“Or he really is a ghost,” Austin said.
“Those don't exist,” I said. Then I paused. “Do they, Al?”
“Well, technically a soul without a body is a ghost,” Alaric said. “But what you're asking is whether a soul can survive in one of the realms of the living without a body. The answer to that is no.”
“So, he's not a ghost, just stronger,” Trevor said.
“He's got the strength of over fifty gods now,” Alaric said.
Re shook his head. “That would make him nearly invincible.”
Azrael's expression twitched. “He can't be invincible.”
“Either way, he's more powerful than before,” I said.
“That's terrible,” Aradia said in her voice. “And I'd really like to stay and help out, but I kinda want to get home and check on my wards now.”
“Oh! Of course, Aradia. Thank you so much for bringing Alaric to help me,” I said.
“No problem.” Aradia shuddered. “Ah, Alaric's gone now. Goodbye, everyone.” She waved at the Intare, nodded at my husbands, and headed for the tracing room.
“Oh, Aradia?”
“Yes?” She stopped to look back.
“No offense, but please, don't come back here until this is over. I don't want to risk you being overheard speaking the entry chant.”
“Yeah, I understand. Just text me with an all's clear.”
After she was gone, Odin said, “You could just change the chant again.”
“But what if Alaric needs his avatar?”
Odin's expression went grim. “You're right. We'll wait.”
“Banana pancakes it is,” Viper declared.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“I assume Anubis knows his blade was stolen,” I said.
“Yeah, he texted while we were panicking over you,” Trevor said. “I think one of us answered him.”
“We should tell him that Vervain is back,” Odin said. “And she knows who has his dagger.”
Trevor shrugged.
“We could use Anubis and his jackals,” I said.
“We don't need them. I can call the Froekn.”
“Uh, and there's us,” Aaron said, tossing back his long, blond hair.
The other Intare nodded and growled.
“I care about all of you and the Froekn,” I said. “The werejackals—not so much.”
“Cannon fodder,” Trevor said. “I'm down with that.”
