, Hell, the Greek Underworld, and the Faerie Realm could be infiltrated, then all territories were vulnerable to invasion.
“My blade,” Anubis whispered.
I went still. Anubis had once struck me with his dagger and infected me with his magic. He took control of me through it, forcing me to go to him and submit to all the stuff that made my husbands hate him.
“I locked it up after—” Anubis glanced at me.
“That dagger is dangerous,” Odin growled.
“Which is why I put it somewhere secure, Allfather,” Anubis said. “But I think what's of note here, in this particular situation, is that its main purpose is to siphon souls.”
“Shit,” Gello hissed. “You have a soul stealer in our home?”
“It's not specifically a Demon soul stealer, love,” Anubis said. “And I believed it to be secure.”
“We all have items of power,” Thor said. “Perhaps we should keep them close.”
“I don't,” Viper said.
I blinked.
“I don't either,” Torrent said to Viper. “It's okay. We're still gods.”
“You don't need a weapon of power. Youarea weapon of power,” Viper said to Torr.
“Thanks! You're pretty powerful too, with that star stuff.”
“Thanks.”
“If only gods had gods to pray to, I would beseech one to kill me now,” Horus drawled.
I would have laughed at that, but I was stuck on what Viper said. “He took the weak ones,” I said.
“Hey!” Viper said.
“Sorry, babe. I'm not saying you're weak. But to this person, you would be seen as one of the weaker members of the Squad.”
“The fucking coward,” Hades said.
I didn't say anything about his language. No one had brought their kids to the meeting. Frankly, I had a few curse words bubbling up my throat as well.
“Yes, yes,” Horus said. “They took the weak. That's not necessarily cowardice. Lions do it, don't they, Vervain?”
“Fair enough,” I said.
“My point is, in this case, I believe it's a simple matter of tactics. They needed people they could use to distract us. It was easiest to take those who wouldn't put up much of a fight.”
“But the only reason we didn't fight is that we were dazed by their magic,” Viper said.
“Which only proves my point,” Horus said. “If they can daze gods, they could have taken anyone.”
“But they chose dogs, minor gods, and a child,” Persephone said.
“We're wasting time,” Anubis said as he stood up. “I need to check on the dagger. Text me if you discover anything new.”
“And text us if you discover anything missing,” Odin said. “That goes for all of you.”
